Northstar Ski Resort Review: California’s Northstar at Tahoe Ski Area

Northstar Ski Resort Serves Niche Among Tahoe Areas

On the north shore of Lake Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe ski area in California does not have the hardcore reputation of nearby Squaw Valley, but for most skiers Northstar has the terrain and amenities for a well-rounded vacation. Long derided as Flatstar by expert skiers, Northstar ski area is nonetheless well-suited to families thanks to its highly regarded ski school.

Ritz-Carlton Highlands Opens at Northstar Ski Resort

Well-heeled families have a new option for lodging starting in the 2009-10 ski season. The 170-room Ritz-Carlton Highlands opened mid-mountain on the slopes of Northstar ski area. The luxurious ski-in, ski-out hotel is connected to the Village at Northstar by the new Highlands Gondola.

Along with the addition of the hotel, Northstar-at-Tahoe ski area also doubled its teaching area for the 2009-10 season. Northstar creates Sculpted Terrain in the beginner area to theoretically accelerate the learning curve.

Northstar Ski Resort Boasts 3,000 Skiable Acres

While beginners should feel at home at Northstar, more advanced skiers, except possibly truly extreme skiers, should find plenty of suitable terrain in Northstar’s 3,000 skiable acres. The development of Lookout Mountain within the past decade has stripped away some the Flatstar reputation. Consisting almost entirely of black runs, Lookout Mountain was first opened for the 2000-01 season, then in 2008 another 414 skiable acres were added when the lift was extended farther down the mountain.

The advanced terrain at Northstar ski resort still will not be confused with the cliff drops of Squaw Valley, but between Lookout Mountain and the black runs on the Backside, experienced skiers can stay busy.

The proximity to other Nevada and California ski resorts on the north side of Lake Tahoe also means that any destination traveler can definitely be entertained for a week-long ski vacation.

Other Major North Shore Tahoe Ski Resorts

• Mt. Rose, Nevada
• Diamond Peak, Nevada
• Squaw Valley USA, California
• Alpine Meadows, California
• Sugar Bowl, California

All of the Tahoe-area resorts are generally blessed with abundant snowfall. Northstar ski resort averages 350 inches annually. The snow tends to arrive in big dumps measured in feet separated by warm periods of sunshine. Therefore, spring skiing in January is not uncommon. The average daily high temperature for Northstar from November through April is a somewhat balmy 43 degrees.

The relatively low elevation of the Tahoe resorts also contributes to the weather. Good news for visitors prone to altitude sickness, the summit at Northstar ski resort is only at an elevation of 8,610 feet. Many resorts in Colorado, for instance, go up a couple thousand feet higher.

Getting to Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Area

As long as one the area’s trademark epic snowfalls is not in progress, Northstar ski area is easy to reach. The resort is located 40 miles from the Reno-Tahoe airport that is serviced by numerous airlines. Some visitors even stay in Reno for Nevada’s gambling and day-trip up to Northstar for the skiing.

Return from Northstar Ski Resort to North American Ski Resorts

Return home from Northstar Ski Area at Tahoe to the Skiing Experts