Media outlets such as SKI, Sherman’s Travel, Away.com and Orbitz.com continually rate Northstar® Resort among the top family resorts in the country. From an engaging mascot, to special family offers and a plethora of ski and non-skiing activities, Northstar Resort is the place to be this winter for families.
1. Convenience. Northstar Resort was designed with families in mind, from the way the mountain funnels into one central location to the convenient, free on-site bus service that takes guests to and from the Village at Northstar, from their cars or in-resort lodging. Once in the Village, families can use complimentary wagons to tote equipment or kids around the resort. Kids Ski & Snowboard School check-in is located in the heart of the Village for ease in dropping children off for daily lessons. And, complimentary evening valet parking is available Thursday through Sunday nights for those who dine in the Village at Northstar.
2. Engaging Entertainment. The resort offers live entertainment on weekends for the whole family during aps ski. And, kids can find Marty the Martian, Northstar Resort’s mascot, wandering around engaging children throughout the Village. Marty also is available to have breakfast with kids Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8am until 9:30am at TC’s Pub in the Village at Northstar.
3. Options. Northstar Resort provides a ski and snowboard experience for people of all ages and abilities. Throughout the resort, skiers and riders will find a variety of terrain options depending on their interest. Magic Moguls, a favorite trail of many families that features a field of bumps and bends, as well as Northstar Resort’s award-winning terrain parks are located off of the Vista Express chairlift. On the Tahoe Zephyr Express side of the mountain, terrain includes the infamous Stash and is a great place to go first thing in the morning for sunny runs and soft snow. The Backside is known for its nine one-mile long trails, and if it’s incredible tree skiing and steepness that are desired, Mountain is sure to please.
For those who want to experience the mountain in a different fashion, Northstar Resort’s lift-served tubing hill is fun for all ages. Guests can also participate in a geocaching adventure on snowshoes through the cross-country trail network. GPS units are available for rent at The North Face store in the Village at Northstar, and at the Cross-Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center for those who want to partake in this high-tech treasure hunt.
4. Learn Together, Stay Together. Mom and dad feel the love as well with complimentary “Mommy, Daddy & Me” lessons. Just like being there for their first steps, parents want to be there when their child makes their first turns on the snow. “Mommy, Daddy & Me” at Northstar Resort is suitable for parents with children ages three and four years old, and pairs parents with one of Northstar Resort’s instructors to learn tips on how to teach their child how to ski. The free 45-minute lesson is offered Sunday through Friday excluding holiday periods at 1:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis.
5. Two Parents, One Lift Ticket. For the same price as an adult all-day lift ticket, guests can purchase the Parent Predicament ticket and take turns on the slopes. As one parent takes a few runs, the other stays with the child until they’re ready to switch.
Kids are king at Northstar Resort as all children’s single-day lift tickets are valid for two out of three consecutive days. The savings continue with the kids, Double Whammy season pass, for just $119, kids ski or ride both Northstar and Sierra-at-Tahoe Resorts all season long and also receive complimentary Kid’s Club Membership with pass purchase, entitling them to discounts on lessons and more. And, children enrolled in a 2-day lesson at the Kid’s Ski & Snowboard School save 50 percent on the second day of lessons. This offer is not available during holiday periods and is applicable on all-day lesson packages only.
6. It Takes a Village. The Village at Northstar was designed as the central hub of activity for the resort. From dining to nightlife and numerous family-friendly activities, it’s the central location to play at the resort. Ice skating in the Village at Northstar is a perfect place to top off a day of winter outdoor fun. Open and free to the public, the skating rink is surrounded by comfy couches and Cabana Bars where parents can enjoy a hot toddy or mulled cider in between laps around the rink. Skate rentals are just $5.
Dining options are abundant in the Village at Northstar, with most restaurants and eateries offering kids menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
For the ultimate winter dessert, families can purchase a gourmet smores kit and roast marshmallows over the fire pits in the Village plaza. The kits come with everything chocolate, graham crackers, homemade marshmallows and roasting sticks.
If high flying adventure is of interest, guests are invited to experience the year-round Apex Bungy, a bungy trampoline that allows kids of all ages to fly high into the sky and do flips while securely tethered to the trampoline. Jumpers must weigh between 20 and 220 pounds. The Apex Bungy is located on the Village Overlook, just above the skating rink, and is open daily during the heart of the winter season, conditions permitting.
7. Learning Vacations. The resort also offers a variety of hands-on, educational opportunities throughout the Village at Northstar. At Farrah Rale Bead Design Studio, create and design jewelry and bead accessories. And, in addition to making candles at The Villager Candle Shop, the store offers guests the opportunity to design and create their own mosaics and teddy bears. Similar to bear making stores in large metropolitan malls, The Village Candle Shop gives visitors the chance to make their own bear, select its clothing and explore the new bear village they’ve created in the store. New this winter, All Fired Up! offers guests the opportunity to paint their own pottery.
8. Kid’s Camp/Day Care. Minor’s Camp at Northstar Resort offers daycare for children ages two to six years old. This winter, parents can enroll a child into an all-day program at Minor’s Camp and receive a free lift ticket valid for the same day (some restrictions apply including 48 hour advance reservation required). Cost for a full day at Minor’s Camp is $119 per child. Minor’s Camp is a state licensed facility (license no. 293610610). Half day and full day childcare programs are available and will keep your kids entertained with indoor activities, snow play, arts and crafts, snacks and lunch (full-day programs only).
9. Parent’s Night Out. Mom and dad also might choose to opt for the Parent’s Night Out program that is offered Friday, Saturday and holiday nights from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for children four to 12 years old. Kids enjoy supervised indoor and outdoor activities including dinner and smores by the ice skating rink. Cost for Parent’s Night Out is $49 per child and can be reserved in person at the Tickets & Season Pass office, or by calling 530.562.3470.
10. Stay & Ski FREE! On-site lodging begins at $115 per person, per night and is available throughout the season. This offer is based on double occupancy in a studio condominium (other unit types available), and includes two lift tickets per room, per night (two night minimum required). Some restrictions apply.
For more information or reservations, visit www.northstarattahoe.com or call 1.800.GO.NORTH (466.6784).