Northstar-at-Tahoe
Northstar is 30 years old this season and has grown into a highly rated year-round resort. Ski Magazine has ranked them within the top 60 resorts for the past three years.
Rated by skiers in the top three of all of California’s resorts
...rate Northstar’s telemark training and skiing program as the best.
DESCRIPTION:
Readers rate Northstar as 21st and in the top three of all of California’s resorts. It carries a very high recognition for its family programs and for providing the best terrain park of all the Lake Tahoe Resorts. Others rate Northstar’s telemark training and skiing program as the best.
| Parking Elevation: | 6330 feet | Base Elevation: | 6330 feet | Summit Elevation: | 8610 feet |
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| Description | Mid-mountain 6800’ |
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| Snowfall | 350 inches | Season | Mid-November through mid-April | ||
| Parking: | Ski Area Parking | Skiable Area | 2420 acres | Groomed | Yes | Terain Park | Yes |
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| Snowmaking | • Snowmaking from top to bottom of Mt. Pluto, front side, backside, and Lookout Mountain with 50 percent of runs and 2,280 vertical feet covered by machine-made snow |
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| Runs | 70 | Beginner | 25% | Intermediate | 50% | Expert | 25% |
| Description | Longest run is 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometers). |
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| Lifts | 17 | Types | One express gondola |
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| Contact(s) | Main: (800) GO-NORTH (800-466-6784) |
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| Website(s) | www.skinorthstar.com |
DIRECTIONS:
To Northstar-at-Tahoe
From San Francisco/Bay Area/Sacramento Valley: Take Interstate 80 east to Truckee and exit immediately east of Truckee onto Highway 267-South at exit 188B. Travel 6 miles south to the signed entry on the right (west).
From Reno: Take Interstate 80 west toward Truckee and exit immediately east of Truckee onto Highway 267-South at exit 188B. Travel 6 miles south to the signed entry on the right (west).
ACTIVITIES:
Alpine Downhill Skiing (Rating: Best)
With over 2400 acres of Alpine Skiing, Northstar offers terrain suitable for everyone’s abilities. Mt. Pluto provides most of the skiable terrain. The frontside offers all of the intermediate and beginner skiing plus several short expert runs at the top. On the backside of Mt. Pluto all runs are advanced as are the 200 acres of advanced terrain dropping off Lookout Mountain. The view of Lake Tahoe from the top of Mt. Pluto is awesome; so on sunshiny days a stop at the Summit Grill and Deck is a must.
Norstar offers 240 acres of backcountry terrain that is available for experts when conditions permit.
Nordic Cross-country Skiing (Rating: Best)
Northstar has dedicated 1500 acres of the mountain to cross-country skiing, telemarking and snowshoeing. Thirty one miles (50km) of groomed trails cut and dip through snow-filled forests that open up to breath taking views. The Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center is located at Mid-mountain. Equipment rental and lessons are available.
Snow Play (Rating: Best)
Northstar has a tubing area located at mid-mountain. Tubes and riders are transported by tow lift to the top of the hill. No saucers or sleds are permitted. Open Thursday and Friday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and all weekends and peak periods from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weather permitting. Tubing price includes a tubing ticket (gondola access and 1 hour of tubing) and tube rental. One Hour sessions start on the hour. Gondola transport tickets for spectators are $10 (free after 3:00 p.m.). Tubers must be able to ride alone (recommend at least 36” tall), and no double riding is permitted.
Snowboarding (Rating: Best)
Northstar features seven freestyle terrain parks spaced across the frontside; each one is easily accessible by a lift and covered by snowmaking equipment. For the 2004-2005 season, they have created a new family terrain park on “The Straights” that is designed as an introduction to freestyle terrain. Rails and fun boxes are located mere inches from the snow plus gentle rolling jumps to allow riders to get the feeling of air for the first time. The run is designated as a slow skiing and riding zone to keep the area fun and safe.
Terrain features also include a superpipe, and a halfpipe. Designs feature a variety of boxes: (curve, rainbow, dog-house) and rails (curve, street, flat/down/flat, flat to down) and a mini gateway. The superpipe is over 400 feet long and sustains a 17° pitch and meets world class specifications. The entire length of the Vista Express is lined with a sound system.
Paw Parks designed for young skiers and snowboarders feature bumps, jumps, and secret hideouts
Snowshoeing (Rating: Best)
Northstar has dedicated 1500 acres of the mountain to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Thirty one miles (50km) of groomed trails cut and dip through snow-filled forests that open up to breath taking views. The Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center is located at Mid-mountain. Equipment rental and lessons are available. Trail fees include access to the lifts serving the cross-country area.
