Silver Star Ski Area Profile

With the addition of the new Silver Woods ski area and new high-speed quad chairlift for 2005-06, Silver Star's skiable terrain on the front side of the mountain is increasing by 54%. This new area has 10 new runs and 5 gladed areas with mainly intermediate terrain with some intermediate and beginner trails as well. Silver Star's Victorian-era inspired village is growing with the addition of Snowbird Lodge, luxury on-mountain accommodation. It's anticipated the 54-unit building will be ready for occupation by mid-season. Silver Star has also done considerable summer grooming so the mountain's famed backside, Putnam Creek will open earlier in the season. So with a total of 117 runs, 3,065 skiable acres, 2,500 feet of vertical and the Okanagan's renowned champagne powder, Silver Star is the ski or snowboard destination this season

Terrain

Silver Star's new Silver Woods ski area will offer a variety of mainly intermediate terrain with new runs and gladed areas - but this area will also satisfy both beginner and expert skiers alike. The mountain's Vance Creek area - known as the 'front side' is growing by 54% with Silver Woods. This area caters to the family skier, with excellent beginner and intermediate terrain. One long-time favorite is Whiskey Jack with its big rollers and gentle slope - as well as the easy to intermediate gladed areas alongside the run.

Silver Star's not just for family skiing as the Putnam Creek area, also known as the 'back side', is loaded with a combination steeps, bumps and big cruisers for skiers and boarders looking for adventure on the slopes. Long, fall-line runs keep skiers on the back side all day.

New schoolers and boarders are also at home at Silver Star. After the success of TELUS Park at sister-mountain Big White, Silver Star is getting its own TELUS Park - which includes a 16 acre terrain park and rail garden, with 9 new stunts for this season. Home to the 2004 Canadian Junior National Freestyle Championships, Silver Star also has an aerial training site, dual moguls race course and race centre.

As well, Silver Star has over 60 kilometres of Nordic trails and a number of Nordic camps which attract many expert skiers and national team members during the early part of the season. There are also additional festivities this year as Vernon is hosting the World Cup of Nordic in December 2005.

Silver Star is not just about the skiing. After a hard day on the slopes, there is a wide variety of accommodation to choose from at the resort - from village hotel rooms to luxuriously appointed 6 bedroom homes. The newest of our luxury accommodations is Snowbird Lodge, anticipated to be open mid-season.

There are a number of fine restaurants, bistros and bakeries to choose from, depending on your tastes. A quick and affordable lunch can be had at Long John's or the Aberdeen Bistro, while you can sit down for a full meal at the Silver Lode Inn Restaurant, the Craigellachie Dining Room or Clementine's.

Skiing and snowboarding aren't the only things to do at Silver Star. Take the family for an afternoon or evening of adventure at Tube Town, sliding down slope on an innertube or skating on our outdoor lake. There also guided snowmobile tours and mini-Z's (snowmobiles for the kids), snowshoe tours and this year we are pleased to announce dinner sleigh rides to the rustic Wild Horseman's Cabin and snowcat dinner tours to Paradise Camp, the restaurant located on the backside of the mountain overlooking Putnam Creek.

And if you want to stick close to the village, there are a number of shops along the boardwalk to find the great winter gear or the perfect gift.

Located 12 miles (22 km) northeast of Vernon, BC, Silver Star is at the north end of BC's Okanagan Valley. The Okanagan is renowned for its wineries, vineyards, orchards, golf courses, lakes and amazing beaches. The region attracts tourists from all over the world all year long - either to experience the hot, sunny summers on the lake or for the champagne powder the region's ski resorts are famous for. Vernon about a 5 hour drive from Vancouver, BC, 6 hours from Calgary, AB or 6-7 hours by car from Seattle, WA. Access to the area is made easy with the Kelowna International Airport, offering a wide range of flights all over North America.