“Itineraries to Silver Star Mountain”
Toll Free: 1-800-610-0805
Located only 22 km from Vernon, Silver Star Club Resort is an increasingly popular overnight stop and summer destination. Nestled in the Monashee Mountains, Silver Star Club Resort offers stunning views of the Okanagan Valley, overlooking Kalamalka and Okanagan Lakes. Six great golf courses are located within a 40 minute radius and the city of Vernon is a short 25 minute drive, allowing you to shop and play in the valley during the day, escaping into the mountains at night. Our "mile high" elevation provides for cool, pleasant evenings, leaving the heat and the crowds in the valley below. Silver Star Club Resort includes the Vance Creek Lodge, the Silver Creek Lodge and the Chilcoot Lodge and Conference Centre and are the premiere properties on the mountain. Silver Star Club Resort is a four star complex with a total of 126 units including deluxe contemporary hotel rooms with two queen beds and one or two bedroom luxury suites with fully equipped kitchens. Two restaurants, a saloon and cocktail lounge are located on premises in the Vance Creek Building, including Clementine's for Fine Dining.
Just as exciting as our year-round facilities in the heart of Silver Star Village is our proximity to highway # 6, the most scenic gateway to the spectacular Kootenay region of Supernatural British Columbia.
In the past, only a small number of very knowledgeable tour operators and wholesalers have capitalized on this most scenic route through British Columbia to the Canadian Rockies. In the hurry to get to Banff and Lake Louise, most cliché coach tours (and motor homes) crowd the Trans Canada Highway, completely bypassing the most interesting and spectacular geography in British Columbia. On the southerly route through the Okanagan and the Kootenays, you traverse three mighty mountain ranges, including the Monashees, the Selkirks and the Purcells and follow turbulent rivers through lush mountain valleys and dense green forests. Visit the alpine city of Nelson, known by many Canadians as the most beautiful small city in Western Canada. With its story-book 1890's architecture, eclectic shops and excellent dining opportunities, Nelson makes a magical overnight stop. View the Kokanee Glacier as you enjoy the world's longest free ferry ride across massive Kootenay Lake. This route takes you through the Rocky Mountain Trench, past the headwaters of the famous Columbia River before entering the Canadian Rockies at Radium Hot Springs, only 90 minutes from Banff. This is real Canada! It's time to get off the beaten path and take a new look at Supernatural British Columbia.
Take a moment to digest the following itineraries that will lead you to wonderful new destinations and distance you from the crowd. Silver Star Club Resort is happy to assist with recommended attractions, meal stops, inland ferry times and key contacts throughout Southeastern British Columbia. We're more than a resort. We're your partner in travel. Contact us today and let's discuss your next program to British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies.
For more information, visit our web site at: www.silverstarclubresort.com
Sincerely,
Wayne Roberts
General Manager
Silver Star Club Resort
Phone: 250-549-5191, fax: 250-549-5177
Toll free: 1-800-610-0805
Email: info@silverstarclubresort.com
KEY CONTACTS
Reservations
Clara Snedden, Assistant Hotel Manager & Group Tour, Conference PlannerLocation
Silver Star Club Resort is located in the heart of the village on Silver Star Mountain. Central check-in and front desk/reception is located in the Vance Creek Building, 152 Silver Lode Lane.Mailing Address
Silver Star Club ResortPlease scroll down to view the attached itineraries.
Day 1
Depart from Vancouver on highway # 1 to Hope; take the Coquihalla highway to Merritt and then highway # 97C to Kelowna. A luncheon at one of Kelowna's famous wineries is recommended. In mid afternoon, tour to Silver Star Club Resort, with a mid-afternoon stop at Davison Orchards in Vernon. Overnight, Silver Star Club Resort. Vancouver to Silver Star - 470 km.
