Silverstar Cross-Country Skiing: The Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide

Welcome to Silverstar Mountain Resort! Whether you are eager to take your very first step on the trails this season, or you are an experienced skier looking for a challenge, this destination is waiting for you. While Silverstar ranks third among the major Alpine ski resorts in British Columbia (BC), Silverstar cross-country skiing experience is undeniably world-class!

Come along with me and discover everything you need to know for your first visit to Silverstar, whether you’re here for Cross-Country or Alpine skiing!

Where is Silverstar Mountain and How Do I Get There?

Silverstar Mountain Resort is located in the Okanagan region of British Columbia (BC), approximately 22 kilometers (on a winding mountain road) from the city of Vernon. It sits on the Shuswap Highland of the Monashee Mountain Range, offering excellent snow quality and elevation! There is no snowmaking equipment here; you are skiing on 100% natural snow!

Silverstar shares its trail system with the neighboring Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, collectively forming Canada’s largest, continuous, and daily-maintained cross-country ski network, boasting a total length of 105 kilometers! It is renowned for its high altitude, stable snow conditions, and “Best in North America” grooming standards. You might even find yourself sharing a trail with an Olympic athlete in training!

Silverstar Parking: Which Lot Best Suits Your Needs?

How many parking lots does Silverstar have? Are they free? Yes, all of the following parking lots are free!

• Parking Lot A: The only overnight parking lot. It is relatively small and rarely has empty spots. You need to ski down a small path between the hotels to the village center. Not recommended for beginners, as you might have to carry your gear.
• Parking Lot B: The main parking lot, closest to the village center, and the most convenient for the ticket office, rentals, and ski school.
• Parking Lot C1 & C2: If you don’t turn left into B, continue a little further and turn left for C2 (visible from B). We usually park in B or C2 to comfortably change our boots in the LUNCH ROOM. C1 is near C2, and they are the closest to the Silverstar cross-country skiing trailheads.
• Parking Lot D: Located directly across the street from B. It opens when B is full. We have never had to park in D on non-holiday weekdays.
• Parking Lot E: The first parking lot you see on your right before entering the village. A free village shuttle (running on weekends and holidays) stops here. After parking, you can ski down to the beginner-friendly Silver Queen Chairlift, or take the free shuttle to the village center for tickets/rentals/ski school. If you’re happy to boot up in your car and head straight to the lift, this lot saves the most time. After skiing, you can take the safe and gentle green run Criss Cross from the mountain top back to lot E.

Please refer to the Silverstar Village and Parking Map for details.

Skiing Without Driving: Shuttle Price & Schedule

If you are flying into Kelowna Airport and prefer not to rent a car or drive in snowy conditions, Silverstar offers the following shuttle options:

Airport Shuttle

• Kelowna International Airport (YLW): Shuttles depart every half hour for Silverstar.
• You can book the shuttle between the airport and the resort on the Kelowna Concierge website. It also stops in Vernon for pickups/drop-offs.
• The drive from Kelowna Airport to the resort is approximately 55 minutes.
• Prices (2024/2025 Season): $142 round trip from the airport, $100 round trip from Vernon. Student shuttles (from OC and UBCO) are specially priced at only $25 round trip. Prices are subject to change and should be confirmed on the official website upon booking.

Local Shuttle (Weekends and Holidays)

• The North Okanagan Ski Bus provides shuttle service from surrounding towns to Silverstar.
• Prices (2024/2025 Season): $480 for a full-season pass, $30 for a one-way single trip, $46 round trip. Prices are subject to change and should be confirmed on the official website upon booking.
• Stops: Salmon Arm – Enderby – Armstrong – Vernon – Silverstar.
• Advance booking is required. Check the timetable and stop addresses here.

