California/Nevada Northstar $$$$ vs Heavenly $$ early January

[Seldomski]

We have friends that live near Heavenly on the Nevada side that we will be visiting around New Years. They commented that they had never been to Northstar (despite living in that area for a decade), so we started looking at staying near there a couple nights to give everyone something new.

Wow, super expensive to stay within walking distance of the gondola - and this is for Jan 2-4, not on New Years. We have stayed in some pricey-ish areas, but this was a bit surprising pricing for a studio. We are trying to sleep 4 with a pullout sofa, but looks to be cost prohibitive. So I guess we are learning why they have never actually skied Northstar and stick to Heavenly and Kirkwood?

What's the deal with Northstar? Is it really that good? Or is it just crowded with people from Bay Area, driving pricing through the roof? Compared to some slope side lodging around Heavenly, the pricing is ridiculous.

BTW, we have to select an 'epic' resort -- our friends have military passes. For a family of 4, that's a big deal for them.

 

[fatbob]

Why not just daytrip there? The reason it is expenseive is that it is 100% captive lodging in an ersatz and annoying village. Stay in Truckee or Kings Beach if you want cheaper ( and to feel that your other spend is not just lining VR pockets).

 

[dbostedo]

...and this is for Jan 2-4, not on New Years.

It could be that with New Year's Day on a Wednesday this year, there is increased demand for the following weekend as well. Single day lift tickets, for instance, are $10 more on January 3rd than on January 10th. That said, I'd guess staying in the Northstar Village is expensive in general, as fatbob pointed out.

 

[Nathanvg]

Regarding quality, Northstar isn't anything special in my book. It's arguably the most mellow ski area in Tahoe and has good groomers. It reminds me of a small Keystone. Why don't you stay in SLT and if you really want to, drive up there one day. In good weather it's only about an hour or so. Heavenly and Kirkwood are both better ski areas anyway IMO.

 

[Seldomski]

Why not just daytrip there?

Wife demands ski in/out.

Stay in Truckee or Kings Beach

Is there a place in either Truckee/Kings Beach with a dedicated shuttle to Northstar? I see there is a bus route, but don't think I can convince her to ride that... now if there is a hotel/resort with dedicated transport, that would go over much better.

Other thing I was considering is staying further away, as you suggest, but taking uber to the mountain.

 

[Seldomski]

Regarding quality, Northstar isn't anything special in my book. It's arguably the most mellow ski area in Tahoe and has good groomers. It reminds me of a small Keystone. Why don't you stay in SLT and if you really want to, drive up there one day. In good weather it's only about an hour or so. Heavenly and Kirkwood are both better ski areas anyway IMO.

Thanks for the intel on skiing at Northstar. I have been to Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Keystone. Though Heavenly and Kirkwood were in Dec 2017 and there was no snow. Our friends live ~30 min from the Nevada side gondola of Heavenly. The reason for the hotel is to get everyone out of the house and have a mini vacation for our hosts.

 

[Nathanvg]

Our friends live ~30 min from the Nevada side gondola of Heavenly. The reason for the hotel is to get everyone out of the house and have a mini vacation for our hosts.

Another option would be to get a hotel near the base of Heavenly. I stayed at a hotel across the street from the California base for about $50 a night in mid Feb last year. I was shocked how cheap it was and it was a nice hotel. You shouldn't expect it that cheap new years week but you still should get some better deals.

 

[SSSdave]

Go to google dot com and search with "map south lake tahoe lodging".
Expand the map showing lodging prices. The prices don't include lodging tax that is 11% more in SLT.
Zoom into the Stateline casino area on the California side.
Change the dollar amount to about 0>$100 and guest to 1.
Change the dates to Jan 2 thru 4. Note prices.
Change the dates to mid week Jan 7 thru 9. Note prices are way cheaper.
Change the location to Truckee. The map will also show Tahoe North Shore areas. Note how even midweek the North Shore and Truckee are much more expensive than SLT with far less choices. SLT midweek is one of the best bargains in skidom.

The massively jacked rates you see at SLT is the result of all the gamblers driving up from California on Friday night and staying 2 nights. From Sunday night through Thursday is when South Lake Tahoe has an excessive amount of unused lodging so prices drop. Thus if you are flexible, cheaper is SLT any mid week away from the holidays. With Jan 1 on Wednesday, many are staying thru Saturday night. I usually ski Heavenly midweek and rarely pay more than $65 a night including tax.

 

[Seldomski]

@SSSdave

Alright, I think I understand. It's not so much that Northstar is better skiing, just that there is a lot more cheap lodging near Heavenly for the gamblers.