Press Kit

Northstar California 2024- 2025 Winter Tip Sheet

At Northstar California, the experience is about more than just skiing and snowboarding—it's about enjoying the mountain with the people you care about most. Whether you're exploring the diverse terrain, sharing laughs over fireside s’mores in the Village, or simply taking in the stunning views of Lake Tahoe and Martis Valley, there's a genuine sense of connection and belonging here. The family-friendly environment, combined with easy access and a range of fun snow-play activities, makes Northstar a go-to for those who want to relax, have fun, and push their skills to reach new heights. It's a place where everyone can find their own rhythm, create lasting memories, and enjoy the simple and invaluable pleasures of mountain life in Tahoe. 

 

Progressive Terrain for Everyone: Explore Northstar California’s diverse terrain and trails on Mt. Pluto, an extinct volcano that last erupted more than two million years ago. Now it’s the perfect place for exploratory cruising with its moderate pitch, sweeping views of Lake Tahoe off the East Ridge trail, and wide-open runs that allow guests the chance to curate an on-mountain adventure that everyone will love. With more than 3,000 acres, families can progress together in family-designated learning zones, or for more advanced guests, explore over 400 acres of advanced terrain on Lookout Mountain, or test your legs on Logger Loop: the longest run at Northstar California, extending 1.4 miles. The truly adventurous among the bunch can ride bumps and glades on mile-long runs on the Backside or even defy gravity in one of the largest progression terrain parks in the country. 

 

Cross Country Center: Visit the most stunning mid-mountain cross country center in the country, with 35 kilometers of scenic trails that are perfect for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, and so more. Bring your family (and pack a camera) because the trails open up to views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding valley like nowhere else on the mountain. If it’s your first Nordic adventure, book a lesson and get a professional tour with best-in-class instructors. Best of all, access to this hidden gem is included with your Epic Pass! 

 

Reservations-Based Parking: Northstar will continue implementing its successful reservation-based paid parking program at Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots on weekends and peak periods, while the Castle Peak lot will remain free seven days a week, with no reservations required. For more information, visit the “Getting Here and Parking” page on our website. 

 

Best in Class Ski & Ride Programming: This winter, the resort proudly celebrates its Freestyle Team being named the “Freestyle Club of the Year” by U.S. Ski & Snowboard, a testament to its commitment to athlete development through exceptional staff, facilities, and terrain. 

 

Vibrancy in the Village 

Ice Skating & Village Tubing: This is winter magic at Northstar – après, hot cocoa, and outdoor music alongside the picturesque skating rink in the heart of the Village and tubing at the Overlook for those looking for even more snow play activities throughout the day. 

 

Diverse Dining Experiences: Discover a culinary adventure at the Village at Northstar, where diverse dining experiences cater to every taste. At VOUS, guests can enjoy Lavazza coffee and breakfast bites by day, and specialty cocktails for après-ski by night. Wild Pine serves modern mountain fare in a family-friendly atmosphere, with comfort dishes fresh from the rotisserie. Chef Michael Mina brings Bay Area flair to the Sierra at Bourbon Pub with dishes crafted from the finest local ingredients. Meanwhile, the Cabana and Rink Bars provide cozy spots to unwind by a roaring fire, offering specialty hot drinks like the Northstar classic, Dirty Snowman, and hot toddies or iced cocktails like the Tahoe Vodka Mojito. With other offerings like smash burgers and Mexican cuisine to pizza and shared plates at the wine bar, Northstar’s Village dining scene promises something for everyone. 

 

Music in the Village: Après the right way in The Village at Northstar. Grab a drink from VOUS or the Cabana Bar, cozy up around a fire pit, and break out the ice skates while enjoying music in The Village Friday – Sunday all winter long. *Days and times are subject to change.   

