Northstar Parking & Resort Transportation Guide

Getting Here & Parking

Arrive safely by car, shuttle or air
 

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 22, 2023:


We remain committed to addressing challenges with traffic/road congestion and parking. Next winter, we will offer several choices for guests, with a combination of both free and paid parking options. With this shift, we will be implementing a reservations-based paid parking program on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) and holidays/peak periods in our Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots:

  • For Village View, reservations will be required on weekends and holidays/peak periods between 7:00am-1:00pm, and will be available online at the start of the season. After 1:00pm, all parking in this lot will be free and no reservations will be required.
    • Reservations will be free for cars with four or more occupants at all times; a flat fee of $20 will be required for cars with three or fewer occupants.
    • If parking in Village View on weekends or holidays/peak periods, guests must secure a reservation via our website (regardless of how many people are in the vehicle).
  • For the Lower Village Preferred Paid lot, reservations will be required on weekends and holidays/peak periods from 7:00am-3:00pm. The fees to park in this lot will remain the same as winter 2022/23: $20 during the week and $40 on weekends and holidays/peak periods, regardless of how many people are in a single vehicle.
  • Castle Peak lot will remain free every day, no reservations required.

We will update this page in advance of next winter to include more specifics and instructions on how to create a reservation for the Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots for weekends and holidays/peak periods.


UPDATE AS OF MARCH 6, 2023:


We are committed to addressing challenges with traffic/road congestion and parking – as such, we are making some changes to our parking approach at Northstar for winter 2023/24, which will include reservations-based paid and carpool elements for weekends and holiday/peak periods in the Village View lot and the addition of reservations on weekends and holidays in the Lower Village Preferred paid lot. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.

 
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Parking at Northstar

Free Day Parking

Village View and Castle Peak Parking Lots

Free parking will be available daily in the Village View and Castle Peak lots on a first-come, first-served basis. The Village View lots are located immediately adjacent to The Village at Northstar. Guests can walk to or take a quick shuttle ride to The Village.

The Castle Peak lots are the first available parking option on Northstar Drive (located at the roundabout), and are used for overflow when Village View lots are full. Castle Peak is served by a continuous free shuttle bus service, which runs between the Castle Peak and The Village at Northstar.

No overnight camping allowed.

 

Directions to the Lots
Village View Lots Castle Peak Lots

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Waze Directions

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Waze Directions
Parking at Northstar

Free Parking at Lower Village Lot

Lower Village Premium Lot

The Lower Village Premium lot allows you to park just steps away from the gondola.

No overnight camping allowed. 

Rates Directions
  • Weekends & Holidays: Free
  • Monday - Friday (non-holidays): Free

Google Maps
Apple Maps
Waze Directions
Follow us for alerts and other important updates!

Operational Updates

Couple and son relax in the morning at Constellation Residences Northstar
Parking at Northstar

Parking for Lodging Guests

  • All Northstar California Resort lodging accommodations provide guest parking with one complimentary spot per unit.
  • Select properties may have additional spots available or offer garage or covered parking.
  • The Ritz Carlton and Constellation Residence offer valet parking.
  • Please contact the property you booked with to identify parking suitable to your needs.

Helpful Parking Tips

  • Lower Village Lots (premium paid parking) are complimentary after 2pm each day. *Paid parking begins each day at 5:30am.
  • The gondola opens at 8:30 a.m. During holidays, weekends and big weather events, please plan to arrive as early as possible to ensure you have your preferred parking option.
  • Pay attention to weather and traffic updates when planning your trip, doing so will allow you to plan ahead and design your trip to meet your expectations.
  • If you are attending children’s ski school, build time into your arrival for check-in and parking. There is a passenger drop-off area at The Village.
  • We have handicap and ADA accessible parking available at Northstar. These areas can be found at our Auto Drop Area, Transit Center/Loading Dock, and at Castle Peak parking lot.
  • Complimentary Dial-A-Ride services are available for guests staying at Northstar. Download the Dial-A-Ride app to request a ride. Available for iOS and Android.
  • There is no overnight parking available in the Northstar parking lots. Please call Public Safety (530)562-2259, should you need assistance with your vehicle.
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Northstar Transportation

Reserve A Shuttle
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Northstar provides private shuttles for your group transportation needs in the Lake Tahoe and Reno area.  We offer shuttle services for any group event including: weddings, corporate groups, golf outings, dinner parties and many other large events. 

Please contact us at NSTransportation@vailresorts.com or call us at (530) 562-3555 to book your bus today!

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Let us do the driving for you

Shuttle Services
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While free on-site parking is available, spaces are limited. We encourage guests to ride share or shuttle when possible. There are many shuttle services that make it easy for you to sit back and relax.

