Photo: Sean Phillips
SilverStar Mountain · Vernon, B.C.
SilverStar: what’s going on up the hill
Village life, events, trails and history for SilverStar Mountain Resort, from a local who loves it.
SilverStar is a colourful little mountain village perched above Vernon, with downhill skiing on one side, a cross-country network the resort calls Canada’s largest daily groomed on the other, and a bike park and alpine trails all summer. This guide is the easy, friendly version: what’s on, where to eat, which trails to try and how the village came to be. It’s written by Sean Phillips, a local REALTOR® who has spent years volunteering as a Friday Mountain Host up here.
This season at a glance
Tentative dates from SilverStar Mountain Resort, checked October 23, 2026. See the full what’s-on list.
Explore the guide
Village lifeCafés, pubs, the market, skating, tubing and the free shuttle.
What’s onOpening days, the Light Up, rail jams, comedy nights and more.
TrailsAlpine runs, 105 km of Nordic, snowshoe, fat bike, bike park and hikes.
HistoryFrom an 1896 mining claim on Aberdeen Mountain to today’s village.
Poster artGetting thereDriving up from Vernon, flying into Kelowna and airport shuttles.
Living hereWhat year-round life on the mountain looks like.A look around the mountain
Photos and art: Sean Phillips. Tap any photo to see it large and swipe through.
Sean’s SilverStar poster art
Sean makes vintage railway-style posters of the places he loves. These are his artwork, not photos.
Photos and art: Sean Phillips. Tap any photo to see it large and swipe through.
Get SilverStar updates
Opening days, powder mornings, village events and the odd local tip, a few times a season. Text or email, your choice.
Quick answers
When does SilverStar open for the 2026–27 winter?
The resort’s tentative dates are Nordic opening day on Friday, November 20, 2026 and alpine opening day on Friday, November 27, 2026, with alpine closing day on Sunday, April 4, 2027. Dates can change with snow, so check the resort before you drive up.
How far is SilverStar from Vernon and Kelowna airport?
SilverStar Mountain Resort describes itself as a 20-minute drive from the city of Vernon and about 55 km from Kelowna International Airport (YLW).
Are the Mountain Host tours really free?
Yes. Volunteer Mountain Hosts lead free guided alpine and Nordic tours that leave at 9:30 a.m. daily once the alpine is open (weather and operations permitting). Meet at 9:20 a.m. in front of Town Hall by the village grooming map. You need a valid lift ticket or pass and should be comfortable on green runs.
Is SilverStar on the Ikon Pass?
Yes, for 2026–27. The full Ikon Pass includes up to 7 days at SilverStar with no blackouts, the Ikon Base Pass up to 5 days with blackout dates, and the Ikon Session Pass can also be used here.
Decided SilverStar is the place?
When you’re ready to own a piece of the mountain
This guide is about life up here. Sean’s other SilverStar site, Real Estate SilverStar, is for people who have made up their minds: every home for sale, building-by-building reports, ski-in/ski-out scores, strata fees and the real costs of owning.