As you drive through the grand entrance gates at the Northstar Lodge, you’ll know for sure you’re in for an awesome stay. The lobby’s sleek décor and design have a distinctly modern flair, while rustic accents like wood-beam ceilings and weathered-stone facades give a nod to its historic alpine locale. Once you and your crew have settled into your elegant and inviting villa, hit the slopes whenever you’re ready – the lifts are right outside. No more schlepping your gear (and, quite likely, that of any tykes too little to carry their own) across icy parking lots or impatiently waiting for shuttles, making up answers to the “How much longer?” questions. Between 20 lifts, 7 terrain parks, 3,170 skiable acres and an average annual snowfall of 350 inches, you’ll likely get some credit for making the call on ski-in/ski-out lodging (dab accordingly). Begin the day with a DIY breakfast bar thanks to the in-suite kitchen, fueling your crew for a big powder day. Drop your first-timer at the Northstar Ski & Snowboard School, which teaches tots as young as three (they’ll be zipping down black diamonds by five). Once you’ve made good use of that lift ticket, rendezvous with the crew for a meal on the mountain at Zephyr Lodge Restaurant, accessible by ski and gondola. Sample Zephyr’s original dishes as the sun sets on the Sierras. Return to Northstar Lodge, drop your gear with the ski valet, and get ready for some R ‘n R. Whip up some après ski cocoa in the suite and take it to the Sierra Deck, where you can roast s’mores in the community fire pit or unwind in the outdoor hot tub. Swap stories of missed lifts and ski school friends as you all keep your eyes peeled for shooting stars.

Villas at Northstar Lodge are modern and stylish, yet warm and inviting. Décor is tasteful, with a dash of ranch house style. Two- and three-bedroom suites feature a well equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances, in-unit washer/dryer, fireplaces and a furnished private patio – with outdoor fireplace! Meanwhile, studio suites are perfectly appointed for couples and small families – a kitchenette, spacious sitting area, dining table and flat screen TV make for a great home-away-from-home, while a personal patio and stone-façade fireplace add mountain-lodge charm.

With a coveted slope-side locale like this, the Village at Northstar and all it has to offer are just steps from the lobby. In addition to an array of shops and eateries (Mikuni Japanese Restaurant + Sushi Bar is a local favorite), the village features crowd pleasers like an ice-skating rink, a bungee trampoline and fire pits for roasting s’mores. When you feel like a break from the ski village, head to historic downtown Truckee for fine dining, shops and art galleries. Any history buffs in your crew? Head for the nearby Donner Memorial State Park and visit the Emigrant Trail Museum to hear the story of the ill-fated pioneers.