Travel to Northstar at Tahoe with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Situated in a scenic timber preserve, Northstar’s two ski areas, Mount Pluto and Lookout Mountain, offer 70 diverse trails for all levels of experience.

The ski resort has been recently refurbished, and Northstar Village is a world of its own, fully equipped with bars, restaurants, retail outlets, a sports centre and much more. You really need go no farther than this all-star ski resort to enjoy the perfect winter holiday.

Seventy trails are spread out over the resort’s two ski areas, and cater to beginners (25 per cent), intermediates (50 per cent) and advanced skiers (25 per cent). A modern system of 17 lifts connects the various slopes, of which the longest is Loggers Loop, at just over two kilometres.

Northstar is a fantastic choice for snowboarders as well as skiers, as it offers seven terrain parks, one super-pipe (over 120m) and one half-pipe. The ski resort also caters specifically to youngsters, with specially designed ‘paw parks’ where your kids can try out new tricks.

Northstar resort is situated just 30 minutes from Reno, with its vast array of entertainment and leisure options, and approximately three hours from the Bay area. Shuttle services run from the ski resort to Reno and South Lake Tahoe in winter, so if you feel like a change of scenery, hopping on a bus is all you have to do.

Northstar ski resort is open all year round for visitors, but the ski season usually runs from November to April. The most popular means of reaching the resort is by car, but other options are to fly into one of the four major airports in the area, or to take advantage of one of the several shuttle services that run from various destinations around Lake Tahoe.

Skiing in Northstar at Tahoe

Northstar’s popularity is no fluke. The resort’s first class skiing and snowboarding, diverse, powdery slopes, modern lift system and brilliant off-slope facilities have catapulted it to near the top of the list of North American ski destinations – and with Northstar’s consistent upgrades, the trend is set to continue.

Northstar at Tahoe offers two ski areas situated amid a pristine timber preserve, with panoramic views of the Lake Tahoe area. Mount Pluto and Lookout Mountain cumulatively provide 70 wide-open snowy trails, including gentle beginner rides and challenging expert routes.

Northstar resort is especially suitable for intermediate level skiers, with 50 per cent of the total ski area devoted to this level, but beginners and advanced skiers are also well looked after, with 25 per cent of ski trails allocated to each.

A state-of-the-art lift system provides quick, easy access to the slopes, the longest of which is two kilometres, and snowboarders have seven terrain parks and two pipes to play with. Northstar is the ideal choice for family skiing as it offers outstanding tuition for adults and children and features special kids’ facilities, including ‘paw parks’, tubing and childcare.

Northstar is open to visitors all year round, but the ski season runs between November and April, with final dates dependent on snowfall. The ski resort can be accessed by road, or via four of the major airports in the area.

Après-ski in Northstar at Tahoe

Northstar’s Swim and Racquet Club offers visitors an entirely separate selection of winter pastimes. This comprehensive centre includes spa facilities, swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre and a teen centre, and is free for all guests utilising Northstar lodging options.

Additionally, the Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Center provides complete skating and telemark services – and is the only facility in the Lake Tahoe area to do so. The Northstar Action Zone is one of the ski resort’s newest additions, offering tubing, bungee trampolines and snow toys.

Northstar’s six onsite restaurants and four bars provide après-ski entertainment, while a host of winter activities provide alternatives to skiing and snowboarding. Tubing, snow toys, bungee trampolines, skating and telemarking facilities, spas, swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre and snowshoeing are all available to fill up off-slope hours.

More than 260 lodging units are located at Northstar at Tahoe, along with six restaurants and four bars. The village also features a number of rental and retail shops, a ski and snowboard school for children and adults, and an excellent childcare centre.

Transportation to Northstar at Tahoe

Located less than 10kms from Lake Tahoe’s northern shore, Northstar resort is half an hour from Reno and roughly three hours from the Bay area by road. Transportation to the resort is provided by shuttles, but most visitors arrive by car. International or out-of-state visitors have the option of flying into any of the four major airports in the area.

To reach Northstar by car from the Bay area, head east on I-80 for approximately three hours (295kms), and take the highway 267 exit. After nearly 13kms, turn right on to Northstar drive, which leads to the resort. From Reno, drive west on I-80 for roughly 30 minutes (50kms).Take the exit for highway 267, and continue as above to reach the resort.

From South Lake Tahoe via East Shore, go east on Lake Tahoe boulevard/highway 50 for roughly 19kms. Turn left on to Nevada 28 towards Incline Village. Continue for 27kms, and then go right on to highway 267 and follow previous directions. From South Lake Tahoe via West Shore, travel west on highway 50, and then merge on to highway 89 north. Turn right in Tahoe City at the T-junction, then left on to highway 267, and follow previous directions to reach the resort.

If youre coming from an area outside of northern California, Northstar is accessible from any of four major airports: Reno (45 minutes), Sacramento Airport (1 hour, 45 minutes), San Francisco Airport (3 hours, 30 minutes), or Oakland Airport (3 hours, 30 minutes).

Amtrak trains as well as Greyhound Lines buses run to Reno, from where you can transfer by taxi to Northstar ski resort. Greyhound buses run to Lake Tahoe as well. Independent shuttle bus services are available to Northstar from Reno and various Lake Tahoe destinations.

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