NEW: Summit Smokehouse Offers Bold New Look
Northstar California’s mountaintop culinary experience transforms as the ski-in, ski-out Summit Smokehouse is renovated physically and conceptually. The menu focuses on meats smoked low and slow, using almond wood chips for a nutty, sweet flavor. Hand-crafted BBQ sauces complement the meat with a range of spice for every palette. The adult beverage menu, including the local favorite Outlaw Bacon Bloody Mary and bourbon-spiked sweet tea, isn’t the only worth-while thirst quencher. The beverage station debuts unexpected soda flavors made without artificial sweeteners or flavors — and no disposable cups. Beyond the pitmaster’s creations, the interior design using nature’s inspiration, vintage lighting, hand-drawn chalk murals, and a welcoming atmosphere sets the stage for a memorable meal.
NEW: Lodge at Big Springs Pays Homage to Historic Truckee
In a tip of the hat to Truckee’s historic role in the logging and railroad industries, the third floor of the Lodge at Big Springs is getting a refresher with repurposed hardware décor and fixtures. The items include antique photographs, railroad spikes, and much more from mid-1800’s Truckee, when the town provided much of the lumber and transportation needed to connect regions and transport goods during the area’s mining boom. Guests who head up the gondola after the sun sets for the Mountain Family Dinner, held on select winter Saturdays, will find an inviting new space where families and groups can gather comfortably. After a relaxed, interactive communal meal, families finish off the evening with s’mores around the fire.
NEW: Totally Tubular Family Fun at the Overlook
Lower in elevation, (NEW) family-friendly tubing comes to the Overlook above the Village completing a seamless family play zone. This hike-and-slide experience on a groomed, mellow slope is available daily, as weather permits, near the Ski and Snowboard School pick-up location. As families wait to meet after a day on the mountain, the al fresco Overlook Bar serves specialty cocktails and hot cocoa with fire pits ready for s’mores and sharing memories of the day. On special afternoons including Dec. 27, Jan. 3, Jan. 21, Feb. 21 and March 28, gather around the complimentary s’mores bar for (NEW) S’morey Time where a story teller will share how Tahoe came to be from 6-7:30 p.m. Insider tip: This space is known for frequent spontaneous snowball fights, making the snowball shaper a must-have accessory.
NEW: Upgrades Arrive at Northstar
Northstar’s snowmaking department is getting a boost thanks to the addition of 24 low energy snow guns along Luggi’s and Lower Washoe trails. 12 other low energy snow guns are being upgraded, and receiving new efficiency heads, which will enable the machines to create snow at slightly warmer temperatures. The project reflects Vail Resorts’ ongoing Commitment To Zero; zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill and zero net operating impact to forests and habit at all Vail Resorts’ owned properties by 2030.
Northstar Traditions
Every afternoon skiers and snowboarders gather off of East Ridge Run for a complimentary glass of bubbly or sparkling cider and t?st to the mountains, Lake Tahoe, and friends and family.
After ski school gets out each day at 4 p.m., S’mores Ambassadors descend upon the Village at S’more O’clock carrying silver platters covered in ooey-gooey chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow treats.
Specialty Experiences, Instruction and Guiding
Skiers and snowboarders begin the day at sunrise with Platinum First Tracks, where Adventure Guiding and Learning Center mountain guides take two intimate groups on a tour of the mountain before lifts open to the public. This shamelessly indulgent experience gives private access to freshly groomed runs, sparkling powder, sunrise breakfast overlooking the Sierra at Zephyr Lodge, and the priceless freedom of being alone on the mountain.
After lifts open to the public, Platinum Season and Day Passes are perfect for skiers and snowboarders seeking solitude by unlocking private gates at the front of each lift line. The ease of avoiding lift lines entirely is a Lake Tahoe experience that can only be found at Northstar. Other experiences in the Platinum family include Platinum Club, featuring private boot dryers and house-made sweets, and Platinum t?st, a European-style lunch paired with Veuve Clicquot off East Ridge Run.
Another Northstar exclusive is the Burton Snowboard Academy, where snowboarders of all levels enter a realm of terrain-based learning for the 10th year. Leather-seated couches and a fireplace surrounded by top-of-the-line Burton equipment make for a cozy setting to lace up boots. On-mountain, little tykes learn the essentials in the Ripperoo Riglet Park, while more mature boarders progress on the trail, in one of the five nationally-renowned progression parks or off-piste. For breaks, the private Burton Academy Lounge at Mid-Mountain offers one-on-one time with Burton-certified instructors, hot cocoa and fire pits.
Whether the whole family is skiing and riding together or taking individual lessons, the Northstar Kids Adventure Zones are designed to encourage learning. The family-friendly areas are located near Luggi’s and Deerskin trails, both blue square terrain, with slopes flowing to interactive structures fostering on-mountain play while perfecting form. The features are a mix of natural and man-made structures coinciding with two themes: Wagon Wheel, an homage to the region’s history, and Skicology, focusing on the natural environment.
Women’s Experiences
Northstar California elevates women’s programming with Her Mountain Lesson, a program designed for women, by women. Whether on skis or a snowboard, women can learn and improve together with like-minded individuals. The half-day lesson is geared toward intermediate skiers or riders who would like to connect with others and learn in a supportive environment.
Women can take the experience one step further with the Her Mountain Retreat. The two-day getaway is focused on snow sports, rejuvenation and connection. Between Her Mountain Lessons and après in the Village, participants take part in Platinum t?st, private First Tracks access, onsite yoga and more. Her Mountain Retreats are offered January 26-27, February 23-24 and March 23-24.
California Travel
Northstar California Resort is less than an hour away from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and just ten minutes away from the Truckee-Tahoe Airport (KTRK). KTRK offers unparalleled access to private airlines on flight services such as Mountain Lion Aviation, available on-demand, and Surf Air, flying from anywhere in California.
Convenient non-stop routes to RNO include San Jose and Oakland in the Bay Area. Southern Californians have non-stop access from Long Beach, Los Angeles and San Diego. Travelers coming from Los Angeles (LAX) can choose from a total of eight daily flights on Southwest, United or American Airlines. New nonstop flights from Carlsbad to RNO launch November 2018 on California Pacific Airlines. With such easy travel access, visitors traveling within California can leave their homes and be on the slopes by the afternoon.
For more story ideas and the latest news at Northstar, visit https://news.northstar.vailresorts.com/.
Stay Connected with Northstar California Resort: Visit NorthstarCalifornia.com for terrain updates, snow reports, lodging deals, event details and the lowest priced lift tickets guaranteed. Stay connected socially at Facebook.com/Northstar and follow @Northstar_California on Instagram and Northstar_CA on Twitter, and #Northstar on all channels.
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate 15 world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada; Perisher in Australia; Stowe and Okemo in Vermont; Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire; Stevens Pass in Washington; Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. Vail Resorts owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.