One of the great luxuries of staying on the North Shore is having two world-class ski resorts within half an hour of your front door. Northstar and Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows) are both exceptional — but they're very different mountains. Here's how to decide which one to hit on any given day.
Northstar California
The vibe: Polished, family-friendly, and beautifully groomed. Northstar is where you go when you want a flawless ski day without any drama. The village at the base is charming — think hot chocolate shops, boutiques, ice skating rink — and the mountain itself is immaculately maintained.
The terrain: 3,170 acres of skiable terrain across 100+ runs. Northstar is famous for its grooming: the corduroy here is some of the best in the Sierra. Intermediate skiers will be in heaven. The backside has some legitimate steeps and tree runs for advanced skiers, but this isn't the place for adrenaline junkies.
Best runs: Lookout Mountain has the best views and the most varied terrain. For intermediates, the cruisers off the Vista Express are long, wide, and beautifully maintained. For advanced skiers, head to the backside — Lookout, Promised Land, and the Sawtooth Ridge area have genuine challenge.
Getting there: About 20 minutes from both GDP Tahoe properties. Straightforward drive on Highway 267 — it rarely gets backed up the way 89 can.
Pro tip: Northstar's terrain parks are among the best in Tahoe. Even if you're not a park skier, it's fun to ride the gondola up and watch from the deck at mid-mountain.
Palisades Tahoe
The vibe: Raw, legendary, and unapologetically big. This is the mountain that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, and it still carries that energy. Palisades is where serious skiers come to test themselves. The terrain is steep, the bowls are massive, and on a powder day, there's nowhere better in California.
The terrain: 6,000 acres across two mountains (Palisades and Alpine Meadows, now connected by a gondola). The numbers tell the story: 70% of the terrain is intermediate to advanced. KT-22 is one of the most famous chairlifts in North American skiing — the steep chutes and exposed lines beneath it are a rite of passage.
Best runs: On the Palisades side, Granite Chief and the Headwall offer big, sustained steeps. The Silverado area has excellent tree skiing. On the Alpine Meadows side, Sherwood Bowl is wide-open powder heaven after a storm, and the Scott Chair has challenging steeps in a beautiful, less-crowded setting. For intermediates, the Roundhouse Express area at Alpine Meadows has wonderful long cruisers.
Getting there: About 28 minutes from both properties via Highway 89 through Tahoe City. On big powder mornings, leave early — 89 can get congested and the parking lots fill.
Pro tip: Take the new Base-to-Base Gondola to Alpine Meadows at least once. The ride itself is scenic, and Alpine Meadows tends to be less crowded, especially on weekends.
When to Ski Which Mountain
Powder day: Palisades, no question. The bowls and steeps hold new snow beautifully, and the mountain is designed for storm skiing. Get there early and head straight to KT-22 or Headwall.
Bluebird groomer day: Northstar. When the sky is clear and the groomers are fresh, there's no better place to carve long, fast turns.
Family day with mixed abilities: Northstar. The village, the grooming, the kid-friendly vibe — it's built for families. Plus the gondola from the parking lot to the village makes the logistics painless.
Weekend (avoiding crowds): Alpine Meadows side of Palisades. It's consistently less crowded than either Northstar's front side or the Palisades base area.
Lift Tickets & Gear
Both resorts are on the Ikon Pass, which is worth it if you're skiing more than 3 or 4 days. Single-day tickets at the window are expensive (north of $200), so book online in advance for better rates.
For gear rental, Tahoe Dave's in Tahoe City is our go-to. They're knowledgeable, fair on pricing, and will let you swap gear if conditions change mid-trip. Several shops in Kings Beach also offer good rental packages.
Après Ski
Northstar: The village has several options right at the base — Rubicon Pizza is popular, and the outdoor fire pits are great for a post-ski beer.
Palisades: Le Chamois at the base of KT-22 is a Tahoe institution. Cheap pitchers, a crowded deck, and the kind of energy that only happens after a great ski day. It's a dive in the best sense.
Or, do what we usually do: head home, peel off the layers, fire up the hot tub, and debrief the day with something from the bar. Both Elevation Estate and Turquoise Tavern have ski storage and hot tubs — which, after a day on the mountain, is really all you need.
Book Your Stay
Experience North Lake Tahoe from two exceptional properties in Carnelian Bay. Book direct for the best rates — no service fees.