Current Weather:
Snow
weather 30°

Base Depth:
41-104"

24hr Snowfall:
0

Surface:
Packed powder

Northstar-at-Tahoe

100 Northstar Drive, Truckee, 96161
Phone: 800-466-6784
Northstar Website

by Ann Marie Brown

The formerly overlooked Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort has undergone a renaissance in the last decade, and no self-respecting skier can ignore it now. A $60 million redevelopment project, completed in December 2008, has resulted in the construction of the new Village at Northstar complex, complete with luxurious condominiums and hotel-style rooms. At the heart of the village is a 9,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink encircled by open gas fire pits and cabana-style seating, so the kids can roast marshmallows while the adults enjoy a hot toddy from the bar. Rounding out the village is an intriguing variety of restaurants and boutiques, including an outstanding sushi bar, Mikuni, and the young-and-hip Baxter’s Bistro. At Northstar, if you don’t want to ski, you can make your own candles, create your own beaded jewelry, take a yoga class, or shop till you drop.

Northstar can also brag of having the ritziest lodging property anywhere in the Tahoe basin. Opening mid-mountain in December 2009 is a newly constructed, $300 million Ritz-Carlton, which will have its own gondola connecting it to the Village at Northstar. This will be Lake’s Tahoe’s first five-star hotel, with 170 rooms, plus condominiums and time-share units—all with ski-in/ski-out access.

Situated midway between Kings Beach and Truckee off Highway 267, Northstar was once nicknamed “Flatstar” by the locals. But that was before the 2007 opening of a host of black-diamond runs on the northwestern side of Mount Pluto, and a high-speed express quad lift on Lookout Mountain. For skiers of all abilities, beautifully groomed cruiser runs still travel all the way from the top of the mountain to the bottom. Even beginners can ski down from the summit. A full 60 percent of Northstar’s trails are designed for intermediates, but advanced skiers have more fun here now, too. Those who just like to go fast can rip down the north-facing slopes of Lookout Mountain on Northstar's longest steeps: Stampede, Prosser, Boca, and Martis. The adventurous head for the Backside for bumps, drops, and glade-to-glade tree skiing. Some of Northstar’s black runs might be colored blue at Squaw Valley, but not those on the Backside.

Northstar has 18 lifts and one gondola serving 2,490 acres. Skiers must ride a gondola from the Village to the day-lodge ski base area. Some may find this trip annoying, but you only have to do it once, and lines are almost nonexistent. Wind hold is also rarely an issue; Northstar's protected location allows it to keep its chairs moving in the most harrowing of blizzards. Of 89 possible runs, the resort’s longest is the Logger’s Loop at 1.4 miles with a vertical drop of 2,280 feet. Eight terrain parks, including one superpipe and one half-pipe, keep the X-Gamers busy. In 2008, Transworld Snowboarding magazine ranked Northstar as third best overall snowboarding resort, and third best for parks and pipes.

For non-skiers, there is plenty to do: geocaching on snowshoes, tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, a bungee trampoline for kids and adults, and of course, shopping and dining.

*photos courtesy of Northstar-at-Tahoe

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:
Snow
weather 30°

Forecast:
Light Snow
weather 31°

SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20100312T07:12:00
24hr Snowfall:
0		 Last Snowfall:
Mar 11 - 1"		 Surface:
Packed powder
Base Depth:
41-104"		 Trails Open:
90		 Total Trails:
92
Percent Trails Open:
95%		 Lifts Open:
icon 15		 Total Lifts:
icon 19
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
N/A		 Intermediate:
N/A		 Advanced:
N/A		 Expert:
N/A
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
8610 ft 2624 m Vertical:
2280 ft 695 m Base Elevation:
6330 ft 1929 m		 Total Acres:
3000 Total Miles:
N/A
Longest Run:
top to bottom
2 90		 Easiest Run:
Woodcutter		 Steepest Run:
Stampede
Best Bumps:
The Rapids		 Best Trail Name:
Schwarzstrasse		  
 

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Air Travel

Northstar and Lake Tahoe are conveniently located to four major international airports...Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) is the closest, followed by Sacramento International (SMF), Oakland International (OAK) and then San Francisco International (SFO).  Follow the driving directions below to get to Northstar from any of the four.

Driving Directions

Getting to Northstar-at-Tahoe is super easy.  The resort is located about 30 minutes from Reno and roughly three hours from the Bay Area off of Highway 267 exit on Interstate 80 (I-80)...

From the Bay Area & Sacramento:

Go East on Interstate 80 for roughly 3 hours (184 miles). From Sacramento, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes (103 miles).
Take Highway 267 Exit #188B. This is the new by-pass route. It is just after the last Truckee Exit
Travel South on Highway 267 for approx. 6 miles
Turn Right onto Northstar Dr. 

From Reno:

Go West on Interstate 80 for roughly 30 minutes (30 miles)
Take Highway 267 Exit #188
Travel South on Highway 267 for approx 6 miles
Turn Right onto Northstar Dr.

From S. Lake Tahoe via the West Shore: 

Travel West on Highway 50
Merge on Highway 89 North
Turn Right in Tahoe City at T
Turn Left onto Highway 267
Turn Left onto Northstar Dr.

From S. Lake Tahoe via the East Shore:

Start out going East on Lake Tahoe Blvd/Highway 50 for approx. 12 miles
Turn LEFT onto Nevada 28 towards Incline Village. Continue for 17 miles.
Turn Right onto Highway 267. Continue for 6 miles.
Turn Left onto Northstar Dr.

Northstar's shuttle fleet makes it convenient for guests visiting and staying at the resort to get around, helps reduce emissions and energy use, and encourages guests to help limit the number of passenger vehicle trips around the resort.

When shuttles are not in service, or during times of limited operation, guests may drive their vehicles to resort amenities that have parking lots including the Village at Northstar, the recreation center and the Minors’ Camp Day Care facility, or utilize the charter bus service with advance reservations.

Dial-a-Ride: Shuttles can be called for service by dialing 530.562.2257.