Christmas holidays are well underway, but the best is yet to come at Silver Star Mountain Resort.
Up until Dec. 25, about 3,000 people a day had been at the resort, but that is expected to swell to 5,000 or more people a day over the coming week.
“We’re ramping up to New Year’s Eve and beyond,” said Anne Haight, director of sales and marketing.
“We’re on par with where we were at this time last year.”
While many of the skiers and snowboarders are from the Okanagan, many are coming from Vancouver, largely because coastal resorts are lacking snow.
“We’re 100 per cent open,” said Haight of Silver Star’s 116 runs and a snow base of 123 centimetres.
“The conditions are fantastic.”
There is also an international feel to the resort.
“Our Australian friends start arriving between now and the end of January,” said Haight.
“The ski-in, ski-out service is a big factor for them.”
Similar to the Lower Mainland, there isn’t a lot of snow in Washington State and skiers from there are heading to the Star.
And there is plenty to do even if you don’t ski.
Proving popular are careening down Tube Town, skating on Brewer’s Pond, snow shoeing and soaking up the atmosphere in the village.
Huge crowds are anticipated at Silver Star Wednesday for the annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza.
“This is a great time for families,” said Haight, adding that public safety during the event is paramount.
The torchlight parade and fireworks display begin at 8 p.m.
More than 100 skiers will make their way down Milky Way and the face of Silver Star, converging in the village for the fireworks display.
Accommodations for New Year’s Eve are fully booked.
