9 Cool Things to Do in Lake Tahoe in Winter with Kids

Skiing may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you picture a California vacation, but maybe it should be. Northstar California at Lake Tahoe offers a wintry wonderland of fun for the whole family. Check out all there is to see, do and eat at Northstar Ski Resort with kids in winter.

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1. Nordic Skiing and Snowboarding

Of course, the primary reasons to visit Northstar Ski Resort with kids in winter are nordic skiing and snowboarding. Northstar boasts over 3,000 skiable acres – with trails for skiers of all skill levels. Hate waiting to hit the slopes? Pay an extra $150 per day for Platinum Access to skip the lift lines.

Even if you’re an expert skier, I recommend signing your kids up for at least one day of lessons. Whether it’s their first time on the slopes, or they’re seasoned skiers, lessons from the patient and knowledgeable Northstar instructors will help them get their ski legs and confidence. Plus, kids tend to take direction better from adults who are NOT their parents!

Beginner, intermediate and advanced ski and snowboarding lessons are available for adults as well as children. You can choose private or group lessons. For smaller group sessions, choose Ultimate Four, for which the maximum group size is limited to four students. There are even special group sessions, called Her Mountain, just for intermediate and advanced adult women skiers and boarders. You can book lessons online, but to make sure you book the right class for you and your family members, I suggest calling Northstar 800-GO-NORTH.

If tricks and jumps are your family’s thing, you’ll flip for Northstar California’s terrain park. It was named the third best in the nation by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice survey.

2. Cross Country Skiing, Telemark Skiing & Snowshoeing

Mid-mountain, your family can explore cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Equipment rental, trails, and lessons are available at the Cross Country, Telemark and Snowshoe Center.

3. Fat Biking

The latest snow sports craze is fat biking. Large tires enable riders to explore the mountain on two wheels. You can rent fat tire bikes from the Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center. Want to learn more? Read this Huffington Post article that sings the praises of biking on snow.

4. Snow Tubing

Snow tubing provides the exhilaration of soaring down the mountain, without skis. Northstar Ski Resort offers lift-accessed snow tubing for riders 36″+. Be sure to call in the morning (530-562-2013) to check to see if conditions are good for snow tubing. The tubing hill may shut down if conditions are too icy or slushy.

5. Explore the Village at Northstar

There’s something so whimsical and quaint about exploring a ski village, especially one as pretty as North Star’s. There are 15 shops to explore at the Village at Northstar. Most appealing to children will be Ambassador Toys, which overflows with games and goodies for kids. Kids will also appreciate the Villager Candle Shop, Pottery & More, where families can make their own candles, paint pottery and even stuff their own teddy bears. Be sure to stop by Copper Lane Cafe & Provisions to stock up on snacks and waters to keep in your cabin or hotel room. The Village Cinemas movie theatre offers movies for the whole family, too.

6. Ice Skating

An ice rink serves as the focal point at the Village at Northstar. Skates are available for rent for kids and adults alike. Or, grab an après-ski beverage and snack and watch the skaters twirl as you warm up at the fireside cabanas.

7. Yoga at Tahoe Yoga & Wellness

Tahoe Yoga & Wellness is a short drive down the mountain in Truckee. Get your zen on and keep your muscles stretched and limber for the slopes during daily yoga classes here.

8. Spa Treatments at Northstar

Check the kids into ski school one day to enjoy a spa day. For a therapeutic massage to recuperate from a long day on the slopes, I highly recommend a visit to Tahoe Spa & Wellness. Massage therapists here specialize in dealing with ski injuries. Other facial and beauty treatments are offered as well. Located within the Village at Northstar, this is the sister property of Tahoe Yoga & Wellness.

If you’re looking for a luxurious spa experience, book a massage, facial, body treatment or beauty service at the gorgeous and serene Spa at Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. Bonus: there’s no charge to ride the gondola to the Ritz.

8. Marshmology Après Ski

For après-ski the whole family will love, take the free gondola to The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe for their afternoon Marshmology sessions. Handmade marshmallows are offered for roasting in a different flavor each day. (We sampled mandarin orange when we visited.) Traditionalists will enjoy standard marshmallows, too.

Warm up your tootsies at the fire and grab complimentary graham crackers and chocolates to make s’mores. Marshmology is free to hotel guests, but no one asked for our room number. Drinks with or without alcohol as well as snacks and meals are available for purchase at the outdoor Backyard Bar & BBQ.

9. Dining with kids at Northstar

For incredibly tasty pizza, take the family to Rubicon Pizza Co. As a gluten-sensitive eater, I was blown away by their delicious, crispy gluten-free crust. (Traditional crust is offered as well, of course.) You can order your pizza, pasta, or salad to go if you’d rather snuggle up in your hotel room or cabin.

Tavern 6330 serves California farm-to-fork cuisine. Think salads, burgers, sandwiches, and roasted chicken. Two outdoor fire pits make this place a good choice for après-ski.

For a glorious splurge, make reservations at Manzanita at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Delectable dishes like Durham Ranch Filet Mignon “Steak Oscar” or Sonoma Duck Three Ways will be long remembered. Book a sitter for date night, or bring the kids along. Children are welcomed and can choose from their own menu, with standard kid offerings like chicken fingers as well as more refined options like Pacific salmon or wild-caught shrimp.

Where to Stay at Northstar Ski Resort with Kids

Although my family didn’t stay at The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe, after experiencing their incredible spa, outstanding Manzanita fine dining restaurant, and fun Marshmalogy après-ski, I would definitely recommend a stay here.

The service was consistently top-notch, and their steaming outdoor pool beckoned to me. Plus, this hotel offers the luxury of a ski-in, ski-out experience. Read reviews of the Ritz and book via TripAdvisor now.

Northstar California provides all sorts of lodging options from hotels to condos to private homes. Click here to find accommodations sortable by distance to lift and amenities (pool, hot tub, kitchen, etc.).

My family loved staying in a Northstar Lodging rental home with a kitchen for easy breakfasts, separate bedrooms for all family members, and a fireplace for cozy rounds of cards and travel board games in the evenings. It was just a few minutes down the hill from the Village via a complimentary shuttle.

You can also find an array of home and condo rental options via VRBO.

What Makes Northstar Ski Resort Special

Skiing Northstar with kids is a whole lot of fun. A Northstar winter vacation, however, is about so much more than skiing and boarding. Even if you don’t ski at all, there are plenty of snowy and cozy activities to enjoy. The best parts of my family’s trip were connecting on the slopes, laughing over meals, and bonding over board games.

A vacation focused on outdoorsy activities makes for such great memories, especially when traveling with extended family. Having my brother, “Uncle Mike,” along made this trip all that more special. We loved it so much, in fact, that we’re dreaming of an even bigger summer multigenerational vacation at Northstar California!

For information on other fabulous ski resorts for families, check out our tips for snow activities in Park City and summer in Keystone.

Have you ever visited Northstar Ski Resort with kids or without? Let us know your questions or tips in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: My family and I were hosted by Northstar California. We paid for our own airfare to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and some meals and activities. I did not receive any other compensation related to this story. All opinions are mine, as always.

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