Truckee, CA – Changes are afoot at both Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resorts in California in the wake of Booth Creek’s sale of Northstar to Vail Resorts, which was announced Monday.nVail Resorts is expanding amenities at Northstar, while Booth Creek officials are downplaying their impact at Sierra. Northstar-at-Tahoe resort officials announced Thursday that two new movie theaters will soon open in the Village at Northstar, offering resort guests and members of the community yet another après-ski activity. Scheduled to open in December, The Village Cinemas will be operated by veteran theater owners Bloomhuff Theatres, Inc. and will be the only movie theaters in the vicinity of Truckee, Calif.
The Village Cinemas will be located on the lower level of the Village at Northstar near TC’s Pub, and will feature two screens, with one theater containing 122 elevated seats, and the second containing 55 flat seats. Scheduled to be open seven days a week during the winter season, The Village Cinemas will feature Hollywood hits and a full service concession stand that will include beer and wine sales for guests ages 21 and over.
“We are pleased to welcome Bloomhuff Theaters to the Village at Northstar. This will be a great offering not only for visiting resort guests, but the local community as well,” said Heath Nielsen, Vice President of Commercial Operations at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort. “Their offering complements the existing mix of activity-based operations already available in the Village at Northstar, including the Apex Bungy trampoline, our popular outdoor skating rink, jewelry design, candle, teddy bear making and pottery painting.”
Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort is home to a recently completed base area village featuring more than 150,000 square feet of commercial retail space that contains 35 shops, galleries, California-based specialty stores and restaurants, and a conference center. The resort’s popular 9,000 square foot outdoor skating rink is surrounded by fire pits and lounge areas. On-site lodging is available, ranging from hotel-style rooms to luxury condominiums and mountain homes.
Meanwhile, officials at Booth Creek, which now owns only Sierra-at-Tahoe, are downplaying the importance of such amenities. “An alternative to posh villages, over-the-top amenities, and break-the-bank après activities, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort focuses on giving passionate skiers and riders runs groomed with love, access to the top of the mountain even on windy days, innovative terrain parks and a freshly cut Superpipe, and a frosty beer at the end of the day,” Booth Creek spokesperson Kristin Cantrell said on Friday. “Now an independent operation, Sierra Resort will be able to express its quirky, fun personality, cater to dedicated guests, and continue to provide value to skiers, riders and families.”
Sierra-at-Tahoe officials have rolled back the price of the Sierra Only pass, good Sundays through Fridays throughout the season excluding blackout dates, to $199. The Sierra 7-Day pass costs $279 and is valid every day of the week excluding blackout dates. The Sierra Unlimited pass, valid every day all season long, now costs $329 for adults, $228 for those 13-22 and $89 for children.
Those who earlier this year purchased the Double Whammy Pass, good at both Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe, will continue to receive these benefits by upgrading to Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass and receiving a partial refund in the process. In addition, these passholders will gain access to nearby Heavenly and Vail Resorts’ four Colorado ski resorts with certain limitations.