Getting Here & Parking

Q: Why are you keeping the reservation program that was introduced last year? 

A: Traffic/road congestion and parking challenges have been a serious topic of conversation within our community for a while and with the introduction of the reservation based paid parking program for the 2023/24 season, we saw a dramatic decrease  in average travel times during the morning arrival period on weekends and during peak periods. The reservation system allows our guests to arrive when they want with an added incentive for a free reservation for vehicles with 4+ occupants contributing to less overall vehicles traveling on the roads. 

Q: Which parking lots will require reservations during the 2024/2025 Winter season? 

A: The Village View lot will require a reservation on weekends and during peak periods, and the Lower Village Preferred Paid parking lots will remain a paid lots, with reservations required on weekends and peak periods. Guests do not need a reservation to park in our Castle Peak lots.  We will continue providing many choices for our guests who join us, with a mix of paid and free options across our resort. 

Q: When will the Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots require reservations and what does that mean?

A: Parking at the Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots during the winter season will require reservations and there will be a fee to park during weekends (Saturday – Sunday) and peak periods. We define peak periods as:

• December 14, 15, 21 - 24, 26 - 31 (please note, NOT on the 25th)
• January 1 - 5, 11, 12,18-20, 25, 26
• February1,2,8,9,15-23 (President's Day and Ski Week) 
• March 1, 2, 8, 9, 15,16, 22, 23, 29, 30 
• April 5, 6, 12,13, 19, 20

Q: What hours of the day will reservations be required and paid parking be enforced during weekends and peak periods at the Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots?

A: On weekends and holidays, we will require reservations to park at our Village View lot, and there will be a fee of $20 for vehicles with 3 or fewer occupants before 12pm; there is no fee for 4+ people in a vehicle, but reservations are still required. After 1pm on weekends and peak period days, parking will be free, and no reservations are required. Village View will remain free with no reservations required on weekdays (unless designated as a peak period).

For the Lower Village Preferred Paid Lot, reservations will be required on weekends and peak periods. The fees to park in this lot will be $25 during the week (Monday-Friday) and $50 on weekends and peak periods, regardless of how many occupants are in a single vehicle.

Q: What are my options to park for free?

A: The Village View lot will remain free without need for reservations on Monday – Friday during the winter season, with the exception of peak periods; it will also be free (without reservations) after 1pm on weekends and peak periods.

Castle Peak lot will also remain free every day, no reservations required.

Q: How will this parking system be managed?

A: In partnership with a third-party parking management company, our parking attendants will support this new parking system – including parking transactions as appropriate and carpool validations.

Q: When can I start making reservations, and how?

A: Reservations for the 2024/25 winter season are available to book on parknorthstar.com

Q: What time do I need to arrive at the lot to guarantee my reservation?

A: For the Village View lot, we ask that you arrive by 11am. For the Preferred Paid lot, we ask that you arrive at 1pm to guarantee your reserved spot. 

Q: How far in advance do you expect parking reservations to fill?

A: We anticipate reservations to go quickly and recommend you secure a spot in advance, should you want to park at the Village View or Lower Village Preferred Paid lots on a weekend or peak period this winter.

Q: How many reservations can I make at once?

A: Each guest may hold five reservations at one time. Once a reservation has been used, guests can add another to their account to return back to five at any one time. There is no limit to how many reservations a guest can make throughout the course of the season.

Q: How can I cancel a reservation?

A: Cancellations can be made for a refund until 8am the morning of the reservation.

Q: What happens if I make a reservation and don’t show up?

A: If you no longer plan to use your reservation, you should cancel by 8am the day of your planned arrival for a refund; we ask that you cancel regardless of if you no longer plan to use your reservation. We reserve the right to restrict anyone’s ability to make future reservations if the reservation system is being abused or manipulated in any way.

Q; Is there a cutoff time to make a reservation?

A: No. Until reservations are sold out for any given day, you can make your reservation up to the time you arrive.

Q: Is there a season-long parking pass I can purchase for every weekend and peak period?

A: Not at this time.

Q: I have an ADA/Disabled license plate or placard. Do I need to make a parking reservation?

