BY JEFFREY WEIDEL
The U.S. Forest Service has tentatively approved Heavenly ski resort’s expansion plans, including the addition of some unique attractions.
Soon enough, south shore residents and its visitors could be gliding through the mountains or pedaling through the treetops at Heavenly Mountain Resort during the summer.
Heavenly Mountain Resort is best known as a ski resort, but like many resorts nationwide that are experiencing less snow and a shorter ski season, Heavenly wants to have its mountainous terrain available during the warmer months as well.
Heavenly ski resort already has five zip lines, three rope courses, and summer tubing on land it leases from the U.S. Forest Service. The resort is waiting for final approval for the new expansions.
If the plans are approved, Heavenly ski resort would start construction this summer and it would be an ongoing process. One of the attractions to come would be the mountain bike park for beginners and advanced, that could be ready for use by 2017.
Summer business is already good at Heavenly ski resort, but it expects the new features would increase summer business even higher. Drawing in the crowds for summer time would include a very cool mountain coaster. The gravity-based ride would take riders along a track in the forest where they self-control both the speed and brake pedal.
A sky cycle at Heavenly ski resort features a bicycle suspended on cables that you can ride through the treetops. Several new zip line courses will also open up this summer to visitors. The Blue Streak zip line is a favorite and is 3,000 feet long.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at [email protected]. Thanks for visiting his winter website at www.tahoeskiworld.com