SilverStar Overview
SilverStar is one of British Columbia's hidden gems, sitting at an elevation between 1154m and 1915m. This charming resort offers a true ski-in/ski-out village experience that our users consistently praise. Just 25 minutes from Vernon and 45 minutes from Kelowna airport, it's surprisingly accessible for a mountain that feels so wonderfully tucked away.
With 133 runs spread across the mountain and a good mix of lifts (including 1 gondola, 7 chairlifts, and 3 drag lifts), SilverStar packs plenty of variety into its terrain. The mountain earns an overall rating of 4.47/5 from our community, with particularly impressive scores for family friendliness (4.77/5) and groomed runs (4.59/5).
Tyler, an expert skier from Canada, describes it as an "amazing little village. Very family friendly mountain. Great blue terrain with below treeline expert runs. Easy to navigate the mountain."
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The Skiing in SilverStar
SilverStar offers an interesting split of terrain that works well for all ability levels, though intermediates and above will get the most out of it. While the front side features more family-friendly groomers, the backside delivers challenging double blacks and what Connor, an advanced skier, calls "a ton of terrain."
The resort scores particularly well for intermediates (4.50/5) and experts (4.62/5), with advanced skiers (4.41/5) also finding plenty to enjoy. The mountain boasts excellent tree runs (4.21/5) and good powder zones (3.95/5) when conditions are right.
Bruce, an expert skier, shares: "Front side is the family part of the mountain, some steeps but fun for everyone. The back side is quite a bit harder, some good serious blacks and doubles. Lots of glades mountain wide."
The resort's lift efficiency (4.48/5) gets high marks from users, with Mike noting that "even on bad snow years you can still find good snow up there." A user who is an advanced snowboarder praises the "backside double blacks" which "really set silverstar apart from hills in the area!"
Eating Out in SilverStar
SilverStar receives solid scores for eating out (3.94/5), with a small but good selection of options in the village. Dining facilities include cafes, restaurants and pubs that cater to different tastes and budgets.
Linda, an intermediate skier, highlights the "amazing coffee shop with delicious food. The hot apple cider is wonderful after a day on the slopes." Bruce recommends The Bulldog for "the best food," while others mention Bugaboos as a popular spot.
Though some users note there are "not a lot of apres ski dining options if staying longer term," Ryan, an advanced skier, suggests there's "choice of food for any pallet and wallet." For those self-catering, there are takeaway options available too.
The Après-Ski in SilverStar
The resort scores a solid 3.90/5 for après-ski, offering a more relaxed vibe compared to bigger party resorts. Jef, an expert snowboarder, rates it as "one of my favorite apres, with tubing and glow bowling" available for post-ski entertainment.
The village has a friendly atmosphere with several bars and pubs where you can unwind after a day on the slopes. As Andrew puts it: "Everybody is greeted with a smile and there's always a seat at the bar to enjoy aprés."
Beyond traditional après options, the resort offers tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing and other winter activities to round out the experience. One Snomad community member liked that there are "plenty of options for food/drinks based on the ambiance you're looking for."
SilverStar for Families
SilverStar truly shines when it comes to family friendliness (4.77/5), earning one of its highest ratings in this category. The resort has been thoughtfully designed with families in mind, offering a variety of terrain suitable for all abilities and ages.
Natalie, an advanced skier, shares: "I've been skiing here for over 30 years and it's one of the best resorts in British Columbia. Awesome beginner area for my kids when they were learning and now they are on the back side trying out their first double black diamonds."
The ski school quality (4.49/5) receives high praise, with Jonah noting the resort has "a fantastic ski school." Beyond skiing, families can enjoy a tube park, skating pond, snowshoeing, and even mini snow-mobiling. The compact, colourful village makes it easy for families to navigate and find everything they need.
Josh, an intermediate skier from Canada, summarizes it well: "My whole family of 6 love the resort and slopes. The staff are super friendly and helpful... The ski resort has enough variety for all skill levels. I highly recommend SilverStar for the beginner right up to the experts."
Accommodation Options in SilverStar
SilverStar offers well-rated accommodation options (4.34/5) with a strong focus on ski-in/ski-out convenience. The compact village design means most lodging provides easy access to the slopes.
Our reviewers mention that the resort has a good mix of hotels, chalets and condos to suit different group sizes and budgets. Linda, an intermediate skier, describes it as having "great accommodation.. hotels and condos" and notes the "hot tubs in abundance!"
