Northstar California

Polished village, groomers and fireside s’mores.

A Vail-run resort above Truckee built around a pedestrian village with an ice rink, free evening s’mores and plenty of places to eat. Mostly intermediate cruising with well-known grooming, plus gated tree terrain and a big park scene. Suits families and anyone who likes comfort with their skiing.

The mountain

Vertical drop

2,280 ft

Summit

8,610 ft

Skiable terrain

3,170 acres

Trails

100

Lifts

20

Average snowfall

350″ a year

Longest run

3 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 13%
• Intermediate 60%
• Advanced 27%

What’s here besides skiing

• Terrain park
• Ice skating
• Cross-country
• Snowshoeing
• Spa
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 18 (tree lighting) to Jan 3

  Winter Wonders

  Daily holiday program in the Village: skating, s’mores by the fire pits and live music.

• New Year’sThu, Dec 31

  New Year’s Eve in the Village

  Northstar’s yearly New Year’s Eve party in the Village, with a live band on the Village stage and fireworks.

• Opening dayNov 20

  Opening Day

  Start of the 2026–27 season, conditions permitting.

Where to stay

• ski-in/ski-outThe Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

  Mid-mountain luxury hotel with a spa, linked to the Village by gondola.

  Mid-mountain
• base villageNorthstar Village lodging

  Resort-booked condos around the skating rink, a short walk to the gondola.

  Slopeside
• lodgeFranciscan Lakeside Lodge

  Lakeside rooms and cottages with kitchenettes in Tahoe Vista.

  20 min drive
• condoDonner Lake Village

  Hotel rooms and condos on the shore of Donner Lake, west of Truckee.

  25 min drive
• b&bDonner Lake Inn

  Small B&B near Donner Lake with breakfast and a hot tub.

  25 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Village ice rink · In the Village

  Outdoor rink at the heart of the Village, with skate rentals and music.

• S’mores O’Clock · In the Village

  Free s’mores by the Village fire pits in the late afternoon.

• Tōst · On mountain

  Ski-up champagne stop with mountain views.

• Northstar Cross Country & Snowshoe · On site

  Groomed nordic trails and snowshoe routes on the resort.

• Tahoe Donner Cross Country · 20 min drive

  One of the region’s bigger groomed nordic networks, in Truckee.

• Crystal Bay Casino · 25 min drive

  Casino and concert venue on the Nevada state line.

Après and nightlife

• Rink Bar

  Drinks right beside the skating rink.

• Wild Pine Kitchen & Bar

  Modern mountain food and cocktails overlooking the rink.

• Tōst

  Bubbly with a view before the last run down.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) · about 50 min drive
• Sacramento · about 1.75 hr
• San Francisco · about 3.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps