Mountain Review: Northstar, California

An in-depth video review of Northstar California Resort, a ski area located in Truckee, California, just north of Lake Tahoe.

Overall Mountain Score: 68/100 — #5 (tied) of 10 in Tahoe
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Snow: 7/10
Resiliency: 7/10
Size: 8/10
Terrain Diversity: 5/10
Challenge: 5/10
Lifts: 9/10
Crowd Flow: 7/10
Facilities: 7/10
Navigation: 8/10
Mountain Aesthetic: 5/10

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[dhowe]

Really accurate review. It’s worth noting that, unlike most other large ski resorts in the west, Northstar was originally planned and developed by an industrial company (Fiberboard, Inc. I believe) rather than a ski resort entrepreneur like Alex Cushing or Dave McCoy. This may explain the rather sanitized and engineered feel of Northstar. It was designed as a strictly money making operation by a wood products company with some spare land on their books, not by a skier with a crazy dream.

[charlieharper]

Tahoe locals call it "Flatstar". If you are a typical weekend intermediate skier it is a good resort. And it offers bike lifts during the summer.

[sgsmoof]

these reviews are so accurate for the mountains I know, I'm impressed.

[adpbobcat]

"Any advance skier should handle everything at the resort."
*a shot of you falling 😂 nice touch!

[halfcabking]

Saw one of your stickers on a Sierra lift Bar today. It was painted over lol . I just so happened to have another on me ;) hope all is well man !

[jethrolai]

for new and intermediate park riders, northstar park is one of the best places for learning and progression

[Paul-imxo]

One thing about NorthStar is it has good wind protection. Many other resorts will be on wind hold all day and North star will be open with the exception of the backside. Although if the storm rolling though is not that cold it can be raining on you.

[chrisrambos]

Really like when yall mention price and exclusive amenities

[zippymountain]

Really accurate review. first off I worked at northstar for the 23/24 season and loved it. so im biased towards the resort. But everything you said makes a great point. its excellent for intermediate skiers. however there are very few runs that are black. and fewer still that deserve the title. The terrain is fairly simple and its a mainly west facing mountain so afternoons can get really annoying. its a great place to learn glade skiing as the certain parts off the glades can have trees feet apart and others barely the width of 2 snowboards. The lifts are great, and the main factor in there occasional slowed down speed is the lake wind. but all in all I love the mountain and look forward to going back!

[SwayPromo]

Where do you recommend my wife and I take our first west coast ski trip. We can’t to do California but we’re up to ideas. We want to take our dog too. We love a nice town that has to do. We’ve only down breck, vail and keystone so far

[booniedavillier]

So um.... Are there any "dispensaries" around tahoe? And if so, do ppl trip out on it if they smell the "aroma" 😤😁

[PhilBushay]

The price WITH the buddy pass is over $150 now. Nearly $300 now for a regular lift pass. Ridiculous what they're doing.

[MrMountain]

Sierra has the best park in Tahoe. Northstar and Boreal tie for 2nd place.

[rambultruesdell]

Northstar, north of lake Tahoe is truly a park 😊 .... no .... nostar .... not here