Lauren shares her experience: "We rented a chalet that had ski in ski out and it was lovely. Not all ski in ski out is created equal but it was still great." Andrew, another user, mentions that the resort offers "decent condos and hotels" just 20 minutes from Vernon.
The village setting, with its colourful buildings, adds to the charm of staying at SilverStar, creating what Amanda describes as "home away from home vibes."
Environment and Sustainability in SilverStar
SilverStar has made steady progress in its sustainability efforts in recent years. The resort has implemented energy-efficient snowmaking equipment and focuses on reducing water usage across operations. Their waste management program emphasizes recycling and composting to minimize landfill contributions.
The resort's compact design naturally encourages walking rather than driving once guests arrive, reducing on-site emissions. There's also a shuttle service from overflow parking areas to minimize traffic congestion. SilverStar's location within a forested area has led to careful trail development practices that minimize tree removal and protect wildlife habitats.
While not yet carbon neutral, the resort continues to expand its environmental initiatives each season as part of a long-term sustainability plan.
SilverStar Pros: Why the Snomad Community Loves It
Looking at the reviews from our Snomad community, here are the top 5 favourite things about SilverStar according to users:
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Tree runs and powder - Advanced snowboarder Camille calls SilverStar "a beauty secret" with great rideable terrain, while Max raves about "big powder" and "technical tree runs." Many users mention the quality of off-piste skiing between the runs.
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Family-friendly atmosphere - This comes up repeatedly, with Natalie, an advanced skier who's been visiting for over 30 years, saying it's "perfect family resort" with terrain for all levels. Tyler, an expert skier, specifically mentions the "very family friendly mountain."
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Short lift lines - Bruce, an advanced skier, points out the "very short lift lines," while Jane says "no line ups" is one of the reasons it's "the best mountain ever!" Users consistently appreciate being able to spend more time skiing than waiting.
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Village amenities - The compact, colourful village gets lots of love. Amanda describes it as having "home away from home vibes" with "plenty of options for food/drinks," while Natalie highlights ski-in/ski-out spots like Buggaboos Cafe.
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Terrain variety - Despite being a smaller resort, users praise the range of runs. Sean notes there are "tons of runs" (around 132), and Bruce mentions the "mix of every type of terrain" that allowed him to progress quickly as a skier.
SilverStar Cons: What Snomad Skiers Say Could Be Better
Based on the Snomad user reviews, here are the top issues people mention about Silver Star:
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Navigation challenges - Colton, an intermediate snowboarder, notes: "My only problem I have with silver star was the navigation of the massive resort. There needs to be more maps in place."
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Staff concerns - One reviewer (Jack) mentions: "Great skiing and snow but the staff are rude and harassing, and drunk often in the village."
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Limited lunch facilities - Kristine, an advanced skier, points out: "Only complaint is there is not a great bag lunch room."
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Village aesthetics - Mike, an intermediate skier, comments: "The Color scheme of the village is not the best but thats really the only bad thing I could say about silver star."
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Limited alpine terrain - Andrew, an advanced skier, explains: "One disadvantage for me personally is the lack of alpine terrain, as the whole resort is below tree line." He adds that powder can still be found but "can be challenging during periods of less snowfall."
These are relatively minor complaints compared to the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the resort.
Recent Reviews
I switched to skiing this year and it was so much fun at Silverstar. I rented and the staff were great, equipment was pretty great, kept in good condition as well. Good place for beginners and experts. The runs are really well laid out so if your group has a mixed bag of expertise you can still stick together/wind up together.
SilverStar Resort Stats
SilverStar Travel Information
FAQs Skiers' Most Asked Questions
SilverStar FAQs: Skiers' Most Asked Questions
Is SilverStar snow-sure?
Yes, SilverStar is quite snow-sure despite its top elevation being only 1,915m. Its location in the BC interior provides consistent snowfall with champagne powder. The resort isn't prone to fog like nearby Big White and offers excellent tree skiing right to the summit, ensuring good visibility. Peter, an intermediate skier from the UK, notes it's "very snowsure" and "away from the coast and the rain which affects Whistler. It often snows a little every day to freshen up the runs."
What mountain range is SilverStar part of?
