Major city · Canada
Silver StarSilverStar Mountain Resort
Go for 2–3 nights in ski season (late Nov–mid-Apr) or 1–2 in summer; stay in the village so you can walk to lifts, not drive up daily.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Late Nov–mid-Apr for skiing; late Jun–Sep for biking and hiking
- avoid Apr–Jun and Oct–Nov (lift closures, mud, limited services)
- Airport
- YLW
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Silver Star is a purpose-built ski village at 1,600 m, 22 km northeast of Vernon in the Okanagan. It is smaller and quieter than Whistler, with dry interior snow, 3,000+ acres of terrain and a compact Main Street where you can park the car for the whole stay. Winter is the reason to come; summer brings lift-served mountain biking and hiking. Two to three nights covers it; a day trip from Vernon works only if you ski or ride.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Silver Star, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a mountain resort.
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 BC health advice line (HealthLink BC, 24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYLW Kelowna International (About 1 h by shuttle or car to the village; the nearest large airport.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable: Main Street, the lifts and the rental shops are within about 10 minutes on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerdraught in a village pub / can from the marketC$8–10 (≈ US$6–8)C$3–5 (≈ US$3–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Budget bedHostel or shared room bed, a night, per personC$60 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$300 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$550 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$130 (≈ US$95) · Mid C$220 (≈ US$160) · High C$400 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YLW Kelowna International (About 1 h by shuttle or car to the village; the nearest large airport.)
Weather and climate
Silver Star: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−3°C27°F
−10°C14°F
12 rd
Feb
−1°C30°F
−9°C16°F
10 rd
Mar
3°C37°F
−6°C21°F
11 rd
Apr
8°C46°F
−2°C28°F
9 rd
May
14°C57°F
2°C36°F
11 rd
Jun
18°C64°F
6°C43°F
12 rd
Jul
23°C73°F
9°C48°F
8 rd
Aug
23°C73°F
9°C48°F
8 rd
Sep
17°C63°F
5°C41°F
9 rd
Oct
9°C48°F
0°C32°F
11 rd
Nov
1°C34°F
−5°C23°F
13 rd
Dec
−4°C25°F
−11°C12°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable: Main Street, the lifts and the rental shops are within about 10 minutes on foot. A free or low-cost on-mountain shuttle links the outlying lodges in winter (check the resort site). A car helps for Vernon, the Nordic centre and summer trailheads; in winter, snow tyres or chains are needed on Silver Star Road (check conditions).
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Drive Silver Star Road, about 30 min; or the winter ski bus
Supermarket, pharmacy, restaurants and Okanagan Lake beaches; do your big shop here.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Drive via Highway 97, about 1 h 15 min
Airport, wineries and lakefront; combine with an arrival or departure day.
Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive or shuttle, about 10 min from the village
Over 100 km of groomed cross-country trails shared with Silver Star; day pass needed.Over 62 mi of groomed cross-country trails shared with Silver Star; day pass needed.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Drive via Highway 97 south, about 2 h 30 min
Desert and lake country; too far for a comfortable return day.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Silver Star village (Main Street)
Hotels, apartments and hostels within a 5-min walk of the lifts; ski-in/ski-out or ride-in/ride-out. Best for a short trip without a car.
Alpine Meadows and Silver Woods
Condo and house rentals on the mountain, some ski-in/ski-out; quieter, needs a car or shuttle for the village.
Vernon
Town 22 km below with cheaper rooms and full services; you drive or take the ski bus up each day (about 30 min).Town 14 mi below with cheaper rooms and full services; you drive or take the ski bus up each day (about 30 min).
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$120–180 (≈ US$90–140) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$180–300 (≈ US$140–250) excl. bed
- High
- C$300 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × C$300 | C$600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$220 | C$880 |
| Kelowna airport shuttle, both ways2 × C$210 · adult return fare C$120 one way C$90; children half | C$420 |
| Ski bus from Vernon, both ways2 × C$64 · C$32 round trip, C$20 one way | C$128 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$208 |
| Trip total≈ C$572 per person per day, bed included | C$2,286≈ US$1,700 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights, lift tickets and rentals excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3–6 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Pizza in the villagePizza Gratta, Lord Aberdeen boardwalk | C$18–22 (≈ US$14–16) |
| Beer: draught in a village pub / can from the market | C$8–10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$3–5 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Full-day adult lift ticket2020 price; book online for 2026 rates | C$109 (≈ US$80)+ |
| Ski or snowboard rental, one daycheck | C$50–80 (≈ US$40–60) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Silver Star Road climbs 22 km from Vernon and can be icy or snow-covered: check DriveBC before driving up.Silver Star Road climbs 14 mi from Vernon and can be icy or snow-covered: check DriveBC before driving up.
- Lift tickets, rentals and lessons are cheaper booked online ahead; walk-up window prices are higher.
- On-mountain groceries and dining cost more than in Vernon: stock up in town if you are self-catering.
- Cell coverage is patchy on parts of the mountain; download maps and your booking details before you go.
- Winter daylight is short (sunset around 16:00 in Dec–Jan): plan the last run early.Winter daylight is short (sunset around 4:00 PM in Dec–Jan): plan the last run early.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- BC health advice line (HealthLink BC, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Silver StarSilverStar Mountain Resort
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- HealthLink BC (24 h)811
Embassy
No embassies on the mountain; the nearest consulates are in Vancouver. US citizens: consulate general in Vancouver (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kelowna airport → Silver Star, shuttle: about C$90 (≈ US$70) one way, about 1 h
- Vernon → Silver Star, ski bus: about C$20 (≈ US$15) one way, about 30 min
- Village parking: free in most lots; check winter restrictions
Say or show
- Thank you / Merci — Thank you
- Where is the lift? — Where is the lift?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- I need help — I need help
Most staff speak English; French is an official language but rarely needed here.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Silver Star. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Late Nov–mid-Apr for skiing; late Jun–Sep for biking and hiking · avoid Apr–Jun and Oct–Nov (lift closures, mud, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YLW: shuttle times, taxi fallback and the Vernon stop, field-checked.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street village, Comet Express base, Alpine Meadows, Silver Woods.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (lift hours, ticket windows, Nordic centre, bike park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Snow and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.