Northstar California

Blog Post: Youth racing: what can parents expect?

Cody Hanson — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:16:00 GMT

We all know that skiing and snowboarding are great family sports. Some of our best memories come from cruising the mountain with loved ones. But what if you're a parent with children who want to get competitive? Joining a race team can be a big decision for kids and their families. To help shed some light on kid's racing programs, I sat down with Northstar's Head Race Coach Kristina Revello to learn a bit more about what competitive skiing and snowboarding is all about.

What are the big lessons kids often learn from racing?

Being part of a ski team means more than just learning how to go fast in a fun and safe environment, although that is a big part of it. Kids also learn the importance of responsibility, respect, having a positive attitude, and keeping a strong work ethic.

How does racing prepare kids for future success?

The biggest lessons kids learn are mentioned above, but success is measured in different ways by each individual. Goal setting skills play a very large component in the future success of athletes, both in and out of their sport. Athletes learn about the process of working toward something bigger than what they are currently doing. They set a bigger goal like making the National Team. Then, they look at the steps that will get them there such as improving skills, qualifying for a higher level series, qualifying for Junior Olympics, and being invited to Regional Team projects. Checking off smaller goals to get to a bigger goal is imperative to success in anything, and these kids learn that firsthand.

Athletes also learn the value of hard work, adaptability, and being part of a larger team. They realize it is both an individual and a team sport because though they are racing the clock as individuals, it takes a team to get them there. They learn that it’s important to make adjustments to cope with things that are outside of their control such as weather, snow conditions, and how their teammates are doing. Finally, no one else is going to do the work for them - they learn to take charge of their path and define their own success.

What should parents know before they enroll their children in a race program?

Parents should know that each program hires the best staff they can possibly find - they are true professionals. Coaching is not the easiest nor the most lucrative path and those who become coaches are generally the most genuinely invested in the sport as well as in the well-being of the athletes. We always ask that parents let the coaches do their job. If there is something you feel is missing, talk to the Program Director to see what the options might be. Parents who yell advice or butt in on training or racing often only serve to distract from the learning experience of their child and from others in the group. Remember - it’s about the child’s goals and aspirations over the parent's.

Any other comments or suggestions for parents and kids?

Ski racing is an extremely demanding sport. The highest level athletes have spent literally hundreds of thousands of hours on snow and in the gym working to get to where they are now. It is no small feat to be on a World Cup Podium, let alone make it to that level. Most high level ski racers peak from 25-32 years old. The process of getting there is arduous and requires an immense support group that is in tune with the needs of the individual athlete mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. Most, if not all of the best athletes began in small programs that taught the basics and fundamentals for several years before entering competition. First and foremost, these athletes learned to love to ski. We always suggest that parents do their best to take the pressure off and let their young athlete develop a natural love and passion for the sport. This investment will propel them to the level they desire.

For more on Northstar's competitive programs, visit NorthstarCalifornia.com.

Blog Post: Opening the mountain: a morning with ski patrol

Cody Hanson — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:51:00 GMT

The door swings open a to large room bustling with backpacks, boots, red jackets, and people. Rows of flat wooden benches fill the space. It’s warm - probably body heat. Northstar’s Ski and Snowboard Patrollers jostle for seats while balancing their coffee, joking and bantering before the morning meeting. The room becomes more crowded by the minute as they find their lockers and load their backpacks and utility pockets with tools for the day. I find a seat at the back, trying to stay out of the way. Everyone is friendly but I’m nervous nonetheless. I feel like an invader in their daily ritual. When Northstar Patrol Director Vince Arthur clears his throat to start the meeting, the team sits and the room goes quiet.

“Good morning,” he states. Arthur is not a booming man, but his voice is direct and solid. His military background is evident, overlaid with a warm, natural sincerity. “Good morning,” the room echoes. Arthur moves quickly and deliberately into his talking points: changes to signage, guest interaction notes and updated communication protocols. After ten minutes, the meeting is done and everyone moves upstairs into the still-empty lodge for stretching and warm-up. Leg swings, lunges and windmills fill the huge room. Ruckus, a young Golden Retriever in training, sits happily near the back wall, watching intently over the whole procession. At the end of the last stretch someone booms over the crowd: “Okay. That’s all. Go ski.”

We filter onto the mountain. Each patroller wears a backpack stuffed with gear and supplies to take to their post. I’m paired with Matt, a Patrol Specialist. Specialists are like team leaders - in charge of a section of the mountain and a small crew of patrollers. Matt reports directly to Arthur. We start by setting up a “pit” at one of the lifts. The pit is the roped-off area under the lift, preventing people from accidentally skiing down into the front of the lift building. Holes are drilled in the snow with a cordless drill and a huge drill bit designed for this purpose. The rope is strung, measured and adjusted to meet resort-wide safety guidelines. This is done each morning because everything must be taken down each night to allow for thorough grooming.

Once the pit is complete, we clip into our skis and skate over to Vista Express, the lift that will take Matt to his territory for the day. Matt is skiing Telemark style, his heels unlocked from the skis. He’s been on this type of ski for four years now, roaming the mountain with graceful, arcing turns each day.

As we ride the lift, Matt tells me about his job. He loves the work and loves spending every day outside interacting with guests. When asked about his favorite part, he says honestly, “Everything. And I know that’s a cop-out answer, but it’s true. You know, this job is the dream for most people. And I get to do it.”

The lift continues on, the occasional ba-da-da of the chair mounts gliding between the rollers on each lift tower. The mountain hasn’t opened yet and the slopes are still empty. We slip quietly past the top of a massive jump that dominates the skyline of one of Northstar's seven terrain parks. I can’t help but realize how rare it is to meet someone who's so passionate about their work. I’m starting to get the impression that it’s a normal sentiment among ski patrollers.

At the top of the lift, Matt dumps his gear at the patrol hut and we head off down a wide beginner run – one of the major arteries of the resort. This run, as well as most of Northstar’s terrain parks, all fall within Matt’s jurisdiction for today. When I ask him where most of the emergency calls come from, he says that most people would be surprised at how little calls they get from the terrain parks. Most of the time, Matt and his team are responding to issues on busier beginner trails.

