Heavenly Valley Ski Resort has been an iconic part of the South Lake Tahoe landscape since 1955, when it first opened its slopes to the public. Since then, it has become known as one of the best ski resorts in the United States, with some of the longest runs and highest elevations in the country. But who started Heavenly Valley Ski Resort?
The answer lies in two intertwined stories. The first is of two brothers from Minnesota — Bill and Don Jansen — who had a dream to open a ski resort that would be accessible to everyone.
In 1954, they moved to South Lake Tahoe and began scouting for land that had potential for skiing. After finding an area with enough snowfall and terrain, they purchased 1,500 acres of land near Boulder Lodge, which would eventually become Heavenly Valley Ski Resort.
The second part of this story is one of persistence and determination: even though the Jansen brothers did not have the capital to build such a large resort on their own, they were determined to make their dream a reality. So they took out loans from banks and borrowed money from friends, family members, and other local investors until they could raise enough funds to begin construction on Heavenly Valley Ski Resort in 1955.
The Jansen brothers worked tirelessly for over a decade before finally being able to open the resort’s first chairlift in 1968. From there, Heavenly Valley Ski Resort continued to grow — expanding its terrain, adding new lifts, lodges and amenities — until it became one of North America’s premier ski destinations by the 1990s.
Today, Heavenly Valley Ski Resort is still owned and operated by Bill and Don Jansen’s family — a testament to their unwavering dedication and hard work over five decades ago. It stands as a symbol of what can happen when passion meets perseverance — something that visitors experience every time they take on its trails or enjoy its views.
In conclusion, Bill and Don Jansen are credited with starting Heavenly Valley Ski Resort in 1955 after purchasing 1,500 acres near Boulder Lodge thanks to loans from banks and borrowing money from friends, family members, and other local investors. The resort has since grown into one of North America’s premier ski destinations due to their unwavering dedication and hard work over five decades ago – making them true pioneers in the skiing industry.