A: No. Our ADA parking spots are all located outside of reserved parking areas and will remain available on a first come, first-served basis daily.

Q: If I have a lesson booked with Ski and Ride School, do I need to make a reservation?

A: Yes, you will need to make a parking reservation to park in the Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots during weekends and peak periods.

Reservations for the Village View lot will be free for vehicles with 4+ occupants, and $20 for vehicles with 3 or fewer occupants. For the Lower Village Preferred Paid Lot, reservations will be required on weekends and peak periods. The fees to park in this lot will be $25 during the week (Monday-Friday) and $50 on weekends and peak periods, regardless of how many occupants are in a single vehicle.

Q: If my child is on race team, do I need a reservation?

A: Yes, a reservation will be required during weekends and peak periods. We highly recommend and encourage carpooling with other Race Team families, and we will send information to participating families prior to the 2024/25 season beginning.

Q: What if I am driving a rental vehicle and don’t have my plate information yet to make a reservation?

A: When you make your reservation, add your private vehicle license plate number to make the reservation. When you receive your rental car, login to your account and change your license plate number to match your rental car plates.

Q: If reservations-based parking is so effective, why not transition all lots to this model?

A: We know that locating free lots outside of the main base area will reduce congestion by keeping vehicles from the busiest areas. To that end, we don’t see an immediate need to put this system in place universally, and we do want to continue to provide free parking options on weekends and peak periods. We are always watching traffic patterns and evaluating our approach and will make changes to our parking plan as needed in the future.

Q: What is the cost of paid parking during peak periods?

A: Reservations for the Village View lot will be free for vehicles with 4+ occupants, and $20 for vehicles with 3 or fewer occupants. For the Lower Village Preferred Paid Lot, reservations will be required on weekends and peak periods. The fees to park in this lot will be $25 during the week (Monday-Friday) and $50 on weekends and peak periods, regardless of how many occupants are in a single vehicle.

Q: Do I pay at the parking lot or ahead of time online?

A: Parking at the Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots requires reservations during weekends and peak periods, and payment will be required ahead of time online when you make your reservation.  Payment is not required if you have 4+ people in your vehicle, but a reservation is still required and a credit card will be required to hold the free reservation in the system. 

Q: How many people do you have to have in your car to qualify for free parking ?

A: During the week (Monday – Friday), all Northstar parking lots are free, except for the Lower Village Preferred Paid lot, and no reservations will be required. During weekends and peak periods, reservations for the Village View lot are required, with a fee of $20 for vehicles with 3 or fewer occupants and free for 4+ in a single vehicle. After 1pm during weekends and peak periods, the lot is free, and no reservations will be required.

For the Lower Village Preferred Paid Lot, reservations will be required on weekends and peak periods. The fees to park in this lot will be $25 during the week (Monday-Friday) and $50 on weekends and peak periods, regardless of how many occupants are in a single vehicle.

Q: Do I need to check in for my carpool reservation?

A: Yes, Carpool reservation holders need to check in with all 4+ occupants still in the vehicle in order to validate eligibility. As you enter the Village View parking lot, look for the yellow Carpool Check-in signs. Check in starts at 7am each day and reservations are required. 

Q: What if my car doesn’t fit three additional people and ski gear, and I don’t want to pay the flat fee in one of the paid/reservations lots?

A: There are plenty of free lots at Northstar if you are unable to accommodate 4+ occupants in your vehicle.

Q: Where will revenue from paid parking go?

A: Our objective is to create a routine amongst our guests that encourages carpooling. We continually assess needs for reinvestment in parking and transportation efficiency and experience at our resorts, and revenue from paid parking will be prioritized accordingly.

Q: Can I park on neighboring streets?

A: No, there is no street parking in Northstar Neighborhoods – please obey all posted signage about where you can and cannot park, especially within neighboring areas of the resort.

• All Northstar California Resort lodging accommodations provide guest parking with one complimentary spot per unit in the unit's parking complex.
• 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.

• Lodging parking passes do not grant access to parking in any paid or reserved parking lots at the resort.