Ski and Après-Ski at Northstar Ski Resort

By Jane Haworth

Gone are the days when a ski resort only offers skiing, well they are at Northstar.   After a day skiing there is now a whole days worth of activities to explore after you shed your skies or snow board and visit Northstar’s new village for great Après-ski opportunities.  Whether it’s letting off steam on the ice rink, or shopping for the latest ski apparel, sipping a chardonnay at the wine bar, enjoying a fine dinner or just relaxing by the fire pit.  Northstar is now rich with retail, entertainment and cuisine options.
 
Arriving at Northstar’s new village center was like walking into one of Europe’s great plazas.  My family and I were here for a weekend’s skiing and with all that Northstar’s new village and mountain had to offer we were going to be kept busy for the next couple of days.  Going into the 2007/08 ski season much of this major remodel will be complete including the luxurious, slope side condominiums, stylish retail spaces, new restaurants and at the heart of the Village, the pedestrian plaza and central skating rink.  As a family-friendly ski resort Northstar is now rated one of the top five in the U.S. and we were here to find out why. 

SKI

Despite the early morning start, with my toddler in tow, carrying skis on our backs, my family and I hike to the gondola ride to get our first glimpse of the stunning, new plaza and ice rink.  It is here, conveniently, that all the guest services i.e. ticket office, rental equipment, ski school drop-off and soon ‘Minor’s Camp’ child-care facility are located on one side of the plaza.

With all the changes going on around the resort even the ski trail map has had an update.  The mountain is now color coded into six distinctly, different areas or “lands”, that skiers and boarders can explore, each distinct for its different terrain, difficulty and personality.  Northstar also offers one-of-a-kind terrain parks, including the Burton Progression Park that are great for learning the techniques and tricks needed to master moguls, jumps, rails etc on skis or snowboards.

For younger children the Adventure Parks put a new twist on learning to ski or board on different terrains.  The park introduces bumps, curves, gullies on hidden trails amongst the trees.  Even the youngest skiers have their own pint-size adventure park with a snow tunnel to ski through with piped music.

An excellent feature for parents of infants and toddlers is the Parent Predicament lift pass that costs the same as a regular adult pass but allows you both to ski whilst trading off baby-sitting duties.  With a play house, toys and active imagination theses little ones will be kept busy in the children’s play area on the lower level of mid-mountain lodge.

As a family-friendly resort Northstar has got the whole family covered from the parents ski pass, minor’s camp for 2-6 year olds, ski school for all ages, terrain parks for adventurous teens and plenty of mountain refreshments.

APRES-SKI

Shedding skies and helmets, heading back to the Village at Northstar the kids zeroed in on the ice rink whilst Mum and Dad were able to find seats by the heat of one of the fire places.  The paved central plaza is the ideal spot to wind down after the exertions of a days skiing.  So with either a beer in hand or warming cup of coffee take a moment to enjoy the ambiance and beauty of Northstar’s new village square for Après ski.  The year-round, 9000ft ice rink is open between 12 and 8pm. Skating is free; it’s just a $5 charge for the hire of the skates.

As part of Northstar’s commitment to provide a genuinely family-friendly resort enjoy the tubing park located at mid-mountain or the bungee trampoline and climbing wall, open year round and found overlooking the ice-rink.

If shopping is your preference try the new pedestrian plaza for a variety of options which include the trendy mountain sports stores like Helly Hansen, Oakley, North Face and True North.  A few more to mention are; a bath and body store, two very stylish and unique children’s clothing stores, a pet specialty store, and a make your own jewelry store.  Tripflix is a photo/video company that will capture unforgettable moments during your day on the mountain.  When all the phases of the construction are up and running there will be about 40 retail spaces open.

Dotted through the landscaped plaza you can enjoy a global journey of eateries.  Choose from an Italian pizzeria, Mexican burritos and wraps, organic, whole food treats at Earthly Delights, a fine dining restaurant at Mikuni’s Japanese cuisine, to name a few.  Head to Timbercreek for an Après ski bar, family friendly dining and enjoy a healthy and delicious post-ski dinner.  The paved pedestrian plaza is ideal for outdoor seating with heat lamps to keep away the winter chills.  An ideal place to sit is outside the extensive Starbucks, where you can sup a cappuccino and watch the skaters as the sun recedes behind the pines. 

To get the most out of your time on the mountain it is wise to stay overnight.  Northstar offers a variety of accommodation options from hotel-type rooms, condos of various sizes, and homes to rent.  Or try one of the new ski-in condos which are so convenient, picturesque and luxurious.  Staying at the resort means you can leave your car behind and use the excellent shuttle service.  Just a quick phone call, leave your location and wait curbside to be picked up.  New also to the resort is the concierge service based in the village which handles all parts of your stay from making dinner reservations to supplying groceries to your condo, whilst you get to spend more time on the slopes.  All visitors get complimentary passes to Northstar’s fitness and spa facility during your vacation.  It’s always a thrill to lounge in the huge, heated outdoor spa, under the stars in the alpine landscape.  What better way to end a days skiing and après ski at the ‘New Northstar’. 

More information:    http://www.northstarattahoe.com

Phone 530 562 1010           Accommodation Reservations 530 466 6784
 
Directions

From the Bay:
Go East on Interstate 80
Take Highway 267 Exit #188B.  This is the new by-pass route.  It is just after the last Truckee Exit  then Travel South on Highway 267 for approx. 8 miles and Turn Right onto Northstar Dr.