Northstar California Bike Park MTB Guide - Truckee, CA
Northstar California Bike Park is one of Northern California's premier lift-served mountain biking destinations, offering everything from beginner-friendly flow to big jump lines and technical downhill terrain.
Located in the mountains between Truckee and Lake Tahoe, the park features an extensive network of trails accessed by gondola and chairlift. Riders can progress from trails like Easy Rider and Playground to the jumps of Livewire and Gypsy before stepping up to technical favorites including Boondocks and Sticks & Stones.
Northstar's combination of lift access, purpose-built features, natural terrain, jumps, rock gardens, and high-speed descents makes it a must-ride destination for gravity-focused mountain bikers.
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Location: Truckee, California
Address: 5001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, CA 96160
Difficulty: Beginner to Expert
Best Time to Ride: July–August
Bike Type: MTB & Class 1 eMTB
Riding Style: Lift-Served Bike Park / Downhill
Parking: Free summer parking available
Restrooms: Yes
Water: Yes
Trailforks: Northstar
Bike Park Pass: Required
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Summer parking at Northstar is free, with multiple parking areas available around the resort.
From the parking areas, head into Northstar Village and toward the Big Springs Gondola to begin your day.
Amenities include:
Free summer parking
Restrooms
Restaurants
Drinking water
Bike rentals
Bike services
Lockers
Shops
Arriving early is recommended, particularly on busy summer weekends.
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Livewire – Black
Northstar's signature jump trail. Fast, machine-built and packed with berms, jumps, drops, and larger features designed for riders comfortable carrying speed.
Gypsy – Black
A fast and playful jump trail combining berms, jumps, and technical features. A Northstar classic and a great option for riders looking for something different from Livewire.
Boondocks – Double Black
A rough, technical downhill trail featuring rocks, roots, drops, and natural terrain. Best suited to experienced riders comfortable with Northstar's more demanding terrain.
Sticks & Stones – Double Black
One of Northstar's most technical trails, combining wooden features with substantial rock gardens, drops, rock faces, and jumps.
Karpiel – Double Black
Steep, rough, and technical downhill riding with natural features and challenging terrain. One for experienced gravity riders.
Pho Dogg – Black
A fast downhill trail combining natural terrain with technical sections and plenty of opportunities to carry speed.
Flameout – Black
A classic Northstar descent offering rougher natural terrain and technical riding away from the park's more groomed jump lines.
Sinuous – Black
A winding technical descent with a more natural feel and plenty of classic Northstar terrain.
Playground – Blue
A playful intermediate trail that's great for warming up and developing confidence before progressing to the larger features elsewhere in the park.
Easy Rider – Green
One of the best options for riders getting accustomed to lift-served mountain biking and Northstar's terrain.
Coaster – Blue
A flowing intermediate trail offering a good introduction to carrying speed through Northstar's bike park terrain.
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Northstar's main mountain bike season runs through the summer, with July and August generally providing the most reliable access.
Expect conditions to become increasingly dry, dusty, and loose as summer progresses. Thunderstorms, wildfire conditions, and other mountain weather can also affect lift and trail operations.
Always check Northstar's current lift and trail status before driving to the resort.
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Northstar provides lift-served mountain biking through the Big Springs Gondola, Vista Express, and Tahoe Zephyr Express.
Typical 2026 bike park hours are:
Big Springs Gondola / Vista Express / Tahoe Zephyr Express
10:00 AM – 5:00 PMTwilight Fridays
Extended riding until 7:00 PM on select summer Fridays.Hours, lift availability, trail openings, and pricing can change due to weather and operating conditions, so always check Northstar's current Bike Park status before making the trip.
A Bike Park Pass is required for bike haul. Purchasing online in advance is recommended for the best available pricing.
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A full-suspension mountain bike is highly recommended at Northstar.
While there are easier trails in the park, Northstar is known for rough, technical terrain that can be demanding on both bikes and riders. An enduro bike works well for many trails, while riders spending most of their time on the technical downhill terrain may prefer a dedicated downhill bike.
A helmet is required, and a full-face helmet, knee pads, and additional protection are strongly recommended.
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Unlike many of the public trail systems featured in these guides, Northstar is a privately operated bike park.
The trails and features are managed and maintained by Northstar California's Bike Park and trail crews.
Respect trail closures and closed features. Conditions and features can change throughout the season as trails experience heavy use, maintenance, weather, and Tahoe's notoriously dry summer conditions.
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Northstar offers bike rentals and bike services directly in the Village, making it easy to rent a downhill bike or deal with mechanical issues without leaving the resort.
This can be particularly useful at Northstar, where the rough terrain can be hard on tires, wheels, brakes, and other components.
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Northstar Village has several restaurants, cafés, and places to grab food and drinks before or after riding. Food is also available on the mountain at The Lodge at Big Springs.
Bandit Tip:
Bring your own food and drinks and grab a locker imid mountain.
It's considerably cheaper than buying every meal on the mountain, and having food waiting makes it easy to grab something between laps.
Don't leave food sitting in your vehicle. You're in bear country, and food and other scented items can attract bears.
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A Bike Park Pass is required for bike haul.
Buy your pass online in advance when possible.
Check current lift and trail status before leaving home.
Helmets are mandatory.
Full-face helmets and protective equipment are strongly recommended.
A full-suspension mountain bike is highly recommended.
Carry water even though refills are available.
Expect loose and dusty conditions later in summer.
Don't leave food or scented items in your vehicle because of bears.
Respect closed trails and features.
Ride within your ability and inspect unfamiliar features before committing.
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When does Northstar Bike Park open?
Northstar's bike park operates seasonally during the summer. Opening dates, days, and hours vary each year, so check Northstar's current operating schedule before visiting.
Is Northstar good for beginners?
Yes. Northstar has beginner and intermediate terrain for riders learning bike park skills, although the resort is particularly well known for its advanced jump and technical downhill trails.
Do I need a downhill bike?
No, but a capable full-suspension enduro or downhill bike is strongly recommended. Northstar's rough terrain can be demanding on shorter-travel trail bikes.
Are eMTBs allowed?
Class 1 eMTBs are permitted, but a valid Bike Park Pass is still required for lift access.
Is parking free?
Summer parking options are available free of charge, although premium parking options may also be available.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes. Bike rentals are available at Northstar, making it possible to ride the park without bringing your own downhill or enduro bike.
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Website: Northstar California
Trails: Northstar Trail Map
Trailforks: Northstar
Instagram: Northstar