Northstar Ski Resort | California | 2026 Information

Northstar Resort sits in the Martis Valley just north of Lake Tahoe near Truckee, California. The resort has 3,170 skiable acres, 100 named trails, terrain parks, and 20 lifts. The total uphill skier capacity is 34,800 riders per hour. Summit elevation reaches 8,610 feet with a base of 6,330 feet, giving a vertical drop of roughly 2,280 feet of lift‑served skiing and riding. 

Snowfall and Conditions

Northstar averages roughly 350 inches of snowfall each season, supported by extensive snowmaking coverage that helps the resort open terrain earlier than other resorts in the area. Here is a snow report for Northstar, along with today’s weather and a 6 day forecast.

Winter at Northstar Resort

Northstar is known for well-groomed terrain, abundant intermediate runs, and one of the most celebrated terrain park systems. The actual terrain breakdown is approximately 13% beginner, 60% intermediate, and 27% advanced. Park features range from beginner-friendly zones to challenging park elements designed to test advanced riders.

Northstar also offers a couple of notable mountain traditions:

• Töst: Lake Tahoe’s only mountaintop champagne and cider toast, where guests gather for a drink and views (first-come, first-served). Non-alcoholic options are also available.
  
  
• S’mores O’clock: This daily treat is served at 4:00 PM in the village under the golden umbrella. 

Winter Activities at Northstar Resort: Skiing, Snowboarding, Private and Group Lessons for Adults and Kids, Cross-Country/ Nordic Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing, Fat Tire Snow Biking, Ice Skating

Summer at Northstar Resort

Northstar’s 18-hole golf course opens in spring and has a 72.4 NCGA rating. Located at roughly 6,000 feet, the elevation typically adds 10–15 yards to most drives, according to the resort. A dress code applies to both the course and practice range, so make sure to pack appropriate golf shoes and attire.

Mountain biking at Northstar is popular in summer, as the resort features one of the most developed programs in the Tahoe region. Lift-served access connects riders to a trail network spanning more than 100 miles. Beginners will find a few flow trails to build confidence, leaving the technical features and more challenging trails to the experienced riders.  Structured clinics take place throughout summer for kids, teens, women-only, and all skill levels, along with weekly races to test your progression.

Northstar also offers a dedicated stargazing program through its Dark Skies Cosmoarium experience. Using professional-grade Celestron telescopes, guided sessions provide detailed views of planets, star clusters, and deep-sky objects. 

Registration is required, and the program is designed for all ages, making it a strong option for families looking for an evening activity beyond the village.

Summer Activities at Northstar Resort: Mountain Biking, Private Lessons and Clinics, Mountain Bike Competitions, Hiking, Scenic Chairlift Rides, Golf, Roller Skating Rink, Star Gazing. 

Getting Around Northstar Resort

Northstar is organized around a single, pedestrian-only village that sits mid-mountain. The village is accessed primarily via the Northstar Gondola, which connects the main parking Guests typically arrive by car, park in designated lots, and use the gondola or resort shuttles to reach the village.

The village serves as the resort’s main hub for services like lift access, rentals, lessons, and retail. It also hosts the ice rink (which converts to roller skating in summer), cafés and casual restaurants. Additional base access points exist for parking and lift loading, but they do not function as standalone villages with full amenities.

The majority of on-mountain lodging is located in or immediately surrounding the village, including ski-in/ski-out condos and townhomes. Additional accommodations are found in nearby residential neighborhoods within Northstar-at-Tahoe, typically a short shuttle ride away. 

What’s New at Northstar Resort

Recent updates at Northstar Resort focused on enhanced guest experience like new parking options (paid reservations at peak times), winter terrain park improvements, and summer bike park expansions, events, and programming.