The Village
Located in the Monashee Mountains in south-central British Columbia, amongst snowcapped peaks climbing to 6280 feet, SilverStar Mountain Resort is nestled in a quaint village at 5200 feet. In the winter, skiers come from around the world to enjoy the snow, starting in mid-November. By the middle of June, the summer fun begins.
Dining
The village at Silver Star is a foodie's delight, with many places to find delicious food, great atmosphere, and wonderful cocktails. Don't forget to work off some of those calories by hiking or biking.
For those staying at the Snowbird Lodge, each morning brings the delightful aromas of just-brewed coffee and freshly baked croissants from nearby Bugaboos. Owner Frank Berkers opened Bugaboos 28 years ago, after many years as a baker in the Netherlands.
The croissant sandwiches are a must, with delightful fillings like spinach and feta, brie and tomato, or ham and cheese, to name just a few. However, the sweet treats such as cinnamon buns and cream puffs are highly ranked among locals, so save room for them.
If going out for an extended period of the day, grab one of their hearty Panini sandwiches to go. The sandwiches are served on freshly made baguettes and come in a mouth-watering variety: Italian (provolone, salami, Italian ham, sundried tomato), Dutch (gouda, ham, turkey), or chicken, cheese, and cranberries. The staff at Bugaboos is kept busy all day making more panini sandwiches to replenish the supply.
Perched on the upper level overlooking the village and the Monashee Mountains, this restaurant offers fine dining, signature cocktails, and a great wine list. Owners Brandon and Melanie Loughery and Executive Chef Jarred Sauve have teamed up to create special dishes with an international alpine flair. They also have several other restaurants in the area.
Black Pine Social has been featured at recent Wine Festivals that have been held at Silver Star. It is important to mention that Melanie is a sommelier and also owns an Okanagan winery. Melanie and Brandon make a great husband and wife team.
The ramen dishes could likely be the best ramen you will find! The Spicy Garlic Ramen is an excellent choice. It consists of corn, bamboo, cabbage, scallions, garlic, and red chili. It is all cooked in a rich, delicious chicken broth, and you can add extra options such as fried tofu, braised pork belly, chicken, or steak.
During a typical sun-drenched afternoon, it's very common to find folks relaxing outside on the patio enjoying a beverage. The pub food is great, and the atmosphere is friendly and laid-back. But make no mistake - there is seriously fine cuisine here.
Breakfast is served from 8:30 – 11:00 am and includes delicious options like the Biker Wrap (two free-range eggs, cheddar cheese, fire-roasted salsa, chimichurri crema, bacon, and hashbrowns all wrapped in a flour tortilla) and the Canadian Classic (two free-range eggs, two pieces of bacon or sausage, hashbrowns, and toast).
Returning for a lunch break is always in order. One of the most popular items that has been enjoyed for many years is the Red Antler Elk Burger. Another great dish to check out is the Tempura Tuna Maki Rolls. Light and tasty with avocado wasabi aioli.
One more meal? This weekend's dinner special was Crispy Bicol Express. This stew is a traditional dish in the Philippines. It is made with crisp pork belly, green onions, and cabbage, served in a delicious, slightly spicy coconut sauce. It is a custom in Chef Sanderson's kitchen that everyone on the kitchen staff is encouraged to bring recipes from their background. If the recipe is good – it will end up on the menu. I was very happy that the Filipino assistant chef had her influence on the menu for that day!
The story of the Bulldog Grand Café begins in Amsterdam in 1975 when Henk de Vries opened his first restaurant. The Canadian connection came about in 2006 when Henk went skiing at Silver Star and noticed a restaurant for sale. The rest is a very happy ongoing story.
Executive Chef Tyler Lafferty has been showcasing his cooking skills at different restaurants at Silver Star and in the area since 2001. He's been with the Bulldog for the last ten years. Because of the historical Dutch association with Indonesia, Chef Tyler likes to keep part of the menu focused on Indonesian cuisine. Tyler has traveled to Bali to get first-hand experience and to fine-tune some recipes.
