3 months ago
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Site: www.northstarattahoe.com
Phone: 800-GO-NORTH
Address: 100 Northstar Drive, Truckee, CA
NORTHSTAR REVIEW - JANUARY 2009
Perhaps it's best to say that Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort has made a comeback.
And that comeback comes with a bang.
A
four-year, $55 million renovation leaves Northstar as an explosion of
fun. With a 9,000-square-foot ice rink at its center stage, the rink is
surrounded by fire pits, restaurants and shops that give the resort the
feel of a cozy village but also of high-class luxury.
"I love it here," Lisa Hughes, of San Francisco, said recently.
A
beginner, she said she preferred the resort over Squaw Valley or Alpine
Meadows, which are also in North Lake Tahoe, but off of California 89
instead of California 267 where Northstar is located.
"Prior to
the construction of the Village at Northstar, resort guests did not
have nearly the dining or shopping options, village activities or
events that exist today," said Jessica VanPernis, communications
manager at Northstar. "The Village at Northstar has brought new energy
to the resort, providing guests with a place to reconnect with family
and friends in an inviting, entertaining atmosphere."
One of the
features making Northstar attractive to Northern Nevada residents is
the quick access from Reno, a drive of about 40 minutes mostly on
Interstate 80. It is a considerably- easier drive than the trip on
Mount Rose Highway to Mount Rose-Ski Tahoe Resort that is considered
the closest place to ski and board to Reno.
But on any given
day, you'll find more residents from California than Nevada at
Northstar. You may even meet people from Canada or from as far away as
Turkey.
The resort itself is apt to evoke images of high class.
Faraht Safi, of San Diego, who visited Northstar with her family, said
the place reminded her of a "Switzerland resort."
And while the resort is hip, it also offers plenty to do with families.
"I
think they did a great job on (the remake of the resort)," said Dereck
Bowlen of Reno, who visited Northstar recently with his family. "They
have a lot of kid-friendly things to do."
Top among these is a
free 45-minute lesson for 3- and 4-year-old skiers and their parents
Sunday through Friday at 1:30 p.m., excluding peak season, Jan. 17-19
and Feb. 14-22. Children age 3 and 4 and their parents can also take a
two-hour "teach your tots" lesson available at 2 p.m. daily during the
regular season (call for prices).
Lesson packages don't stop there.
Ski
and board lessons for children 3-12 are available all day at the Kid's
Ski and Snowboard School in the Village and at The Galaxy at Village
Overlook. Children can be dropped off as early as 8 a.m. and programs
are geared toward 3 year olds, 4-to-6-year-olds and 7-to-12-year-olds
with ski lessons only, not snowboarding, available for the two youngest
groups. Advance reservations are strongly recommended (Details:
530-562-3470). Call for prices and deals.
The resort also offers
free ice-skating, but skate rental, located nearby, is $5 (Details:
530-562-3689). The year-round Apex Bungy, featuring a Bungy Trampoline
on the Village Center Overlook, is a level above the rink and costs $12
for five minutes (Details: 530-414-1935).
An $8 s'mores kit can be purchased inside the True North store, near the rink, for enjoyment around the fire pits.
Half days are available. Parents must show a birth certificate or passport for all children under the age of 3.
? 89 Trails
? 2,904 acres of terrain
? Runs: 27 percent advanced, 60 percent intermediate and 13 percent beginner.
? Longest run: Logger's Loop, 1.4 miles long
?
18 lifts, including an express gondola, three quad-chair lifts, five
double-chair lifts, one triple-chair lift, five magic carpets and more.
Uphill capacity of 29,485 skiers per hour.
? 344 acres of backcountry terrain
? Six terrain parks
? One 420-foot superpipe, one half pipe
? Average annual snowfall of 350 inches
? Average daytime temperature Nov.-April is 43 degrees.
FIVE RESTAURANTS: Baxter's Bistro and Lounge, Big Wave Burritos and Wraps, Grapes & Grounds, Rubicon Pizza Company, TC's Pub
FIVE SHOPS: Balance Holistic Health, Farrah Ralé Bead Design Studio, Helly Hansen Apparel, Mine Children's Store, The North Face
INFORMATION: 1.800.GO.NORTH (466-6784) or www.northstarattahoe.com
GETTING
THERE: From Reno, take Interstate 80 West, follow to California 267 on
the east side of Truckee, travel 6 miles south and turn right onto
Northstar Drive. Approximate travel time is 40 minutes.
