155 Silver Lode Lane, Silver Star
Lodge
More details →
The Mountain
Why Silver Star
Silver Star’s village sits at 1,609 metres, roughly 10 degrees cooler than the Okanagan Valley floor on a hot day. When Vernon and Kelowna are pushing 35 degrees in July and August, Silver Star is typically sitting around 25, comfortable enough to hike, bike, or just sit on a patio in the afternoon instead of waiting out the heat.
The season runs at full capacity from early June through the first weekend of September, with weekend operations continuing for a few more weeks after that. Mountain biking, hiking, the Gnome Roam, gondola rides, festivals, and a pedestrian village full of restaurants and local businesses, all of it walkable once you’ve parked the car.
There are two new reasons to visit: the Upper BX Campground and the Silver Star Freestyle Club’s new airbag facility.
The Upper BX Campground brings something the Okanagan rarely has: on-mountain camping, with trail access right outside your tent. At 1,609 metres, nights stay cool even after a hot day on the trails, and it’s a short walk over to the village for breakfast instead of a drive.
The Silver Star Freestyle Club’s new airbag facility runs from May through November, letting freestyle skiers and snowboarders practice jumps and landings on a giant air cushion instead of snow, and it’s already drawing athletes from across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest who want to keep training through the off-season.
What’s Here
01. Bike park
Mountain Biking
Silver Star runs Canada’s second largest bike park, built for flow and progression rather than pure gravity riding: think jump lines and berms designed to help you improve, not just survive the descent. Lifts run all summer to get you and your bike up without the climb. Read the full mountain biking guide for trail breakdowns, event history, and lesson options.
02. On foot
Hiking
Trails run straight from the village into alpine terrain, no shuttle or drive required, connecting into Vernon’s broader regional network for anyone who wants to go further than a single loop. Options range from gentle meadow walks to longer routes with real elevation gain. See the full hiking guide for routes, elevation profiles, and trail running options.
03. FREE | No booking
Gnome Roam
A self-guided scavenger hunt through the village and surrounding area: grab a map at the day lodge or download one before you arrive, then wander at your own pace looking for small gnome figures tucked into the natural world around you. No booking required, and it’s an easy way to keep younger kids moving on a walk they’d otherwise need convincing to take.
04. Sightseeing
Gondola Rides
Ride the gondola up without a bike or a pair of hiking boots. It’s a straightforward way to get mountain views and cooler air for an afternoon without any physical effort involved, and it works for the whole group, including anyone sitting out the more active stuff.
05. Festivals
Events
The Beer & Cider Festival and Summer Music Series run through the season and animate the village calendar, giving the patios and public spaces a reason to fill up beyond just riders and hikers passing through. Check the event calendar for current dates and tickets.
06. THE NEWEST PLACE TO STAY
Camping
The Upper BX Campground is Silver Star’s newest accommodation option: on-mountain camping in a region where campsites are genuinely hard to come by, with trail access right outside the tent instead of a drive to get to one. See accommodations for site details and booking.
07. Off-season training
Airbag Facility
The Silver Star Freestyle Club’s airbag facility runs May through November, giving freestyle skiers and snowboarders a place to practice jumps and tricks by landing on a giant air cushion instead of snow, which is what makes off-season training possible at all. It’s community-built and volunteer-run, and it’s already drawing athletes from across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest who want to keep training through the off-season.
Before you go
Common Questions
Yes. The Upper BX Campground offers a new on-mountain camping option. Camping availability in the Okanagan is limited, which makes Silver Star one of the few places in the region where you can camp at elevation with direct trail access. See accommodations for details and booking.
Silver Star’s village sits at 1,609 metres elevation, running about 10 degrees Celsius cooler than the Okanagan Valley floor. On days when the valley hits 35 degrees, Silver Star is typically closer to 25, comfortable for outdoor activity through the summer.
Yes. Silver Star operates a full summer season from early June through the first weekend of September, with weekend operations continuing for several weeks after. The mountain bike park typically runs late June through mid-September.
Silver Star offers mountain biking, hiking, trail running, gondola rides, the Gnome Roam trail, festivals, and a full pedestrian village with restaurants and local businesses. The Silver Star Freestyle Club’s airbag facility runs May through November for freestyle ski and snowboard training, and the Upper BX Campground provides a new on-mountain accommodation option.
The bike park typically opens in late June and closes in mid-September. Cross-country trails are accessible outside those dates whenever they’re snow-free.
By the numbers
The Facts
| Village elevation | 1,609 m |
| Summer temperature advantage | ~10°C cooler than valley floor |
| Full summer season | Early June to the first weekend of September |
| Extended season | Weekends only for about two weeks after |
| Bike park season | Typically late June to mid-September |
| Airbag facility season | May to November |
| New this summer | Upper BX Campground, Silver Star Freestyle Club airbag facility |
| Distance from Vernon | 22 km, about 30 minutes |
| Distance from Kelowna Airport | 65 km |
When to come
Seasonal Context
May to June
Early Season
The airbag facility opens in May, the bike park opens in late June, and hiking trails become accessible as snow melts through the month.
July to August
Peak Season
Peak season, with the full bike park and every summer activity running. This is also when the temperature advantage matters most, especially during valley heat waves.
September to October
Fall
Full season runs through the first weekend of the month, with weekend-only operations after that. Shoulder-season conditions are excellent for hiking and cross-country riding, with smaller crowds.
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.
Bike park passes and rentals: Available through skisilverstar.com.
Ski-in, ski-out accommodations
Stay Here
9885 Pinnacles Road, Silver Star
Lodge
More details →
148 Silver Lode Lane, Silver Star
Hotel
More details →
Summer on the mountain
View Storybook.