Winter arrived just in time.
Steady snowfall in the last few days means Silver Star Mountain Resort will open for the alpine season Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
“Everyone’s chomping at the bit to get out there and go for a run,” said Anne Haight, sales and marketing director.
With more than 43 centimetres of snow falling within the last few days and a current alpine base of 78 centimetres, Silver Star will open 19 alpine runs serviced by the Comet Six Pack and Silver Queen Quad chairlifts. Additional runs and lifts will be added as conditions allow.
“The last few days waiting are always the hardest,” said Haight.
“It’s been almost eight months since the last run, so there’s always that pent-up anticipation. Our team can’t wait to see the lifts turning again.”
The resort’s nordic season began Nov. 21 and it now offers more than 38 kilometres of groomed trails.
To kick off the alpine season, Silver Star Resort is supporting the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation’s Light A Bulb campaign through its season opener lift ticket sale. Lift ticket vouchers are being sold until Thursday at the foundation office, inside VJH, for $20 per person and they are valid from Nov. 27 to 30. All proceeds go to the hospital.
This season also sees Silver Star join the Powder Alliance, which includes 12 U.S. resorts. Pass holders receive three free days of skiing at each resort.
“We are fortunate to have very loyal pass holders, and this is another nice perk for them to take advantage of,” said Haight, adding that Silver Star has signed a new partnership deal with Heineken, a division of Molson Canada.
“We’re excited to be able to align our emerging brand with one of the world’s most recognizable brands.”
Both parties plan to develop several on-mountain events.
Once the lifts start, it’s all hands on deck for its 70 full-time staff and more than 500 seasonal employees as the event calendar kicks off with the annual Christmas Light-Up celebrations Dec. 6.
Other highlights include the 34th Annual Over The Hill Downhill recreation ski race in February and the B.C. Freestyle Championships and Freestyle Junior Nationals in March and early April.
