Everything You Need to Know About Northstar Resort

Northstar California, previously known as Northstar-at-Tahoe, is a ski resort on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe. Known for its family-friendly slopes (it’s won Best Family Ski Resort multiple times!) and world-class village, Northstar is beloved by locals and tourists alike.

The Mountain

Northstar California Resort boasts 100 trails across 3,170 acres with a vertical drop of 2,280 feet. The ski area is easy to navigate and features a well-organized and high-speed lift infrastructure. The trails are always groomed and not particularly steep making them great for beginners. In fact, 73% of its trails are easily skiable for beginner and intermediate skiers and riders. That’s why it is most famous for families and visitors getting started with sliding on the snow.

Northstar is also known for its terrain park, attracting freestyle skiers and boarders from all over. The beautiful mountain resort really has a type of hill for everyone!

On average, Northstar sees 350 inches of snow every year. Obviously, this depends on the season and the mountain can see more or less snowfall. One thing is for sure, the tree skiing at Northstar on powder days is pretty great. Plus, 50% of the mountain features snow machines so even in low seasons, there is always something to ski on!

The mountain was purchased by Vail Resorts in 2010 which also owns Heavenly Ski Resort and Kirkwood Resort in Lake Tahoe along with others in Colorado, Canada, and Australia – 37 resorts in total. Because of the change in ownership, Northstar is on the Epic Pass which allows for access to all resorts that Vail operates.

Mount Pluto is the extinct volcano that makes up Northstar resort. It last erupted two million years ago which helped form the basin that is Lake Tahoe. This connection and proximity has led Northstar to offer a variety of recreational activities at the lake. The mountain is proud to call the Lake Tahoe basin its home.

The Village

The Village at Northstar is on par with some of the most charming ski villages in Europe. It was the first ski resort village in the U.S. to be LEED-certified and the inspiration for the architecture comes from state park lodges. The village has a distinctly Western feel with its timber accents, large windows, and rock base.

Amenities in the village abound from a movie theater to excellent restaurants to awesome retail shops. In the winter the village’s focal point is the ice skating rink and in the summer it becomes a stage for live music every Friday through Sunday. The fire pits throughout the village make it easy to stay out long after the sun sets year-round to roast marshmallows in the winter or enjoy a cocktail in the summer.

For those who want to relax after a full day of alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, tubing, or snowshoeing in the winter or mountain biking or hiking in the summer can stop in for a massage or a yoga class at Tahoe Spa and Wellness.

There really is something to do in the Northstar Village for everyone!

What’s Nearby

Northstar California is perfectly located between the best of both worlds. The 267 highway runs from the cute Western town of Truckee to Kings Beach on the north side of Lake Tahoe. Northstar resort is exactly halfway between the two. Truckee is considered one of the more vibrant cities in North Lake Tahoe, providing more dining and nightlife opportunities, while Kings Beach is right on the lake providing easy beach access.

The closest airport to Northstar is Truckee Airport which is a small, local airport providing access to private planes or charter memberships (Surf Air and Mountain Lion). Reno-Tahoe International airport is a little less than an hour away. Reno is also the closest metropolis to Northstar where visitors can experience a little urban time. Because Northstar is located right off the Highway 80 corridor, it is easy and convenient for travelers coming to the Sierras from Sacramento or the Bay Area from the west or Reno from the east.

Accolades

In 2015, Ski Magazine named Northstar the 24th best ski resort in the West. The terrain park has also won many awards including:

  • #2 Best Terrain Park in North America by TransWorld Snowboarding
  • #3 on USA Today’s 10 Best Terrain Parks
  • #5 Best Terrain Park by Newschoolers
  • #11 Best Terrain Park in Ski Magazine’s 2017 Best In the West

Finally, Northstar won the title of Best Family Resort in the West by On the Snow in 2013 and was called the Premier Family Destination by Travel + Leisure.

Village Walk Skyline | Northstar Resort

Village Walk Skyline homes will be steps away from the Village at Northstar. That means everything that the resort has to offer will be easy for Skyline homeowners to access. Tahoe Mountain Club incentives, which include ski valet, dining options, and access to the Village swim and fitness center, will also be available to Skyline residents.

To live at Village Walk Skyline at the peak of Northstar is to live at the peak of mountain luxury!

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