From left; Kirstine Koran, Lindsey Schultz, Nick Bauer, Chris McNamara, Drew Bray, Peter Disch. Petra Molina / Siera Sun
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Mountain bikers have a new way to access South Lake Tahoe’s trail network, with Heavenly Mountain Resort now allowing riders, for the first time, to load their bikes onto the gondola and exit at Mid-Station.
Heavenly Mountain Resort and the Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association (TAMBA), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Tahoe Fund, hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Sunday to celebrate the new bike access and the grand opening of the Panorama Trail, which begins at Mid-Station.
“This epic trail offers amazing lake views,” said Drew Bray, executive director of TAMBA. “It goes from the Mid-Station of the Heavenly Gondola, loops around the mountains, then opens up into epic views of the Carson Valley before passing the East Peak Lodge and continuing on to connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail.”
The project aims to make the region’s extensive trail network more accessible to riders by allowing them to bypass a portion of the climb to reach higher-elevation trails.
“We’ve been working on this idea for over 15 years, on how to make more inclusive bike access to the expansive community network of trails we have, while taking out a little bit of the hard pedaling out of the equation for people,” said Peter Disch, Vice President of Mountain Operations at Heavenly.
The gondola’s Mid-Station sits approximately 2,000 feet above Lake Tahoe and provides riders with access to the newly opened Panorama Trail and surrounding routes.
“I’m really curious to see how the community engages with us and look to see how we can continue to partner with TAMBA and the Rim Trail to continue to expand our trails in the future,” Disch said.
The project was made possible through a partnership among Heavenly, TAMBA, Tahoe Fund and the U.S. Forest Service.
“All the big initiatives that happen here in South Lake Tahoe, it’s the community that puts them together,” Disch said. “So all these organizations, we are constantly working together on a multitude of community efforts. We have a really strong partnership.”
Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, locals and visitors can bring their bikes aboard the Heavenly Gondola and exit at Mid-Station. From there, riders can connect to the Panorama Trail via the Mid-Station Connector Trail and access regional routes including the Tahoe Rim Trail and Van Sickle Trail. Class 1 e-bikes are also permitted.
Mountain Bikers inaugurate the new trail. Petra Molina / Sierra Sun
Bike access pricing
Day passes
Northstar Bike Park pass holders: Free
2026-27 Epic Pass holders: $39
Walk-up guests: $39, plus a gondola sightseeing ticket
Day bike-access tickets include unlimited gondola upload rides for the day.
Season passes
Epic Pass holders: $70
Walk-up guests: $219
Mountain Bikers inaugurate the new trail. Petra Molina / Sierra Sun
After a brief illness, Donald Albert Tousseau passed away peacefully at his Palm Desert, California, home. He was surrounded by loved ones as he left for his next adventure.
A native of Anaheim, California, he was born on September 24th, 1937, and grew up amongst the orange groves and palm trees. He attended local area schools, including Anaheim High School, where he was a yell leader as well as class president.
After graduation he attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., while serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated with a degree in dentistry, and his love of the outdoors, skiing and the Sierra Nevada mountains culminated in his establishment of a successful practice in South Lake Tahoe, California. He purchased and restored the 60-acre Hallelujah Ranch just over the mountain from Lake Tahoe in the scenic Carson Valley, Nevada area, situated 4 miles from the frontier town of Genoa, where he resided for many years.
His affection for the Coachella Valley began with childhood family vacations to the desert, and in 1977 he purchased a second home there. After his retirement from dentistry, he resumed his tennis game and soon became enamored with the sport, making many lifelong friends. He became proficient on the courts and frequently played in tournaments, more often than not, finishing in the top. When a restaurant space became available at the Palm Springs Tennis Club, he leased it and opened the Tie Breaker, a breakfast and lunch spot frequented by club members as well as the public. After several years, he sold that business; many iterations later, the space is now part of Spencer’s Restaurant.
Donald made and kept friends from around the world; he had an uncanny ability to recall anyone’s birthday, no matter how casually it had been mentioned. He was an animal lover; his pets were as devoted to him as he was to them. His life was marked by his loyalty to his friends; he treasured each relationship and was happiest while on a tennis court or in the company of those friends. They often overlapped.
He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and his brother, Michael.
All are welcome at his services, with visitation on August at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 43775 Deep Canyon Rd., Palm Desert, CA, starting at 10:00 AM
Dayle Schear passed away peacefully at her home in Lake Tahoe on July15, 2026 after a courageous battle with Cancer. Born in New Jersey , Dayle split her time between Hawaii and Lake Tahoe. Throughout her life Dayle Dedicated herself to Helping other. Gifted with a desire to serve, she touched the lives of thousands of people from all walks of life. Her generosity, kindness and caring nature earned her love and respect by many. Dayle will be remembered for her strength, generous heart, adventurous spirit and unwavering willingness to help others. her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. Dayle is Survived by her loving Husband of 38 year Blythe Arakawa.
Robert “Bob” Milani, 78, of Tahoe City, Calif., passed away peacefully at his home on September 13, 2025, surrounded by his immediate family.
Born in San Rafael, Calif., on September 4, 1947, to Vera and Frank Milani, Bob was the eldest of seven children. He graduated from San Rafael High School and later earned a degree in Industrial Arts from San Francisco State University.
In the early 1970s, Bob and his wife, Debbie (Marks) Milani, settled in Tahoe City, where he joined the faculty of the newly opened North Tahoe High School. For decades he taught auto shop, wood shop, and metal shop, and also coached multiple sports. He began with baseball and football before spending many years as the boys’ and girls’ golf coach and the alpine ski coach. He was a steady presence for his students and athletes throughout his career and remained at the school until his retirement.
An avid outdoorsman, Bob found joy in skiing, golfing, fishing, mountain biking, camping, and restoring classic cars. He especially loved including his family in these pursuits, whether it was days spent on the slopes, camping trips in the Sierras, or time in the garage working on a project. Always ready for the next adventure, Bob embraced challenges with enthusiasm and had a natural talent for nearly everything he tried.
Bob is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughters, Kellyn (Zachary Baldasare) and Tracey (Dennis Klein); and grandchildren, Enzo Baldasare and Justin Klein. He is also survived by his siblings and extended family.
A Celebration of Life in Bob’s honor will be held in Tahoe City at 2 pm on Sept. 6, 2026. All are welcome. For more information and to RSVP please visit https://bit.ly/4gdPAdl
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