 

Little Gems Early-Childhood Education Program: Northstar partnered with Little Gems of the Sierra, a non-profit early-childhood Waldorf program in Truckee, California, to open an early-childhood education program for the Tahoe Truckee community. The program, located in the Village at Northstar, offers year-round enrollment and services for children ages 3 months to entry into kindergarten in addition to ski lessons for children 3 years and older in collaboration with Northstar Ski School during the winter season 

 

Special Events 

TŌST: Join in on one of Northstar California’s most unique traditions returning this winter all season long. Enjoy a glass of bubbly (or apple cider) with friends and family at Lake Tahoe’s only ski-up, mountain-view bubbly experience. Local tip: get in line by 1:30pm to take part in the 2pm tōst as glasses are served first come, first served. Sparkling wine and light snacks are also available for purchase after the tōst, so kick back and enjoy the view for a while. *Days and times are subject to change pending conditions  

 

Winter Wonders: Winter Wonders is arguably the most magical time at Northstar, kicking off December 15 and rolling through December 31, the Village comes to life with festive fun like live music, ice skating, s’mores under the starry Sierra sky, and other family activities to celebrate the holidays! 

 

USASA Futures Tour: The Futures Tour was born from a desire to create a bridge between regional and national freeride competition and will return to the resort for the 2024/25 season. Presented by USASA and elevated in experience through a shared partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Futures Tour has grown into the primary steppingstone for the future of snowboarding and freeskiing by hosting world-class slopestyle and halfpipe events at premier resorts, including Northstar, that invite athletes from across the country to compete. 

 

Women’s Only Weekend: This annual event – now in its 4th year at Northstar – is a celebration of women in the mountains. This empowering, weekend-long clinic is designed to boost confidence and skill, with small group coaching, gear tutorials, and on-mountain tours in a supportive and uplifting environment tailored just for women. Beyond the slopes, participants will enjoy après in the Village, making it the perfect blend of fun, camaraderie, and progression.  

 

Spring It On: Celebrate the end of ski season with a full weekend of activities that highlight the magic of spring in the Sierras, because it won’t just be the final turns in beautiful weather that will put a smile on your face. Whether it's braving the waters in the Pond Skim, cheering on freestyle competitors in fun costumes from the sidelines, all kinds of activities in the Village for the kids, or just enjoying the California sunshine on the slopes – the spring stoke will be at an all-time high!    

 

*All planned opening and closing dates are conditions-dependent. 

 

Northstar Fast Facts 
Elevation 

  • Base Elevation: 6,330 ft. 
  • Summit Elevation: 8,610 ft. 
  • Vertical Rise: 2,280 ft. 

 

Avg. Annual Snowfall: 350 inches 

 

Total Skiable Acres: 3,170 acres 

 

Trail Classification 

  • 27% Advanced 
  • 60% Intermediate 
  • 13% Beginner 
  • Conventional Trails: 100 
  • Terrain Parks: 10 
  • Gate Accessed Terrain: 347 acres 

 

Lifts (20 Total) 

  • Gondolas: 
  • 6-passenger chairs:  
  • Quad chairs: 6 (including a Chondola) 
  • Triples: 2 
  • Platter: 1 
  • 5 magic carpet surface lifts 

 

Fun Facts 

  • The spiral logo is actually a sawblade (not a snowflake) to pay homage to its origins as a tree farm up until 1972 when the resort was formed.  

  • Northstar is one of the few remaining resorts in the country to be spinning a “chondola”  Tahoe Zephyr Express features 6-passanger chairs and gondola cabins all on the same cable. 

  • “Everything in the middle of nowhere” was the resort's original motto. 

  • The summit of the mountain is an extinct volcano. Mt. Pluto erupted 2M years ago that ultimately helped form the beautiful Tahoe Basin people know and love today. 

  • The Washoe Tribe is the original inhabitants of Lake Tahoe, and “Tahoe” is a mispronunciation of “Da ow,” meaning “lake” in Washoe. 

  • Northstar has a long-standing history of women in leadership at the resort. As of winter 2024/25, there have not only been 4 consecutive female GMs but also two recent Senior Mountain Operations Directors who both went on to become GMs of other resorts within the company. 

  • Northstar is California’s year-round home to those looking to learn, progress, and play in the mountains. Every summer, the ski resort transforms into a lift-serviced downhill bike park. 

 

Location: The Reno/Tahoe International Airport is just a quick 40-minute-drive from Northstar, with direct flights to and from most major cities, including Canada and Mexico. Scheduled shuttle service is offered from 3:30am until midnight, to and from Northstar and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport – reservations required. 

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Press Kit