Northstar Parking & Resort Transportation Guide

Getting Here & Parking

Arrive safely by car, shuttle or air
Previous tab Previous tab
Village View Lots

Address: Entrance off Big Springs Drive

The Village View Lots offer convenient parking in close proximity to Northstar Village and will require reservations this winter on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) and peak periods between 7am – 12pm.

  • Parking is free at the Village View lots Monday – Friday/non-peak periods.
  • Reservations are required on weekends and peak periods between 7am – 12pm.
  • Reservations will be free for vehicles with 4+ occupants and $20 for vehicles with 3 or fewer occupants.
  • After 12pm on weekends and peak periods, all parking in this lot will be free and no reservations will be required.

View on Google Maps View on Apple Maps Waze Directions

 

Castle Peak Lots

Address: 200 Northstar Dr, Truckee, CA 96161

The Castle Peak Lots are our largest parking lots and are free every day of the week, with no reservations required.

  • Monday – Friday the Castle Peak Lots will be opened for parking only once the Village View Lots are full. If this parking location is needed, the Castle Peak Lots will be served by a continuous shuttle until 6pm.
  • Saturday – Sunday the Castle Peak Lots are served by a free continuously running shuttle bus service, running between the Castle Peak Lots and The Village at Northstar until 10pm.
  • The Castle Peak lots are the first available parking option on Northstar Drive and located at the roundabout.
  • No overnight camping allowed.

View on Google Maps View on Apple Maps Waze Directions

 

Preferred Paid Lot

The Preferred Paid lot is closest to Northstar Village and is a paid lot every day of the week, requiring reservations on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) and peak periods:

  • Reservations are required to park in the Preferred Paid Lot on weekends and peak periods from 7am – 3pm.
  • The fee to park in the Preferred Paid lot is $20 Monday – Friday and $40 on weekends and peak periods, regardless of how many people are in a single vehicle.

View on Google Maps View on Apple Maps Waze Directions

Helpful Parking Tips

  • Lower Village Lots (premium paid parking) are complimentary after 3pm each day. *Paid parking begins each day at 5:30am.
  • Carpool Check-in begins at 7am in the Village View lot, please remember you must check in with all 4+ occupants in the vehicle to receive validation for your Carpool 4+ reservation. 
  • The gondola opens at 8:30 a.m. 
  • Pay attention to weather and traffic updates when planning your trip, doing so will allow you to plan ahead and design your trip to meet your expectations.
  • If you are attending children’s ski school, build time into your arrival for check-in and parking. There is a passenger drop-off area at The Village.
  • We have ADA accessible parking available at Northstar. These areas can be found at our Auto Drop Area, Transit Center/Loading Dock, and at Castle Peak parking lot.
  • Complimentary Dial-A-Ride services are available for guests staying at Northstar. Download the Dial-A-Ride app to request a ride. Available for iOS and Android.
  • There is no overnight parking available in the Northstar parking lots. Please call Public Safety (530)562-2259, should you need assistance with your vehicle.

Local Transportation

There are many transportation services that allow you to sit back and relax on your way to and from the resort. We recommend the below third party companies:

Tahoe Ski Trips
https://www.tahoeskitrips.net/

North American Charter(NAC SKI)
Price includes transportation, lift ticket and a light breakfast.
Phone: 925.230.2086

Tahoe Mountain Club
TMC offers a free shuttle service for members to and from Old Greenwood. 
Phone: 530.550.9400

North Lake Tahoe Express
Year-round, scheduled service between Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee region, with local transit connections.
Phone: 833.709.8080

Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART)
TART regular runs to and from downtown Truckee and Kings Beach

Private Car Service
Truckee/Tahoe's only bio-diesel fleet provides private car or shuttle service regularly. 
Please visit TahoeSierraTransportation.comor call 530.582.5828 for more information.


Local North Lake Tahoe Taxis
Independent Taxi: 530.546.8687
North Tahoe Checker Taxi: 866.420.8294


  • Limousine Services
    North Tahoe Limousine: 530.546.5888
    Reno-Tahoe Limousine: 775.348.0868
  •  

     

    Driving to Northstar

    Northstar is located on HWY 267 between Truckee and Kings Beach and is easily accessible by car and just a few minutes from Interstate 80. Depending on the direction of travel, guests will be treated to views of Lake Tahoe or the Martis Valley.

    Physical Address: 5001 Northstar Dr, Truckee, CA 96161

     

    From San Francisco | 195 Miles | 3.5 Hours
    From Sacramento | 109 Miles | 2 Hours
    • Take I-80 East over Donner Summit to Truckee, CA.
    • Take exit 188B for CA-89/CA-267 S toward Sierraville/Lake Tahoe
    • Travel on CA 267 S for 5.5 miles to the 267/Northstar Drive intersection
    • Turn right and follow Northstar Drive to the slopes.

    San FranciscoSacramento

     

    From Reno | 37 Miles | 45 Minutes
    • Reno is located less than 40 miles from the Reno Tahoe International Airport.
    • Travel west on I-80 to exit 188 - CA267 E/CA 89S towards Lake Tahoe.
    • Travel approximately 5.5 miles to the 267/Northstar Drive intersection and turn right to enter Northstar California.

