Published 4:30 pm Wednesday, October 28, 2026 North Okanagan residents know SilverStar Mountain Resort to be a winter paradise rivalling any other. They might be surprised at how many people from far and wide feel the same way about their local ski resort. SilverStar has been ranked fifth among the best ski resorts in North America in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, earning a score of 93.26 out of 100. The North American ranking lists 15 resorts. Deer Valley in Utah placed first with a score of 97.78, followed by Sun Valley in Idaho, Vail in Colorado and Whistler Blackcomb in B.C. With Silver Star in fifth, B.C. holds two of the top five places. Mount Washington on Vancouver Island placed ninth, giving the province three resorts on the list. The only other Canadian resort to crack the list was Lake Louise, Alta., which placed 15th. “A village that people live in year-round, alpine runs that still feel like yours on a busy day, and 105 kilometres of pristine Nordic trails. That’s what carries our story further than any campaign could,” said Michael Benedek, executive director of Destination Silver Star. Silver Star’s alpine terrain covers 3,303 skiable acres and 133 runs, with 760 metres of vertical drop. The village sits at 1,609 metres and offers ski-in, ski-out access from its colourful pedestrian village that is home to year-round residents. Silver Star’s Nordic trails connect with Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre to form 105 kilometres of groomed cross-country and skate ski trails, one of the largest combined alpine and Nordic networks in North America. The mountain receives an average of 700 centimetres of snow each year and is 22 kilometres from downtown Vernon in the North Okanagan. The ranking arrives weeks before the 2026/27 winter season, and snow is already on the ground. “We’re incredibly grateful to our community of guests, local riders and staff who help make SilverStar special,” said Ian Jenkins, director of sales, marketing, and events. “We’re proud to offer a mountain experience that brings people together, and it’s exciting to see SilverStar recognized among the top ski destinations in North America.” Accommodation, events and trip planning information is available at destinationsilverstar.com. “This ranking belongs to the people who live and work here: the lodge owners, the instructors, the restaurant teams and the families who call the village home all year,” added Benedek. “Fifth place sets an expectation. Our job this winter is to make sure every visitor who comes because of it finds the same mountain those readers voted for.”
Vernons SilverStar Mountain voted 5th best ski resort in North America
