Northstar California Reviews: 3.69/5 from 25+ Verified Skiers | Snomad
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How Skiers Rate Northstar California

Overall Rating
3.69
Value for Money
3.08
Quiet Slopes
3.16
Après-Ski
3.31
Accommodation Options
3.83
Family Friendliness
4.29
Groomed Runs
4.27
Powder Zones
3.32
Tree Runs
3.78
Mogul Fields
3.30
Off-Piste
3.40
Snow Parks
3.92
Lift Efficiency
3.76
Eating Out
3.33
Ski School Quality
4.21
Beginners
3.33
Intermediates
3.89
Advanced
4.03
Experts
1.67
Snowboarders
4.00

Read All 25+ Northstar California Reviews

What Skiers Say About Northstar California

Northstar California is frequently described as a family-friendly resort with a wide range of terrain suited to beginners and intermediates. Multiple reviewers note that the frontside is busy with beginners and families, while the backside and Lookout areas offer steeper, less crowded terrain and good tree runs. The terrain park receives consistent praise from snowboarders and skiers. Reviewers repeatedly mention crowded lift lines, especially on weekends, and high prices for lift tickets, food, and accommodation. Several users comment that runs are rated easier than at other resorts, with limited expert terrain. The base village offers amenities but is noted as expensive and sometimes quiet or underutilised.

AI-generated summary based on verified skier reviews

  • family-friendly terrain
  • terrain park quality
  • backside tree runs
  • wide variety of runs
  • beginner-friendly slopes
  • well-groomed trails
  • lift queues
  • high prices
  • limited expert terrain
  • crowded weekends
  • expensive food options
Filters
3.0
Overall Rating
No user avatar
John
intermediate snowboarder 🏂
Nov, 15 2024
Large resort with some long runs. Lift lines can get very long. The village has a lot of food and drinking options though a bit expensive
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4.0
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Nicholas
advanced snowboarder 🏂
Nov, 15 2024
Northstar is a nice resort for families with a village for apres. Runs are generally not too rigorous. Thus not an ideal place if youre looking for super steep terrain. The terrain park is one of the best in the Tahoe area. The biggest drawback is the parking. Be prepared to walk through the village with all your gear and/or take a shuttle to your car.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
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Eating Out
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Value for Money
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4.0
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Peter
advanced snowboarder 🏂
Nov, 14 2024
Really like Northstar for the variety of runs. There's usually a good number of groomed runs. The lifts are fairly fast but sometimes the lines can get long. Dining options are more limited because the base village is not a town. Easy drive to the resort with basically no curvy mountain roads to drive.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
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Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
4.0
Overall Rating
No user avatar
Patrick
intermediate skier ⛷️
Apr, 29 2024
Northstar is my go to resort as Ive had the most experience there. Its great when youre starting out and has progressively challenging terrain but is pretty busy. It does have a very European ski village vibe but youre gonna pay a pretty penny due to it being in California
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
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Eating Out
Après-Ski
Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
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4.0
Overall Rating
No user avatar
Darrell
advanced skier ⛷️
Apr, 13 2024
Mountain terrain serves a wide variety for all skill levels. Good prices are a bit absurd for what you get, but Vail is expensive.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
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Value for Money
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Tree Runs
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Accommodation Options
3.0
Overall Rating
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Mark
expert skier ⛷️
Mar, 28 2024
Northstar is a strange mix of good terrain and well located lifts but several non-detachable chairs that whip around at the top and what should be a good village that is deserted with most storefronts empty

During the weeknitbsibquiet and slopes are very incrowded bit at weekend if there is powder it is packed.

If you have a car the town of Truckee is 20 minutes away and wonderful western town with true atmosphere

On mountain food is not great and very expensive

Enjoyed our time and if I could drive there would be great but wouldnt go there is flying in vs Palisades or Heavenly
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
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Eating Out
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Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
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Accommodation Options
4.0
Overall Rating
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Daniel
intermediate skier ⛷️
Mar, 20 2024
This resort is good for intermediates. Unlike many other ski resorts, there is low wind exposure. This resort also provides beginners with a way to go down to the base. Note that there is significant runs for blues, including the beautiful East ridge. This is also a good resort if you have non-skier friends as it has fat tire biking.
Eating Out
Value for Money
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4.0
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Allan
advanced skier ⛷️
Jan, 29 2024
Really awesome for certain things; id say its the place to be for terrain parks and very doable but still exciting tree runs!
The caveats are the lack of a big bowl or any sort of cornice/drops, as well as bottleneck lifts that when something goes wrong, you might be stuck without much skiing. If everything goes well, its a great place to be (but maybe a bit too great because it gets packed).
Off-Piste
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4.0
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Peter
advanced skier ⛷️
Jan, 19 2024
Great place with great easy skiing and lots of variety. Amazing accommodations overall with the Ritz Carlton right next door. Would definitely say the biggest flaws are the high prices to stay around there as well as a pretty packed mountain. If those arent an issue for you this is a great place to have a nice family-fun vacation.
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
Snow Parks
Eating Out
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Value for Money
Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
1.0
Overall Rating
No user avatar
Cardy
expert skier ⛷️
Jan, 17 2024
This place is fine as far as terrain and facilities and seems like it would be amazing on a powder weekday, but the culture is terrible. Just rich manager types and tech bros as far as the eye can see
Off-Piste
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Groomed Runs
Tree Runs
Mogul Fields
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Lift Efficiency
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2.0
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Mary
beginner snowboarder 🏂
Dec, 22 2023
Simply the best
Family Friendliness
Off-Piste
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Eating Out
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Value for Money
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