Northstar or Kirkwood for a family vacation?

[Gman]

Joined the dark side and bought an epic pass this year since our home mountain is on it. Planning a trip out to tahoe after christmas and before new years for three days of skiing. Both my wife and my father are joining and both are fairly mellow skiers. The wife is a solid beginner while my dad can ski some more advanced stuff but he's 70 so he's not hucking his meat down anything sketchy. My only tahoe experience is limited to squaw/alpine meadows so I'm looking for some beta on which resort to hit up. I'm sure both will be busy given it's a holiday week and I understand Northstar is bigger than Kirkwood but wondering which one we should hit up. Spent a week at alta/snowbird and the wife loved the laid back vibe of alta so thinking Kirkwood might be the spot. Thanks for the help.

[TurxSki]

Prolly NoStars.
But you really need to factor in lodging & transport.
Get on Googmaps.

There is also Heavenly as another option from your epic pass.
HV & KW are both South Lake Tahoe areas.
NoStars (& Squaw/Alpine, for reference) are North Lake Tahoe.

[Marshall Tucker]

There are a brazillion people here more knowlegable than me but fuck 'em. I'll spew my extensive ignorance based on one visit to Kirkwood, 1 to southlake, and one to northlake from the eastern seaboard. All in Feb. I'd suggest northstar. Sure kirkwood has some bangin' terrain, but is that what what the rest of your group wants? it's the middle of damn nowhere with some (coming from flatter east) sketchy roads in-and-out. There's one or two nice places to eat closeby, but that's pretty much IT. until you get to southlake. Northlake, kings beach to traverse, great area. tons of restruants and shops to get what you need. truckee not too far. Easy drive from Reno; probably +- equidistant from Sac but a hellva easier drive. Good luck. Edit we stayed in southlake/heavenly last trip, as suggested ^. EVERYTHING you need within easy driving distance. Kirkwood still a challenging drive in snowy conditions (again being from the southeast) but easily do-able. Heavenly is great esp. your first time; but it is one long-ass way around that lake in the winter (emrald pass closed) should you want to try nstar.

[hutash]

Kirkwood has vastly better skiing, Northstar is the Vaillancourt of Tahoe. Nice hotels, good grooming, etc. As a family Northstar is probably better, but if you are going to ditch the family and have fun skiinh, go to Kirkwood.

[Gman]

If we were doing a longer trip I'd consider splitting it, but realistically for three days of skiing they can suck it up. Id rather have better terrain. It's likely we will rent a place and just make meals at home anyways so I'm not too concerned about the lack of things to do.

[Timberridge]

And if they don't like it, they can kiss your ass.

[liv2ski]

Kirkwood has vastly better skiing, Northstar is the Vaillancourt of Tahoe. Nice hotels, good grooming, etc. For a family, Northstar is probably better, but if you are going to ditch the family and have fun skiinh, go to Kirkwood.

Agreed, based on the wife and Dad, go to gnar star If you luck out into a powder day, it is actually damn fun there for a jong like me.

Edit to add: Just saw your response. If you end up at Teh Wood, there are still some mellow spots for them, just not as much.

[DJSapp]

Northstar is fantastic for beginners and intermediates. Kirkwood is not good for that.

With the vail pass, consider Heavenly with you and 15,000 of your closest friends. Lots of good beginner and intermediate terrain, and 20 minute lift lines.

[ncskier]

would skip tahoe and use the epic pass at Park City. Unless the novelty of seeing the lake is important, the snow in Utah is better, you are less likely to have closures either. Tahoe seems hit or miss with storm skiing. you either get 8' which closes everything down or endless sunny days. i like storm skiing and Utah delivers.

[liv2ski]

would skip tahoe and use the epic pass at Park City.

Ya, but PC is about a flat as Gnar Star. Which for the family sounds ok. And I have to say, best ski trip evar was early on at PC. Must of snowed a foot or two every night for great powder runs each day, even if I did suck at skiing pow on my 180 Maidens.

[TurxSki]

Sounds like you are set on KW. Ok.
But some real cool areas at HV. If its open.
Mott/Killibrew, N.bowl/Firebreak, even the Face.


There is minor gnar to be had at NS too. Ask any Mag who's had a storm day there.

Are you gonna drop big $$ and stay in Kirkwood itself? That'd be radical!
Can guarantee you maggot guides in xchange for hot-tub privileges [emoji41]

[AKbruin]

As others have mentioned, Kirkwood has much, much better expert skiing. The skiing at Kirkwood is also fantastically fun for kids who are good enough to venture off the groomers (which is basically all kids except rank beginners). I think most intermediate skiers enjoy it, too. Kirkwood is more alpine and diverse and has a lot more nooks and crannies to explore. Northstar has a lot of runs, but it's mostly tree-lined trails, which, to me, all seem the same after a while.

What Kirkwood lacks, and Northstar has, however, is apres-skiing. If your family wants to ski for 2-3 hours and then putter around the resort base, Kirkwood is very limited. Whereas Northstar has a little Whistler-like village at the base with ice skating, spas, a small cinema, some shopping, sushi, etc.