    Google Maps

     

    From Incline Village/Kings Beach | 13 Miles | 25 Minutes
    • Take HWY 28W/N Tahoe Blvd, turn right onto HWY 267N.
    • Follow HWY 267N up and over Brockway Summit for approximately 6 miles.
    • Turn left onto Northstar Drive and arrive at your destination!

    Google Maps

     

    November - April

    Winter Traffic Patterns

    Westbound
    • Weekday: Moderate traffic between Truckee and Reno is likely from 7am - 9am and 5pm to 6pm due to commuter traffic.
    • Weekends: Traffic can be lighter due to less commercial trucks on the road. Expect heavier traffic between 8 am and 10am for skier travel from Reno. Expect heavy traffic between Truckee and San Francisco on Sunday afternoons.
    Eastbound
    • Friday: Expect heavy Eastbound Traffic between San Francisco and Truckee between 4pm and 7pm.
    • Weekends: Light to moderate traffic between Truckee and Reno due to less commercial trucks on the road.

    Please note: this travel forecast is based on historical traffic data. Weather, road conditions and accidents are impossible to predict and can have significant impacts on I-80 travel.

     

    Northstar Parking FAQs

    Q: Why are you making this change and why now?

    A: Traffic/road congestion and parking challenges have been a serious topic of conversation within our community for a while, and this past winter has perhaps been the most challenging yet. These are not just Northstar issues – they are deeply felt across all of Tahoe, and certainly at every resort in the region. After taking a deep dive into our current parking practices and traffic patterns, learning from other resorts across our network, and much consideration and conversation here in-resort, we believe that a reservations-based parking program can, and will, make a difference.

    We have many choices for guests related to parking, including plenty of free parking options.


    Q: Which parking lots are impacted by this change?

    A: This winter 2023/24, the Village View lot will become a paid, reservations-based lot on weekends and peak periods, and the Lower Village Preferred Paid parking lot will remain a paid lot but will require reservations on weekends and peak periods. We have many choices for 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 16, 17, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 (please note, NOT on the 25th)
    • January 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 28
    • February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
    • March 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
    • April 6, 7, 13, 14

    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 1pm; 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 before 3pm. The fees to park in this lot will remain the same as winter 2022/23: $20 during the week (Monday – Friday) and $40 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: We anticipate opening reservations in November, prior to our season starting. At that time, reservations can be made via parknorthstar.com.


    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 now be required on weekends and peak periods, however, the fees to park in this lot will remain the same as winter 2022/23: $20 during the week and $40 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 2023/24 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 during weekends and peak periods. For the Lower Village Preferred Paid lot, reservations will now be required on weekends and peak periods, however, the fees to park in this lot will remain the same as winter 2022/23: $20 during the week and $40 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 – in that case it is free, but a reservation is still required.


    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 will be free, and no reservations will be required.

    For the Lower Village Preferred Paid lot, reservations will be required on weekends and peak periods before 3pm. The fees to park in this lot will remain the same as winter 2022/23: $20 during the week (Monday – Friday) and $40 on weekends and peak periods, regardless of how many occupants are in a single vehicle.


    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.
    • 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.

    Northstar Parking Updates

     

    UPDATE AS OF September 19, 2023:

     

    We will be hosting a Community Open House event to share more information about the new Winter 2023/24 reservations-based paid parking plan on Friday, October 6 from 5:30-7pm in the Laurel Conference Room located in the Village. Join us to learn more about the program and ask our team any questions.

     

    UPDATE AS OF September 11, 2023:

     

    We've added new FAQs for winter 2023/24.

    See all FAQs


    UPDATE AS OF MARCH 22, 2023:


    We remain committed to addressing challenges with traffic/road congestion and parking. Next winter, we will offer several choices for guests, with a combination of both free and paid parking options. With this shift, we will be implementing a reservations-based paid parking program on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) and holidays/peak periods in our Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots:

    • For Village View, reservations will be required on weekends and holidays/peak periods between 7:00am-1:00pm, and will be available online at the start of the season. After 1:00pm, all parking in this lot will be free and no reservations will be required.
      • Reservations will be free for cars with four or more occupants at all times; a flat fee of $20 will be required for cars with three or fewer occupants.
      • If parking in Village View on weekends or holidays/peak periods, guests must secure a reservation via our website (regardless of how many people are in the vehicle).
    • For the Lower Village Preferred Paid lot, reservations will be required on weekends and holidays/peak periods from 7:00am-3:00pm. The fees to park in this lot will remain the same as winter 2022/23: $20 during the week and $40 on weekends and holidays/peak periods, regardless of how many people are in a single vehicle.
    • Castle Peak lot will remain free every day, no reservations required.

    We will update this page in advance of next winter to include more specifics and instructions on how to create a reservation for the Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots for weekends and holidays/peak periods.


    UPDATE AS OF MARCH 6, 2023:


    We are committed to addressing challenges with traffic/road congestion and parking – as such, we are making some changes to our parking approach at Northstar for winter 2023/24, which will include reservations-based paid and carpool elements for weekends and holiday/peak periods in the Village View lot and the addition of reservations on weekends and holidays in the Lower Village Preferred paid lot. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.