SILVER STAR
Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
Silver Star, CANADA has an excellent annual snowfall record of deep dry powder, challenging ski and snowboard terrain and a ski in ski out Village.
Silver Star Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
The skiing and snowboarding terrain at Silver Star can be split into three distinct areas; Vance Creek, Putnam Creek and the recently developed Silver Woods area.
Vance Creek has groomed wide cruising trails, gentle beginner slopes and some advanced trails.
Putnam Creek has advanced steep powder chutes, fast runs, big moguls and treed terrain.
Silver Woods is mainly an intermediate area with long groomed trails and open spaced trees.
All areas are supported by a fast and efficient lift system.
Advanced Skiing and Snowboarding
Advanced skiers and snowboarders go to the Putnam Creek area for a smorgasbord of tight narrow double black chutes and extreme steeps. Caliper Ridge, running directly next to the Powder Gulch Express Chairlift is steep and covered in enormous moguls.
For great powder tree skiing and snowboarding go to Attridge Face, on the left had side of the Alpine Meadows Chairlift and the Glade Runner trees on the upper right hand side of the Silver Woods Express Chairlift.
Intermediate Skiing and Snowboarding
50% of the terrain is suited for intermediate skiing and snowboarding at Silver Star. Every lift has at least one intermediate trail leading down from it.
One of the longest and enjoyable trails at Silver Star is Eldorado running from the top of the Comet Six-Pack Express Chairlift along the ridge boundary line all the way to the base of the Powder Gulch Express Chairlift in Putnam Creek. It is well groomed and great for morning warm up runs.
The Silver Woods area is an intermediates paradise, the trails are wide, fast and long. An expansion in the 2006/2007 winter season created an additional 360 acres of terrain with 10 new trails all serviced by the Silver Woods Express Chairlift. Trees were hand picked to be removed to help intermediates hone their tree skiing and snowboarding skills.
Beginner Skiing and Snowboarding
First timer skiers and snowboarders go to the Discovery Park, it is a wide and gently sloping area serviced by a magic carpet lift. The Sliver Star Snowsport School has beginner only programs where they guarantee to have you stopping and turning after your first lesson. They also have group and private lessons for all skiing and snowboarding levels.
Once beginner confidence grows move to the wide and gentle Creekside and Silver Queen trails under the Silver Queen Chairlift.
For a long groomed run catch the Comet Six-Pack Express Chairlift to the top and turn right to take the Bergerstrasse trail leading down to the Aunt Gladys winding tree lined trail ending at the base of the Powder Gulch Express.
Silver Star and Big White, which 60 miles away, about a 2 hour drive, are both owned by the same company and have a shared lift pass. An intermountain shuttle bus operates a couple of days a week between the resorts. For more information on Big White click here
Silver Star Terrain Park and Halfpipe
The Telus Terrain Park and Rail Garden, located on the Big Dipper trail is spread over 16 acres of terrain with rails, jumps, kickers, tabletops and boxes for all freerider ability levels. There is also a 140 meter long halfpipe, a mogul course, aerial training site and race centre.
Silver Star Night Skiing and Snowboarding
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are night skiing and snowboarding nights at Silver Star, the Summit Chairlift and Silver Queen Chairlift operate between 3.30pm and 8pm. On Friday nights in peak season the night skiing and snowboarding goes until 9pm and includes a fireworks display.
Silver Star Free Guided Mountain Tours
Every day free guided mountain tours set off from the Village at 9.30am and 1.15pm, the guides will show you around the mountain and let you in on a few of the local’s secret powder spots if you are lucky. The tours are for intermediate and above skiers and snowboarders.
Other Activities at Silver Star
Other activities at Silver Star include snow tubing, horse drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, snow shoeing and snowmobiling tours.
The National Altitude Training Center has a rock climbing wall, a ski and snowboard waxing room, a fitness centre and a day spa offering massage and beauty treatments.
Shopping at Silver Star
There are a variety of shops in the Silver Star Village; Ski Dazzle stocks the latest ski and snowboard equipment, clothing and accessories as well as rental and demo equipment.
There is a photography shop, an art gallery, an outdoor clothing shop, a resort wear and souvenir shop and a grocery and liquor market.
Guests can pre order groceries at the Aberdeen Market and have them delivered to their condominium before they arrive.
Silver Star Restaurants
The restaurants at Silver Star range from fine dining to pub meals and cafeterias.
The Silver Lode Restaurant serves delicious Swiss and international cuisine, a must try is the Chinese Fondue; all dishes are complemented by an extensive wine list.
The Silver Grill Steak and Chop House serve Alberta beef, New York steaks and seafood. Take the family to Clementine’s for a Sunday night buffet and live entertainment.
The Italian Garden is open for lunch and dinner serving gourmet pizzas and pasta dishes; they can also deliver directly to your lodging.
Both the Town Hall and Tube Town Cafeterias have burgers, hot dogs, soups and kids menus.
On the slopes Paradise Camp, located at the top of the Powder Gulch Express Chairlift, has a large outdoor sundeck and BBQ area. It is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights serving a la carte dinners. Guests are transported to and from the Camp in a 12 seater snow cat.
Silver Star Nightlife
The nightlife is really busy at Silver Star, kick off the après ski drinks at The Den Bar; they have live entertainment every day from 4pm onwards. Then move onto the Austrian themed Bulldog Grand Café for a ‘big’ beer and a tasty bar snack before spending the night dancing to live bands or DJs at the Vance Creek Saloon.
For a quiet drink head to the Wine Cellar Lounge or sit by the open fireplace at Charlie’s Bar.
New for 2007/2008 at Silver Star
The Silver Queen Chair has been replaced with a new Dopplemayr quad chairlift that will double the uphill capacity and improve access to ski in ski out accommodation.
A state of the art grooming machine has been added to the existing grooming fleet ensuring perfect groomed corduroy conditions all season long.
In 2008 the Kelowna International Airport will have its runway extended from 7,300 feet to 8,900 feet meaning international flights will no longer have to go via Calgary or Vancouver, they can land directly at Kelowna cutting international travel time. The extension will be completed in time for the 2008/2009 winter season.
More About Silver Star
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Statistics |
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Elevation |
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Average
Snowfall |
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275
inches |
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Lifts |
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12 |
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Trails |
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Terrain
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Halfpipe |
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1 |
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Terrain
Park |
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1 |
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Resort
Website |
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