From East Hill to SilverStar: Living Close to the Mountain
Quick answer: SilverStar Mountain Resort is about 30 minutes by car from East Hill. The resort sits about 22 km northeast of Vernon, so you can live in town, close to schools, work and the hospital, and still ski after work, spend Saturdays on the Nordic trails, or ride the bike park in summer.
For a lot of people, SilverStar is a big reason to live in Vernon at all. East Hill makes a practical home base: you're in town all week, and the mountain is a short drive away when the snow is good. Here's what that looks like.
SilverStar at a glance
- Location: about 22 km northeast of Vernon, in the Monashee Mountains near Silver Star Provincial Park.
- Terrain: 3,282 acres of skiable terrain across four mountain faces, with 132 designated runs.
- Summit: 1,915 metres above sea level.
- Nordic: SilverStar and the neighbouring Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre have interconnected Nordic trails, with parking areas about five minutes' drive apart.
- Summer: lift access for mountain biking and hiking, typically from the end of June through September.
For context on elevation, Vernon sits at about 400 metres. SilverStar's main parking lot is at about 1,620 metres, and Sovereign Lake's is at about 1,660 metres. That big climb is why there can be deep snow on the mountain while East Hill streets are bare.
Getting from East Hill to the mountain
From East Hill, you head north and east out of town and up Silver Star Road. Plan for about 30 minutes in good conditions. In winter, allow more time: the road climbs well over 1,000 metres, and conditions can change quickly from the valley floor to the top.
Winter driving tips for regular mountain trips:
- Use proper winter tires. Check DriveBC and the province's current winter tire rules for the routes you drive.
- Carry a scraper, brush, blanket and a charged phone.
- Check the resort's road and snow reports before you leave.
- Remember that your own East Hill street may be steep. A good driveway plan matters as much as the highway.
What "close to the mountain" means week to week
Winter
Living 30 minutes away changes how you ski. Instead of planning around big weekends, you can catch a few runs when conditions are good and still get home for dinner. Nordic skiers can get out for a quick loop on the interconnected SilverStar and Sovereign Lake trails.
Summer
SilverStar runs lift-served mountain biking and hiking in summer. It's a cooler escape from hot valley afternoons, and it's easy to combine with an evening swim at Kalamalka Lake, about 10–15 minutes from East Hill in the other direction.
Winter Carnival
The mountain even shows up in Vernon Winter Carnival tradition, which includes the "Queen Silver Star" pageant. The carnival runs for ten days each February, and the 2027 dates are February 5–14.
East Hill home or a mountain property?
Some buyers want to live on the mountain itself. Others prefer a town home with the mountain nearby. Here's how the two compare:
- East Hill: close to schools, downtown, the hospital and year-round services; walkable to much of town; a 30-minute drive to ski.
- SilverStar: ski-in, ski-out potential and a village lifestyle, but a longer drive to town for school, work and errands.
Sean specializes in SilverStar properties as well as Okanagan Landing waterfront and Big White, so we can help you compare both paths honestly. Our buying in East Hill page covers the in-town side of the decision.
Features ski families look for on East Hill
- Gear storage: a garage, mudroom or basement space for skis, bikes and boots.
- Parking and driveway slope: a flatter driveway is easier in snow, and a garage keeps the car clear on early mornings.
- Drying space: somewhere warm for wet gear, such as a heated basement or laundry room.
We feature Tim Jones, a fellow agent who lives in East Hill, as our local East Hill expert. He's a good person to ask about which streets work best for winter access. For the bigger picture, see our East Hill neighbourhood guide.
FAQ
How far is SilverStar from East Hill in Vernon?
About 30 minutes by car in good conditions. The resort is about 22 km northeast of Vernon.
Does it snow as much on East Hill as at SilverStar?
No. SilverStar's parking lots sit more than 1,200 metres higher than Vernon, so the mountain usually has far more snow than town.
Is SilverStar open in summer?
Yes. The resort offers lift access for mountain biking and hiking, typically from late June through September. Check the resort for current dates.
Weighing an East Hill home against a mountain property? Call or text Sean at 778-363-0542, or call the Sarah AI info hotline any time at 604-227-4810.
Featured photo: stock image from Unsplash, for illustration.
