Silver Star Mountain Resort is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts – winter or summer. Champagne powder and awesome terrain draw people in winter for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, and along with a host of family fun activities like snowshoeing, tubing, skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Silver 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 Ages
The 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 catch air in the terrain 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.
Skiing and Snowboarding
"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.
An average annual snowfall of 700cm/23ft 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/2,500ft 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 Skiing
The early season, excellent conditions and variety of cross-country ski trails attract the world's elite athletes to train here. Prior to the 2010 Olympic Games, Silver Star hosted 10 Nordic national teams. But that doesn't mean the terrain is too tough for everyday free-heelers. With more than 100km/62mi of trails at Silver Star and the adjacent Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, there's cross-country skiing for every skill level.
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 Summers
Summer 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/1,600ft of vertical, and a challenging skills area and jump park.
Hiking
In 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. Join a hiking 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.
Where to Get Started
Visit Guest Services on the Main Street Boardwalk. They have 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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