Palisades vs. Northstar
Northstar is the easier day out: wide groomers, a village and a lot of intermediate terrain. Palisades is the bigger, harder mountain, and the one strong skiers should drive to.
Last reviewed Nov 7, 2026 · Independent, not affiliated with any resort
How we'd decide
These two are neighbors, so the drive barely separates them: about 3 hr 39 min to Palisades and 3 hr 34 min to Northstar from San Francisco with no traffic. The real split is the pass, Ikon at Palisades and Epic at Northstar, and what kind of day you want.
Northstar is built around cruising. 60% of its rated terrain is intermediate, with wide groomed runs and a village built around an ice rink. Palisades has nearly twice the acres, 6,000 to 3,170 with its two sides combined, and more vertical at 2,850 feet to 2,280. Its advanced share is higher too, 33% to 27%, and it has the famous expert lines.
One number cuts against the reputations. Palisades publishes a bigger beginner share, 25% to Northstar's 13%, on far more acres. Northstar still feels friendlier for families because of how it's laid out and what's at the base, and we rate it that way, but a first-timer isn't stuck at either. Parking is different too: Palisades reservations are mostly free but a violation is expensive, and Northstar charges for its Village View lots on weekend and peak-day mornings unless you've got four in the car, while Castle Peak stays free.
The numbers, side by side
Palisades
Northstar
Drive time, no traffic or chain controls
Resort stats last re-checked Jul 15, 2026. Terrain shares are the resorts' own numbers (advanced includes expert) and may not add up to 100%. Snowfall numbers vary by source, so take them as rough. Opening dates still ahead are targets, and snow can move them.
Parking
Palisades
Reservations are required on weekends from Dec 5, 2026 to Apr 11, 2027, and every day of the holiday periods: Dec 19 to Jan 3, Jan 16-18 and Feb 13-21. Most are free, including Carpool 4+, and paid spots you can book ahead are $30 a day. Free reservations for the coming weekend open Tuesdays at noon and 7pm. After 1pm on those days parking is free with no reservation, and non-holiday weekdays need none. Parking without a reservation, or not cancelling an unused one by 9am, brings a $100 violation.
Official parking page ↗(opens in a new tab)Northstar
The Village View lot needs a reservation from 7am to 11:30am on weekends from Dec 12, 2026, and every day Dec 19 to Jan 3, Jan 18 and Feb 13-21: $20 for 3 or fewer people, free for 4+. After 11:30am it's free. The Preferred lot takes a $50 reservation on those days until 1pm, then you pay on arrival until 3pm, and it's free after that. On Feb 17-19 you pay peak rates on arrival there with no reservation. Other days the Preferred lot is $25 flat, with no carpool rate. Castle Peak stays free every day. Bookings are open, and a no-show costs $50 unless you cancel by 8am. Northstar still lists weekends from Apr 10 as TBD.
Official parking page ↗(opens in a new tab)Before you drive, check live chain control and the snow report. To price the trip, try the trip cost estimator.
Common questions
- Is Palisades or Northstar better for families?
- Northstar is the easier call, with wide groomed runs and a family-oriented village. Palisades has more beginner terrain on paper, though, so a family with stronger skiers in it shouldn't rule it out.
- How far apart are Palisades and Northstar?
- Close enough to be neighbors, but they're different resorts on different passes. Our lodging notes put Northstar about 30 minutes from Olympic Valley.
- Do I need a parking reservation at both?
- On weekends and peak periods, for at least some lots. Palisades and Northstar run different systems with different rules, so read both notes on this page and check the official sites.
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