Free Village Shuttle

• A complimentary shuttle service is provided for guests staying in the resort accommodations, facilitating travel between lodging areas and the village center.
• Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM daily, with extended hours until 8 PM on holidays and nights with night skiing (Fridays and Saturdays). Early/late season hours may vary; check the official website for details and stops.
• The route covers all major accommodations and activity areas, with a 30-minute loop time.
• No reservation needed; simply wait at a safe roadside pull-in point. The driver will drop you off at the nearest safe stop to your destination.
• Use the Real Time Shuttle Tracker to see the current location of the bus and estimate your wait time.

Lift Tickets and Ski Rentals

Don’t worry if it’s your first time skiing and you don’t have gear! You can rent a full set of equipment right in the colorful Silverstar village.

• Rentals and Lessons: Equipment rental is very convenient. The Snow School offers Alpine and Cross-Country lessons ranging from “Never-Ever” absolute beginners to advanced skiers – there’s a coach for everyone.
• Pro Tip: You can also buy or pick up your tickets (RFID CARD) at the rental shop, avoiding two separate queues!
• Tickets (Nordic Pass): Purchase your Cross-Country or Alpine lift tickets on the official website to get 20% OFF the window price (15% OFF on holidays).
• Although SilverStar and Sovereign Lake are connected by a 105 km Cross-Country trail network, they operate as two independent areas with separate passes. Keep an eye on the signs at trail junctions near the boundary to avoid crossing over without the correct pass!

Silverstar Cross-Country Skiing Trail Highlights

Upper & Lower XC Trail Network

Silverstar cross-country skiing area is divided into two parts: the upper mountain section and the lower mountain section. [See the Silverstar Cross-Country Ski Map.]

• Your daily Nordic Pass includes two rides on the gondola or Silver Queen Chairlift. Like Alpine skiers, you can take the Gondola directly to the top and begin your descent. There are dedicated Nordic trails, but some sections cross Alpine runs. Always look uphill before crossing a junction. Maintain a steady speed through the junction and do not stop. Downhill skiers should adjust to avoid you.
• I do not recommend using the Silver Queen Chairlift or crossing the trails directly beneath it, as this area is mostly used by beginner downhill skiers. You must exit the chair while wearing your Cross-Country skis, which can be tricky and lead to a fall if you’re not used to it.

Silverstar Cross-Country Ski App: Nordic Pulse

Due to its high altitude, Silverstar enjoys excellent snow conditions from mid-November to April or even May. Cross-Country trails are groomed daily. The upper village trails are groomed first in the early morning, while the lower mountain trails may still be getting groomed past 9 AM. Download Nordic Pulse to check real-time grooming reports – it is an essential tool that includes reports for all Nordic centers in Canada.

Note: If you are Downhill skiing, you can download the Silverstar App to track and record your runs and see where your friends are! However, it does not track Cross-Country skiing.

The Magic of Night Skiing

You must try night skiing! Starting from the Bridle Path in the village, a 4 km illuminated trail, the Night Loop, circles the village. It feels like gliding through a brightly lit European town – a truly magical atmosphere! (Want to see more photos? Click here for my Silverstar village at night blog post.) Although the trail is lit, I strongly recommend bringing your own headlamp for increased visibility and safety.

Before you ski, make sure you have all the small but essential items! This directly affects your skiing experience. I’ve written a dedicated guide, which you can check out here: [What to Wear for Skiing]

Warming Huts and Restrooms

• Mountain View Hut: When you need a break on the upper trails, you can warm up at the cozy Chap-tik Cabin. There is a separate outhouse nearby. This is also the starting point for the Alder Point Trail.
• The Lower Village has another rest spot, the Mountain View Hut, where you might meet snowshoers and fat bikers!

Lookout Points & Photo Breaks

Upper XC Trail Viewing/Photo Spots:

• Shuswap Lookout: Shortly after getting off the Gondola at the summit.
• Alder Point: Offers a view of the double-black diamond runs on the backside of Silverstar.
• Paradise Camp/Powder Gulch Chairlift Top: Turn right onto the Aquaduct Trail – it’s the shortest route back to the village and runs parallel to the T-bar for a fun section.

