Heavenly Mountain Resort is marking a milestone winter in Lake Tahoe, and the centerpiece of its 70th anniversary season will be a one day mid winter celebration on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Billed as the 70th Anniversary Mid Season Party on the 70th day of operations, the event will blend food, music and turns on the mountain into a single day that looks designed to capture both the history and high energy of one of Tahoe’s most famous ski areas.

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A Midseason Milestone on Heavenly’s 70th Day

While the 2025 to 2026 ski season at Heavenly Mountain Resort is filled with concerts, DJ sets and on mountain pop ups, the resort is giving special focus to January 31, 2026.

According to the resort’s event schedule, that Saturday is slated as the “70th Anniversary Mid Season Party on the 70th Day Open,” a numerical nod to seven decades since the mountain opened in December 1955 and to its place in Tahoe’s modern ski culture.

Heavenly plans to center the celebration at Lakeview Lodge, the mid mountain venue that overlooks the south shore of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada.

The event is scheduled as a full day on mountain gathering, giving skiers and riders time to lap the resort’s 97 trails before settling into an afternoon and evening that will highlight both food and music.

Resort officials are framing the date as a chance for visitors and longtime locals alike to pause in the middle of a busy winter and raise a glass to Heavenly’s past and future.

The January 31 party will arrive midway through a season that already includes a dedicated opening day celebration in December 2025, New Year’s festivities in Heavenly Village and a string of live DJ performances stretching into March 2026.

For travelers planning a winter visit to Tahoe, that makes the late January weekend stand out as one of the key dates on the calendar, with predictable midwinter snowpack and a full range of terrain typically open across both the California and Nevada sides of the resort.

Food, Drink and Slope Side Atmosphere at Lakeview Lodge

The 70th Anniversary Mid Season Party is set to be anchored by food and drink at Lakeview Lodge, Heavenly’s on mountain restaurant perched high above the lake. The resort has announced that the celebration will feature “good food” and “drink specials,” signaling a menu that will go beyond the standard lodge offerings in honor of the anniversary. While specific dishes and pairings have not yet been detailed, visitors can expect a mix of casual ski day staples and elevated options suited to a birthday party of this scale.

Lakeview Lodge is reached via the resort’s lift network, which will keep the celebration closely tied to a day on the slopes. Skiers and snowboarders will be able to ski in and ski out of the venue, moving between laps on nearby runs and time spent at outdoor tables that frame one of the most famous panoramas in the Tahoe Basin. Non skiers can typically reach the lodge via lifts when conditions and operations permit, making the party accessible to mixed groups and families in which not everyone is on snow.

Drink specials are positioned as another draw for the January 31 event. Heavenly’s bar teams have leaned in recent years into craft cocktails, regional beers and winter warmers, and the anniversary provides a natural platform for custom creations that play on the resort’s history or iconic runs. Guests can anticipate a mix of après ski favorites and limited time offerings crafted for the 70th season, along with non alcoholic options for families and those taking a break between laps.

DJ Cat Brings the Soundtrack to the Slopes

Music is set to be at the core of the January 31 celebration, and Heavenly is turning again to a now familiar character on the mountain: the DJ Cat. The resort’s custom snowcat outfitted with a full DJ booth has become a roving party platform in recent winters, parking at scenic spots around the resort to bring club energy and festival sound systems into the alpine environment. For the mid season anniversary party, the DJ Cat is slated to be spinning slopeside at Lakeview Lodge, effectively turning the deck into an outdoor dance floor in ski boots.

The DJ Cat is part of a broader 70th anniversary music program that stretches over the entire season. Heavenly has already scheduled a headlining DJ set from Foster the People on December 20, 2025, to open the celebrations, as well as additional performances from artists including Vandelux, Dombresky, Forester and SkiiTour in the first months of 2026. In that context, the January 31 event is both a mid point and a highlight, a day when the resort’s roaming sound system is dedicated to a single location with a clear anniversary theme.

