Photo: Contributed

You might be more familiar with skiing at Silver Star Mountain – or this time of year, mountain biking.

But did you know you can also ride the gondola to a mountaintop museum?

Crowds gathered at "The Lookout" at the summit of Silver Star on opening day to enjoy new exhibits, picnic with friends and take in the spectacular views.

The museum is located at the old forest fire lookout at the top of the mountain and offers a great spot for a picnic while discovering more about the long history of fire prevention and mining on Silver Star.

Three new outdoor storyboards have been added to enlighten locals and visitors.

Find out about the first forest fire lookout packed to the summit by horses and the phone line strung through the trees in the early 1900s.

In the windows, there are also photos of past summer and winter activities and memorable times on "the Star."

You can also take a self-guided walking tour of historical exhibits on the mountain. Maps can be picked up in the hotels and shops in the village.

Want more Silver Star history? There are more displays and videos available at the Pinnacles Suites (original day lodge), Vance Creek lower lobby and stairway gallery, and Chilcoot Lodge lobby.