SilverStar
SilverStar
About SilverStar
SilverStar’s fairytale village, you can easily fall in love with. Inspired by a typical nineteenth century British Columbian mining town era with Victorian architecture, this town is a true winter wonderland. Brightly coloured store fronts and boarded sidewalks provide a unique ambiance that radiates fun, enthusiasm and excitement for the whole family.
SilverStar Ski Holidays
SilverStar Mountain Resort is a vibrant ski-in, ski-out village that captures the charm of a 19th-century British Columbian mining town with colourful facades and wooden boardwalks. Located in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, SilverStar delivers on average over 7 metres of natural snowfall each season, offering dry powder, uncrowded slopes and a welcoming, family-friendly vibe. With terrain for every ability, a great mix of accommodation, and plenty of off-slope activities, it’s easy to see why Australians return year after year.
Where is SilverStar?
SilverStar is located in British Columbia, Canada, just 22km from the town of Vernon and about a 55-minute drive from Kelowna International Airport (YLW). Direct flights to Kelowna are available from Vancouver and other major Canadian hubs. There are options with Air Canada and Qantas for Australians flying into Vancouver or Calgary before transferring to Kelowna.
Where to Stay in SilverStar?
Planning a ski trip to SilverStar and wondering where to stay? Whether you're travelling with the kids, looking for a luxury escape, or hunting down the best bang for your buck, here’s a quick guide to the top SilverStar accommodation options:
Best Hotels in SilverStar for Families
Snowbird Lodge - This is a firm favourite for families. You’ll love the spacious, self-contained apartments with full kitchens and laundry, plus private hot tubs to unwind after skiing. Even better? It’s ski-in, ski-out, so you can get the crew straight onto the slopes with no fuss.
Firelight Lodge - Just a snowball’s throw from Tube Town and the skating pond, Firelight is perfect for active families. The modern condos offer plenty of space to relax and refuel, and the convenient location means the fun is always close by.
Best Luxury Hotels in SilverStar
Snowbird Lodge - If you’re chasing a touch of luxury in the mountains, Snowbird Lodge delivers. Think high-end alpine interiors, private hot tubs, and unbeatable ski-in, ski-out access, all in the heart of the village.
Best Value Hotels in SilverStar
Vance Creek Hotel - Comfortable, convenient, and affordable . Vance Creek Hotel ticks all the boxes for a budget-friendly stay. Located right in the village, it’s great for families or groups who want easy access to restaurants, lifts, and après fun.
Chilcoot Lodge - Travelling on a budget? Chilcoot Lodge offers great value without skimping on location. It’s just steps from the lifts and village shops, making it a top choice for families or groups who want to stay close to the action without the luxury price tag.
Where to Ski in SilverStar?
SilverStar features 132 runs across 3,282 acres of skiable terrain, with 100% natural snow and no snow-making required. The resort is split into four main areas, catering to all skill levels:
Beginners: Vance Creek frontside has wide, groomed trails perfect for learners. Try ‘Milky Way’ for a gentle introduction.
Intermediate: Silver Woods offers tree-lined blue runs like ‘Whiskey Jack’ with great flow and variety.
Advanced: The steeps of Putnam Creek are ideal for experienced skiers—check out ‘Challenger’ or ‘Kal’s Bowl’.
Experts: Tree runs, chutes and black diamond terrain on the backside make SilverStar a hidden gem for powder hounds.
Our Teams Recommendations for Skiing in SilverStar:
Nat: Powder Gulch Express chair on the back side! There's some really cool steep black groomers to carve on off powder gulch, but also on a powder day it's amazing too of course!
Marty: Whiskey Jack is really playful and has fun rollers to jump off with lots of side hits. I also really enjoy Three Wise Men. This is a steep natural half pipe on the backside of the mountain.
Is SilverStar Good for Non-Skiers?
SilverStar is more than just a ski resort, it’s a full winter destination with a long list of non-ski activities:
- Ice skating on Brewer’s Pond
- Tube Town Adventure Park
- Snowshoeing through alpine forests
- Fat biking on cross-country trails
- Sleigh rides and bonfire evenings
- Live entertainment
- Dining at Paradise Camp or enjoying après on a village patio
- Christmas and New Year festivities including fireworks, themed dinners and live music
Our Team Recommend their top activities in Silverstar:
Nat: Tubing at SilverStar is an absolute blast. No skis are needed, and you will be laughing your way down the hill.
Marty: Renting cross country skis and exploring the cross country trails is a super unique experience. You can even catch the bus to Vernon to watch the local ice hockey team play.
SilverStar FAQ's
How do I get to SilverStar?
Fly into Kelowna International Airport and take a 55-minute shuttle to the resort.
Fly into Kelowna International Airport and take a 55-minute shuttle to the resort.
Where is SilverStar?
It’s in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, 22km from Vernon.
It’s in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, 22km from Vernon.
Is there much expert terrain at SilverStar?
Yes. Putnam Creek offers steep runs, glades and black diamond terrain suited to advanced and expert skiers.
Yes. Putnam Creek offers steep runs, glades and black diamond terrain suited to advanced and expert skiers.
How long should I stay?
We recommend 5 to 7 nights to enjoy the mountain and all village activities.
We recommend 5 to 7 nights to enjoy the mountain and all village activities.
Is SilverStar good for non-skiers?
Absolutely, there are tubing, fat biking, sleigh rides, skating, and more.
Absolutely, there are tubing, fat biking, sleigh rides, skating, and more.
Is there anything to do at Christmas and New Year?
Yes! There are festive events, fireworks, themed dinners and live music are all part of the holiday magic.
Yes! There are festive events, fireworks, themed dinners and live music are all part of the holiday magic.
What’s the closest town to SilverStar?
Vernon is just 22km away and offers additional dining and shopping options.
Vernon is just 22km away and offers additional dining and shopping options.
Is SilverStar ski-in, ski-out?
Most accommodation is ski-in, ski-out or just a short walk to the lifts.
Most accommodation is ski-in, ski-out or just a short walk to the lifts.
When is the SilverStar ski season?
Typically from late November to mid-April.
Typically from late November to mid-April.
Is there night skiing at SilverStar?
Yes, night skiing is available on select runs during the week.
Yes, night skiing is available on select runs during the week.
What lift pass do I need to ski at SilverStar?
SilverStar uses its own lift pass system, but multi-resort options like the Ikon Pass also include SilverStar.
SilverStar uses its own lift pass system, but multi-resort options like the Ikon Pass also include SilverStar.
Best places to eat in SilverStar?
SilverStar offers a great range of dining and coffee spots including Bugaboos Bakery for fresh pastries, The Den and Long John’s for hearty pub meals, Black Pine Social and D’Argento for upscale fare, and unique experiences like the Paradise Camp snowcat dinner.
SilverStar offers a great range of dining and coffee spots including Bugaboos Bakery for fresh pastries, The Den and Long John’s for hearty pub meals, Black Pine Social and D’Argento for upscale fare, and unique experiences like the Paradise Camp snowcat dinner.
TL;DR
SilverStar is a colourful, Victorian-style ski village in British Columbia, known for its 7+ metres of dry powder and 132 diverse runs catering to all ability levels. With ski-in, ski-out accommodation, family-friendly amenities, and plenty to do for non-skiers, it’s a well-rounded destination. Easily accessed from Kelowna Airport, the resort comes alive during the festive season with holiday events, night skiing, and terrain parks, making it a hidden gem for Aussie skiers and snowboarders.
