Northstar, Lake Tahoe, California

Springing up at the base of Mt. Pluto, in North Lake Tahoe region and old Northstar area is a burgeoning village. Stepping into this Alpine village comes with adventures only the seasons and imagination can limit. Northstar, Lake Tahoe, California, has become a year-round playground. Its' closest airport is Reno, but travelling from Sacramento is another way visitors arrive here. The warm weather activities at Northstar include many uses of Lake Tahoe or "Lake of the Sky", including, private boating (even with your own private captain), cruises, and fishing. Fly-fishing is solitude you seek and can find in the streams of the Sierras. Three new mountain biking trails have just been added to hair-raising ones already grooved in the mountains. Northstar tennis was ranked "Top 50 US Welcome Center of 2006" by the Tennis Industry Association. Horseback riding through the Ponderosa pines is worth trying, if speed, wind, rush, and rough terrain are of utmost import. Interestingly enough, roller skating in this neck of the woods is retro/old fashioned, not the new blades. In all of the activities, events are organized at Northstar to visitors' satisfaction.

Having been known as a family-friendly ski resort, experts now rate Northstar's resort as some of the best skiing and snowboarding around. With an average annual snowfall of 350 inches, the base elevation is 6,330 feet and the summit is at 8,610 feet. Much of Mt. Pluto is best for family skiing, while intermediate skiers prefer Schaffer's Camp. The Backside has long uninterrupted runs of groomed powder and bumps, while Lookout Mt. offers plenty of steeps and tree skiing. There are terrain parks for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. The chairlift and gondola, some of the only ones of its kind, conveniently leave from the lobby at the village. Apres' ski is especially relaxing. The large outdoor ice-skating rink is front and center, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and fitness centers/spas, so nothing is out of the way. Northstar Village is close enough to Lake Tahoe, California, to enjoy the lake, but far enough from fighting the masses. Viewing the vast Sierra Mountain ranges from an outdoor spa, on top of a steed, from a speed boat, over top a plate of succulent lamb chops or from tittering gondola, Northstar can make your vacation a world away from the monotone of life, and an adventure to remember till the next time you visit North Lake Tahoe, California.