Northstar California Resort to Kick Off Season Early on Thursday, November 21

Truckee, CALIF. - November 18, 2024 - Thanks to new snowfall leading into the week and the impressive work of the resort's expert snowmaking team, one of Lake Tahoe's premier resorts is gearing up to welcome guests back for another unforgettable ski and ride season ahead of schedule. Northstar California Resort will open a day earlier than planned on Thursday, November 21, following Heavenly Mountain Resort's early opening and ahead of Kirkwood Mountain Resort's scheduled opening for Friday, December 6, conditions permitting.

Northstar's Opening Day promises a great start to the season. An early-season footprint accessible by five lifts will offer guests groomed runs, beginner learning terrain, and two pocket terrain parks with over ten features, perfect for easing into winter and getting those winter legs ready for the powder days ahead. Visitors can also look forward to refueling at the Lodge at Big Springs and savoring the moment the beloved cookie cowbell rings as they grab their warm, freshly baked cookie! After a fun day on the slopes, or simply to enjoy Northstar's winter wonderland, head to the Village, where a festive ice rink, shopping, coffee at VOUS, and cozy meals at Wild Pine offer something for everyone all day long. Cap off the day with live music, a signature drink from the Rink Bar, and s'mores around the fire to toast the season's start.

With the first snow already dusting the peaks, it's an exciting time for guests, employees, and the community, especially as the resort enters a new era under the leadership of Tara Schoedinger, recently announced as the new VP and GM of Northstar. Schoedinger's arrival brings a renewed energy to Northstar and its commitment to creating memorable experiences for every guest, whether on the slopes or exploring North Lake Tahoe's winter wonderland.

"It's an honor to join the incredible team at Northstar and dive right into the most exciting time of year," Schoedinger shares. "In just a short time, I've been so impressed by this team's expertise and their ability to seize every opportunity Mother Nature provides. It's no surprise they've been able to pull forward opening the resort ahead of schedule. I'm looking forward to experiencing ski and ride season in the Tahoe region alongside our guests and embracing everything that makes Northstar special."

Also new at Northstar this season is My Epic Gear. Travelers no longer have to buy and haul their equipment to and from ski resorts with the launch of My Epic Gear, a first-of-its-kind membership that combines the luxury of owning high-quality gear and premium customer service. My Epic Gear is available for the whole family and is a great option for Pass Holders looking to make the most out of their experiences. My Epic Gear memberships will unlock access to over 60 of the most popular and latest ski and snowboard models, with free in-resort delivery or free daily slopeside pick-up and drop-off. The entire membership experience, from gear selection to boot fit to personalized recommendations to delivery, is available at members' fingertips in the My Epic app. Memberships are limited for the 2024/25 winter season, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Importantly, Northstar will continue offering guests a variety of choices for parking this season, with a combination of both free and paid parking options based on its success last year. This reservations-based parking program will kick off in Mid-December on weekends (Saturday - Sunday) and peak periods at select parking lots - more details can be found on the "Getting Here & Parking" page of the Northstar website. As always, carpooling is highly recommended any time guests visit the resort.

Guests who wish to visit any of our resorts have only a few more weeks to lock in their Epic Pass, as all Pass products will go off sale on December 2. There is an Epic Pass for everyone including the Tahoe Local and Value Passes, as well as the Epic Day Pass (1-7 days) and provide significant savings compared to lift ticket prices. Whether planning to hit the slopes one day or every day, by purchasing a pass now, guests will get the best value, plus flexibility and benefits not offered with traditional lift tickets. That includes 20% off on-mountain dining, group ski and ride lessons, lodging, rentals and more with Epic Mountain Rewards. Pass Holders will have discounted lodging options across Vail Resorts' portfolio of hotels, condos and premier vacation residences.

Returning this season with new features is the My Epic app with Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets. The My Epic App allows guests to use their phone as their ticket to the slopes. Mobile Lift Tickets is a hands-free option for skiers and riders to use at all three Vail Resorts' owned Tahoe resorts for the 2024/25 season. By using the app, guests can buy their pass or lift ticket online, activate it in the app, put their phone in their pocket, and get scanned, hands free in the lift line using Bluetooth® technology designed for low energy usage to minimize the impact on a phone's battery life. New this season, the My Epic app will include the Find My Friends feature, allowing skiers and riders to share their location with friends and family on the mountain. Additionally, the My Epic app will feature My Epic Assistant An in-app guide powered by AI and resort experts for mountain information. The My Epic app also offers a range of guest-favorite features, including interactive trail maps, and mountain and resort alerts, including operational information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports and conditions.

Guests can use the My Epic app for daily updates and real-time information, along with other important news throughout the season on the new - once in the app, look for the bell in the top right corner to see a feed of real-time guest alerts. Guests can also learn about the latest on our teams' social channels: Instagram, Facebook, Resort Twitter/X, Mountain Operation Twitter/X

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Media Assets: photo/video credit, "Katey Hamill, Northstar California Resort"

Media Contact: Ashlee Lambert, [email protected]