Cheers from Silver Star

The world takes a lot out of us and taking a break from all our worries would

sure help, so wouldn’t you like to get away?

If you’re from Ontario like me and aspire to ski our great mountains in

Western Canada, then you’ve heard of Whistler, Sun Peaks and likely Big White.

If you’re a ski bum wannabe, then you probably know about Revelstoke, Fernie

and maybe even Red Mountain. But have you heard of Silver Star?

It’s one of the best kept secrets of the West. And we want to keep it that way.

So read on, but let’s keep it to ourselves.

From Toronto, it’s a quick flight to Kelowna International Airport. Then it’s less

than an hour to Big White or Silver Star. But you already know my preference is

Silver Star. Rent a car or hop on a shuttle and enjoy the views of Kalamalka

Lake along the way. Kal Lake as the locals call it is listed as one of the prettiest

lakes by National Geographic. Limestone deposits give the lake a spectacular

blue green hue. Best to catch it in the summer, so you’ll need to head there

again in summertime. A summer tour of wineries and the abundance of parks is

almost as enjoyable as a winter ski trip along the powder highway. But that’s for

another blog.

A short drive north on Highway 97 is the town of Vernon. If you have a car,

Silver Star is only twenty minutes from Vernon and a great place to do grocery

shopping, have a nice dinner or watch the Vernon Vipers hockey team. But if

you don’t have a car, don’t sweat it. Grocery delivery by Butcher Boys or Save-

On Foods is a breeze and not that expensive. There is a small grocery shop in

the village if there’s something you forgot and they stock quite a few local and

international wines if you didn’t order enough.

There are a number of accommodation options at Silver Star. Many of them

are considered ski in/ski out but some have easier access than others. Currently

there are no hotel type accommodations available, but that may change in the

future with expected expansion plans. You have your choice of condo style

accommodations to duplexes to large vacation homes for large crowds. The

homes and the village at Silver Star are uniquely coloured with a minimum of five

colours. Inspired by the old Victorian mining villages of the past, some of the homes have crazy colour schemes. But it gives a warmth to the resort matched

only by the friendliness of the staff and locals. There’s always a smiling face and

warm hello from people as you walk around the resort. One of the staples of the

resort is Bugaboos Cafe. Owned by Frank Berkers who transplanted from

Holland in the nineties, the cafe is a favourite of locals and guests alike. But

when you walk inside, it’s like an episode of Cheers. Everyone knows your name

and everyone knows Frank. If it’s your first time, you’ll leave dreaming of the

next time you can have one of his apple strudels, banana eclairs, meat pies or

goulash.

But skiing is what brings people to Silver Star. It’s a true family resort. If

you’re into the nightlife and bustle of Whistler, then this is not the resort for you.

But if you’re coming with your family or a group of skiers of all different abilities,

then Silver Star can meet everyone’s expectations. There’s also a place for

different types of skiers; nordic or alpine. Silver Star is a great destination for

both. The resort isn’t well known amongst alpine skiers but if you talk to a nordic

skier, then many have heard of Silver Star. It’s been a destination for many

World Cup nordic countries who want early winter training. Sitting next to Silver

Star is Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre with over 105km of combined trails. Early

season in mid November, Silver Star hosts super camps for nordic skiers looking

to improve their technique. Or combine nordic with alpine and try your hand at

telemark skiing. But the alpine skiing is the hidden gem. There’s a run for

everyone. From easy open groomers to gentle glades, blue groomed runs with a

perfect racing pitch, mogul runs to hidden stashes in the trees and the double

blacks on the back side, Silver Star can keep everybody happy. Just watch out

for all the locals on a pow day waiting for ski patrol to open the backside. Race

with them to get first tracks on the Rush, Where’s Joe or Black Pine. Or dive into

Rusty Whistle or Freefall. Or have a nice float along Gypsy Queen.

And for those who know about Big White’s ‘big white-outs’, Silver Star has

distinct areas where you can always find a reprieve from the foggy days. It’s

common to see weather inversions, where it’s dark, cloudy and cold in town and

gorgeous warm sunshine in the mountains. If it all sounds like heaven, there are

quite a few of us who wouldn’t dispute it. At the end of a hard day, you can

always get some relief at Elevate Spa, an Aveda concept spa right in the village.

And if you want more, Silver Star can be the start of the powder highway

going to Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Whitewater, Fernie, and Red. Not to

mention the cat and heli skiing that’s available nearby.

And that’s just the winter fun. I haven’t even started on the award winning

wineries in the region, all the magnificent parks and waterways for hikers and

kayakers. Predator Ridge for the golf fanatics and Sparkling Hills for some

European pampering. But check that out in our summer blog of the area. For

now, just do your snow dance and head for the hills. Did I forget to mention all

that champagne powder at Silver Star is completely natural? No artificial snow at

this resort. It’s 100% natural. Nature’s little piece of heaven.