More to SilverStar than skiing and boarding
When you are known far and wide as a downhill ski and snowboard resort, it can be a challenge to convince non-skiers and nonboarders that there are many other outdoor and indoor activities at the skihill.
Years ago, Silver Star Mountain (not Ski) Resort went one step further by introducing the My1Pass. It unlocks access to alpine skiing and snowboarding, plus Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, winter tubing and ice skating.
Silver Star and neighbouring Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre offer the largest dailygroomed cross-country trail network in Canada, said Silver Star’s Nordic coordinator Murray Farbridge. Silver Star has 55 kilometres of multi-use trails, night loops and dogfriendly trails with another 50 kilometres at Sovereign. Both have warming huts and spectacular viewpoints. There are cross-country rentals, programs and lessons.
* Silver Star also has 16 kilometres of singletrack snowshoe trails weaving in and around the forested area and lower cross-country ski trails clearly marked with hand-carved wooden signs and reflective markers for earlyevening use. There are two trailheads: in the village and at Brewers Pond. Winter hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. For more info, call the ticket office at 250-558-6083 or email: tickets@skisilverstar.com.
* Silver Star has 15 kilometres of single- and double-track fat bike trails for bicycles with over-sized tires designed for soft unstable terrain like snow. The resort has a fleet of rental bikes. Contact Central Reservations at 250558-6083 or email info@skisilverstar.com.
* Tubing in truck-sized inner tubes with safety handles is safe in the controlled environment of Tube Town with a lift to take you back to the top 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.9 p.m. on Sunday. Day tickets are available at the Tube Town ticket office.
* Brewers Pond is a 2.5-acre natural rink with plenty of room for hockey players, figure skaters and first-timers. It’s open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday with an outdoor fire and music. You can play hockey with your buds or watch resort staff battle it out on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
* Kids can take the driver’s seat on the fun and safe fenced mini-snowmobile track at the base of Tube Town. Mini-sleds (Arctic Cat FireCat F120s) are designed for children six to 12 years of age and under 100 pounds. Hours: 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
* On Toonie Tuesday nights, 4-9 p.m., it’s $2 (each) for ice skating, one-ride tubing, a single-lap on a mini-snowmobile, and for hot chocolate at the Brewers Pond Cafe. It is also $2 off two-hour tubing and $2 off skate rentals.
* There are real snowmobiles for adult adrenaline seekers and milder explorers who can check out Silver Star’s backcountry with a local guide leaving from parking lot E. For more information, call Okanagan Rec Rentals at 250-549-3613 or email: info@ OkanaganRecRentals.com.
* Want less noise? You can venture deep into the forest on a 45-minute horse-drawn sleigh ride followed by hot chocolate or dinner at the Wild Horseman’s Cabin. The sleigh departs at 3:30 p.m. from outside the ticket office near the Bulldog Hotel. Available Wednesday-Monday through Jan. 20; Wednesday-Sunday on Jan. 23-Feb. 14; and Thursday-Sunday on Feb. 15- March 22. For more information, call 250-558-6083 or email: guestservices@skisilverstar.com.
* Every Friday and Saturday night, you can climb aboard the Paradise Express snowcat and trek around the mountain under moonlit skies to warm and charming Paradise Camp, located on the backside of the mountain with superb views of the Monashee Mountains. A unique dining experience - a romantic lantern-lit chef-prepared dinner will be paired with wine, cocktails and martinis.
For more information, call 250-558-6083 or email: guestservices@skisilverstar.com.