Apres Ski in Northstar

Northstar Resort

Few resorts have undertaken a more ambitious overhaul than Northstar-at-Tahoe. At the heart of the resort’s renaissance is the brand new Village at Northstar.

One of the finest base villages in North America, the Village at Northstar incorporates posh new hotels, condominiums, restaurants and retail into a vibrant and inviting alpine setting. The centerpiece of the new complex is a large outdoor skating rink, complete with heated rinkside bar booths so parents can watch their youngsters while they enjoy an adult libation.

Take a stroll around the Village at Northstar and you’ll be sure to see plenty of smiles. Whether it’s a group of children roasting s’mores over a firepit, a couple skating hand-in-hand around the rink or a family strolling through the plaza, one thing is certain – the Village at Northstar is a happy place.

Northstar Bars & Restaurants

The two best places for apres ski are the Alpine Bar in the village, and on the mountain the deck at the Lodge at Big Springs.

All the bars are primarily après-ski places, so they are suitable for all and there are no restrictions on children coming in. The Alpine Bar features major sporting events on multiple T.V.s, live music, games, pool tables and an arcade. Appetizers and full bar are available. The minimum legal age to be able to buy or drink alcohol is 21 years.

In the village, Timbercreek Restaurant has been voted one of Tahoe’s best restaurants. Try out its California-American cuisine, with hints of Pacific Rim flair. The Ski Express breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner are served daily mid-December through April. There’s also an après-ski bar with café and children’s menu. Reservations recommended. At Cippolini’s Pizzeria there’s homemade pizza and calzones with soup and a salad bar. Use the on-mountain pizza phone at the top of the Big Springs Express Gondola to place your order. Takeout orders are welcome. Go to the Village Food Company for daily breakfast specials, sandwiches and sushi for lunch, and dinner specials.

A unique feature at Northstar is Polaris Park, across from the Lodge at Big Springs, an evening adventure park for skiing, boarding, tubing, snow toys, live entertainment and dancing. It’s open most Fridays, Saturdays and peak season evenings until 7:00 pm. Tickets can be obtained from the Tubing Center at the top of the gondola.

While Baxter’s, TC’s Pub, and the Chocolate Bar are popular options for enjoying a post-skiing cocktail, the best place to grab a hot toddy or irish coffee is the Cabana Bar, adjacent to the ice skating rink. More “South Beach” than North Lake Tahoe, the chic Cabana Bar is one of the hottest apres-ski scenes in California. Come early to grab one of the heated booths or a coveted spot around a firepit.

Northstar Other Activities

If you’re tired of skiing and want to try something different, Northstar has 30 miles (50 km) of cross-country terrain, full work-out facilities at the Swim & Racquet Club, tubing and ice-skating.

The Swim & Racquet Club has a pool, three outdoor spas, a youth center with a full range of activities, and a fitness center.

Snow toys are available from Tube Town at mid-mountain from noon to 4:00 pm. Head down the mountain on a snowbike or take to the half-pipe on a snowscoot. Or maybe try your hand at a skifox, which will carve short or long turns. All snow toys are for 12 years and older except for the K2 Juniorbike for ages 8 to 12. There’s also a packed events calendar that takes shape every season-check out the website at www.northstarattahoe.com for full details.

Northstar resort recreation center

Phone: 530.562.0320

The Recreation Center is open year-round, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. It has a heated pool, outdoor spas, game room, fitness centre and adult quiet area.