Truckee, CA – Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s mountain bike park and lift served hiking trails are scheduled to open for the summer season this Friday, June 17 beginning with the lower mountain, serviced by the Big Springs Express Gondola. For the park’s opening weekend, riders will have access to six beginner, intermediate and advanced biking trails including Easy Rider, 6%, Deerpath, Liftline, Mineshaft, The Woods, as well as the Jump Park. Lift tickets will be available for $29. Additional bike trails and upper mountain lift access will open as soon as conditions permit.
In celebration of the park’s opening weekend, Northstar Resort has teamed up with bike park sponsor, Giant Bicycles, and the Ride Giant/Ride Northstar mountain bike sponsorship program to host the premiere of the mountain bike film “3 Minute Gaps” on Saturday. The party will start at 5:30 p.m. on the deck of the Lodge at Big Springs featuring a BBQ, the complimentary movie screening and a raffle. The bike park will extend its hours until 6 p.m. that evening, and the Big Springs Express Gondola will run for free from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. that evening for guests who want to attend the event without a bike.
Visitors looking for a mountain adventure on foot can experience Northstar Resort’s scenic chairlift rides for sightseeing and hiking. Tickets cost $6 for ages 13+ and are complimentary for kids under 12. For opening weekend, the Village Run trail will be open for hiking. Additional non-lift served hiking trails currently accessible include the Martis Creek Trail and the Tompkins Memorial Trail network that begins near the Village at Northstar and weaves through the Martis Valley. Complimentary “Meet the Mountain” tours will be offered daily at 11 a.m. once the upper mountain opens for those interested in participating in a guided hike.
This summer Northstar Resort will again offer mountain bike instruction programs designed for those just getting started with the sport who want to learn the proper technique or just familiarize themselves with the bike park. For just $15, Ride 101 instruction will be offered every day the park is open from 10:30 a.m. to noon for beginners, and will meet at Plaza Bikes in the Village at Northstar. Intermediate and advanced riders who want to improve their cornering and learn progressions for jumping are invited to participate in Bumps & Bends clinics from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. for $35. Private instruction is also available, and advance reservations are recommended for all lesson programs.
In addition to the continuation of its lesson programs, Northstar Resort plans to improve its teaching terrain in the Big Easy learning area that will feature additional “smart terrain,” allowing beginners to quickly progress their riding skills. A pump track will also be constructed, allowing for much more rapid improvement of balance and handling skills.
Easy Rider, a beginner family trail, will be modified this summer to improve ease of use for entry level riders and families. Corners will be re-sculpted and small re-routes will offer riders of all ages a sense of comfort as they progress their skills as a downhill biker.
Both professional and amateur athletes will descend on Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort this summer to compete in high profile events scheduled at the resort including: the Lake Tahoe Trail 100k, a Leadville 100 Qualifier on July 24; The Pro Gravity Tour Aug. 27-28; and the Tara Llanes Classic Sept. 24-25. In addition, Northstar’s Downhill Mountain Bike Race Series will kick off July 9 with the first of six events, and the Thursday night Cross-Country Race Series will begin July 7 with the first of eight races in the series.
Northstar Resort’s Mountain Bike and Hike Park will remain open Fridays through Sundays until July 1 when it will be open Thursday through Monday until Aug. 18. Following that, the park will resume Friday through Sunday operations until Oct. 9. Operating hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays until Labor Day. Additional days the park will be open include July 5 and 6, and Sept. 5. Helmets are required for all riders and can be rented along with bikes and other equipment at the resort or online in advance. In addition, all rentals will come standard with a full face helmet and gloves.