Photo Credit: tahoebest.com
Northstar made an announcement Monday that they will be expanding their boundaries this season. As part of the mulit-part plan, Northstar will add sidecountry access on two areas of the mountain this winter, which equates to more than 170 acres of new terrain.The other aspect of their program is that they’ll be offering guided sidecountry tours out their new access gates, as well as cat skiing.
Bill Rock is the CEO of Northstar. Recently he shared, “Northstar already had some of the best tree skiing in Tahoe, but with the expansion of our boundaries, skiers and riders will now have access to even more powder stashes and incredible glade skiing.” “And, for those interested in learning the ins and outs of these areas with someone more familiar, guided tours will be available both within and outside the resort’s boundaries.”
The Northstar boundary lines will be extended off Lookout Mountain, which is the best storm day skiing the resort has to offer. The trees on Lookout are well regarded by locals, and will give access to almost an extra 1,000 vertical feet of new terrain.
A second area will also see expansion where about 800 vertical feet of new terrain near a zone called the Sawmill Glade that’s accessed via the Vista Express chairlift will take place. These new additions will also be offered in addition to the already existing sidecountry terrain on Northstar’s White Rabbit and Sawtooth Ridge.
The snow cat skiing and riding will take place off Sawtooth Ridge, which was already previously accessible as a sidecountry locale in years past. Now guests will be able to take a cat there with this easier access. However, this year, outside the resort’s boundary, users will be able to ski on a portion of Sawtooth Ridge that may be an area of future expansion. Sounds pretty interesting, for sure.
Map Credit: mappery Old Trail Map
Map Credit: www.northstarattahoe.com New Trail Map
Maybe this will give Squaw that extra push to open something this year?
It seems like Northstar will be competing with Squaw heavily for the novice, moderate, destination travelers this season.
This is a great move by Northstar. People are looking for something beyond chair-served skiing, off-piste skiing that’s still avy controlled is definitely interesting.
Also, I can totally hang with the other bro-brahs there for Sean White.
good northstar can have the intermediates. If it helps reduce the line at kt please go to northstar and ski the trees.
Great move by N*. Clearly they are trying to expand beyond just the groomer, park and entry level skier. Although in reality the terrain will be about as exciting as all other Vail resorts, it’s a huge symbolic move (similar to when Sierra at Tahoe opened up backcountry access). I have to think that the marketing team over at Squaw is watching and brainstorming on how they can create some sort of backcountry access plan.
Squaw – if you’re reading this – It’s about time you open up some bc access gates – tower 2, Nat Geo, Shirley Canyon…
The trees on Lookout are well regarded by locals, and will give access to almost an extra 1,000 vertical feet of new terrain.
i dont get how this new development adds 1000 vert to the already rideable lookout mountain..
Flatstar and side country just makes me laugh, but whatever as long as it keeps the lift lines shorter at squaw and alpine.
Northstar looks like some flat ski hill in southern VT. Who cares if they open some low angle tree routes?
Thats cool…. besides walking the entire oregon trail from the parking lot to the ski lifts.
What? NONE of that isn’t something that has been ridden for years.
Also, they missed the boat by not extending the “new” Sawmill Glade off Vista all the way to the top of East Ridge. That’s been some of the best post storm poached stuff at the star for years.
Vail + Northstar = FailStar
Time out…
All these “new” areas are not new at all. They have been open to the public for a couple of years already. Just sayin’