This article is sponsored by Northstar, Lake Tahoe's premier mountain resort. To learn more about Northstar, visit Northstarattahoe.com.
Ski days don't get any better than life on the trails at Northstar. From first tracks down impeccably groomed slopes to complimentary S'mores offered daily at 3 p.m., it's the attention to details and world-class service that truly make Northstar Lake Tahoe's premier destination ski resort.
Good thing the whole family can enjoy it. In a region known for steep and challenging terrain, Northstar serves up a bit of everything, meaning skiers and snowboarders of all abilities can shred at their leisure. But the fun doesn't stop there; with a resort village full of luxurious lodging, tasty dining options and apres-ski activities aplenty, your vacation is sure to be just as memorable off the slopes as it is on.
The Mountain
With 3,170 acres at your disposal, Northstar offers big skiing and snowboarding. The Big Springs Express Gondola whisks guests out of the village in style. From there, take your pick of 97 trails, ranging from cruisey beginner and intermediate slopes to expert chutes and tree-skiing, where you'll find untouched stashes of the resort's 350 annual inches of snowfall. Slopes are groomed to corduroy perfection (unless bumps are your thing, and trust us, you'll find plenty of those, too), while nine high-speed lifts guarantee you'll spend more time carving turns than standing in line. There are seven terrain parks, too, not to mention a 22-foot Super Pipe designed by none other than two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White.
The Experience
Does all this talk of terrain make you want to brush up on your skills? Good. Because Northstar's ski and snowboard schools offer some of the finest instruction in the country. From spirited group lessons to focused privates, there's something for every ability of skier. Or indulge in First Tracks, where guides lead you down the slopes before the mountain opens for the rest of the public. Give 1.800.GO.NORTH a ring to book in advance.
Snowboarders have it even better. Beyond the traditional snowboard school, shredders can enlist in the Burton Snowboard Academy, where they'll enjoy a 1:4 coach:student ratio, free access to the latest Burton equipment, a specifically designed terrain park full of mini rollers and mini halfpipes (perfect for learning) and a Lounge, replete with flat screens, coffee bar and firepits.
The Food
But the pampering doesn't begin and end with the Burton Snowboard Academy. S'mores are roasted over open firepits everyday at 3 p.m. in the village square and handed to hungry skiers. Take one as an appetizer, then hit one of the many restaurants flanking the outdoor ice rink. From sushi to tapas to hand-tossed pizza, you'd be hard pressed to find an eatery you didn't like. On-mountain lunch options are equally diverse, with everything from BBQ chicken sandwiches to Belgian waffles available to fuel your afternoon on the hill.
The Lodging
Like the diverse ski terrain options, Northstar offers lodging packages for every budget. Book anything from family-friendly condominiums to luxury mountain homes and suites, all within walking distance of the lifts.
Or stay directly on the slopes. Nestled in the pines at mid-mountain, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is a ski-in/ski-out destination of the highest caliber. Guests will enjoy in-room fire places, floor to ceiling windows and private balconies in this stone and timber hotel whose pitched roofs and rustic architecture evokes the iconic mountain lodges of the twentieth century. Treat yourself to a massage at the slopeside spa or a dip in the outdoor pool before tucking into French-inspired California cuisine at Manzanita, where the organic, locally sourced fair is prepared by James Beard Award-winning chef Traci Des Jardins. There are even ski valets, who happily lay out your skis on the snow each morning.
To learn more about Northstar or to book your next ski and snowboard vacation, visit Northstarattahoe.com.
