The Mountain

Why Silver Star

Silver Star covers 3,303 skiable acres across 133 runs, with 760 metres of vertical drop. The mountain runs on natural snow, and at 1,609 metres it falls dependably, about 700 centimetres a year on average. 

The mountain has two distinct personalities. Ski out the village door and you’re on welcoming, ski-in ski-out terrain built for families and every ability level, with the colourful pedestrian village waiting right there when you call it a day. Head over to Putnam Creek and the mountain changes completely: steeper pitches, wider open lines, and powder that holds for days. 

None of it comes with a lift line to plan around. On a powder morning, that’s the real luxury: first tracks feel like they’re actually yours, because there’s enough terrain that everyone in your group finds their own run instead of piling onto the same one.

What’s Here

Terrain Conditions Lessons Passes Night Skiing Freestyle

01. Front & back

Terrain

The front side covers the bulk of Silver Star’s beginner and intermediate runs, all accessible directly from the village, so you can ski from your door to the lift. Putnam Creek, the backside, holds the mountain’s advanced and expert terrain: steeper pitches, longer fall lines, and space that stays untracked well after a storm because it sees far less traffic than the front. View the trail map at skisilverstar.com.

02. Natural snow

Conditions

Silver Star has long relied on natural snow, averaging 700 centimetres a year, so conditions reflect what actually falls rather than what’s produced artificially. Grooming runs on a regular schedule across the mountain, and current snow reports are available at skisilverstar.com.

03. For THOSE LOOKING TO PROGRESS

Lessons

Ski school offers lessons and programs for all levels from beginner to advanced. Join a group lesson, weekly program or get one-on-one instruction with a private lesson. Book directly through skisilverstar.com.

04. Tickets & passes

Passes

Book online in advance to save on lift tickets. Season pass and lift ticket details, along with current pricing, are available through skisilverstar.com.

05. After dark

Night Skiing

Silver Star offers night skiing using the Gondola and Silver Queen lift, letting you get an extra hour or two on the hill after dinner instead of calling it a day when the sun goes down. Confirm current operating nights and hours at skisilverstar.com.

06. progression & fun

Terrain Parks

There are three terrain parks offering safe and progressive features. Start at the Bannister park off Silver Queen with small to large boxes, rails and jumps before progressing to the main park with small to XL jumps and rails. Check the status of each park at skisilverstar.com.

Before you book

Common Questions

Silver Star has historically relied entirely on natural snowfall, averaging 700 centimetres a season. The mountain’s elevation and inland location in the North Okanagan produce consistent, dry snow conditions throughout the season. As climate patterns shift, SilverStar Mountain Resort may look to add snowmaking to help protect conditions in years when natural snowfall runs lower than average.

Silver Star covers 3,303 skiable acres with 133 marked runs and 760 metres of vertical drop. It’s one of the larger ski areas in British Columbia and averages 700 centimetres of natural snowfall a year with no snowmaking.

Silver Star has less skiable terrain than Whistler, but the tradeoff is a more intimate experience with fewer lift lines, ski-in ski-out village access, and reliable natural snow without the Whistler crowds or pricing. Putnam Creek gives advanced skiers and riders terrain on par with Big White’s, backside access road, and a village that people consistently describe as more charming and easier to get to. Beyond the terrain, visitors consistently describe Silver Star as having a charming village that provides an authentic, friendly community that goes beyond the vacation experience.

Yes. The front side of the mountain, offers a range of green and blue runs adjacent to the mid-mountain, walkable village. Beginners tend to progress quickly here without the intimidation factor of larger, more spread-out resorts. Beginner lessons and programs are available through Ski School at skisilverstar.com.

Yes. Silver Star offers night skiing on a selection of front side runs. Confirm current operating nights and hours at skisilverstar.com.

Putnam Creek is the backside of Silver Star, home to upper level intermediate, advanced and expert terrain. It features steep runs, challenging fall lines, and powder that holds longer than the front side. It’s Silver Star’s answer to the idea that the mountain is only suited to families and intermediate skiers.

By the numbers

The Facts

Skiable terrain3,303 acres
Marked runs133
Vertical drop760 m (2,493 ft)
Village elevation1,609 m
Annual snowfall700 cm average
SnowmakingNone, 100% natural snow
Front sideFamily terrain, village access, ski-in ski-out
Back sidePutnam Creek, advanced and expert terrain
Night skiingTypically on Friday & Saturday nights
FreestyleSilver Star Freestyle Club landing bag facility, May to November
Distance from Vernon22 km, about 30 minutes
Distance from Kelowna Airport65 km

When to come





Getting on the hill

Plan Your Visit

Getting here: 22 kilometres from downtown Vernon, about 30 minutes by road. 65 kilometres from Kelowna Airport.

Where to stay: accommodations put every activity on this page within walking distance.

Lift tickets and passes: Current pricing and booking through skisilverstar.com.

Ski-in, ski-out accommodations

Stay Here

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