For guests, the presence of live DJ sets on the mountain redefines a classic ski day. Instead of limiting music to après bars at the base, Heavenly is curating a moving soundtrack that follows skiers and riders between runs, with January 31 promising one of the densest blocks of entertainment. The combination of snow, views and a DJ booth carved out of a snowcat hood is likely to attract both core skiers and visitors more interested in the social and cultural side of a winter trip.

A Season Long 70th Anniversary Celebration

Heavenly’s 70th anniversary is not confined to a single day. The resort has framed the entire 2025 to 2026 winter as a months long celebration, with layered programming that begins on opening day and continues into spring. Official information describes the season as “more than a celebration” and positions it as a “season long experience” designed for “every skier and rider who calls this place home,” which underscores how closely the resort is linking its legacy with the community that skis it.

Beyond music, Heavenly has introduced an anniversary exhibit at the Lake Tahoe Airport that traces the resort’s story from its 1955 opening to the modern era. The exhibit includes historical photos, memorabilia and an interactive gondola display that invites visitors to engage with the evolution of lift technology and the resort’s growth. For travelers flying into Tahoe or passing through the small regional terminal, it offers a free and family friendly way to connect with the mountain’s past before riding its current lifts.

The season’s event schedule also features returning favorites such as Heavenly Holidays in late December, Pride Day on March 7, 2026, and the Gunbarrel 25 endurance challenge on March 28, 2026. The Toyota Air and Après big air show will return from February 27 to March 1, 2026, transforming the base of the World Cup run into a nighttime spectacle of freestyle skiing, snowboarding, lights and fireworks. In that broader landscape of special events, the January 31 mid season party functions as a central chapter of the narrative, timed to hit at the heart of winter with full operations online.

From Heavenly Valley to a Binational Ski Icon

The significance of the 70th anniversary is best understood in the context of Heavenly’s history. The resort opened as Heavenly Valley on December 15, 1955, following the purchase and expansion of a small local ski run by entrepreneur Chris Kuraisa and partners. In the decades that followed, the mountain expanded from a modest operation with rope tows into one of the largest ski areas in North America, with terrain straddling the California and Nevada state line and lifts that reach over 10,000 feet in elevation.

Today, Heavenly covers roughly 4,800 acres within its permit area, with 97 trails served by more than two dozen lifts. The resort helped define the image of Lake Tahoe as a winter destination, hosting top level racing events and becoming the backdrop for film shoots, advertising campaigns and the broader American ski culture. Its location directly above the casinos and entertainment venues of Stateline on the Nevada side made it a key player in linking skiing with nightlife and year round tourism around the lake.

Ownership changes over time, including the acquisition by Vail Resorts in 2002, brought significant investment in lift infrastructure, snowmaking and guest services. The modern Heavenly includes a high speed gondola from Heavenly Village, terrain parks, extensive snowmaking coverage and an events program that has become increasingly central to its brand. The 70th anniversary season highlights not only a date on a calendar but the arc of a resort that has mirrored the rise of destination skiing in the American West.

Planning a Trip for January 31, 2026

For travelers interested in being part of the mid season celebration, advance planning will be important. Late January falls in the core of Tahoe’s winter tourism season, and while the January 31 event has only just been placed on the resort’s official calendar, its positioning as a signature anniversary party is likely to drive demand for both lodging and lift access. Visitors should consider securing accommodation in South Lake Tahoe or Stateline well ahead of time, particularly if they want to stay within walking distance of the gondola or the California base areas.

Lift tickets and passes for the 2025 to 2026 season are already on sale through Heavenly’s parent company, which means guests can lock in access for the January celebration as part of a longer stay. For those flying in, Reno Tahoe International Airport is the largest gateway, with shuttle and rental car options for the roughly one hour drive to the south shore. The smaller Lake Tahoe Airport will be especially notable this year as the site of the 70th anniversary exhibit, giving arriving visitors an immediate sense of the mountain’s heritage.

On the day of the event, guests can expect typical winter operating hours across the mountain, with lifts opening in the morning and running through the afternoon, conditions permitting. Because Lakeview Lodge is a mid mountain venue, weather and lift operations may affect exact access points, and visitors are advised to check the resort’s daily updates for information about which lifts are running and where the DJ Cat will be stationed. Dressing in layers and planning for time both on the slopes and on the lodge deck will help guests make the most of a day that combines sport and celebration.