As we ski the slope Matt stops periodically, just to look. He studies the grooming quality, the transitions between runs, anything that could be an issue for a beginner skier or snowboarder. We cruise the rest of the run, resetting bamboo hazard markers, adjusting pads on lift towers and snow machines, and checking the terrain. We lap the territory two more times, occasionally meeting up with other patrollers and mountain safety personnel to communicate how setup is going and discuss the condition of the mountain.

The first guests are beginning to ski down around us. The runs are looking good. Matt, pausing to take a final look at his domain, is satisfied - for now. Neither he, nor the rest of ski patrol will rest until the lifts close, the last skiers and riders make their way to the Village, and the team sweeps the mountain.

This process will repeat itself day-in and day-out - early mornings, cold starts, sunshine, and snow. Ski Patrol will be working hard, keeping the dream alive.

This post is dedicated to the men and women who work as ski and snowboard patrollers throughout the world. We thank you for your service, dedication and unending enthusiasm. It’s because of you that we are able to enjoy time in the mountains and the sport we love.

Blog Post: The Legend of Snowshoe Thompson

Cody Hanson — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:43:00 GMT

In 1837, a young boy named Jon Torsteinson–Rue and his family moved from Norway to Illinois. Nineteen years later, at the height of the California gold rush, the legend of Snowshoe Thompson was born.

As snow fell in the Sierra Nevada’s in the winter of 1856, every town from the eastern Sierras to Salt Lake City became stranded. All routes were cut off through the mountains, preventing the delivery of essential mail and supplies.

An ad appeared in the Sacramento Union with the caption, “People of the lost world: Uncle Sam needs a mail carrier!” Thompson, at the time a rancher in the Sacramento Valley who was already concerned with the issue of faulty mail routes, answered the call immediately. He made a pair of 10-foot-long, 25-pound oak skis (skis were very uncommon at the time and were called snowshoes, hence Thompson’s nickname) and headed from his ranch in Sacramento to Placerville where the route began.

The postmaster and townspeople were skeptical, as many had tried and failed in winters past. Nevertheless, the hardy Norwegian accepted the challenge and set out for Genoa with his first deliveries. Thompson faced dangerously deep snow drifts, wild animals (including wolves and grizzlies), extreme weather, 7,500-foot mountain passes, and 80-mile-per-hour winds. True to his Norwegian roots, none of this hardship fazed him. Upon the completion of the first double-crossing, everyone knew they had found the man they were looking for.

Though he rarely stopped to rest on the three-day journeys, Thompson would clear snow from a flat rock and do Norwegian folk dances to stay warm during bad weather. He carried no compass or map, but used rocks, trees and topography during the day and stars at night to find his way. He once said, “There is no danger of getting lost in a narrow range of mountains like the Sierra, if a man has his wits about him.” With his face covered in charcoal to prevent snow blindness, Snowshoe Thompson was a man of service and an unstoppable force.

For the next 20 winters he traveled the route carrying letters, medicine, clothing, and tools. He once carried a strange blue rock to Sacramento that ended up being rich in silver, exposing the Comstock Lode and igniting the Nevada silver rush. On his journeys, Thompson brought no blankets, no form of shelter, no gun, and no matches. For sustenance he ate sausage, jerky and other dried meat, as well as crackers and biscuits. Most of the heavy load on Thompson’s back was dedicated to the mail. The Townspeople in Genoa - in the Carson Valley near present-day Highway 50 - would stop their daily activities to watch Thompson speed down the final hill at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Snowshoe’s mackinaw jacket and wide-brimmed hat flapped happily in the wind.

Throughout the years, Snowshoe demonstrated his alpine spirit on multiple occasions. In one particularly well-known instance, on Christmas day in 1856, Thompson came across James Sisson, a gold prospector, snowbound in Lake Valley. Sisson had survived in a small cabin with nothing but raw flour for twelve days. His lower legs had developed gangrene. Thompson built a fire and gave Sisson all the provisions he could before rushing back to Genoa for help. He and six men then carried Sisson to Genoa, where doctors realized that Sisson’s leg had to be amputated for him to have any chance at survival. Unfortunately there was no anesthetic in town, so Thompson immediately turned back to Placerville. Once there, he continued on to Sacramento to retrieve chloroform for the surgery. Thompson then turned around once again and made the complete crossing back to Genoa, covering 400 miles in ten days and ultimately saving Sisson’s life.

Amazingly, and despite his heroics, Thompson was never paid for his services. Due to a miscommunication between the state and federal governments, his salary went unapproved and undelivered. Payment or not, Snowshoe continued to deliver the mail for the sheer enjoyment of the task. Eventually, word of Snowshoe’s feats spread throughout the tiny Sierra towns. People began carving their own skis and competing in races and jumping contests on the big Sierra slopes.

While Snowshoe Thompson contributed greatly to the people of his time, it’s the lasting legacy as the father of California skiing that may be his greatest contribution to the American West.

Want to learn more about Snowshoe Thompson? Check out www.snowshoethompson.org.

Blog Post: Top 5 tips for skiing powder

Cody Hanson — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:47:00 GMT

Have you ever felt what it’s like to ski deep powder on a beautiful day with your friends?

Skiing has always been one of my favorite sports, but up until a couple years ago, I had never left the groomed runs. I was great on groomers, while powder was foreign and awkward. Why bother?

Then one day I got a taste of it. My friends decided to ski a powder-only run and I had nothing to do but join them. Lap after lap I cranked on my giant slalom race skis in the deep snow. By the end of the day I actually began to get the hang of it.

The next season I bought wider skis. Then, on the first bluebird day after a classic Tahoe storm, I hit the mountain. That day I fell in love with the feeling of powder skiing. My friend and I wove through the trees making big, jumping turns down a steep, deep slope. The buoyancy of the snow was so incredible I couldn’t help but laugh. That smile still hasn’t left my face.

Now, I’m a powder skiing enthusiast. But I still understand that those first turns can be very daunting - that’s why I reached out to our experts here at Northstar.

