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The Ski Resort of Northstar

Northstar

Straddling Nevada and California, and overlooking Lake Tahoe, Northstar is without glitz or attitude, a comfortable, laid-back place with buckets of snow—and when there isn’t fresh snow, state-of-the-art machines create it. The ski area is compact and easy to get around, with one side of the mountain readily accessible from the other. Good for families but not experts.
 

Our Rating:

Advanced **
Intermediate **
Beginner **
One of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts, Northstar has a reciprocal lift pass system with Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Sierra at Tahoe, and Squaw Valley. Between them they access over 17,000 acres (6,800 ha) of skiing. Northstar itself has 2,420 acres (979 ha) of skiable terrain and excellent snowmaking capabilities. With the ability to cover 24 football fields with a foot (30 cm) of snow in 24 hours, it can open early with a full mountain. The ski season runs from mid-November to mid-April. Peak season is November 25th to December 31st, and Jaunary 14th to February 19th. There are 16 lifts serving the all-ability ski trails, six terrain parks, two halfpipes and facilities for cross-country skiing and tubing.

Northstar, CA at a glance
 

On the mountain

Ski area

Northstar’s gladed ski area will appeal mostly to intermediates and beginners. Half the trails are for intermediates and although there is plenty of terrain for both beginners and advanced skiers and riders, experts are likely to be a little disappointed. more...

 

Lift system

Northstar has six high-speed quads, one triple chair that accesses the East Ridge, and a double chair that brings you to the freestyle terrain park. more...

 

Ski schools & guiding

There is one ski school, located at mid-mountain, which opens 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. The maximum class size is 20 (too many!), but there are lots of different options for individual and smaller group lessons. more...

 

Beginner

The beginner area under the Bear Paw chair is ideal for first timers, with several trails all in one spot. more...

 

Intermediate

With around 50 percent of the trails at Northstar designated suitable for intermediates, there are good long trails from the top of the mountain to the bottom. more...

 

Advanced

Advanced skiers have 25 percent of the mountain to entertain them. more...

 

Boarding & freestyle

Northstar is fairly easy for snowboarders to get around as most chairlifts have a continual fall line back to the bottom. more...

 

Mountain restaurants

There are two mountain restaurants serving international, traditional, self-service, and fast food. more...

 

Ski Map

open Northstar Ski map

Off the mountain

Village

At present, Northstar’s small village includes three restaurants and a bar, winter apparel store, guest accommodations ranging from village lofts to studio condos and five-bedroom homes, and daycare for children. more...

 

Accommodation

There are 260 units on the mountain, ranging from hotel-style rooms through to five-bedroom homes. more...

 

Après-ski

The two best places for après ski are the Alpine Bar in the village, and on the mountain the deck at the Lodge at Big Springs. more...

 

Other information

If you’re tired of skiing and want to try something different, Northstar has 30 miles (50 km) of cross-country terrain, full work-out facilities at the Swim & Racquet Club, tubing and ice-skating. more...

 

Getting there

Northstar is located halfway between Truckee and the north shore of Lake Tahoe. more...

 

 

Navigation

Quick access

Resort shortcuts

Ski Area

Base6,330 ft
1,929 m
Summit8,610 ft
2,624 m
Elevation2,280 ft
695 m
Area size2,420 a
979 ha

 

Trails/runs

Number of trails35
Advanced25 %
Intermediate50 %
Beginner25 %

 

Lifts

Gondolas1
Surface lifts2

 

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