Northstar-at-Tahoe

‹

›

+ add a photo

8 reviews

75% Positive Reviews

Rated #7 in California

Pros:

“Very friendly for family visitors to Tahoe”

“Great tree skiing, holds snow well after a storm, always open when others are on wind hold”

Cons:

“Parking in the lower lot makes it incovenient for access to car for lunch or changing skis ”

“Limited steeps.”

Edit Cancel Save Changes

Member Reviews

Northstar great for friends visiting Tahoe

Posted 9/2/10

Featured Review

By JimiB

Pros: Very friendly for family visitors to Tahoe

Cons: Parking in the lower lot makes it incovenient for access to car for lunch or changing skis

When friends visit Tahoe they always want to try Squaw - But many are put off by the terrian that is well beyond their skills and ask for alternatives that are more friendly to intermediates, families and non-skiing spouses. We happily suggest Northstar and they always come back very pleased with our suggestion. The terrain parks and half-pipe keep the younsters busy. And I happily show more adventurous friends some of the hidden glades and tree runs on the backside and Lookout Mountain. Nothing like Light Towers or the Chimney at Squaw, but honestly, there's plenty challenge for our friends. I have a pass to both Northstar and a pass to Squaw. Both are world class for what they offer. But I have to say the more friendly atmosphere, extensive intermediate and moderate advanced terrain makes for a better choice for most of our visitors with families. The biggest negative is weekend crowds.

We also happily suggest Sugar Bowl if they are willing to drive a little further.

Northstar - Can you say Trees!

Posted 8/26/11

Featured Review

By Trekchick

Pros: Great tree skiing, holds snow well after a storm, always open when others are on wind hold

Cons: Limited steeps.

Being a part of the Vail Resorts, Northstar included in the Epic Pass offered for unlimited skiing at all Vail Resorts, which makes it one of the best values in the area. - 649.00/all Vail Resorts or 379.00/Northstar/Heavenly.

My first impression of Northstar was that it was pretty fun, certainly better than the small hills I came from in Michigan, but it wasn't as advanced as what I'd expected from a Tahoe resort. After more snow covered the terrain and I was able to experience more of what Northstar had to offer on the BackSide and Lookout Mountain, I was inspired to amp my tree skiing, powder skiing, mogul skiing, adventure seeking spirit.

Being that my first season living in the Lake Tahoe area was one that reached record snow fall,(some resorts claiming nearly 800 inches of snow) I had the pleasure of skiing knee to waist deep snow in some of the funnest trees I'd ever experienced. And while some of the flatter terrain can be nearly unskiable when the snow is deep, Northstar has plenty of terrain to give you and your family the skiing experience you're looking for.

While the Lake Tahoe region was being pounded by snow storms with high winds, and other resorts were experiencing wind hold, Northstars lifts were turning, and Northstar skiers were skiing.

quite nice

Posted 9/7/10

By veteran

Pros: open when others are on windhold

Cons: wants to be Vail or Aspen.

It's nice. Just nice.

We have season passes to Squaw, Heavenly, Nsatar/Sierra and Heavenly and Kirkwood, We bought the Nstar passes because a) +1 is a low intermediate and loves it, b) I wangled thepasses at about $US200 each to ski spring 2010 free + 2010/11, c) we're there only 5 days and d) chances are SV will be on windhold. I turned down an offer to 'try' a condo for a week free with 'rights' to a 'mountaintop' club house. Its not a place I'd commit too. Wants to be 'exclusive' but then it wants normal people who get crowded dining areas with very ordinary self-serve fast-food.

Northstar Rocks

Posted 8/2/09

By HUBBSTER

My favorite Tahoe resort, Northstar is fantastic. The skiing is great, snow making is great, village is great. It doesn't get much better than Northstar.

Good resort

Posted 7/20/09

By Adam Sturgeon

Pros: Great terrain parks, awesome tree skiing.

Cons: So...many...chinese...people. And it isn't called flat-star for nothing.

Awesome terrain parks, and great tree skiing. But, It gets very crowded, and like I said, It's not called, flat-star for nothing.

Northstar

Posted 3/8/09

By shredder

Pros: Family

Cons: Conservative

Northstar's a great place for families with kids.

Boo Flatstar

Posted 2/25/09

By LaraR

Cons: the mountain is flat

I'm sure I'm biased here and this could be a great resort for amateur skiiers or those learning to tackle more blue runs. I have never enjoyed Northstar much for the lack of challenging runs and the crowds are too much to handle.