Mike Hafer is a lifelong skier and 15-year Northstar ski school veteran. He has twice been selected to the PSIA Alpine Team, made up of the top 14 ski instructors in the United States. To say that Hafer knows his stuff is an understatement. Here’s what he has to say about skiing in powder:

Turn Shape – There is much resistance in deep snow. If we use the same turn shape as we would on a groomed run, the energy from the last turn is lost. On a groomed run skiers will turn their skis across the hill and even slightly uphill to control their speed. In deep snow, try to release the old turn sooner and let the skis run. The resistance from the snow will aid in controlling your speed. This will make skiing powder much easier and more efficient.
Pole Plant – The importance of the pole plant is often forgotten when skiing. A pole plant aids in balance, timing and flow. When powder skiing, it is vital to keep your body moving down the hill. The pole plant will give you the mental edge to create continuous movement into the next turn. Swing the pole toward the apex of the new turn. As soon as the pole touches the snow, start the swing of the next pole. Every turn should have a pole plant. This will give you a smooth, free-falling sensation in the powder.
Equipment – Equipment choice can make or break your day, especially when the snow is deep. All ski companies are making a large variety of specialty equipment these days. Try a pair of wider skis with some rocker. Most carving skis these days will have a waist of 68mm to 85mm wide. A good powder ski will measure 110mm and more. The width of the ski will give you the flotation needed to ski powder effortlessly. The rocker technology will keep the ski tip floating on the top of the snow for easy turn initiation.
Ski with a Buddy – The old saying, “No friends on a Powder Day” is a thing of the past. New ski technology opens the door to terrain that was once difficult to get to. Sometimes a fall in deep snow can result in a difficult situation to get out of by oneself. When choosing a ski buddy, find someone who will keep an eye on you at all times and vice versa. That way, if someone were to need help, your friend is right there to assist. The other benefit to skiing with a buddy is the camaraderie that is built as well the story telling that will surely follow a good day.
Flat light, ski the trees – When an overcast or storm day shuts down the light, it can be very difficult to notice terrain changes. If you find yourself in this predicament, ski the trees. The contrast of the trees to the snow will break up the flat light and allow for a more clear vision of the snow conditions and terrain. It can also make for a most enjoyable experience during storm cycles that continue to dump heaps of snow on the mountain.

Blog Post: GoPro Hero3 review: are you ready for this much camera?

Cody Hanson — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 15:58:00 GMT

“There’s something you should know about us. We don’t pretend to be marketing geniuses. What happened with GoPro was really just the perfect storm. We were in the right place, at the right time.”

That’s how GoPro’s “prosumer” liaison Jaymo began the GoPro training session in a quiet meeting room at the Village at Northstar. Thanks to a recent alliance between Vail Resorts and the now-iconic camera company, the marketing team at Northstar California Resort™ hosted two GoPro employees for a hands-on training on how to build compelling stories using their new Hero3 Silver and Hero3 Black cameras.

A couple of weeks and many hours of skiing later, the media team has grown quite comfortable with these excessively versatile cameras. But before we talk about GoPro’s latest product, let’s dive into the equally intriguing history of this California company.

Like many of the most admired brands in the world, GoPro started with humble - some might say un-ambitious - beginnings. After losing his web marketing startup to the tech bust, GoPro founder and U.C. San Diego Visual Arts alum Nick Woodman took off to the isolated tropical paradise of Indonesia for five months of vagabond surfing. Spending day after day in the waves, he became frustrated with the lack of consumer solutions in surf photography. The only surfers who had great photos were the pros, those who had photographers in the water with them.

His solution? A simple wrist mount. The idea was to use this custom mount to strap family-vacation-style disposable underwater cameras to a surfer’s arm for safe keeping and easy shooting. Borrowing his mom’s sewing machine, Woodman spent countless hours perfecting his design, making absolutely sure it was comfortable and effective. He even wore it to bed. It wasn’t long before the tireless tinkerer created his own camera to match his design. A VW camper van, a race car, a couple of hundred Indonesian belts, and seven tough years later, GoPro launched its first high-definition video camera.

People went nuts. Sales spiked, user-generated content filled online media channels, and the wild ride that is GoPro as we know it began.

Here at Northstar, we hold in our hands (and mount to our skis, boards, bodies, and helmets) the latest output of the GoPro innovation machine: the brand new Hero3 Black edition. Touted by amateurs and professionals alike as a revolution in GoPro’s product offering and therefore a revolution in the entire versatile camera market, the Hero3 Black doesn’t disappoint.

From carving up early season groomers and hucking it in the park, to sliding between trees on early-season powder the Hero3 Black has proved worthy of all of our Northstar experiences, both on and off the clock. Some of the most surprising fun I had with it was just cruising with friends and relaxing in the Village.

As a writer, I possess very limited technical knowledge of how these cameras actually function and the useful features behind them, so I sought out Northstar’s photographer & videographer Chris Bartkowski. A true professional who works with top-level DSLR cameras on a daily basis, I was curious what he thought about the newest GoPro, and how the camera factors into his work here at the resort.

“I typically utilize GoPro to get a shot that I wouldn't be able to get any other way. Mounting a DSLR to a ski or helmet isn't really possible so the GoPro Technology is great for that. They are also great due to their durability and weather proofing. Working in the elements is always a challenge but not with these cameras,” said Bartkowski.

“The Sheer size of the Black is insane. I cannot believe how small the camera technology is. The picture is way better and the add-on touch screen makes a huge difference.”

So what’s his favorite feature? “1080 at 60fps & 720 at 120fps. Enough said.” For those of us who aren’t professionals or techy camera geeks, that means the new camera can shoot video at 1080 pixels (HD) at sixty frames per second, or 720 pixels at 120 frames per second (120 frames per second allows for very high quality slow motion). So whether you want to be an on-mountain James Cameron or you just need to make a slow-motion video of your buddy tumbling through the powder, the Hero3 Black is the tool for the job.

Bottom line, according to Bartkowski is “the GoPro Black is a must-have in any action sports videographer’s or filmmaker’s camera bag.”

Hey if it’s good enough for the pro, it’s good enough for me. So next time you’re here at Northstar, maybe we’ll see you with a GoPro of your own.

Blog Post: Shaun White photo shoot at Northstar

Amy Kemp — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:24:00 GMT

Blink and you’ll miss it. That perfect moment. Captured in 1/1000^th of a second, you see the raw emotion and the precision of Shaun White, suspended almost 30 feet in the air, above Northstar’s superpipe. It’s all in focus and perfectly framed.

