 Silver Star Mountain Resort Village, Don Weixl photo
Victorian-style VillageSilver Star's Victorian-style village looks like a bold acrylic painting done up in the vivid colours of a child's paint box. Being open both winter and summer, with restaurants and shops owned by people who live and work there, Silver Star feels more like a community than a resort. Owners and staff share their experiences and visitors get to know personalities.
A Resort for All AgesThe medley of rock 'n' roll, Motown, R&B and hip-hop that plays in public areas underscores Silver Star's multi-generational appeal. Gray hairs ski among snow-plowing junior-downhillers while teen snowboarders carve turns on the open runs or blast the half-pipe in the Telus Park. Even in summer, when mountain biking attracts a younger crowd, there's still a well-rounded mix of singles and families in all age groups.
Winter at Silver Star"Best Weather" honours and repeated "Best Powder" awards from Ski Canada Magazine highlight two of the reasons why Silver Star is such a great winter destination.
Skiing and Snowboarding An average annual snowfall of 750cm/24.5ft of champagne dry powder produces reliably fine conditions for downhill skiing and snowboarding from late November through mid-April. Downhillers and boarders share 115 marked trails with a 760m/2500ft vertical. There's an even-handed blend of easy, intermediate and advanced terrain with plenty of extreme action to satisfy serious thrill seekers.
Cross-Country SkiingForbes Magazine says Silver Star is the "Number One Nordic Destination in North America." The early season start, widely varied terrain and more than 100km/60mi of available trails that draw national teams and elite athletes to train, also makes for outstanding recreational cross-country skiing.
Family Activities Skiing and snowboarding are the primary winter activities, but there's lots more to do both inside and out, including snowshoe tours, skating, tubing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, shopping and relaxing spa treatments. Activities like the indoor climbing wall and daily events such as movie night and Wii, give families more to share.
Silver Star SummersSummer temperatures at Silver Star are usually several degrees cooler than the Okanagan Valley's sizzling highs. It's sunny and warm for patio lunches, but still cool enough to hike and mountain bike in comfort.
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is Silver Star's big summer draw. The renowned bike park is designed for progressive development with trails that beginners can tackle with confidence and World Cup downhills to test the most extreme riders. Canada's largest mountain bike lift zips to the summit providing access to 16 hand-crafted trails, 488m/1600ft of vertical, and a challenging skills area and jump park.
Cruisers can take it slow on the longest run combination for 10km/6.2mi of easy riding through the subalpine forest.
HikingIn summer, drifts of waist-high wildflowers carpet the open ski runs. Wild strawberries, raspberries and huckleberries ripen in profusion. Deer, coyotes and black bears roam the mountainside. Hikers can join a tour and learn about Silver Star's natural wonders or stroll the trails on their own. It's all downhill after a scenic ride on the Summit Chairlift.
Okanagan Summer Wine FestivalIn August, Silver Star hosts the three-day Okanagan Summer Wine Festival. Events include seminars on topics like pairing wine and chocolate; guided mountain berry hiking tours; wine master's dinners; and the signature progressive wine tasting.
Where to Get StartedStop by the Town Hall in winter and Ski Dazzle in summer. Staff is on hand throughout the day to answer questions, offer suggestions and make arrangements. They've got all the info on restaurants, shops and services; winter shuttle bus routes and times; daily activities and special events, along with full-colour brochures and trail maps.
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