The last time I was there a drunk 15 year old kid knocked me off the chair while we were loading, leaving me in a snowbank under the chair. Obviously I wasn't too happy about that.

Needs some crowd control!

Flatstar

Posted 2/16/09

By thesoggycow

Pros: Amazing Park, Killer Trees, Some Amazing Secret Sweet Spots, World Class Grooming, Some Great Off-Piste Opportunities, Village is pretty awesome, HUGE

Cons: Not the most challenging terrian, Crowded, "Chic", No cornices, No rock chutes, Way too expensive

I work as Mountain Safety / Patrol at Northstar, its my home mountain, great trees, no wind holds, 15 minutes from my house.

Some advice to anyone going, if the snow is any good, get the hell off the runs and go exploring. Northstar is huge (doesn't seem like it on the runs but it is). Go find some boundry lines and I will guarantee that you will enjoy yourself. If the snow is bad, stick to the runs and go irresponsibly fast, just not in the slow zones please...

Edit Cancel Save Changes History

Facts and Details

Northstar-at-Tahoe

By: Ski Resort

Description:

Known more as a family ski area than its Lake Tahoe neighbors, Northstar-at-Tahoe is a very well-rounded resort with plenty of terrain to keep all skill levels happy, as well as a host of off-mountain activities to keep non-skiers and snowboarders smiling all day long. Northstar's strengths are its wide-open, cruising terrain (perfect for intermediates), accessible tree skiing, quality terrain parks (Shaun White's new training grounds), and most notably its protection from the notorious Tahoe wind. With quality snow and above average weather, Northstar is usually a safe bet for good conditions on questionable days.

Details:

Detail	Value
Snow making percent	50%
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Magic carpet	5
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Rope tow	2
Lifts-Surface Lifts-Poma
Lifts-Surface Lifts-T bar
Lifts-Surface Lifts-J bar
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Single
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Double
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Triple	2
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Quad	1
Lifts-Chair Lifts-High speed quad	7
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Five person
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Six person	1
Lifts-Chair Lifts-Eight person
Lifts-Gondola	2
Lifts-Tram
Lifts-Coggle train
Lifts-Funicular
Lifts-Other
Lifts-Total number of lifts
Lifts-Total lift capacity
Trails-1-Beginner	13%
Trails-2-Intermediate	60%
Trails-3-Advanced	27%
Trails-4-Expert only
Trails-5-Terrain park	7
Trails-6-Half pipe	22 foot on Cat's Face
Trails-Total
Runs-Steepest run
Runs-Longest run	1.4 mi
General-Base elevation	6,330 ft (1,929 m)
General-Vertical drop	2280 ft. (695 m)
General-Owner	Vail Resorts
General-Mountain range	Seirra Nevada
General-Annual skier visits
General-Back country access	347 acres
General-Total area in bounds	3,170 acres
General-Snow making coverage	50%

Models:

Model Name/Type	MPN	EAN/UPC
Northstar

Links:

Type	Link
product	http://www.northstarcalifornia.com/

Edit Cancel Save Changes History

Guide: Northstar-at-Tahoe

This resort guide is maintained by EpicSki Ambassador: JayT

TRAIL MAP

CONDITIONS

TRANSPORTATION

LODGING

DINING

MORE

West Ridge - March 3, 2011

Further down the West Ridge - March 3, 2011

Luggi's (off West Ridge) - March 3, 2011

East Ridge - March 3, 2011

Tonni's (off the East Ridge) - March 3, 2011

Drifter (back side) - March 3, 2011

Trail Map
(updated for 2011/12 season to include new terrain - click for larger version)

Conditions	Back to Guide top
Weather Forecast \| Weather Maps \| Weather Radar Snow Report Mountain Stats Parks & Pipes Grooming and Lift Status Snow Cams Season Snowfall Avalanche Report

Transportation

Back to Guide top

AIR TRANSPORTATION

Reno Tahoe International Airport

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Map and Driving Directions

Amtrak to Truckee

Shuttles

Northstar Transportation Services

Lodging

Back to Guide top

Name	Description	Maximum Occupancy	Price Range
Northstar-at-Tahoe	A variety of lodging options include hotel rooms, studios, lofts, condominiums and private homes.	Extra person charges may apply	$230 and up