Lower XC Trail Viewing/Photo Spots:

• Sidewinder Trail: A 2.5 km loop with two viewpoints on the east side, offering long-distance views of Terrace Mountain and Pinnacles Mountain. On a clear day, I recommend skiing counter-clockwise for the best views facing you!
• Mountain View Cabin: Located at the intersection of the Sidewinder green run and the Mountain View blue run. This Warming Hut is also a viewing point, facing the resort’s Gondola.

Dining at Silverstar

• Show your season pass for a 10% OFF discount at all Silverstar-owned restaurants (except Paradise Camp).
• Paradise Camp: The only on-mountain restaurant, located on the back side. It’s small, and lines for lunch often spill out the door. There is one restroom inside, and an outhouse outside. The side door to the restroom is now one-way exit only, likely to prevent people from using the restroom to bypass the queue and claim a table.
• Long John’s: Love the half burger and sandwich options. Service is great, and the food comes out much faster than other spots on the mountain.
• Bugaboos Bakery Cafe: You’ll love the cinnamon rolls and other baked goods. My favorite part is sitting on the patio, enjoying a full view of the Gondola base and people skiing back into the village – perfect for waiting for skiing friends and family members.
• Town Hall: Opens at 6am for First Chair breakfast! I enjoy the latte and banana bread, which are almost the lowest-priced items around. For me, this is likely the most affordable breakfast option. All are quick-service, perfect for a ski lunch. But seating is hard to find at lunchtime due to its convenient location I guess.
• Francuccino’s Ice Cream and Frank’s Fries: Deluxe fries with so many topping options at $15. Hot dog is delicious too! They share the space with Gellery Artiva — not only paintings but many lovely gifts!
• Pizza Grata: Pizza.
• Bulldog: A great spot for our Sunday team lunch! Reasonably priced Daily Special. The tacos are excellent (tasty and well-presented). Plus, they offer Thai-Indonesian options! Burger special 2-4 PM. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.
• Black Pine: Upstaris above Red Antler.
• The Den: Breakfast is available this season. If you’re coming with a group, make sure everyone is present, or you may not get a table. This is what I don’t like.
• Tube Town Cafe and Bar: Located by the skating rink and tube park. Serves hot chocolate, Poutine, Chilli Bowls, hot dogs, etc.
• Bringing Your Own Lunch: Head to the basement of the Guest Services building. Lockers are available in the same room, along with space and hangers for boot bags. A sink, microwave, and electric kettle are also provided. This area is monitored by cameras.

What to Do if You’re Not Skiing

• Snowshoeing: 16kms singletrack trails (Trail Map). Rentals available. Dogs are allowed but must remain on leash.
• Fat Biking: 15kms single and double track trails (Trail Map). Helmet is a must. Rentals available.
• Snowshoe and Fat Bike season pass is C$95. Both are covered by My1 Alphine pass.
• Brewer’s Pond: A 2.5-acre natural ice skating rink. Skate rentals are available.
• Tube Town: A snow tubing park suitable for all ages.
• Tubing and Skating season pass is C$125. Both are covered by My1 Alphine pass.
• Paradise Camp Dinner Tour: Take a Snow Cat to the backside under moonlight for dinner. Check the menu and schedule.
• Snowshoe Dinner Tour: Enjoy a guided 30-minute snowshoeing experience followed by dinner at the Ravenwood Cabin ($130).

Where to Stay Skiing Silverstar

Silverstar Mountain Resort offers a vast array of accommodation options, from standard hotel rooms to multi-bedroom luxury condos and vacation homes. You can book directly on the Silverstar official website. Alternatively, consider staying in Vernon down the mountain, where accommodation is generally more affordable, and life/shopping is more convenient. Book your Silverstar Ski Accommodation (Affiliate Link)

I’m thrilled to share my Home Mountain – SilverStar Mountain Resort in Canada—with you! I hope this guide fills you with confidence and excitement for your Cross-Country skiing trip to Silverstar!

This season, I am a Mountain Host at Silverstar. If you see me in the village, please feel free to stop and say hello! I’d love to share more skiing fun with you.

Happy skiing and have a great season!