SilverStar Ski Resort is located in the Monashee Mountains, part of the Columbia Mountain Range in British Columbia, Canada. Our users frequently mention the resort's excellent snow conditions despite its relatively modest elevation, with a top height of 1915.06m. The mountain range provides a perfect setting for both alpine and Nordic skiing, with the latter connecting to North America's largest network of cross-country trails.
When does the ski season start and end in SilverStar?
SilverStar's ski season typically runs from late November to mid-April, depending on snow conditions. One Snomad community member mentioned that February is usually their "powder month," while others note the resort is quite snow-sure despite sitting at a relatively modest elevation. The resort benefits from its interior BC location, which helps maintain consistent snow conditions throughout the winter without the coastal rain that affects some other BC resorts.
Is SilverStar good for beginners?
SilverStar scores just 4.25/5 for beginners, but don't let that put you off. The resort has plenty of long, gentle runs perfect for learning. One Snomad community member, Josh, mentioned how the staff taught his teens to use the T-bar, and the resort "has enough variety for all skill levels." With excellent ski schools rated {{RATING_SKI_SCHOOL_QUALITY}} for quality, it's actually quite beginner-friendly despite what the ratings suggest.
Is SilverStar good for intermediate skiers?
Absolutely! SilverStar is fantastic for intermediate skiers, scoring 4.50/5 for intermediates. With 133 runs and plenty of blue terrain (40% of the mountain), it offers excellent progression opportunities. One Snomad community member liked that there's "plenty of options for all levels" and another mentioned the "great variety of runs for any level." The well-groomed pistes (rated 4.59/5 for groomed runs) and efficient lifts keep the skiing flowing all day.
Is SilverStar good for advanced skiers?
Yes, SilverStar is excellent for advanced skiers, with a strong rating for advanced riders (4.41/5) and an even better score for experts (4.62/5). The backside offers challenging double blacks that really set it apart, according to our users. One Snomad community member highlighted "great double blacks, as well as great locals terrain." Another mentioned being able to "ride untouched powder for days" if you know where to go, despite the entire resort being below the treeline.
Is SilverStar good for expert skiers?
SilverStar shines for expert skiers, scoring 4.62/5 for experts. The backside offers challenging double blacks that really set it apart from other resorts in the area. One Snomad community member noted, "The backside gets you great double blacks, as well as great locals terrain. You're able to ride untouched powder for days if you know where to go." Deer Park's extensive glades provide thrilling powder opportunities when conditions are right.
Is SilverStar good for non-skiers?
SilverStar is brilliant for non-skiers. Our users mention a variety of activities including tubing, ice skating on a natural pond, snowshoeing, fat biking and even mini snow-mobiling. The village offers shopping, dining options and a lovely atmosphere with twinkling lights at night. One non-skier, Gillian, described it as a "wonderful venue" with great staff and surrounds, while another mentioned enjoying their getaway despite not hitting the slopes.
Is there snow at Christmas in SilverStar?
SilverStar typically has good snow coverage at Christmas. Sitting at a top elevation of 1915m, the resort is known for its reliable early-season conditions. A Snomad community member who's an advanced skier notes: "It gets an abundance of the legendary champagne powder." While no mountain can guarantee perfect conditions, SilverStar's location in BC's interior generally provides a solid Christmas base, with consistent snowfall through December making it a dependable holiday destination.
Where should I stay in SilverStar and what type of accommodation is available?
SilverStar offers excellent ski-in/ski-out accommodation options across the resort. The main village has a charming, colourful design with hotels, condos and chalets right on the slopes. Many Snomad users highlight the convenience – Linda, an intermediate skier, mentions "fabulous friendly small resort with ski-in ski-out accommodation, hotels and condos."
For a true mountain experience, look for properties near the village centre to access restaurants, shops and après activities. Lauren, an intermediate skier, notes "we rented a chalet with ski-in ski-out and it was lovely," though she adds that not all ski-in/ski-out locations are equal.
What's the best way to get to SilverStar?
International travellers can fly into Kelowna International Airport (YLW), which is approximately 45-60 minutes from SilverStar. Several major airlines offer connections through Vancouver or Calgary. From Kelowna, you can rent a car, take a shuttle service, or book a private transfer to the resort. One Snomad community member noted that "Air Canada will carry your skis or board for free plus a boot bag even in economy," which is a nice perk for international visitors.