What you don’t see are the hundreds of photos not selected, the 30-foot-high scaffolding or the 20-person team behind the scenes who worked countless hours to make this one photo happen.

In between March 6 and 8, Shaun was at his home mountain of Northstar California in Lake Tahoe for three short days to train with his coach Bud Keene, as well as for a photo and video shoot with one of his sponsors, Oakley.

“The group was made up of friends of mine from Oakley and film friends I haven't seen in a long time,” said Shaun. “We were all messing around so much and having a good time so I didn't think we were going to get much done! But the jump and halfpipe set up was too good, plus it was T-shirt weather. Ended up getting some great pics and finally started putting my double backside allyoop rodeo to my feet.”

That’s exactly and the environment that Oakley’s Matty Swanson was trying to create, along with the Northstar team, to get the perfect photo for the new Oakley “Beyond Reason” campaign that launches this fall.

“We were trying to do a lot in a three-day period… and, on top of that, we were looking for a unique perspective …,” said Swanson. “Shaun’s snowboarding… his amplitude is way different, much higher than anyone else’s and we needed a new vantage point, a new angle that wasn’t the standard view.”

To get that creative angle, Swanson worked with Northstar’s director of marketing, Davy Ratchford, to discuss aerial views. Together, they came up with the idea of installing a 30-foot-tall scaffolding structure atop the deck of the new 22-foot superpipe designed by Shaun, Snow Park Technologies and Northstar this year.

The planning for the shoot started months in advance and involved a small army from the Oakley teams, to the Northstar team, to White and his team. “The key,” Swanson said, “is relationships. You have to have that family mentality … and it’s also so important to bring in the A-team – from the Northstar crew to our filmers and our photographer – to create a good, fun, professional environment for Shaun to be at his absolute best.”

But, weather, lighting and last-minute noise and logistical issues sometimes arise. Some things you can control, said Ratchford who orchestrated the scaffolding build, extra pipe grooming and maintenance, early-morning snowcat hauls of equipment and even an 11^th hour fix of a leaking pipe that was impacting the audio during Shaun’s video interview. Others you can’t control like the weather.

A few days before the shoot, a winter storm was approaching Tahoe. Ratchford, Swanson and White’s team ended up shuffling the schedule - moving the shoot day to Monday, scheduling a weather day on Tuesday and giving White and his coach time to train on Wednesday.

“It always comes down to the last moments,” said Ratchford. Swanson echoed his comments, “you can plan and plan but you always need to be flexible with lighting conditions and weather … (they) are two of your biggest challenges.”

Here’s a behind the scenes look at how it all came together:

Sunday, March 4:

Afternoon Meeting between the Oakley filmers, photographer and the Northstar team

The scaffolding and pipe are done and ready.

Monday, March 5:

6 a.m. Wake up call

7 a.m. Last-minute coordination, breakfast for the crew

7ish One Oakley film crew set up in Northstar’s base village

7 a.m. The other crew loaded the snowcat to set up at the Northstar pipe

8 a.m. Danny, the Oakley photographer, met Shaun for lifestyle shots

Up at the pipe, the terrain park crew put the finishing touches on the superpipe

9:30 a.m. Shaun did an on-camera interview in the village then grabbed lunch

11 a.m. The Oakley film crew wrapped up and transported their gear up to the pipe

12:30ish Shaun arrived at the pipe and started testing his speed, the snow, while the photographers tested the lighting, angles, etc.

2 p.m. They get the shot. Danny, Shaun and Matty huddled around the camera to make sure it’s the one. Thumbs up all around.

Afternoon The Oakley crew captured “lifestyle imagery” of Shaun in and around the pipe

Evening The clouds roll in. Snow started falling

At 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday the crew woke up to 6 inches. It was an official weather day and the Oakley crew headed out on the hill for fresh tracks followed by Shaun later in the day. On Thursday, it was back to work as the skies cleared. The Oakley and Northstar crews were up early again to prepare for their day of filming. The plan was for Shaun to train with his long-time coach, Bud, and to try a new trick in the superpipe with a foam pit brought in specifically for Shaun.

All of the work paid off when Shaun landed a new trick, the double backside allyoop rodeo, and Oakley was there to capture it all on film and photo. The conditions were so ideal that White and his team extended their training into Friday.

“Being able to have the best snowboarder in the history of the sport train at Northstar is an honor for us. We’re all part of his team here and we always bring our A-game so that he can keep bringing his A-game,” Ratchford says. It’s working. After his Northstar training Shaun went on to win double Gold in the Euro X games, another first for him.

-- Amy Kemp

Blog Post: Burton Mountain Festival comes to Northstar

Kate Thomas — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:54:00 GMT

Northstar California is set to host the Burton Mountain Festival this weekend, Feb. 3 - 5, 2012, the first year Burton has held a tour of this kind. The tour brings with it an array of FREE on mountain entertainment including demos, music, giveaways and contests. Emphasis on the free, seriously, there will be so much to do for absolutely no dollar. Here is more detail on what to expect:

Pro-Test Competition Series
Northstar has hosted some awesome competitions so far this season and the Burton Pro-Test is set to be equally as exciting. With $7,000 up for grabs, regional amateur snowboarders can participate in the Pro-Test competition and the Northstar location will feature a new very special slopestyle event run through The Stash. This competition is a qualifier to the U.S Open at Stratton Mountain, VT, for both genders in their respective disciplines. Under 18s must have parental permission to compete.

Riglet Park
Burton will provide kids as young as three with snowboards, boots and bindings for free to try out snowboarding in the Riglet Park. The equipment will be available from Friday - Sunday from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday Feb. 4, mini shredders, aged 6 or under, will be given the opportunity to compete in the 'Lil' Riglet Jam' to win prizes. Participants will be required to learn something new and to show off their skillz in the park to win prizes. Have fun lil' shredders.

Burton Test Ride
The kids won't be the only ones able to try out the Burton equipment for free. Riders will have the chance to try out boards, boots and bindings all weekend, with practically all the 2012 Burton hardgoods line available for a Test Ride. What a way to find and try out your complete snowboarding set-up.

