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Silver Star Mountain

Alpine skiing opening five days early at Silver Star

VERNON - The plan was to open Nov. 26 but after nearly 150 centimetres of snowfall, Silver Star Mountain is ready to open a bit earlier. The ski resort announced it would be opening three chairlifts and at least 25 runs starting at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, a full five days ahead of the...

Alpine ski season begins with opening of Big White, others not far behind

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Big White Ski Resort has officially opened for alpine skiing and several other local ski hills aren’t far behind. Big White opened today, Nov. 13, about two weeks ahead of schedule for alpine skiing, while Silver Star Mountain opened for nordic skiing yesterday and Sun Peaks Resort welcomed ski teams for alpine training...

Local ski hills are growing white

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - While some of us are still holding on to the last strings of warmer weather, those looking forward to skiing and snowboarding will be happy to know the snow is falling at area ski hills. All three of the big ski hills in the area — Sun Peaks, Silver Star Mountain and Big...

What an El Niño winter means for the Thompson-Okanagan

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - With autumn well underway it's hard to ignore the fact that it's only a matter of time before the snow hits, but with a strong El Niño expected this season winter could look, and feel, a little different this year. Meteorologists say the event may be a little overhyped but we could expect temperatures...

Elite pro riders at Silver Star this weekend

VERNON - Silver Star’s B.C. Cup Downhill Series race this weekend is set to be one of the best biking events of the summer, with close to 250 riders, including 30 pro racers, expected on the mountain.  The B.C. Cup races are a huge draw for downhill biking athletes who have aspirations to compete at national...

HELSTON: The Canadian Ski Patrol’s legacy is something that’s never leaving

It takes a certain kind of person to be a volunteer, and we’d be lost without them. From the search and rescuer who misses dinner with his family to help find a missing hiker, the listening ear on the other end of the crisis hotline, or the ski patroller who spends her weekend not knowing what kind of emergency she might be called to next — they are here for us, not for money, not for credit, but to help.

Why Silver Star Mountain won’t have Canadian Ski Patrollers this winter

VERNON - The volunteer agency that has been providing ski patrol service at Silver Star Mountain for the past 16 years will no longer be looking out for people on the hill. The resort is transitioning to a new service model that will replace volunteers from the Canadian Ski Patrol by adding four full-time, paid ski...

Boil water notice for Silver Star continues

VERNON – Residents of Silver Star Mountain are still being advised to boil their water following a advisory issued last week. Customers of the Silver Star Water Utility at the Village on Silver Star Mountain are being advised to continue to boil their tap water until further notice, according to a media release from the...

HELSTON: Ski coach did more than just peep on his students

The case of a Seattle ski coach who secretly videotaped his young students while they were changing at Silver Star Mountain is despicable, creepy, and vile, but perhaps the saddest part is that all those young girls were betrayed and let down by someone they trusted—their own teacher. He wasn't a strange pervert looking through...

Top 7 romantic places in Vernon

VERNON - From postcard perfect lake views to snow covered mountains, this picturesque valley we call home has no shortage of lovely locales. This Valentine’s Day, we’ve decided to celebrate the romantic locations our city boasts, and to help us round up the top seven we caught up with some local photographers. Who better to...

List of child porn charges against ski coach grows

VERNON - A Seattle ski coach with an impending trial in Vernon was indicted on more child pornography related charges across the border this week. On Wednesday, a U.S. federal grand jury indicted Jason Christopher Paur, 44, on five charges, including two counts of production and transportation of child pornography, and one count each of...

Silver Star bike park closes due to stormy weather

VERNON - Severe weather forced the closure of Silver Star Mountain’s bike park Wednesday. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the North Okanagan calling for heavy rain and thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday, though the alert has since ended.  A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for Vernon and may involve strong winds, hail...