Phenomenal conditions at Vernon's SilverStar Mountain Resort, more runs opening today and Saturday

Photo: Bree Vanderleest

Powder hounds are enjoying the best early-season conditions SilverStar Mountain Resort has seen in years.

Conditions are so good, the mountain will be opening more lifts and terrain today and Saturday.

SilverStar opened for the 2022/23 winter season on Nov. 18, two weeks earlier than planned – the earliest the mountain has opened since 2005.

“We haven’t seen early season conditions this amazing in years,” says SilverStar's Chantelle Deacon. “Mother Nature has been burying us with snow. Almost every morning we’ve been waking up to powder, giving us a base of over 115 cm to kick off December.”

Over just the past seven days, the mountain has had more than 90 cm of champaign powder fall.

As of today, SilverStar has the Comet, Silver Queen, Gondola and Alpine Meadows lifts open, and on Saturday the Silver Woods lift and Discovery Carpet will open.

Tube Town will open today at 3 p.m.

Powder Gulch and Home Run Tee-Bar open Dec. 10.

Night Loop XC lights will be turned on seven days a week from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The annual holiday light-up will return Dec. 10.

“We are thrilled to bring back our Christmas Light-Up again next Saturday,” Deacon says. “We will be bringing back fireworks after a few missed years. The event will also feature fire spinners, light displays, roaming entertainers, the Polson Artisan Market and more.”

The light-up will kick off at 3 p.m. and end around 8 p.m., with the fireworks starting at 7:30 p.m.

The mountain will also host the BC Winter Games Torch Light Parade Dec. 10.

“We will have a special torchlight parade coming down the mountain, ending with the lighting of the BC Winter Games Torch,” says Deacon. “Please come join us as we celebrate these incredible athletes and their accomplishments. “We are honoured to be a part of such a special moment in our community.”