Northstar, USA

Northstar ski resort

Northstar is a new resort addition to the Skiworld programme for this winter.  Based 6 miles north of Lake Tahoe and in the state of California, this up and coming purpose built resort is only 45mins (approx) from Reno Airport making it one of the shortest transfer times in North America.  The North Lake Tahoe express operates regular buses to and from the airport.

Being the third largest ski resort around Lake Tahoe makes it very popular with families due to its excellent facilities and the fact that most lodging is ski in ski out.  It is most famous for its freestyle parks and has won many awards. Northstar was recently acquired by the Vail Resorts property management group who have invested $30 million in the resort. This has included a new high-speed chairlift which will increase the skiable terrain by 10%; a new 500 seat on-mountain restaurant; and several new retail outlets in the Village base area, the idea being to transform this ski resort into one of California’s trendiest.

There are over 35 stylish boutiques and restaurants in the base village, plus a 9000 sq ft ice skating rink and plenty of onsite lodging.  The village area also has a recreation centre which features outdoor hot tubs, a heated lap pool, and fitness area.  In addition to the skiing, there’s plenty to do off the slopes; a cinema, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and tubing, are just a few of the activities available.  The resort also has plenty of events throughout the season, including live music sessions both on and off the mountain!

Skiing and Boarding in Northstar

The skiing itself is spread over 3170 acres and the longest run is 1.4 miles! Altogether there are 97 trails and 20 lifts, plus the new high speed chairlift which will open up the gladed terrain on the “backside” of Northstar mountain.  This area already has a reputation for amazing glade skiing and advanced runs.

The best bit also is that you are not limited to just skiing in Northstar, there are several types of lift passes on offer: The Heavenly and Northstar pass which covers Heavenly and Northstar; the Ski Lake Tahoe Interchangeable pass which also includes the resorts of Squaw Valley, Mount Rose, and Alpine Meadows; and the Epic Pass which not only covers Northstar and Heavenly, but Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and Beaver Creek in Colorado as well! If you're a keen skier and want to explore all that Tahoe has to offer, why not hire a car and take a tour around the lake. Plenty of choice and plenty of ski area for everybody!

Apres ski in Northstar

For après ski fans there is a large choice of bars and restaurants to have a well deserved cocktail or drink after a hard day on the slopes. The Chocolate bar is one of its kind and offers a choice of chocolate based cocktails, as well as a mouthwatering range of tantalising desserts - a haven for all chocoholics out there! Other restaurant choices vary from American, to Japanese, to Italian.