SilverStar Open Early with Bonus Weekend Nov. 21 & 22

SilverStar is welcoming skiers and snowboarders to the 2015-16 winter season early with a bonus weekend on Nov. 21 and 22 and 50 per cent off lift tickets.
With a 72cm alpine snow base and a 148cm cumulative snowfall to date, the resort will be opening up three chairlifts and a minimum of 25 runs at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
“We are thrilled to offer our alpine passholders and guests this bonus weekend prior to the official start of our 2015-16 winter season,” said Anne Haight, SilverStar’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “The entire SilverStar team has pulled together so skiers and boarders can enjoy first tracks this Saturday. The season is certainly shaping up to be a good one.”

To celebrate the new season and because not all 131 runs are open, the resort is offering 50 per cent off lift tickets. In addition, the rental shop has bonus weekend specials of 25 per cent off rentals and 25 per cent off ski and board tune-ups at Double Diamond.
With snow falling steadily over the past two days and more in the forecast, more than 25 runs may be open in time for November 21. Visitors are encouraged to check the SilverStar grooming reports online.
Many of the resort’s food and beverage outlets will be open for the bonus weekend, including The Red Antler, SilverStar’s newest restaurant and pub.
After the bonus weekend, SilverStar will close for three days and open on Thursday, November 26 for full winter season daily operations.
Cross-country skiers have been enjoying the trails since Nordic opening on November 12. Currently, the majority of cross-country and snowshoeing trails are open and fat biking is available on two of the mountain’s multi-use trails: Bridle Path and Chakra.
“As the snow base accumulates almost daily, we’re able to groom more trails all the time,” said Guy Paulsen, winter sports manager. “For snowshoeing, all the trails are accessible and we’re currently at about 50 km for cross-country.”
The SilverStar Nordic trails, in combination with Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, form Canada’s largest continuously groomed cross-country ski network. Sovereign and SilverStar also combine their efforts to offer XC SuperCamps, recognized as one of Canada’s best Nordic skiing training programs.

Silver Star Family Snowsports Academy

The thousands of kids at Inter Schools are testament to the booming popularity of snow sport competition, and for those looking to take things to the next level Silver Star’s Family Snowsports Academy Canada (FSAC) program is kicking lots of goals not just with the kids; with great snow, great terrain and a unique on-snow village it offers plenty for parents too.

you can’t beat the one-to-one customised coaching, but it’s not all gate bashing – parks, freeride, whatever silver star will rock the kids’ socks off © silver star

Silver Star has been the training home of winning winter athletes for nearly 60 years. Legendary for annual snowfall of more than 7 metres of Okanagan “champagne” powder over 4 mountain faces, each with its own signature terrain, it serves up a big mountain experience and friendly on snow small-town ambiance.
For young Australian racers developing their competitive skills and looking for a winning edge, nothing beats off-season custom coaching on brilliant snow and progressive terrain. The Family Snowsports Academy Canada (FSAC) program makes the experience even better, as the entire family can improve their skills while enjoying a winter getaway.
Young racers attending FSAC receive coaching built on more than a decade of successful delivery of Australian-focused programs and camps. Program participants can expect coaching wholeheartedly dedicated to fostering winning Interschools racers.
Endorsed by Ski and Snowboard Australia, FSAC builds solid fundamental techniques in a fun program that cultivates passionate lifelong skiers and snowboarders. Tailored to work with the Interschools disciplines of Alpine and Snowboard GS, as well as Skiercross and Snowboardcross, Silver Star’s 8.5 hectare Rockstar Terrain Park also provides a safe learning environment for children looking to develop their Freeride and Terrain Park skills.
“The Family Snowsports Academy Canada Program at Silver Star has seen big successes over the years,” explains Norman Kreutz, director of the Silver Star Snow Sports School. “Our program was designed to develop the athlete’s technical skills which in turn creates a confidence they can carry forward into their chosen discipline. Coaches develop a bond with each athlete that will follow them for a lifetime.”
The program allows skiers the opportunity to take advantage of all the resort offers, including a permanent race centre and over 128 runs for every ability level: from the gentlest of groomers to 55 of the fiercest black and double black diamond powder-filled chutes. Toss in reliable snow, lack of crowds and very affordable ski in/ski out accommodation options and it’s a winning combination.
Where the FSAC program really shines, though, is in the one-to-one customized coaching children receive. Recently revised under Kreutz’s direction, the program will again be conducted for a 4 week period in December and January of the 2015/2016 Ski Season.
The structure and delivery of the FSAC program are major factors in student success. Running from Monday to Friday each week with group sizes limited to six athletes per coach, the program carefully customizes the athlete experience to cater to all levels: from those taking their first steps into the joys and challenges of competition to serious racers looking to fine-tune their skills and technique.
Parents’ Academy
But wait, there’s more – not just for the junior athletes in the family, FSAC also creates a uniquely fun and enjoyable experience for mums and dads with its optional Parents’ Academy component. It’s a fantastic way for families to meet like-minded parents whilst getting together and enhancing their own ski technique in a pleasant and social environment.
“I can honestly say I learned more about my skiing and my attitude towards skiing in those four days than in my entire life,” said Chris Bonham, FSAC Parents’ Academy participant.
Selecting a race-training program is as much about what the resort can offer the entire family as it is about the quality of the training program. Silver Star is a popular destination for families seeking a true and authentic Canadian winter experience, whether they are discovering winter for the first time, or reacquainting with fond childhood memories.
The innovative all-inclusive lift ticket and season pass introduced last year lets families enjoy a wide variety of activities all included in their alpine day lift ticket or season pass. From unlimited access to 55km of world-class Nordic trails, a 16 km network of dedicated snowshoe trails, ice skating on a frozen mountain pond, exhilarating tubing at the expansive Tube Town Adventure Park, and Fat Biking on 10 kilometres of trails there’s plenty of other on snow options included.
After the kids have ripped up the mountain during the day, they can enjoy the challenge of indoor climbing at the National Altitude Training Centre, family night at Tube Town, or a friendly game at Pinheads Bowling Alley. In addition, there are many free activities like arts and crafts nights or story time by the bonfire in the heart of the village.

The Ticket
Getting to Silver Star is simple for international visitors, fly to Kelowna 45 minutes away.
Flights www.aircanada.com
Resort www.skisilverstar.com
Packages www.snowcapped.com.au www.travelplan.com.au