Ritz-Carlton Highlands Lake Tahoe Opens

Following five years of design, construction and development phases, The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe is now open. The $300 million project, situated mid-mountain in the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski area features ski-in, ski-out access with mountain concierge services.

Manzanita, the resort’s signature restaurant has been created by San Francisco’s James Beard Award Winning chef Traci Des Jardins. The Highlands Spa is a 17,000 square foot spa and fitness center with treatments and therapies themed around water and the woods. The new Highlands Gondola connects guests between the nearby Village-at-Northstar and The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe resort.

Perched slope-side within a 15 minute drive of both Lake Tahoe and the historic town of Truckee, the year-round destination includes 170 guest rooms, 23 private Ritz-Carlton Residences and 25 Ritz-Carlton Destination Club residences.

The hotel is the contemporary legacy of the great mountain lodges built at the turn of the 20th century, inspired by the iconic Ahwahnee in Yosemite and the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. The hotel was designed as a series of linked pavilions tucked into the contour of the hillside with a grand octagonal lobby at the center. The rusticity of the building has been tempered and modernized through the use of contemporary materials such floor-to-ceiling windows in the Living Room that provide dramatic views and natural light. Great care was taken to protect the natural form of the landscape and to integrate the building seamlessly into its forest setting. Landmark trees were selected and tagged important so that construction crews could work around the forest as opposed to clear cutting the site.

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands will be one of the first major five-star caliber mountain resorts to seek LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Beyond the pedestrian-friendly design of the site, some of the environmental features include underground parking instead of outdoor asphalt lots, the use of recycled steel, and the incorporation of energy efficient heating and cooling systems. The Highlands Gondola acts as public transportation connecting the resort to the Village-at-Northstar below.

In addition to the hotel opening, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Lake Tahoe will welcome Members on December 18. Adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, the 25 two, three and four-bedroom destination club residences (78 residences at build-out) ranging from approximately 1,423 to 2,434 square feet offer dramatic mountain and valley views of the Sierra Nevada. Currently, fractional ownership prices range from the low $100,000s to more than $500,000 per deeded, Home Club Membership with use 21 days annually. With pricing averaging $260,000 for 10,000 points, Portfolio Memberships are also available.

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