The Bali Beef Salad and the Indonesian Rendang were excellent choices. The highlight of the Rendang is the house-made curry with lemongrass, kaffir lime basmati, and other toasted spices. The shrimp was an excellent pairing, although there were other protein or veggie options. Rendang is traditionally served on ceremonial occasions to honor guests. It was indeed an honor to enjoy this. The Bali Beef Salad with marinated beef, cucumbers, and other fresh vegetables was also excellent.
There are plenty of more traditional pub foods to select from and an extensive list of brews, wine, and cocktails to quench your summer thirst. The cocktail Harlem Jazz (made with bourbon and sweet vermouth) and the traditionally crafted Mojito were both refreshing and delicious.
Healthy and yummy pizza! That is what Dr. Wendy Olson delivers with her sourdough pizza at Pizza Gratta. Naturally fermented sourdough offers many health benefits, such as improved digestibility and less gluten than regular yeasted bread. Dr. Wendy uses her knowledge as a naturopath to create these healthy pizzas and turns the rest over to her family. Daughter Kyrsten is often found at the front end of the store, and Wendy's son Tyson is the main cook. However, husband Tim can be found helping in all parts of the operation. The menu features meat, vegetarian, and even vegan pizzas by the slice or whole pies. All their ingredients are non-GMO and locally sourced.
Outdoor Fun: Mountain Biking & Hiking
Want to explore the 43+ miles of downhill bike paths with trails for all riders, from beginner to expert? There is the high-speed chairlift or the gondola to get to the top.
Here are some stats: there are over 400 dirt jumps, 870+ berm features, and 45+ wood features. For first-time mountain bikers, there are plenty of mellow green trails to explore, and you can even sign up for lessons.
Want to watch the experts in action? Silver Star will host the Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival for the fourth time from August 2 to August 5, 2024. This four-day mountain bike festival will feature many events and challenges for all levels and ages.
Take a Hike
There are many different hikes to enjoy. A fun family hike in the village is the Gnome Roam and Bear Byway Trail. The hike loops around Brewers Pond, and there is no telling who you will see first. Maybe a bear or one of the many gnomes hiding along this short nature trail!
Want to take the chairlift or the gondola to the top of the mountain at 6200 feet and enjoy the wildflowers? There are 10+ miles of trails to explore. Of course, if someone is looking for more exercise, they can skip the free ride and hike over 1000 feet to the top of the mountain. 1000-foot elevation gain is a good workout.
Starting at the top of the lift, Milky Way, Prospector, Ridge Walk, Silver Queen, Village View, and Attridge Scenic Loop are popular hikes offering great views, and they are all under 1.25 miles long. These are hiking-only trails – no bikes allowed.
Another option is to combine some of these hiking-only trails with a multi-use trail like Paradise and get a six-mile hike in.
Summer Events
Wine Tasting
During the summer, local vintners bring their wine to pair up with local restaurants showcasing their food. Solstice Sips was a huge success this past June. Food, wine, and music in the mountains, this is something that should not be missed! Summer wine events have been and will continue to be one of the more popular annual summer events.
Mountain Bike Competition
Crankworx returns to Silver Star August 2-4. Watch elite athletes compete on the mountain.
Summer Music Series
Free concerts are held outside in the village every Saturday afternoon through mid-September. Here is the lineup for this summer.
Beer & Cider Fest
This end-of-summer event was a big hit last summer, attracting 21 British Columbia microbreweries, cideries, and even a distillery. A similar lineup is expected for this September. This is one of their core annual summer events.
There is so much to do here in the summer! The difficulty would be in getting it all in. If not accomplished this summer, one can also plan on returning to enjoy the powder in the winter.
Editorial disclosure: food, beverages, and lodging are generously provided.
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