Day 2
Depart Silver Star through Vernon and take highway # 6 east into the Monashee Mountains. East of Lumby, follow the Shuswap River to Cherryville. (A rest stop is available here at the Goldpanner Café & Campground - and an opportunity to try your hand at "gold panning".) Shortly after leaving the Goldpanner, cross over the Monashee Pass (1189 meters) through heavy forest and begin the descent to Arrow Lake. (Arrow Lakes are actually the Columbia River.) At Needles, the free ferry takes you across the late (every half hour) to the tiny village of Fauquier. (Vernon to Needles, 135 km.) From Fauquier, a beautiful 57 km drive along the shore of Arrow Lake takes you to Nakusp, a quaint mountain community steeped in the history of early BC mining, river boats and railways. Nakusp is an excellent lunch stop, set on the shore of the lake and nestled beneath the west slopes of the Selkirk Mountains.
After lunch, continue on highway # 6 south and east to New Denver, another unique community established during the mining boom in the 1890's, located on the Shore of Slocan Lake. Slocan Lake is another BC gem, wedged between the Selkirk and Valhalla Mountain ranges, over 40 km long.
From New Denver, you can choose from two routes to your overnight stay in Nelson.
1.Continue south on highway # 6, through Silverton, another historic village on Slocan Lake and a booming community in the early 1900's. The highway climbs above Slocan Lake south of Silverton, offering stunning views of the lake and the Valhalla Mountains to the west. Following the Slocan River, pass through the tiny communities of Slocan and Winlaw and at Crescent Valley Junction, turn north (left turn) on highway 3A to Nelson. Nelson, called the "Queen City" is set on the shore of the west arm of Kootenay Lake. Beautiful stone and brick heritage buildings from the 1890's have been lovingly preserved and Baker Street is a classic tree-lined main street, with an explosion of flowers and friendly outdoor cafes. Overnight Nelson (New Denver to Nelson - 100 km)
OR
2.Take highway # 31 east out of New Denver and begin the climb over the spine of the Selkirks. This is high alpine and bear country. Near the summit you can pull over to see the dams and watercourses built by an industrious community of beavers. The descent from the summit takes you by raging watercourses down to the picture book community of Kaslo, set on the Shore of Kootenay Lake. The backdrop is provided by the craggy peaks of the Purcell Mountains and you will want to make a stop here. Visit the SS Moyie, a preserved "paddle wheeler" built in the 1890's and operated by Canadian Pacific Railway until 1957. From Kaslo, follow highway # 31 south along the shoreline of Kootenay Lake to Ainsworth Hot Springs and at Balfour follow highway # 3A south to Nelson. (New Denver to Kaslo to Nelson - 117 km)
Day 3 - Departing Nelson via the Kootenay Lake Ferry
This morning, backtrack slightly on highway 3A north to Balfour and take the free ferry across Kootenay Lake. Time the ferry for an "Osprey" departure, the largest ferry (built in 2000) with a 90 car capacity, indoor and outdoor seating/viewing and a coffee/breakfast/lunch bar. (Allow 30 minutes for the drive from Nelson to the ferry, 35km) and plan to arrive 20 minutes prior to the sailing. A bakery/café and a restaurant are located at the ferry dock. Osprey morning sailings are at 8:10 AM and 9:50 AM.) To the east are the Purcell Mountains, to the west the Selkirks and to the south and north, the huge reach of Kootenay Lake, over 140 km long. The ferry takes 40 minutes to cross the lake and as you approach the east shore terminal, look back across the lake for a spectacular view of the Kokanee Glacier. The ferry docks Kootenay Bay. Proceed off the ferry and continue on highway # 3A for 8 km to the village of Crawford Bay. Along the highway, with ample parking, is the Artisan's Village, including a broom factory, a forge, glassblower, pottery maker, and a local artist's gallery. All handicrafts are made on premises and this is an interesting stop. Depart Crawford Bay and follow highway # 3A south along the east Shore of Kootenay Lake for 78 km to the town of Creston. Creston is the second largest fruit growing area in BC, with excellent fruit stands. (Nelson to Creston, including ferry and artisan stop, approximately 3 hours) At Creston, join highway # 3 east, the Crowsnest Route to Cranbrook, then take highway # 93-95 north to Fort Steele, a fifteen minute drive. Fort Steele is a heritage village, located on a bluff above the Kootenay River near the site of the original village established during the Wild Horse Gold Rush in the 1890's. This is an excellent lunch stop. (If you take the 9:50 AM ferry, a lunch stop in Creston is recommended) After lunch, follow highway #93-95 north to Columbia Lake, the headwaters of the famous Columbia River. (An excellent viewpoint above the lake is easily accessed off the highway and can accommodate numerous buses and automobiles.) From the Columbia Lake viewpoint to Fairmont Hot Springs is ten minutes and only 40 minutes to Radium. (Nelson to Radium Hot Springs 360 km) To continue on to Banff, take highway # 93 through the heart of Kootenay National Park. Stunning mountain and glacier views line the highway and keep a watchful eye for wildlife. You join the Trans Canada at Castle Mountain Junction and travel east 30 km to Banff to end the day. Nelson to Banff - 490 km.