Poker Run
On Saturday Feb. 4, 2012, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. all visitors to Northstar California can partake in a poker run. It is not a race so you don't have to run if you don't want to but it might increase the general excitement. Basically, the idea is you collect a card from each of the participating venues and turn your poker hand in at TC's Pub by 3.45 p.m. Awards will be given to the best and worst poker hand at 4 p.m. during the Burton Apres ski party. What fun.

So there it is, a teaser for the events happening this weekend at Northstar and what a weekend it sounds like it will be. For more information visit the Burton website or Northstar California website. You can also join the Burton Mountain festival page on Facebook or follow @SkiNorthstar on Twitter for regular updates on the mountain life.

Hope to see you up at Northstar soon.

-- Kate Thomas

Blog Post: Snowshoe social and race at Northstar California

Vanessa Vancour — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:12:00 GMT

If you've been anywhere near a T.V. or computer during the last 24 hours, you know there's a storm headed to Tahoe. Yahoo!

It's all any of us can talk about and no doubt there will be plenty of "sick" calls to the office in the coming days.

Snow lovers have already been flocking to Northstar this season to experience the stellar conditions the park groomers have created, as described so beautifully by Buzz Dispatcher Kate Thomas. It's about time Mama Nature threw in her goodness.

If your legs aren't quite ski or board ready, I have the perfect "tone 'em up" event for you this coming weekend - the Snowshoe Social and Race Series at Northstar California.

Anyone who's snowshoed knows it's a great workout. Now imagine picking up the pace and racing through the snow in a friendly competition! The series features three events, but what I love about the January 22 race is it's in conjunction with the Tahoe Rim Trail Tour and Race.

It's a point-to-point 21k from the North Tahoe High School to Northstar Cross-Country Ski, Telemark & Snowshoe Center.There will also be classic and skate divisions taking place at the same time. Atlas Snowshoe will be on hand as well to demo their products at the Cross-Country Center.

For all the details on the event - registration, start times, event charity proceeds and rental opportunities - head to Northstar Calfornia's events calendar.

And to all of you shakin' what your mama gave you to entice the snow gods - thank you. I can't wait to hear the snow reports!

Blog Post: Why Northstar is the place to visit

Kate Thomas — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:31:00 GMT

Okay, so the snow in Tahoe isn't quite what we were expecting by this time of the year. A record year blah, blah, blah. Some people have decided not to travel up to the mountains due to the reports that it is not worth it. This is not the case when it comes to Northstar. Their amazing snowmakers have been working non-stop to open 24 groomed trails. Their park groomers have positioned 21 terrain park features. Shaun White's 22ft superpipe is up and running. With all this plus the magical village experience, competitions, festivals and more, Northstar is well worth the vacation. Here are some things on offer at Northstar that you may not be aware of that add to the experience being the way it should be.

Stargazing/moonlight snowshoe tours
The stargazing and moonlight snowshoe tours are typically held once a month and consist of a 2 - 2.5 hour guided tour through a variety of trails in the Northstar terrain. If you haven't experienced how peaceful the mountain can be by night this is the perfect way to enjoy the dark winter skies of Tahoe while getting in some exercise. On the stargazing tour participants are also joined by a star guide who will chat to you about the wonders of the universe. You will have the opportunity to look at the stars via a Celestron telescope - pretty cool for any star enthusiasts. Once you have completed the tour you will be greeted with wine and hot cider around the fire pits and of course, s'mores.

Brewmaster dinner series
Every last Thursday in January, February and March, Northstar's TC's Pub will host the Brewmasters dinner series, an evening of delicious food paired with seasonal ales from famous breweries. Participants will feast on a 5-course meal created to compliment the ales from Sierra Nevada Brewing (Jan), New Belgium Brewing (Feb) and Gordon Biersch Brewing (March). A beer lovers paradise.

All Fired Up
Engage with your creative side at the village pottery studio, All Fired Up, where you can choose from over 500 pieces of pottery to paint and create into your own unique piece of artwork. The perfect setting and location for a date, a catch up with friends, to spend time with children or to sit peacefully alone, All Fired Up is a great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

So along with the open trails, the terrain park, the superpipe, the ice skating, the restaurants, the shopping, the spa, the competitions, festivals, bungy, live music, premieres and the fantastic events held at Northstar it is now and always will be the way it should be, with or without the grace of natural snow from the skies. Which looks to be joining us on Thursday by the way. Woop.

See you up the mountain.

--Kate Thomas

Blog Post: The power of snowmaking

Stephanie Taylor — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:51:00 GMT

Dear Valued Pass Holder,

It’s no secret that natural snow has been hard to come by this year and we know that has been a disappointment for many of you. When you buy a season pass, everyone hopes it will be an amazing snow year. Last year at this time, we had more snow than many of us had seen in years and while hopefully the big powder dumps are just around the corner this season, we know the waiting can be tough.

We want to make sure all of you know that when you buy one of our season passes, it comes with a promise. Regardless of the expense, we will make as much snow and open as many trails and restaurants as we possibly can. We know our slopes are not as busy as they were last year, but we will go to the same great lengths nevertheless because our mission is to provide each and every guest their experiences of a lifetime, no matter what the conditions.

And our promise is not just about what we are doing this season – it’s about what we have done for many years. It’s about the millions of dollars of investments we make in our resorts each and every year to continually improve our snowmaking. Sure, in big snow years we know our guests don’t care too much about snowmaking and a lot of other resorts try to slide by on that. But we keep investing anyway – so when the natural snow isn’t great – we can provide the absolute best snow surface possible and give our pass holders an opportunity to strap on their skis or boards and get on the slopes with more than just a couple of trails. In a year when most resorts around the lake have fewer than 10 trails open and some as little as 4 – our two resorts have a combined 51 trails and 35 lifts open and running every day.

And it’s not just about the trails, because we also invested in enough snowmaking to get 46 features open in our terrain parks and Northstar has the only 22-foot superpipe open anywhere in the region. That’s the power of snowmaking.

It’s winters like this where a resort shows its true colors and we make sure ours are as white as possible. We don't just pray for snow, we make it. Praise the snowmakers.