Heavenly’s Role in Tahoe’s Evolving Winter Scene

The 70th anniversary season arrives at a time when Lake Tahoe’s ski industry is evolving through new investments, shifting visitor patterns and climate related challenges. Other area resorts are upgrading lifts and base areas or, in some cases, reopening after pauses in operation. Against that backdrop, Heavenly’s choice to lean into a robust calendar of experiences, from DJ led parties to heritage exhibits, underscores how critical on mountain culture has become to attracting and retaining winter travelers.

Events like the January 31 mid season party reflect a broader trend in North American skiing in which resorts are no longer selling only vertical feet and snowfall totals, but entire experiences that blend sport, music, food and social connection. By positioning its 70th year as a “season long experience” and investing in visible programming such as the DJ Cat and marquee concerts, Heavenly is reinforcing its identity as both a ski area and an entertainment venue, a dual role that has deep roots in South Lake Tahoe’s history.

For the town itself, the anniversary adds another narrative layer to a busy winter that already includes New Year’s Eve gatherings, regional festivals and ongoing development around Heavenly Village. Local businesses in lodging, dining and retail stand to benefit from the influx of visitors drawn by the anniversary, while longtime residents and seasonal workers gain a chance to reflect on how tightly the resort is woven into the region’s economic and cultural fabric.

FAQ

Q1: What exactly is happening at Heavenly on January 31, 2026?
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, Heavenly Mountain Resort will host its 70th Anniversary Mid Season Party, described as a celebration of the resort’s 70th day of operations in its 70th year, featuring food, drink specials and live DJ music at Lakeview Lodge on the mountain.

Q2: Where will the main anniversary activities take place?
The core of the celebration will be centered at Lakeview Lodge, a mid mountain restaurant and gathering spot that overlooks Lake Tahoe, with skiing and snowboarding access linking the venue to surrounding runs.

Q3: Do I need a lift ticket or season pass to attend the January 31 event?
Because the party is planned at an on mountain location, guests will generally need valid lift access, either via a day ticket or season pass, to reach Lakeview Lodge during normal winter operations.

Q4: Will there be special food and drink options for the anniversary?
Heavenly has announced that the mid season party will feature good food and drink specials, which is expected to translate to expanded menu offerings and themed beverages created specifically for the 70th anniversary season.

Q5: What is the DJ Cat, and how is it involved in the celebration?
The DJ Cat is a snowcat that has been converted into a mobile DJ booth and soundstage; for the January 31 party it is scheduled to park slope side at Lakeview Lodge and provide the day’s music and party atmosphere.

Q6: Is the January 31 celebration suitable for families with children?
The event is integrated into regular mountain operations and takes place at a large on mountain lodge, so families with children who are comfortable skiing or riding to the venue should find a lively but accessible environment, with outdoor space and food service available.

Q7: How does the January 31 event fit into Heavenly’s broader 70th anniversary plans?
The mid season party is one highlight within a months long anniversary program that includes an opening celebration in December 2025, a season wide series of DJ performances and a free historical exhibit at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

Q8: What kind of skiing conditions can visitors usually expect in late January?
Late January typically falls in the heart of Heavenly’s winter season, when average snowfall and extensive snowmaking give the resort one of its most reliable periods for coverage and open terrain, though actual conditions always depend on weather patterns in the weeks leading up to the date.

Q9: When should I book lodging if I want to attend the event?
Because January is a busy month in South Lake Tahoe and the anniversary party is likely to draw additional visitors, travelers are advised to book accommodation near Heavenly Village or the California base areas several months in advance to secure preferred options.

Q10: Will other events be happening around the same time as the January 31 celebration?
The anniversary party falls in the middle of a stacked winter schedule that includes daily live music in Heavenly Village, upcoming DJ performances later in February and March, and the Toyota Air and Après big air show planned for the end of February 2026, giving visitors multiple reasons to extend their stay beyond a single day.