Snowhounds can't resist the champagne powder at Silver Star Mountain Resort, 22km/13mi northeast of Vernon. From late November through mid-April conditions are reliable with annual snowfall averaging 700cm/23ft and loads of mountain sunshine.
Silver Star Mountain Resort Terrain
Ski forest glades, glide gentle slopes or attack deep powder and moguls. The 1240ha/3065ac of skiable terrain includes 115 marked downhill trails totalling 93km/58mi. The longest run is 8km/5mi and the maximum vertical is 760m/2500ft. With 10 lifts, including the Six Pack Express and four quad chairs, the mountain doesn't feel crowded and skiers spend their time on the slopes, not in line-ups. There's also night skiing on Fridays and Saturday, usually until the end of March.
Snowboarding and Winter Activities
Snowboarders love the deep Okanagan powder, free riding the glades, steep chutes and natural halfpipes. And people with disabilities join in both sports with the help of Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports volunteers.
A family-oriented resort, Silver Star provides many options to the downhill-thrills with skating on Brewer's Pond, high-speed sliding in Tube Town, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or a sedate winter sleigh ride.
Silver Star Village
The pedestrian-only Victorian village has plenty of choice in accommodations from hostels to hotels and condos to chalets. Food service includes fast snacks and groceries, pub fare and fine dining. Plus there's shopping and nightlife. Equipment rentals are available for all the winter sports and the Snowsport School offers private and group lessons for skiers and boarders at every level from bunny hill to racer. For even more variety, Silver Star has teamed up with its sister resort, Big White, for an inter-mountain day trip with shuttle service on Thursdays.
How to Get There
Follow 48th Avenue to Silver Star Road 22km/13mi to the resort. Winter tires or chains are required on Silver Star Road from Tillicum Road to Silver Star Resort from October 1 to April 30. Driving through this area without the proper equipment, may lead to a fine. Shuttle bus service is available from Vernon and from Kelowna International Airport.