Also, storm skiing in Tahoe is rad. I mean, it's kind of what we live for.

[irul&ublo]

There are a brazillion people here more knowlegable than me but fuck 'em. I'll spew my extensive ignorance ....

Why should today be different than any other day?

[LightRanger]

Rent an AirBNB in Meyers or off Pioneer Trail and split time between Heavenly and Kirkwood. Covers both of your bases. It being holidays, prepare for gnarly traffic unless you're staying at the base of the mountain.

If coverage is spotty, which it certainly can be still in late December, Heavenly and Northstar have excellent snowmaking systems.

[Gman]

My step mom doesn't ski so my dad is likely to take a day out of the three days to go cross country skiing with her. The current plan is to split whatever place we find with my dad and my sister so that opens up some options. I feel like northstar would be better for my wife but I'm afraid I'll be bored there. My only experiences in Tahoe are one day at alpine meadows and one day at squaw. I loved the back side of alpine meadows.

[Bosco]

Another thing to consider about HV is that most of the locals are not on the mountain that week due to pass restrictions. A few years back it was arguably the best skiing of the year and no lift lines. However, I can't remember how the lift lines were last year...

[FLS]

Tell the wife and family you will ski with them 2 of the 3 days. Take the day for yourself at Kirkwood.

[digitaldeath]

There are a brazillion people here more knowlegable than me but fuck 'em. I'll spew my extensive ignorance based on one visit to Kirkwood, 1 to southlake, and one to northlake from the eastern seaboard. All in Feb. I'd suggest northstar. Sure kirkwood has some bangin' terrain, but is that what what the rest of your group wants? it's the middle of damn nowhere with some (coming from flatter east) sketchy roads in-and-out. There's one or two nice places to eat closeby, but that's pretty much IT. until you get to southlake. Northlake, kings beach to traverse, great area. tons of restruants and shops to get what you need. truckee not too far. Easy drive from Reno; probably +- equidistant from Sac but a hellva easier drive. Good luck. Edit we stayed in southlake/heavenly last trip, as suggested ^. EVERYTHING you need within easy driving distance. Kirkwood still a challenging drive in snowy conditions (again being from the southeast) but easily do-able. Heavenly is great esp. your first time; but it is one long-ass way around that lake in the winter (emrald pass closed) should you want to try nstar.

I've never been to north star but kirkwood has an all time groomer snake type run on the backside. Kirkwood has real bowls.

Edit. I'd never go to north star. Bit they have some kiddie shit for infants I've heard

[KJA64]

Kirkwood is a skiers mountain like Alta, but without Snowbird next door. There is nothing there for non skiers. NorthStar has Truckee and North Lake Tahoe it all depends on what you are looking for. If there is snow all these places will be crowded during the Xmas holiday.

[WTF is dat]

I would do heavenly.

Good skiing, incredible views of the lake, and close to the casinos for after hours partying

[4matic]

No xc on South Shore. North Shore is a lot nicer for non-ski activity. N* Ski out lunch from the Ritz. Daily comp champagne toast at the summit.

[jorion]

No xc on South Shore. North Shore is a lot nicer for non-ski activity. N* Ski out lunch from the Ritz. Daily comp champagne toast at the summit.

There's xc at Kirkwood, though.

I think LightRanger's idea is good. Heavenly and Kirkwood complement each other really well.

I'd personally enjoy staying at Kirkwood but you really need to understand that there's almost nothing there after the resort closes.

There's a minimart and a bar I seem to remember closes after dinner on weekdays. Nearest anything else is 30 minutes away in good weather.

I'd be fine with that, but pretty much every non-skier will have to entertain themselves pretty completely.

Also, Kirkwood is pretty empty over the holidays. You won't feel crowded.

[Gman]

There's xc at Kirkwood, though.

I think LightRanger's idea is good. Heavenly and Kirkwood complement each other really well.

I'd personally enjoy staying at Kirkwood but you really need to understand that there's almost nothing there after the resort closes.

There's a minimart and a bar I seem to remember closes after dinner on weekdays. Nearest anything else is 30 minutes away in good weather.

I'd be fine with that, but pretty much every non-skier will have to entertain themselves pretty completely.

Also, Kirkwood is pretty empty over the holidays. You won't feel crowded.

How far is kirwood from heavenly, are the google map estimates reasonably accurate? Figured we can do a day up there if my dad/wife find Kirkwood to be too extreme. My thinking is we aren't there for many days so I think we will be able to entertain ourselves for the three nights. Realistically, we'd be likely to make meals at home even if there were more options. Current plan is to grab some groceries and beers and just relax after skiing.

[splat]

Kirkwood is 30 minutes from South Lake and Heavenly. Go Heavenly, stay South Lake. Whoever said Reno and Sac are equidistant from any Tahoe resort is delusional.

[4matic]

If you just want to hang in the room and cook for yourselves Kirkwood is great. Rooms are very expensive that week though. Also, you will need to bring supplies. I stay at Kirkwood a good amount and really like the ease once you are settled.