If you’ve ever dreamed of wrapping yourself in luxury while gazing at snow-dusted pines, inhaling crisp mountain air, and cramming as many marshmallows as humanly possible into your cocoa, the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe might just be your perfect winter escape.
This 5-star ski-in, ski-out resort sits on the slopes of Northstar California Resort in Truckee, California, making it the ultimate launch pad skiing, mountain biking, hiking, golfing, and just being surrounded by nature near the world’s most beautiful lake – Lake Tahoe.
We stayed there with my toddler for a couple of nights leading up to Christmas, and after staying at several properties all throughout Tahoe (I’ve been a local in the area for 6 years now), this is without a doubt my winter ski pick. Here’s everything to know before you book:
*I was hosted by the Ritz Carlton and links in this post are affiliate links that support us at no extra cost to you. We only positively review places we love!
How to Book the Ritz
Before I dive into the holiday magic we experienced, let me start with a pro tip: Book this place through a Virtuoso advisor. Travel agents get the following complimentary perks for guests:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast credit of $50 per person, for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant (credit is non-cumulative)
- $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (credit excludes alcohol, taxes and gratuities and cannot be used in True North, Spa Retail, or applied toward room rate, tax or valet parking, not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
*If you find a lower price elsewhere, email us and we’ll price match!
The Location Is Ideal
This place is right on Northstar’s ski resort, which means you can literally ski right into the hotel. There’s also a gondola that takes you down to the village, which is adorable and full of shops and restaurants. It’s free, so we rode it just for fun for my toddler’s enjoyment.
Truckee, California, is just a short drive away. There’s plenty to do there in the winter, and we love the hiking and Donner Lake in the summertime. Lake Tahoe is also just a short drive away, and from snow-shoeing to even more ski resorts, there’s plenty to love about Tahoe in the winter. The summertime is amazing as well, with gorgeous beaches, kayaking, hiking (a personal favorite is Tallac near Emerald Bay), and chilling at the beach.
What to Expect from the Rooms
The rooms are exactly what you’d expect from a Ritz: cozy, elegant, and thoughtfully designed. We stayed in a single room, and it was perfect for traveling with a little one with the adorable kids’ tent (they had a crib as well!). There was a fireplace we could sit by after a long day in the snow, plenty of space to spread out, and the kind of bedding that makes you debate whether to ever get out of bed.
If you’re traveling with family or friends, they also have multi-room residences with full kitchens and living spaces, so you can pretend you’re a mountain local—if mountain locals had access to housekeeping and room service, of course.
The Wintry Holiday Experience
Because we were there at Christmas, everything was extra. The lobby was decked out with giant trees and sparkling garlands, they had an afernoon champagne party with a live DJ, there was evening s’mores and even fondue in the bar. The vibe was just… festive. Like, you couldn’t not smile, even if you tried.
Oh, and the kids’ stuff? Adorable. They have a Ritz Kids Club with seasonal activities which included ornament making, cookie decorating, and snow-globe making, while we were there.
Not only does the resort have a heated pool that you can see the ski slopes from, it has TWO hot tubs, plus a kid’s pool.
The Best Part: The Service
The staff at the Ritz was my favorite part of the whole experience. They don’t hover, but they’re always around when you need something. Like, they genuinely want you to have a good time. I swear they must’ve memorized our names within five minutes of us checking in, and they were amazing with my toddler.
To me, this is really what sets apart a five star from the rest – feeling like you’re looked after with a smile and anything you want or need can be taken care of.
One time, we mentioned in passing that our son loves hot chocolate, and the next day, they brought him a kid-sized cocoa to the pool. It’s those little things that make you feel like they actually care.
So, Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. I mean, how could I not? Between the holiday magic, the ridiculous location, and the fact that they somehow made me feel both fancy and at-home, it’s hard to beat.
If you’re ever in Tahoe—winter, summer, whenever—you should definitely check it out. And if you come during Christmas? Well, prepare to have your heart melted. Just maybe don’t eat as many s’mores as I did. (I regret nothing.) You can book it here.
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