City: Reno, NV

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (530) 562-1010, (800) 466-6784

Address: 6 miles north of Lake Tahoe

Description: With its impressive array of activities and amenities, Northstar-at-Tahoe has been in a class of its own since it opened in 1972. From the wooded slopes of Mt. Pluto, where you can hike, bike, and ski down a dormant volcano, to the pristine meadows of Martis Valley, where you can golf and hike, Northstar offers a mountain vacation that is hard to beat. Expansion in the past few years has changed this property from a kicked-back casual mountain resort to a world-class chic development. Although luxury abounds, not all old-timers are comfortable with it. The funky wood structures that comprised the original village now share mountain space with an array of multistory stone condos and retail establishments that ring the new ice-skating/in-line skating rink. Dining options in the village include Baxter’s Bistro & Lounge and Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar as well as quick foods at Euro Snack, Earthy Delights, and Big Wave Burritos and Wraps. An interesting mix of upscale stores includes Freckles Children’s Boutique, Gloss, North Face, and True North. Accommodations at Northstar run the gamut from budget friendly hotel units to luxury condominiums to spacious mountain homes. The new condos at Great Bear, Iron Horse, and Catamount, Big Horn lodges, and One Village Place are conveniently located in the village and offer underground parking and a host of luxury amenities. The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, opened in 2009, is a five-star, ski-in/ski-out hotel with 173 luxury units and a spa located mid-mountain. Some units are available as fractional ownership residences. Winter sports include downhill skiing and snowboarding on more than 2,900 acres of mountain terrain, cross-country skiing on 50 kilometers of groomed trails, sleigh rides, tubing, ice-skating, and snowmobile and dogsled tours. Kids especially enjoy the five terrain parks and two pipes. (See the Winter Sports chapter for details.) The resort shifts gears in summer, but the fun doesn’t stop. Guests can enjoy golf at Northstar’s challenging 18-hole course (see the Golf chapter), mountain biking in the park, tennis on 10 outdoor courts, horseback riding and guided nature hikes on mountain trails, and fly fishing at Sawmill Lake. Northstar also has two outdoor heated swimming pools, spas, saunas, and a fitness center. It’s the perfect place for families because all activities have special provisions for children, including special ski and golf packages, an adventure camp, and the Minors’ Camp child-care center. During winter the resort serves breakfast and lunch at The Lodge at Big Springs at the top of the gondola and at the top of Mt. Pluto at the Summit Deck & Grille. The clubhouse at the golf course offers casual dining in summer. Insiders agree that one of the best features of staying at Northstar is the free shuttle that continuously runs throughout the resort. So if you arrive by car, you can just park it and leave it. When you’re ready to ski, you simply call the shuttle. You’ll be picked up practically at your door and transported to the base of the mountain. No more struggles through crowded parking lots with all your ski equipment. The shuttle will take you anywhere in the resort—to dinner, to the tennis courts, or to the golf course. If you’re coming in just for the day to ski, you can hop on the tram that runs through the main parking area and ride it to the base of the ski hill. When booking lodging at Northstar, be sure to inquire about special packages. There’s such a variety, you’re bound to find one that will save you money and make your stay more convenient. You can also reserve lodging at Northstar through some of the rental agents listed in the Vacation Rentals chapter. They rent a number of additional privately owned properties at the resort that might not be available through resort reservations. But when using an off-site rental agent, be aware that resort packages might not be available. I highly recommend this resort at any time of the year for adults and families. Because of the variety of activities available on-site and the range of lodging from moderate to deluxe, it has something for everyone.