Glide into the snow globe, cross-country skiing at SilverStar
SilverStar Mountain Resort, BC Haven't we all stared into a snow globe, fat white flakes gently drifting over a colourful winter village, picturing ourselves in the scene? When you go cross-country skiing at SilverStar you can glide right into that scene, in what may be the most magical Nordic ski destination in North America.
"The setting is quite unique up here," explains Scott Lemon. Especially at night, where a four-kilometre loop takes you out and around the resort village. "You can really see the lights from the ski hill … you feel like you are skiing through a European town."
Lemon knows this place well. As the owner of the Village Nordic Ski Shop right in the heart of SilverStar's bustling village, he's made his life's work out of the cross-country offerings here.
"You have their snow lights, you get under these intense lights and get that feeling of speed with the air being a little bit drier and cooler at night."
Escape to the SilverStar snow globe
For magical cross-country skiing adventures
Whether you are a recreational Nordic skier like me, or you are just getting into it, the Night loop is a gentle trail, nothing too intense.
Simply click into your skis and you can escape the hustle and bustle of life and dissolve into the forest within SilverStar Provincial Park, for the chance of moose or white rabbit sightings and hundreds of snow ghosts.
With higher alpine trails, you can ski among snow ghosts like these.
If you are new to the sport of cross-country (or Nordic) skiing, no stress: the team within SilverStar's Snow school have got you.
Make the SilverStar Cross-Country Escape
With lessons and rentals on site, it's easy to get back on cross-country skis whether it's your first time or your hundredth. Learners especially will appreciate the snow school support.
"As a never-ever, we'll show you how to buckle in your boots," explains fifth year instructor Debbie Hunter, "to then getting the feel of the snow. Pretty soon, you are thinking you wanna get on the next trail. Our snow school has lessons for beginners, novice and advanced skiers."
Check out SilverStar Snow School to improve your Nordic flow.
When you get your night fix, the village of SilverStar not only welcomes you with some quality shopping, but an array of seven dining and après options. (Hit play on the video above to score a taste of the Nordic experience and SilverStar's Den Restaurant.)
Après in the SilverStar village tops off a nordic outing.
Snowed in just 20 mins from downtown Vernon in the North Okanagan of BC, SilverStar has been building an international following for its cross-country adventures for many decades now.
Here are a couple other things that make the SilverStar cross-country ski experience so magical.
High elevation cross-country ski trails
Given SilverStar is one of the highest Nordic ski destinations in North America, whether you are here in the heart of the season, late November or perhaps in April, you won't go wrong with the quality of the snow.
"We see a ton of people from the northern US, the Coast, and with our one-of-a-kind village setting, we welcome cross-country skiers from England, Norway and when I really think about it, we see guests from most of the world's Nordic skiing Nations," explains Lemon.
Sovereign to SilverStar race
One of the things that draws those visitors in from around the world is the Sovereign to SilverStar (S2S) race. If you are coming later in the season, you’ll want to put the this one on your dance card.
Happening the first weekend in April, pick your poison, a 21km or a 42km full send: the race connects SilverStar’s 55 kilometers of trails to the adjacent Sovereign Lake Nordic Ski Centre’s 60kms to make 105 kilometers of trails, much of which are groomed daily.
SilverStar's extensive cross-country ski trails
As the numbers above indicate, the cross-country ski experience here is top notch with trails connecting throughout the resort village, taking you out into the alpine and even offering lift-accessed Nordic skiing.
Discover more, find the SilverStar cross country ski trail map here.
SilverStar cross-country ski trail map
When you go
Trail tip: If you are here for a few nights, you'll have the opportunity for what I call SilverStar's "summit sender." Starting from the village, you wind your way up dedicated cross-country ski trails to the summit. Think Vancouver's Grouse Grind, but the winter version.
It takes me about an hour to ascend the 1,000 feet of elevation along the 10-kilometer Paradise Trail to the top.
The author, at the top of the "summit sender."
"It's pretty fun! You get lots of looks from those on snowboards or downhill skis, given they are coming off the Comet six-pack chairlift or the Gondola, and you just skied up," says Lemon.
Getting here
Driving from Vancouver, getting to SilverStar is a five-hour drive on the well-maintained Coquihalla Highway.
Regular flights and transfers come in via Kelowna, with SilverStar being accessible without a rental car via the Kelowna Concierge shuttle service (an hour transfer from the airport).
Where to stay
SilverStar offers tons of accommodation options up here "in the snow globe", and you can find the latest deals and options here.
Get social
Let us know what you find, tag @SilverStarMtnResort and @SnowSeekers in your posts so we might be able to feature you on our social media channels.
