Photo: Sean Phillips
Road, air and shuttle
Getting to SilverStar
About 20 minutes from Vernon and 55 km from Kelowna’s airport.
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One of SilverStar’s best features is how close it is to town. You can have breakfast in Vernon and be on the lifts in well under an hour.
Distances at a glance
| From | Distance and time |
|---|---|
| Vernon | About a 20-minute drive |
| Kelowna International Airport (YLW) | About 55 km |
| Vancouver | 441 km to Vernon (about 4.5 hours), then up the hill |
| Calgary | 556 km to Vernon (about 6 hours), then up the hill |
Sources: SilverStar Mountain Resort and Tourism Vernon. Allow extra time in winter.
Driving up
Silver Star Road climbs from Vernon right up to the village. Near town, the City of Vernon added a 3-metre multi-use path along the lower part of the road, from Pleasant Valley Road to Blackcomb Way, so walkers and cyclists have their own space.
In winter, treat it as a mountain drive. B.C. requires winter tires or chains on most highways from October 1 to April 30, conditions change fast with elevation, and DriveBC is the place to check before you leave.
Flying in
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is the closest airport, about 55 km away. YLW lists several ground transportation companies that run airport shuttles, including Signature Connections, Kelowna Transfers, Big Mountain Little Shuttle (November to April) and Cheers Okanagan Tours, and Tourism Vernon also lists Kelowna Concierge. Book ahead in peak season. Check the airport’s transportation page for current options.
Quick answers
How long is the drive from Vernon to SilverStar?
The resort describes it as about a 20-minute drive from the city of Vernon.
How far is SilverStar from Kelowna airport?
About 55 km from Kelowna International Airport (YLW), according to the resort. Several shuttle companies serve the airport.
Do I need winter tires to drive to SilverStar?
Plan on it. B.C. requires winter tires or chains on most highways from October 1 to April 30, and mountain roads can change quickly. Check DriveBC for current conditions before you head up.
Decided SilverStar is the place?
When you’re ready to own a piece of the mountain
This guide is about life up here. Sean’s other SilverStar site, Real Estate SilverStar, is for people who have made up their minds: every home for sale, building-by-building reports, ski-in/ski-out scores, strata fees and the real costs of owning.