It opened for business on December 15, 1955[1] and has 97 runs and 30 lifts that are spread between California and Nevada and four base facilities.

Since 2002, Heavenly has been owned by Vail Resorts, which also operates Northstar California and Kirkwood Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe and multiple other ski resorts in Colorado, British Columbia, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, Utah, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin (Vail, Breckenridge, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, Stevens Pass, Keystone, Beaver Creek, Park City Resort (Canyons), Afton Alps, Mt.

Heavenly is notable as the resort where Congressman and singer Sonny Bono died after hitting a tree on January 5, 1998.

The lifts built by Yan are Boulder, First Ride, Groove, and Patsy's.

Two six-packs serve skiers; the Tamarack and Powderbowl Express chairs.