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Snow-covered trees along East Ridge near the summit of Mount Pluto at Northstar California, with Lake Tahoe visible in the distance.
Explore / Northstar California / Food & Après-ski

NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA

📍Truckee, California, USA

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Cruiser🎿 Park Rat🟢 Beginner FriendlyUnlimited on Epic☀️ Year-round destination

Photo: Leijurv · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo details

⬇️
Vertical drop
2,280 ft
🗻
Skiable terrain
3,170 acres
❄️
Avg snowfall
350 in
🚡
Lifts
20
⭐

Editor's Pick

Manzanita at the mid-mountain Ritz-Carlton for a special dinner. For pizza in the base village, head to Rubicon.

THE FOOD SCENE

Choose Rubicon for pizza in the Village at Northstar. Manzanita is part of the mid-mountain Ritz-Carlton, so plan the trip up to the hotel separately from a village dinner. If you are returning to Truckee, Drunken Monkey Sushi on Brockway Road is an option for sushi and shared plates.

APRÈS-SKI & NIGHTLIFE

Rink Bar sits beside the Village skate rink and is easy to reach on foot. Meet there for a drink, then head to Rubicon to share pizzas. If you are already at the Ritz-Carlton, the hotel’s Living Room Lodge is a separate mid-mountain option.

DINING PICKS

3 curated spots for eating and drinking at Northstar California

Location:
Vibe:

Base Area

2 picks

$$Earlier budget guidePizza

Rubicon Pizza Company

The Village at Northstar

🍔Casual

Rubicon serves California-style pizza in the Village at Northstar, giving groups a sit-down meal at the base.

Why We Like It

Order a few pies to share when the group regathers in the Village. It is an easy meal before or after a visit to the rink.

Sources & planning details

Checked: description, recommendation details, website.

Without current field-level confirmation: identity, location, cuisine type, price guide.

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Visit website
Cocktail bar

Rink Bar

Beside the skate rink in the Village at Northstar

🍺Après Bar🍔Casual

Rink Bar serves drinks beside the Village skate rink. Stop inside or order at the take-away window during service.

Why We Like It

A convenient meeting spot at the base, especially when some of the group are skating and others are there for a drink.

Sources & planning details

Checked: identity, location, cuisine type, description, recommendation details, website.

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Visit website

In Town

1 pick

Japanese sushi and small plates

Drunken Monkey Sushi

11253 Brockway Road, Suite 105, Truckee

🍔Casual💑Date Night

In Truckee, Drunken Monkey serves sushi rolls, chirashi and small plates. Plan this as a meal away from the resort village.

Why We Like It

A useful dinner choice when returning to Truckee after skiing. Seafood and vegetable rolls make sharing a few different plates easy.

Sources & planning details

Checked: identity, location, cuisine type, description, recommendation details, website.

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Visit website
💡

Plan your meal

Check whether your chosen venue takes reservations or uses a walk-in waitlist. For mountain dining, plan around lift access and service times.

Sources & planning context

Other names · Northstar, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Northstar Ski Resort

Use the picks for atmosphere, cuisine and location; the restaurant’s own page has current menus and service times.

Typically late November to mid April

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗
Schedule source ↗Official resort ↗
Summer and winter destination
Yes
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Beyond winter
Ride downhill mountain-bike trails or hike Northstar’s summer mountain trails.
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Summer visit planning
Summer activities follow seasonal opening dates.
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Official website
https://www.northstarcalifornia.com/
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Skiable area (acres)
3170
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Lifts
20
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Runs
100
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Reported average snowfall (in)
350
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Base elevation (ft)
6330
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Summit elevation (ft)
8610
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Vertical drop (ft)
2280
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026

Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.

Northstar mountain information ↗The operator identifies the East Ridge–Logger’s Loop–Woods descent. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Northstar trail map ↗The Backside, Lookout Mountain, mid-mountain facilities and the village are separate locations. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

TART Highway 267 route ↗The fixed route connects Truckee, Northstar and the lakeshore. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Northstar parking ↗Village View and Castle Peak parking have different visitor arrangements. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Lake Tahoe Hotels - Resorts in Lake Tahoe | The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe ↗Lake Tahoe Hotels - Resorts in Lake Tahoe | The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe · hotel · Northstar California · ski-in, ski-out access · Rooms and Suites · heated pool · spa · sauna · On-Site Restaurants · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Lake Tahoe, CA Vacation & Timeshare | Hyatt Vacation Club ↗Hyatt Vacation Club’s current page uses the name Northstar Lodge and says it has ski and boot valet plus ski-in/ski-out access via Highlands Express Gondola. It lists studios and two-, three-, and five-bedroom residences, equipped kitchens in residences, patios or balconies, washers and dryers, a pool, whirlpool spas, and an in-house movie theater. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Cedar Glen Lodge | #1 Rated Tahoe Lakeshore Cabin Resort ↗Cedar Glen Lodge · North Lake Tahoe · cottages and comfy lodge suites · Studios, one and two bedroom units · seasonal heated pool · hot tub · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Northstar resort lodging directory ↗The resort offers Northstar Village Condos as a specific booking category, separate from Northstar Mountain Condos, Ski Trails Condominiums and private homes. It describes a shuttle ride from these condos to the slopes. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Northstar lesson arrival and preparation ↗Adult groups meet on Gondola Way near the base of the Big Springs Express Gondola. A valid lift ticket or pass is required. Adult group package ski rentals are collected at Northstar Sports Village Rentals, while snowboard package pickup is at check-in. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

True North retail locations ↗The Village shop at 4001 Northstar Drive opposite the rink sells apparel and ski outerwear. The separate shop at the Ritz-Carlton offers ski demos. The Village number is (530) 562-3670. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Black Tie Skis of North Lake Tahoe ↗Black Tie delivers ski and snowboard rentals to Northstar lodging, fits equipment on arrival, and also offers storefront fittings near Truckee Tahoe Airport. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Northstar rental reservations ↗The online rental booking form lets guests choose pickup location, dates and preferences. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Rubicon Pizza Company ↗Rubicon serves California-style pizza at 5001 Northstar Drive in the Village at Northstar. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Northstar California | Rink Bar ↗Rink Bar is beside the Village Skate Rink, accessible on foot and serving craft cocktails indoors and from a to-go window. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Drunken Monkey Sushi | Truckee ↗The Truckee restaurant at 11253 Brockway Road offers sushi, chirashi and vegetable rolls. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe | Dining ↗Manzanita is the signature contemporary mountain restaurant at the slopeside Ritz-Carlton; the hotel also lists Living Room Lodge. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

  • Northstar California — official homepage ↗

    Homepage reference from an earlier review. The dated checks above identify the details supported by other sources.

  • Vail Resorts — 2026/27 opening dates (August 18, 2026) ↗

    Published planned season dates, subject to conditions.

  • Northstar California Trail Map ↗

    Ride downhill mountain-bike trails or hike Northstar’s summer mountain trails.

  • Northstar California — Mountain Information ↗

    The operator publishes 8,610 and 6,330 feet; their exact difference is 2,280 feet.

SEE YOU UP THERE.

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