Northstar Lodge Hyatt/Welk

[loosefeet]

If I decide to fly into SFO how bad is the drive? I got a Sunday check in so I might spend the weekend in San Francisco and drive out on Sunday- I am assuming heading out on a Sunday should reduce the traffic issues.

Check into flying into Reno--only 40 minutes away. No easy shuttle, will need to rent a car. But, much easier. Another option is Sacramento--1 1/2 hours away. Both easier then going to OAK or SFO.

 

[klpca]

Check into flying into Reno--only 40 minutes away. No easy shuttle, will need to rent a car. But, much easier. Another option is Sacramento--1 1/2 hours away. Both easier then going to OAK or SFO.

I agree about flying in to Sacramento or Reno. In good weather, going over Donner Summit on the 80 from Sacramento is easy and really beautiful. Also, both airfare and car rentals seem to be reasonable out of Sacramento. In the winter you need to keep an eye on chain restrictions over the summit. Reno is a shorter drive and easier for driving in winter.

 

[Guitarmom]

If I decide to fly into SFO how bad is the drive? I got a Sunday check in so I might spend the weekend in San Francisco and drive out on Sunday- I am assuming heading out on a Sunday should reduce the traffic issues.

I lived in Sacramento for twenty years. Traffic is something you must take into account. One time we had to drive six hours to get from Sacramento to San Francisco; it can be as short as a 2.5 hour drive if the traffic is good and your foot is heavy. North Shore Tahoe is about 1.5 hours from Sacramento. The closest airport to Tahoe, by far, is Reno, Nevada.

If your goal is to spend some time in San Francisco, you'll be fine getting to Tahoe on a Sunday. But getting back to San Fran on a Sunday is ALWAYS stop and go. If you can book one-way flights, go to San Fran first, then leave from Reno.

 

[vacation dreaming]

I lived in Sacramento for twenty years. Traffic is something you must take into account. One time we had to drive six hours to get from Sacramento to San Francisco; it can be as short as a 2.5 hour drive if the traffic is good and your foot is heavy. North Shore Tahoe is about 1.5 hours from Sacramento. The closest airport to Tahoe, by far, is Reno, Nevada.

If your goal is to spend some time in San Francisco, you'll be fine getting to Tahoe on a Sunday. But getting back to San Fran on a Sunday is ALWAYS stop and go. If you can book one-way flights, go to San Fran first, then leave from Reno.

I was thinking fly into SFO, out of Reno. Thanks!!!

 

[tahoeJoe]

If I decide to fly into SFO how bad is the drive? I got a Sunday check in so I might spend the weekend in San Francisco and drive out on Sunday- I am assuming heading out on a Sunday should reduce the traffic issues.

Traffic from the Bat Area to Truckee could be challenging, even on Sundays. I would strongly recommend flying into Reno or Sacramento, both are much closer. Southwest and Alaska fly into both airports.

 

[boraxo]

Northstar Lodge is a very nice resort. It is nicer than Marriott Summit Watch, which I also own.
However, late March condition at Northstar will be hit and miss depending on weather.
It is a long walk to the Big Springs gondola, but next to the gondola that goes up to Ritz Carlton.
Northstar is pretty good for skiing but do not have expert tterrains. But its very good for blues runs, with a few black runs on the backside.

It is not a long walk. It's about the equivalent of 2 city blocks. Literally right across from the closest dropoff point for skiers. You cannot get any lodging that is closer unless you rent one of the overpriced village condo units.

Also conditions for 2023 will not be "hit or miss" as there is more than enough snow to ski thru May. Of course Northstar closes in April because Vail doesn't want to shell for employees after that, but Palisades fka Squaw will be open thru memorial day. Generally there is always plenty of snow in March. Thanksgiving however is dicey.

There are some great black runs on the top of the front side as well as the back side. My teen loves the tough stuff and he never gets bored at Northstar. It is light years better than anything back east and in the top 3 at Tahoe (Palisades and Heavenly being the other 2)..

I'm actually very stale on Northstar due to the crowds, traffic and parking, which have all massively deteriorated over the past decades. But you avoid 2/3 by stay at Welk and can also avoid the crowds by getting an early start.

 

[Mongoose]

This is a former Welk property. Marriott Vacations Worldwide purchased Welk in 2021 and rebranded it Hyatt Vacation Club. It isn't a former Hyatt Residence Club property.

HRC had inventory there prior to the purchase.

 

[PerryKing]

If I decide to fly into SFO how bad is the drive? I got a Sunday check in so I might spend the weekend in San Francisco and drive out on Sunday- I am assuming heading out on a Sunday should reduce the traffic issues.

You could so as an option take the Amtrak California Zepher to Northstar by getting off in Truckee CA and take the free county transportation buses, or Uber, to Northstar. I did that for a week just before ski season 2 years ago, mainly to check out the resort for a week. I was in the one and only Studio unit under the control of the Hyatt Resident club. (at that time)

Re: The California Zepher: from Emeryville CA to Chicago and Chicago to Emeryville CA (Oakland) runs every day. One can get on in San Francisco with a Amtrak bus ride first to catch the train in Emeryville) runs every day, leaves Emeryville around 9AM I think. Riding the train to NorthStar is one of the reasons I also went to Northstar. Boarding in Emeryville CA after a sea cruise and then at the end of the week I took the train from Truckee on to my home in Denver CO. All to complete my QUEST to stay in EVERY Hyatt Residence Club property.

 

[vacation dreaming]

You could so as an option take the Amtrak California Zepher to Northstar by getting off in Truckee CA and take the free county transportation buses, or Uber, to Northstar. I did that for a week just before ski season 2 years ago, mainly to check out the resort for a week. I was in the one and only Studio unit under the control of the Hyatt Resident club. (at that time)

Re: The California Zepher: from Emeryville CA to Chicago and Chicago to Emeryville CA (Oakland) runs every day. One can get on in San Francisco with an Amtrak bus ride first to catch the train in Emeryville) runs every day, leaves Emeryville around 9AM I think. Riding the train to NorthStar is one of the reasons I also went to Northstar. Boarding in Emeryville CA after a sea cruise and then at the end of the week I took the train from Truckee on to my home in Denver CO. All to complete my QUEST to stay in EVERY Hyatt Residence Club property.

Very interesting suggestion, I will look into it. Thanks.

 

[ivywag]

HRC had inventory there prior to the purchase.

HRC still has some inventory there.

 

[boraxo]

There is definitely inventory there because every time I stay at HHS the Northstar/Welk sales team calls me to do 3 night preview offers. We did a couple of them in the past decade but no interest now as we don't ski there anymore.

 

[PerryKing]

One could also just take the Amtrak California Zehper train: Round Trip from Reno to Truckee.

It's about and hour ride from Reno to Truckee and about an hour and a half on the way back, from Truckee to Reno.
Northstar is just a few miles from Truckee.

It Leaves Reno west bound between 8:25 AM and 8:37 AM and arrves arrives Truckee at 9:37AM.

Returns East bound to Reno from Truckee at 2:26 PM arriving Reno between 3:56 PM and 4:06PM .

All assuming it's on time, which it is NOT much of the time.