I chuckled at the shots of them ripping through packed berms. Those berms were like that for about one day, now they are dust piles. It's not the builders fault, that's just the way the dirt is up there. It's still fun, but the trails on that side look nothing like this video. Expect your wheels to be buried up to the axles in dust.
Although it's not the builder's fault, it seems like they should've invested the effort into something that would last longer in the climate there (which is fairly constant).
I agree. Northstar needs to step it up with more trails. They have all the terrain needed to make a world class park. I think they may be having issues with the forestry. Sad, they could draw a much better crowd and lot more $$$s with some more trails. Still love it cause its what i have for the summer, season ticket but yeah bring on more trails!!!
Quote from Northstar employee.... "it's politics you don't understand. We want to open the trail (gypsy) it's complicated and it's a publicly owned company (vail) so they want everyone to be able to ride it." I thought that's why there are signs that go to each trail for the skill level you are. Build some new blues and some blacks I don't get how you can sit there and say your working when I see one maybe two guys working ever.
When was the last time any of you were even there? The Vista lift is now open 7 days a week, starting on 6/27, and if you have ridden any of the vista side this year you would see they have been doing some trail work. Could N* be better? Of course, but they are headed in the right direction; they have hired more crewers and are working on the trails. Running a bike park is expensive, so if you want them to improve, you should go visit the park and ride, instead of complaining and waiting for it to change... they are not the only ones who need to be proactive!
I hate to complain, but that lift is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I prefer to take a day off work midweek to avoid the crowds of groms. If you do go up there Monday thru Thursday you are stuck with like 4 trails for your $50. I am interested as to what it would take to get Vail resorts to start building more trails, maintain the trails they have, and have the lift open more frequently. Whistler is awesome, but I cant really justify going up there from California more than once a year.
PS Whistler makes all the trails at Northstar look like cyclecross courses on the local park grass.
You can always ride Booster across from the top of Zepher to the top of Vista lift, then you have the whole other side to play during the week. No traffic issues, just takes a small amount of effort
Yep, you can ride across. I will be doing that this week.
I have been riding Northstar multiple times a year for over a decade. I cant help but see the possibilities of the park. IF they chose to run the lifts more often and added new trails, they could really elevate their standing.
I did not mean to put down the park, but I did not know what I was missing until I made the trip to Whistler. I am just thinking aloud about what it would take for the park to step it up a notch. It cant be that much of a monetary investment. Then again, they probably are below normal income levels due to the lack of snow recently....
I would like to see more people be more critical of Northstar. Tahoe could really use a premier bike park and Northstar isn't it...yet. I quit going several years ago after on the website it said it was going to be open but in fact it was closed upon arrival. In addition, when it is open getting lunch or a beer is hit or miss as so many stores are closed. This winter I used my season pass just enough so I didn't lose money on it. With winter being so off you would think they would try to recoup come summer. It's so frustrating the limited effort they put into the summer months. I live an hour from Northstar while I don't want to go to Canada for bike park action it looks like I still have to.
I'd say N* gets plenty of criticism as it is (and I've been known to complain myself). But while there's certainly room for growth in the park, it's still an awesome place to ride, and the crew seems to be making a genuine effort to improve things. A buddy of mine recently moved to Pittsburgh and I suspect he'd love to grab a few laps at a spot as good as N* right now.
True. All I am saying is that "northstar california resort" is the one who posted this, and they may look at the comments. Instead of all sitting here saying "that place is awesome, dont do a thing" we COULD say "hey, that place is awesome BUT it could be a lot better". And have the lifts open more. And have the food/beer stores open more. And any other constructive criticism you feel the park should hear.
Bikrguy is right. We don't want to be down on the star for no reason. We're begging for an awesome bike park in an area that should be able to not only sustain it but should do really well. A lot of good things happen there but the room for improvement is great as well. Northstar should be reading these comments and instead of feelings getting hurt should listen to the valid critiques and improve what is a decent but not outstanding bike park. Looking at the Whistler model it's clear they want to cater to summer users. The place is alive in the summer and has energy to it. Northstar's vibe is like a Starbucks at 6PM.
Yeah you can ride Booster or the fire road over to Vista, sure its a small amount of effort. But, how much would it take to open up Vista on the weekdays? Not much, they already have you load your bikes yourself on that lift and only two at a time. You just put one guy up top and turn on the lift really.
that lift would cost around $2,000 a day to run, with the amount of non-season pass holders who ride during the week days it is not cost effective to run the vista chair
Here is how you know N* is not ready for 7 day a week service. I have been riding there for 3+ years, 15-20 times a year, and have never waited in line for more than 5 minutes. I think we all see the potential, but financially US downhill is not ready for million dollar investments in employees and infrastructure. If you build it, more will come, but not like Whistler. Shaping moon dust in BC loam is just not going to happen.
PS Whistler makes all the trails at Northstar look like cyclecross courses on the local park grass.