Northstar California Resort is happy with the recent snowfall and it is getting ready for what could be a good storm, early next week. After all, most ski resorts want snow for Christmas.
"We're looking at maybe 12-14 inches overnight on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day, so a white Christmas is looking good," Stephanie Myers, Communications Manager for Northstar said.
A lot of people make the most of the additional days off during the holidays, too. Matt Cohn and Julian Jankowski came over from Berkeley, California. They're spending a few days in Reno and hitting the slopes while they're here.
"It's the holiday weekend and I thought it would be some good snow," Jankowski said. "I know it snowed yesterday and I thought it would be a great time to come up."
"Today, especially, there's not too many people but it's just a festive atmosphere," Cohn said. "I like it. Everybody's happy."
Myers expects a lot more visitors starting this weekend, and lasting into the new year.
"It's not unusual for us to see a family come up or multiple families come up together, and maybe come up this weekend and stay through New Years," Myers said.
Northstar has a lot of different options for lodging, making it easy and convenient for many visitors.
"We have lodging available for five or six-bedroom luxury homes to condos or studios, if you're coming up maybe with your significant other, and then you can also stay in The Village," Myers said.
Juan Carmell and his family are on vacation from Marin County. They like the variety and convenience of staying at The Village.
"It's very convenient since I have three kids," Carmell said. "We don't have to get in the car, drive, and then get all the skis out. We just have it right here in the locker and just pull them out and put them on. Let's go."
There is also a variety of things for the Carmell's to do while they are here.
"Mostly the skiing, a lot of ice skating, too, and just site-seeing, shopping," Carmell said.
The Village is also decorated for Christmas, giving it a festive feel. People can be found around the skating rink, enjoying food and beverages, shopping, or gathered around a fire pit.
"Our village is really the hub of the whole resort," Myers said. "It's very Christmas and holiday-centric. We've got a 50-foot tree that's lit up. We've got Santa Claus."
Myers says the extra Christmas visitors doesn't necessarily mean the resort will be crowded, so locals can enjoy the mountain without fighting through the crowds as long as they time it right.
"A lot of destination visitors are coming up and opening presents in the morning or in The Village or in their hotel or in their rental homes, so one of the best days for locals to come up to the mountain is actually Christmas Day," Myers said.