See you on the slopes,
Bill Rock, COO, Northstar California
Pete Sonntag, GM, Heavenly Mountain Resort

Blog Post: It's competition time at Northstar

Kate Thomas — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:51:00 GMT

You can feel it in the air. It is that time of the season when the competitions start and the atmosphere feels electric. With $60,000 of prize money up for grabs, The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series at Northstar California looks set to be an thrilling experience for both competitors and spectators. The three stop tour competition, scheduled to spread over four days, focuses on half pipe and slope style. Here is what is planned for the annual contest:

Schedule

Feb. 9 is the first day of the series at Northstar and opening day will mainly be an opportunity for athletes to register and practice.
Day two, Feb. 10, hosts the qualifier rounds for both men and women in the slope style contest.
Slope style finals and awards will be held the following day, Feb. 11. The Superpipe will also open for practice.
The final day, Feb. 12, and my favorite of the three, will put on quite a show, with Superpipe qualifiers and finals rounding off the competition.

What a three days it is going to be. For more information on the schedule visit the official The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series website.

Judges
The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series will work together with the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) and the AFP General Manager and X Games competitior Steele Spence (Head judge), to ensure the highest standards of competition judging. Judging will be based on overall impression including content, difficulty, style and use of the park or pipe.

Registration
Registration is easy. Just visit the registration page and start your registration from there. All competitors must be 13 years of age by the competition day and if you have any questions about the competition you can contact Julia Jimmerson at jjimmerson@mtsports.com.

Whether or not you are an athlete or spectator, The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series is bound to be an awesome experience to see some first class skiing by some of the world's top skiing sports personalities. Check out the pre-qualifier lists to raise your anticipation and excitement levels and come on down to Northstar early February to join in all the fun.

See you there.

--Kate Thomas

Blog Post: Five reasons to spend New Year’s Eve at Northstar

Kate Thomas — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:01:00 GMT

New Year's Eve is just around the corner and Northstar California is planning a huge celebration to help you welcome in 2012. Read on to find out the five reasons you should join the Northstar team at their annual Fire & Ice New Year's Eve Celebration.

1) Fun for all the Family
Ripperoo, the loveable Ski and Snowboard School mascot, will be out and about this New Year's Eve and will hold another popular Ripperoo parade. Ripperoo will lead the parade through the village at Northstar with music, dancing, singing and lots of fun and games.

2) Pure rock n roll
This year, Northstar presents Led Zeppelin 2 - The Live Experience to help you welcome in the New Year. Costume up with a moustache and long fro to dance in the New Year with the guitar-driven, heavy, blues rock sound of the popular British 70s band.

3) Fireworks will light up the sky
It isn't New Year's Eve without fireworks and this year Northstar will be lighting up the sky with their own fireworks display at 9 p.m. Early enough so that the younger children can watch, late enough that the lights will still be sparkling in our eyes as midnight draws closer. I'll be expecting many "Ooooohs" and "Ahhhhhs."

4) Drink up
The Cabana Bar will have many drinks offers on to celebrate the New Year. My personal favorite is the 'Effen Good Time' considering I fully intend on having an 'effen good time. The Resolution Martini sounds good too, but I wouldn't take the resolutions made after too many of them too seriously. The Chocolate Martini sounds perfect for those with a sweet tooth and champagne is always a classic for a celebration. Cheers to all of you this New Year.

5) Get all fired up
There is a party get together happening in All Fired Up and The Villager Candle Shop where you can get creative by either painting pottery or by making a candle. The party starts at 7 p.m. and additionally, there will be children friendly snacks on offer. I recommend you reserve a place at this popular spot by calling 530.562.1995.

If that isn't enough, there will also be s'mores by the fire, dining, shopping, ice-skating and a DJ. Sounds to me like the perfect way to bring in and start 2012. Hope to see you all there - I'm going to be tuning up the vocal chords for a bit of 'Auld Lang Syne', a British New Year's Eve song, at midnight.

Happy holidays everyone.

--Kate Thomas

Blog Post: Kid friendly dining at Northstar - Rubicon Pizza

Vanessa Vancour — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:55:00 GMT

The Northstar Village is amazing, and one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend. I don't care how many times I've been there, each time I climb the steps into the village it feels magical.

Hokey and a little cheesy? Yes. 100% true? Affirmative.

In 2011, Northstar invested millions of dollars in capital improvements, including the addition of national retail outfits.

This means the Village has tons of great places to shop, relax, grab a beer and (most important to me) eat. From fire pits to sushi bars and s'mores on the go, you can literally have it all.

One of my favorite places to eat at Northstar is Rubicon Pizza Company. It's the perfect blend of family and fresh-off-the-hill party crowd. The bar features the full menu and huge flatscreens to watch your favorite game.

The sound of kids wailing is quietly masked by the booth walls, so your game will not be disrupted by the squeals or parental tantrums.

Rubicon even hosts birthday parties with all-you-can-eat pizza and balloons.

The Thai pizza is my all-time favorite (pictured in this post), but they also serve great salads, pastas and sandwiches, and don't forget dessert! (I never do.) I also really appreciate that they serve gluten-free pizzas. They're just as tasty!

This is my favorite place to unwind with friends and family, and I'd be willing to bet a pizza you won't be disappointed!

Blog Post: A local’s guide to hiking Northstar’s trails

Vanessa Vancour — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:24:00 GMT

As a busy parent, there are days when I just can't get up to the mountain to ski because I've opted to spend the day with my toddler instead.

Not skiing doesn't mean having to miss out on the mountain experience, though. I can usually convince my daughter to spend the day hiking if hot chocolate is a part of the plan.

If you've been to Northstar California you know there's an incredible cross-country center perfect for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and telemarking. In fact, fellow Buzz writer Aimi Xistra-Rich target="_blank">writes all about it in one of her dispatches.

Did you know that the Village at Northstar is surrounded by 14.6 miles of trails? The Northstar Community Services District (NCSD) works with Northstar to maintain the Tompkins Memorial Trail which leads you through beautiful forest and open meadows. The nearly 15 miles of trails are open for running, hiking, biking and of course snow shoeing in the winter.

Download the Tompkins Memorial Trail map to check out the various trail features.

Nancy Ives, president of NCSD, gave me great insight of the trail system that only a Northstar local would know.

