148 Silver Lode Lane, Silver Star
The Mountain
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.
01. Front & back
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
| Skiable terrain | 3,303 acres |
| Marked runs | 133 |
| Vertical drop | 760 m (2,493 ft) |
| Village elevation | 1,609 m |
| Annual snowfall | 700 cm average |
| Snowmaking | None, 100% natural snow |
| Front side | Family terrain, village access, ski-in ski-out |
| Back side | Putnam Creek, advanced and expert terrain |
| Night skiing | Typically on Friday & Saturday nights |
| Freestyle | Silver Star Freestyle Club landing bag facility, May to November |
| Distance from Vernon | 22 km, about 30 minutes |
| Distance from Kelowna Airport | 65 km |
When to come
November to December
Downhill opening depends on natural snowfall and typically lands in late November to early December. Putnam Creek and lower terrain open as the snowpack builds through December.
December to February
The full mountain is open, every difficulty level is accessible, and this is when powder conditions are at their best.
March to April
Excellent spring skiing at elevation, and one of Silver Star’s most undermarketed windows since crowds thin out while conditions stay good.
May to November
The Silver Star Freestyle Club’s landing bag facility keeps freestyle training going. Mountain biking is available during summer operations.
Getting on the hill
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
148 Silver Lode Lane, Silver Star
148 Silver Lode Lane, Silver Star
155 Silver Lode Lane, Silver Star
Winter on the mountain
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