Silver Star Mountain Resort

About Silver Star Mountain Resort

What was originally a local’s ski hill back in the 1960s, Silver Star Mountain Resort has evolved into British Columbia's 3rd largest resort with more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and a charming and vibrant village equipped to entertain locals and visitors alike. Because it lacks international fame, unlike some other Canadian ski resorts, you won’t find intimidating crowds or never-ending lift lines. Located high above British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Silver Star is renowned for its light, dry snow, of which it sees an average of 23 feet annually. Its 132 runs spread across three mountain faces with varied terrain including long groomed cruisers, steep powder-filled chutes on its famous back side (Putnam Creek), and a Monster Terrain Park that accommodates all levels of skiers and riders. Add that to its quaint and colorful resort village and Silver Star has become one of Canada’s favorite family resorts.

Silver Star is also a renowned cross-country skiing destination; in fact, together with its neighbor Sovereign Lake Nordic Center Silver Star is Canada's largest daily groomed cross-country trail system. Many national teams, including Canada’s and the U.S.’, will train on the area’s 93-plus miles of trails. When the lifts stop running, or your legs just can’t take any more fresh powder, simply ski back to your doorstep—all accommodations in the village are ski-in, ski-out. Enjoy a nice soak in a private hot tub overlooking the Monashee mountain range or head into the village, which offers 18 dining, bar and entertainment options. Reminiscent of an early 1900s mining town, the bars, restaurants and shops that line Main Street are filled with long-time residents and local characters who help give Silver Star its down-to-earth, homey feel.  

Despite being a lesser-known mountain resort, Silver Star is actually quite accessible. The resort is just 12 miles from Vernon, B.C., and Kelowna Airport (YLW) is a mere 30 minutes from there, so you have plenty of options for ground transportation or rental cars.

How to get to Silver Star Mountain Resort

Getting to Silver Star Mountain Resort in British Columbia is pretty straightforward, with a few convenient airport options. The closest airport is Kelowna International Airport (YLW), just 40 miles away. From there, it’s about a one-hour drive to the resort. For international travelers, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is about five hours away by car, while Calgary International Airport (YYC) is around seven hours. All airports account for their own car rental and bus transfer services for better flexibility and time management. For easy access, there is a shuttle with direct transport from Kelowna International Airport (YLW) to the resort. The shuttle runs regularly during the ski season, and it’s priced at $95 CAD ($69 USD) per person one-way or $150 CAD ($109 USD) round trip. Your Mountain Travel Expert can help you make an advance booking for door-to-door service.

Getting around Silver Star Mountain Resort is super convenient thanks to the resort’s compact, ski-in ski-out village layout. No car? No problem! The Resort Shuttle is free and loops around the village, while the Vernon Regional Transit bus connects the resort to the nearby town of Vernon. If you’ve rented a car, parking is easy—there’s free day parking at Parking Lot D, or you can opt for premium parking closer to the village for $20 CAD ($14.50 USD) per day.

Where to stay in Silver Star Mountain Resort

Skiing at Silver Star Mountain Resort implies the perfect blend of charm, convenience and serious powder. Whether you're into perfectly groomed beginner runs or chasing powder in the steeps of Putnam Creek, Silver Star’s got you covered with over 3,000 acres of varied terrain. It's a playground for everyone—from families hitting gentle slopes to experts diving into the deep.

Beginner Skiing in Silver Star Mountain Resort
The resort is specifically designed to make newcomers feel comfortable and confident with its wide-open, perfectly groomed green and blue runs. Start out on Bunny Hill or the Silver Queen Chair, where gentle slopes help you get your ski legs in no time. For blue runs that allow you to level up, check out the Sundance area. It's packed with longer, easy cruisers that wind through beautiful alpine scenery. You’ll love how the terrain is well-marked and naturally separated, so beginner skiers can stick to their own areas without running into steeper, more advanced runs. And, with most of the village being ski-in ski-out, getting from the lifts to hot cocoa is as easy as a few quick turns.

Expert Skiing in Silver Star Mountain Resort
Intermediate and expert skiers at Silver Star Mountain Resort are in for a thrill. For intermediates, the resort offers a range of red and black slopes that balance fun with a bit of a challenge. Head over to the Sundance area for scenic, well-groomed red (intermediate blue) runs that let you open up and carve while soaking in those mountain views. 

Family vacations in Silver Star Mountain Resort

A family winter vacation at Silver Star Mountain Resort is all about creating fun, lasting memories with activities that everyone will enjoy—especially skiing. Silver Star is designed with families in mind, offering a fantastic mix of terrain for all skill levels, from easy green runs to more challenging blues and reds, so that parents and kids can ski together or explore at their own pace.

When it’s finally time to hang up the skis, Silver Star offers tons of winter fun for the whole family. Try tubing at Tube Town, ice skating on the outdoor rink, or take a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride through snowy trails. For those looking to mix things up, Silver Star's extensive Nordic skiing and snowshoeing trails are also great options for a family adventure. After a day of mountain activities, cozy up together in the village, which has plenty of family-friendly dining options and activities.