To explore the trails on your own, we've highlighted four key starting points on the map in the greater Northstar community. If you've opted to rent a house or stay in any of Northstar's lodging options, you'll find multiple trail heads within walking distance of your front door!

How to find the trail heads:

From the Village at Northstar, hop on a shuttle and ask the driver to drop you off at a trailhead any of the following locations:

Gold Bend Condominiums
Wolf Tree
Whistle Punk
Conifer

It's a great way to disconnect for a while and explore the entire Northstar community!

Blog Post: Northstar village is adding new stores

Vanessa Vancour — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:07:00 GMT

You can't talk about Northstar California without mentioning the multi-million dollar developments that are happening. The buzz includes the new Zephyr Lodge, new target="_blank">sidecountry terrain for incredible backcountry skiing in Tahoe, and of course the integration of Epic Mix.

Without question, Northstar California has become the only boutique mountain resort in the Lake Tahoe area. Specifically, the $30 million in capital improvement projects means truly pimping out the Village with new national retail outlets.

If you've never experienced the village, you're missing out. I've gone with my two-year-old daughter and on ski trips with friends and have had different, yet equally awesome experiences.

You can choose between hotdogs and ice cream, to gourmet pizzas, sushi, cocktails and live music. It's the best of both worlds! You can even get your holiday shopping done - shop for new winter gear for yourself and gifts for mom, all on the same trip.

This weekend I'm heading to Northstar's grand opening of the new shops at the Village. (Who am I kidding? I can't wait until then. I'll see you all there Thursday.)

The new stores in the Village at Northstar will include:

Patagonia
Burton
EuroSweets
Kalifornia Jean Bar
The expansion of True North, the North Face and Balance Holistic Health Spa. (Hello! Yoga anyone?)

If you want to check the latest upgrades, be among the first to see the new digs and head to the Village at Northstar this weekend for the open house party.

It's happening December 1-3, 2011 from 5-8p on Thursday and 4-6p Friday through Saturday.

They'll have live music, face painting for the kids, appetizers and drink specials. Tell your friends, bring your green hat and I hope to see you there!

Blog Post: Northstar California opens for skiing with EpicMix

Morgan Bast — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:33:00 GMT

See more photos from opening day here.

Lake Tahoe is officially open for skiing and snowboarding. Northstar California ski resort opened today with two chairlifts and a gondola, and of course EpicMix, giving the first skiers and riders a chance to start showing off their digital pins.

This is the first year EpicMix is available at Northstar, and is just one of many improvements the resort is implementing this year. An additional lodge, chairlift, and expanded terrain are expected to increase the skiing and riding experience at the resort.

"We're excited about the new terrain and the resort expansion," John Harris of Reno said. "They are doing a good job here and the new lodge is going to be great. It's a great first day of the season."

EpicMix photographers were seen in the Village at the photobooth, by the gondola and then up on the mountain grabbing shots of EpicMix enthusiasts. This is the first year Northstar California is offering EpicMix to skiers and riders. The resort worked all summer to install gantrys and load the technology in. Already people are pretty excited.

"They had EpicMix at Heavenly last year and I rode there quite a bit," Drew Ponsteinen, Lift operator from Kings Beach, Calif. said. "I'm looking forward to using it here this year."

Northstar California offered the Blast Off pin today for the first users to ski at Northstar using EpicMix. Other pins offered were Flagship for the first time people come to the resort. Opening day is just the beginning of what EpicMix will offer at Northstar and what Northstar will offer guests for the season.

"I love opening day," Ponsteinen said. "I love seeing people all fired up. I look forward to the first powder day of the year because everyone is yelling when they make their way down the hill. It puts you in a good mood and makes you want to ride."

Heavenly ski resort plans on opening for the season tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 19 and Beaver Creek will open in Colorado on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

--Morgan Bast

Blog Post: Northstar opening day is days away

Vanessa Vancour — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:14:00 GMT

Opening day at Northstar is Nov. 18 -- only five, short days away. The excitement is palpable here in Tahoe. Those of us who live only a short drive from the mountain are already scheming how to miss work on Friday, and perhaps even Monday, too.

It's been an exciting year for Northstar California. If you missed the big news from the mountain resort, here's a recap on all of the awesome headlines:

Olympic gold medalist Shaun White announced Northstar will be his official training headquarters.
Northstar is expanding its sidecountry terrain
Northstar is adding a new place to hang out after a run, the Zephyr Lodge, conveniently located at the top of the Tahoe Zephyr Express lift. Target opening date for the new lodge is Dec. 19 - an early holiday gift for all of us.
Integration of the award-winning social media app, EpicMix.

As if that weren't exciting enough, Northstar California is rewarding all snow-hungry fans with a pair of limited edition, Size 11, DC Shoes/Northstar Ceptor snowboard boots!

Just head to Northstar's Facebook page and share your favorite memory from the season. The winner will be announced at the Epic Mixer, happening on opening day.

At the event, Northstar's team of EpicMix experts will be on-hand to answer all of your EpicMix questions and help you activate your account so you can start earning pins and bragging about your vertical feet skied. You will even have a chance to receive great drink and food specials, win prizes, and earn a special "Epic Mixer" Photo pin to share with your friends!

So there you have it -- this season at Northstar California is set to be the best yet. Hope to see you on the slopes!

-- Vanessa Vancour

Blog Post: Northstar Resort expands its sidecountry terrain

Vanessa Vancour — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:25:00 GMT

Northstar Resort in California has always been a personal favorite; it’s just as perfect for a weekend away with friends as it is for a day on the mountain with my 2-year-old; tons to explore, including a beautiful village.

Just when you think skiing in Tahoe can’t get any better, Northstar Resort lays it on thick. The Resort is expanding its boundaries in two areas of the mountain, adding 170 acres of new sidecountry terrain.

The thing is, Northstar Resort is already renowned for its tree skiing, but up until now it’s been a bit of a secret. Knowing this, Northstar looked at some pods around the boundaries and added terrain, making it easier for die-hards and newbies to access the areas.

“Tree skiing itself is pretty unique. No one else in Tahoe has it; at Northstar we have nice fall lines and our side country is weather protected. While other resorts are struggling with storms and high winds, we can keep our area open,” said Bill Rock, Chief Operating Officer at Northstar Resort.

