Heavenly vs Northstar this week?

Sharko

Sharko

Active member
Ok Tahoe people, help me out here please. I haven't lived in Sacramento long and I've only been to Heavenly, Squaw, Sugarbowl. I have to choose between Heavenly and Northstar for a day trip next week, which one would you recommend and why? If it helps, I'm not looking for park at all, and ease of transportation/parking is a factor. Thanks
 
I work as a dispatcher over at NS heres my two cents... If the conditions are windy and or a storm is expected (of normal amounts) then NS can sometimes be the better move. NS is more protected and we tend to be able to run all of our lifts even when its storming (during a normal cycle). Only con is Northstar can be flat, like the storm we got today was almost too much snow to enjoy because the terrain isnt super steep all around. Heavenly has better views and steeper terrain but from what i've heard you have to traverse a ton but ive not skied there a ton to give you all the in's and out's. if you go to NS park as close as you can to "Home Run" youll be able to ski to your car/get on at the Highlands Gondola for ease.

TL:DR

NS= flat but protected, fun groomers

Heavenly = More steeps, better views, feel like your traversing a ton
 
Heavenly has way better terrain (Mott) but I have no idea if it’ll open. Lines probably brutal this weekend. I feel like some of the lifts at heavenly (near Mott) used to be okay but idk.
 
14234670:B_K said:
I work as a dispatcher over at NS heres my two cents... If the conditions are windy and or a storm is expected (of normal amounts) then NS can sometimes be the better move. NS is more protected and we tend to be able to run all of our lifts even when its storming (during a normal cycle). Only con is Northstar can be flat, like the storm we got today was almost too much snow to enjoy because the terrain isnt super steep all around. Heavenly has better views and steeper terrain but from what i've heard you have to traverse a ton but ive not skied there a ton to give you all the in's and out's. if you go to NS park as close as you can to "Home Run" youll be able to ski to your car/get on at the Highlands Gondola for ease.

TL:DR

NS= flat but protected, fun groomers

Heavenly = More steeps, better views, feel like your traversing a ton
Click to expand...

Agreed. North Star is more protected and has sick parks but it's flat and I don't think it'll still be storming when OP says he's going

heavenly ain't winning any steepness awards and yeah there's some traversing but it's a little better and very big (area wise) and has stupid nice views of the lake. Also the gondola from the lake shore to the mtn is sick haha
 
Everyone else makes good points. Heavenly has a lot of traversing but good views and can be fun on a powder day. Northstar is more protected but flatter (“flat star”).

I used to work at Northstar and the biggest thing it has is really good groomers and a good park. You can also find some powder stashes in the trees hiding a little longer than other resorts because A) it’s protected B) gung-ho powder hounds are not the clientele Northstar usually attracts.

I guess it depends on what you want to do. I would never say Northstar is a bad time but it’s certainly not the most extreme. It always felt like more of a “cruise the groomers, have a beer” type of resort for a chill day (outside of the park).

I forgot to add parking. Back when I worked there, it was like $20 or $40 (can’t remember) and you could park right in the village. Other than that, the parking lot has a bus that will pick you up (but it’s also a short walk) from the village parking lot. Make sure to get there early so you don’t have to park in the further lot (I can’t remember the name right now) but it still has a bus too

**This post was edited on Jan 29th 2021 at 3:25:34am
 
If ease of parking and transportation is important to you I'd go with heavenly. Lines can get pretty bad though so you'd have to take that into consideration.
 
I really don't like heavenly. Honestly everyone can hate on northstar about being flat but martis rips. There's some great tree skiing there snd backside even. Everyone can fight each other ay the "better" mtns. Idk. I've gotten the goods a bunch at northstar. Obviously doesn't have nuch for cliffs, chutes, etc, but it's steep enough to rip and i like big open trees in deep snow.

Also any time you're thinking if driving to heavenly probably better to send it to kirkwood. Heavenly just doesn't do it for me.
 
SVAM or Kirkwood. Don't waste your money on an epic pass. Go to where its steep when it is this deep. Leave by 8 or youll be stuck in traffic this week.
 
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