Northstar Transportation App

  • Download the iOS or Android version to access Dial-A-Ride services locally.
  • View our Dial-A-Ride Operating Schedule: 2023/24 Summer Schedule

TART

  • Regular services to and from Downtown Truckee and Kings Beach
  • Park and Ride weekend shuttle services between Truckee Airport and Northstar
  • Visit Website: tahoetruckeetransit.com
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Local Transportation

There are many transportation services that allow you to sit back and relax on your way to and from the resort. We recommend the below third party companies:

Tahoe Ski Trips
https://www.tahoeskitrips.net/

North American Charter(NAC SKI)
Price includes transportation, lift ticket and a light breakfast.
Phone: 925.230.2086

Tahoe Mountain Club
TMC offers a free shuttle service for members to and from Old Greenwood. 
Phone: 530.550.9400

North Lake Tahoe Express
Year-round, scheduled service between Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee region, with local transit connections.
Phone: 833.709.8080

Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART)
TART regular runs to and from downtown Truckee and Kings Beach

Private Car Service
Truckee/Tahoe's only bio-diesel fleet provides private car or shuttle service regularly. 
Please visit TahoeSierraTransportation.com, or call 530.582.5828 for more information.


Local North Lake Tahoe Taxis
Independent Taxi: 530.546.8687
North Tahoe Checker Taxi: 866.420.8294


  • Limousine Services
    North Tahoe Limousine: 530.546.5888
    Reno-Tahoe Limousine: 775.348.0868

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    Driving to Northstar

    Northstar is located on HWY 267 between Truckee and Kings Beach and is easily accessible by car and just a few minutes from Interstate 80. Depending on the direction of travel, guests will be treated to views of Lake Tahoe or the Martis Valley.

    Physical Address: 5001 Northstar Dr, Truckee, CA 96161

     

    From San Francisco | 195 Miles | 3.5 Hours
    From Sacramento | 109 Miles | 2 Hours
    • Take I-80 East over Donner Summit to Truckee, CA.
    • Take exit 188B for CA-89/CA-267 S toward Sierraville/Lake Tahoe
    • Travel on CA 267 S for 5.5 miles to the 267/Northstar Drive intersection
    • Turn right and follow Northstar Drive to the slopes.

    San FranciscoSacramento

     

    From Reno | 37 Miles | 45 Minutes
    • Reno is located less than 40 miles from the Reno Tahoe International Airport.
    • Travel west on I-80 to exit 188 - CA267 E/CA 89S towards Lake Tahoe.
    • Travel approximately 5.5 miles to the 267/Northstar Drive intersection and turn right to enter Northstar California.

    Google Maps

     

    From Incline Village/Kings Beach | 13 Miles | 25 Minutes
    • Take HWY 28W/N Tahoe Blvd, turn right onto HWY 267N.
    • Follow HWY 267N up and over Brockway Summit for approximately 6 miles.
    • Turn left onto Northstar Drive and arrive at your destination!

    Google Maps

     

    November - April

    Winter Traffic Patterns

    Westbound
    • Weekday: Moderate traffic between Truckee and Reno is likely from 7am - 9am and 5pm to 6pm due to commuter traffic.
    • Weekends: Traffic can be lighter due to less commercial trucks on the road. Expect heavier traffic between 8 am and 10am for skier travel from Reno. Expect heavy traffic between Truckee and San Francisco on Sunday afternoons.
    Eastbound
    • Friday: Expect heavy Eastbound Traffic between San Francisco and Truckee between 4pm and 7pm.
    • Weekends: Light to moderate traffic between Truckee and Reno due to less commercial trucks on the road.

    Please note: this travel forecast is based on historical traffic data. Weather, road conditions and accidents are impossible to predict and can have significant impacts on I-80 travel.

     
    Winch Cat Grooms a Steep Run on Lookout Mountain at Northstar California
    Know before you go

    Current Road Conditions

    Weather in the Sierra can change in an instant, transforming dry roads to a wet, slippery, and dangerous situation.  Keep yourself and your family safe, by using the below resources to plan your travel route and timing.

    Truckee CHP Facebook

    Nat'l Weather Service, Reno

    Caltrans Road Conditions

    Caltrans Traffic Cameras

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    Truckee Tahoe & Reno-Tahoe International

    Direct Flights

    With the Truckee Airport just 4 miles from Northstar, traveling has never been easier. Jump on one of the regional private air services like Mountain Lion Aviation, Blackbird or SurfAir, all of which service the Bay Area, Southern California and beyond. The Reno/Tahoe International Airport is just a quick 40-minute-drive from Northstar, with direct flights to and from most major cities, including Canada and Mexico.

    Scheduled service is offered from 3:30 a.m. until midnight, to and from Northstar and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Reservations are required

    For schedules, route maps or more information, visit NorthLakeTahoeExpress.com or call 833.709.8080

     

    Luggage and Ski Shipping Service:

    Avoid the hassle of carrying and checking bags by sending your luggage and sports equipment ahead with Luggage Forward, the official luggage and sports equipment shipping service of Northstar. Arrange your shipping booking online.