On the heels of the most powerful storm to hit the Lake Tahoe region this winter, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort have announced plans to extend their respective ski and snowboard seasons.

“It’s no secret that this has been one of the most challenging seasons on record,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “So we wanted to reward all the pass holders who stood by us this season, and create more opportunities for them to realize even more value from what was already the best pass product on the market.”

Heavenly’s closing day was slated for April 15, 2012. After that date, the resort will shut down during the week, and re-open Friday through Sunday the weekends of April 20 – 22, 2012, and April 27 – 29, 2012, weather and conditions permitting. Kirkwood will keep the same weekend-only schedule as long as snow conditions will support skiing and snowboarding.

New 2012-13 pass holders already received one free day in April 2012 with the purchase of next season’s pass, and now their 2012-13 pass will grant them access to the entire extended portion of the season, as many as six days at Heavenly and more at Kirkwood, weather and conditions permitting.

Heavenly’s operation will include the Heavenly Gondola, Tamarack Express and Dipper Express, with a limited expert-only operation at Gunbarrel Express. Kirkwood plans to operate Chair #6, Cornice Express, and Chair #10, Wagon Wheel. For a full rundown of extended operations at Heavenly and Kirkwood, please visit www.skiheavenly.com or www.kirkwood.com.

“The snowpack really got a boost from this last storm and we’re confident we’ll have great skiing and snowboarding well into spring at both resorts,” said Casey Blann, Heavenly’s vice president of mountain operations and the incoming general manager of Kirkwood. “Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood have consistently provided the best skiing and snowboarding all season, and this spring will be no exception.”

“The benefits that new pass holders receive in the extended season alone make purchasing the Tahoe Value Pass or the Tahoe Local Pass a total no-brainer,” Sonntag said. “Just do the math. You can purchase Lake Tahoe’s best pass for $419 and essentially pay it off before next season even starts.”

Vail Resorts recently announced the best value in 2012-13 season passes, including the new Tahoe Local Pass that provides access to more than 10,000 total skiable acres between Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood, marking the most combined terrain in Tahoe. Priced at $419, Tahoe Local pass holders receive seven-day-per-week access the three best resorts in the Tahoe region for $80 less than last year’s comparable Epic Local Pass. Guests of Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood now have a variety of season pass options to choose from depending on when and how often they want to ski and ride.

New for 2012-13, the Tahoe Local Pass™ offers skiing and riding seven days a week to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood for $419. The Tahoe Local Pass includes access on Saturdays at all three Tahoe resorts with limited holiday restrictions and $50 pass holder tickets available for purchase during blackout dates. Priced $80 less than last year’s comparable Epic Local Pass, the Tahoe Local Pass pays for itself in just over four days.

Passes on sale
The Tahoe Value Pass™, available for $379, includes skiing or riding seven days a week at Heavenly and skiing or riding at Northstar and Kirkwood on Sunday-Friday, with all Saturdays blacked out. Holiday restrictions apply, but pass holders can purchase a $50 ticket to any of the three resorts on restricted dates. In less than four days of skiing or riding, the Tahoe Value Pass pays for itself.

The Epic Pass™, the best season pass deal in the ski industry, offers unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Arapahoe Basin for $659. The Epic Pass pays for itself in less than six days on the mountain.

Epic 7-Day™ pays for itself in less than five days and is ideal for people who don’t plan to ski more than seven days. The Epic 7-Day gives skiers and snowboarders a total of seven unrestricted days of skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar, plus Arapahoe Basin anytime during the season for a price of $509.

A Kirkwood-only pass will also be announced at a later date.

Early spring benefits are only guaranteed through April 15, 2012, and Vail Resorts is giving guests the option to lock in these prices now with a $49 down payment, with the remainder of the balance due in mid-September 2012. Locking in the Tahoe Local or Tahoe Value pass with the $49 down payment also gives pass holders access to six Buddy Tickets to use for themselves, or for skiing or riding with friends. For more information about 2012-13 season passes, visit www.epicpass.com.