The expansion includes guided tours so that fairly intermediate skiers can learn to embrace the backcountry phenomenon comfortably. More advanced skiers can also take guided trips beyond Northstar’s boundary on Sawtooth Ridge – a coated area of the resort that people have been dying to explore.

“We'll also be pairing guides with demo equipment so that each person exploring the terrain can do so with the appropriate gear,” said Rock.

With rumors of an equally epic winter as last year's, the 170 acre expansion presents a unique and simply awesome experience for intermediate to advanced riders.

The resort’s boundary lines will be extended to the skier’s left of the Prosser ski trail on Lookout Mountain, giving access to approximately 1,000 vertical feet of new terrain within the new Lookout Glade.

Season passes for Northstar are on sale now for just $379 for the Tahoe Value Pass. You can also opt in for the $649 Epic Pass, which gives you unlimited, unrestricted skiing and riding at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar and Arapahoe Basin.

- Vanessa Vancour

Blog Post: The Tara Llanes classic returns to Northstar-at-Tahoe

Vanessa Vancour — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:26:00 GMT

Tara Llanes (pronounced YAW-ness) has accomplished more in her life than most of us could ever dream of doing. During her 15 years as a professional mountain biker, Llanes became a four-time national bike champion, winning both silver and bronze at the World Championships and winning the X Games.

Anyone in the mountain biking community is more than familiar with the incredible passion and skill that Llanes possesses. If, like me, you're meeting her for the first time, you will inevitably be blown away and inspired by her positive energy and tenacity.

On Sept.1, 2007, during a competitive race in Colorado, Llanes suffered a terrible accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. This isn't a story about her accident; it's a story about how she's fighting back and giving back to the community that has been with her throughout her journey to recovery.

Shortly after Llanes' accident, while she was still in the hospital, she received a call from a stranger named Brian Bolin.

"He and his father wanted to know if they could host an event to help raise money," Llanes said.

That winter, before Llanes was even out of the hospital, Brian and Thayne Bolin created the Tara Llanes Classic.

"When the race ended I called in to thank everyone. It sounded like there were a million people there. I was a massive ball of tears," Llanes said.

Since then the event has grown to include more sponsors and twice the number of racers on a bigger venue at Northstar-at-Tahoe. The Tara Llanes Classic includes a Shimanu Kid's Race, Mega downhill, and cross country.

"By the third year [2009] they even raised enough money to pay for a whole year of my physical therapy," Llanes said. "I'll be forever grateful. At that point I decided it was time to help others. This year [2011] we're donating to three areas; the Reeve Irvine Research Center, CORE (the Center for Restorative Exercise), and the Tara Llanes Road to Recovery Fund which helps all elite mountain bikers who are affected by paralysis."

The Tara Llanes Classic at Northstar-at-Tahoe has a festival-like atmosphere that's perfect for the whole family, complete with a BBQ and a film premiere by Pink Bike. You can catch up with Llanes and her sponsors in person during the event.

As for what's next for Llanes, "I'm getting back to life," she said. "I've spent the last few years going to therapy every day and working hard. I'm still doing that while I continue to ride my hand cycle and get outside. I'll always be active, and thanks to my sponsors and close friends it's possible."

-- Vanessa Vancour

Blog Post: Irish memories come to life at Lake Tahoe

Davy Ratchford — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:33:00 GMT

Photo: http://ndep.nv.gov

Every so often I get a chance to visit someplace unique, someplace special. When I was a young lad growing up in Ireland, I was able to visit a mystical place in the west called the Cliffs of Moher. With 700 feet of sheer cliffs jutting out over the Atlantic Ocean, it is a sight to behold.

You've probably seen this amazing wonder if you've had the privilege of watching the movie "A Princess Bride." Remember when Andre the Giant is climbing the rope up the cliff with three people strapped to him while the Dreaded Pirate Roberts is chasing him? Yep, that's the cliff.

The morning I visited the cliff, a deep fog was coming in off the North Atlantic as the sun was rising over my shoulder. I was able to sit on the edge and look out toward America. It truly was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I was thinking that at any time, an old Irish warrior would ride up on his horse and call me to a meeting with the other clans, or that a Leprechaun would jump out and tell me that I couldn't have his pot'o gold. I can't describe the beauty well enough.

Well, I've recently had another of these experiences. My wife, four kids, and I just moved to the Lake Tahoe area where I'm the new Marketing Director for Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resort. On one of our first weekend adventures out, we went to Emerald Bay to hike down and see what everyone had been talking about. Unfortunately the place was packed and there were no parking spots to be found.

With three VERY ACTIVE kids in the back, a baby just waking up and a wife anxious to get out of the car, I pulled off the side of the road about four miles North of Emerald Bay. It wasn't marked, and the only real discerning features were some giant boulders that you could see from the side of the road. We jumped out, grabbed the camera, put the baby in some crazy baby carrier contraption and headed off on our own little adventure.

This unnamed place was amazing. It was like a giant rock garden had just sprouted out of the ground. There was hundreds of these boulders strewn everywhere. Every shape and size you can imagine, so my kids were in heaven. They climbed on every rock they could get to.

My 4 year old son, Ronan, is what you would call "spirited." In other words, he causes heartburn regularly. He scaled this giant boulder all by himself and couldn't get down. After giving him the stink eye for not listening, I climbed up after him to help him down. When I got up there, I noticed he was just sitting down, calm as could be, staring out to the East. Ronan is never calm, so I sat down next to him to see what he was looking at. And then I saw it: Lake Tahoe. Not the Lake Tahoe that you always see in photos, but the magical wonder of a massive body of water tucked into a massive body of tree laden mountains that a 4 year old beheld.

I realized right then what this place must look like to him. The evergreens were all around us, the sun was casting amazing shadows on the rocks, and we just sat there looking. It was priceless. Not because of the beauty per se, but because every father looks for these types of experiences. And trust me, nothing keeps Ronan still. I asked him what he thought of it and he said "awesome."

I hope that 30 years from now he will remember that day, in that off-the-beaten-path rock garden on that normal Saturday. Did I find a new Cliffs of Moher? Yep. But more importantly, I found a place that Ronan and I will have shared magical memory. Thanks, Tahoe.

-- Davy Ratchford