OR
Day 3 - Departing Nelson via the Kootenay Pass
1.An alternate route from Nelson to Creston eliminates the ferry across Kootenay Lake. The distance remains approximately the same but shortens the travel time from Nelson to Radium or Banff by about 110 minutes because you eliminate the ferry trip and the visit to the artisans at Crawford Bay. Depart Nelson via highway # 6 south to Salmo, then join highway # 3, the Crowsnest Route, east to Creston. Enroute, you climb to the summit of Kootenay Pass, the highest pass in Canada on a major highway, with a summit elevation of 1774 meters. Kootenay Pass is 400 meters higher than Roger's Pass and 100 meters higher than Kicking Horse Pass, both on the Trans Canada route. (Nelson to Creston - 124 km, approximately 90 minutes.) From Creston, continue to Fort Steele as above for lunch. Creston to Fort Steele - 115 km.
OR
2.After lunch at Fort Steele, backtrack 10 km south on highway 93-95 towards Cranbrook to the junction with highway # 3, the Crowsnest route. Take highway # 3 east to Fernie, the Canadian Rockies newest alpine resort. 95 km.
Day 4 - Departing Fernie
This morning, continue east on highway # 3, crossing over the spine of the Canadian Rockies via the Crowsnest Pass. (1396 meters) Shortly after entering the province of Alberta, (42 km) take highway # 22 north, paralleling the Cattleman's Trail through the rolling foothills with the Canadian Rockies providing an incredible backdrop to the west. At Longview, a famous ranching area from the late 1890's, stop for lunch, then follow highway # 541 west back into the Canadian Rockies, to highway # 40 north into the Kananaskis Valley, crossing the Highwood Pass at 2206 meters, the highest pass on any highway in Canada. Arrive at Kananaskis Village for an overnight stay, or an afternoon stop. If proceeding on to Banff for the night, continue north to Kananaskis Junction and take highway # 1, the Trans Canada, west to Banff. Fernie to Kananaskis Village - 321 km; Fernie to Banff - 421 km.
Day 2
Today, enjoy a full day of touring and exploring in the Okanagan Valley. View the amazing lake system of the Okanagan, including Osoyoos, Skaha, Okanagan, Wood and Kalamalka Lakes. Pass by thousands of acres of vineyards and orchards and visit famous Okanagan Wineries, Orchards and a "Cidery". Enjoy the blossom festivals of springtime, The berry harvests in June and July, apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines in July and August and the apples and pears in late August, September and October. The Okanagan is truly a place for all seasons.
Depart Osoyoos this morning north on highway # 97, with the first recommended stop at the Desert Centre. A guided tour on a 1.5 km boardwalk winds through the arid shrubs and desert grasses to four interpretive kiosks. You learn about desert ecology and the creatures that make the desert their home. Departing the Desert Centre, continue north on highway # 97 to Oliver and Penticton. Many excellent wineries along this route offer winery tours and excellent luncheon facilities. For a listing of wineries, wine tours and winery restaurants, visit the Thompson Okanagan Tourism web site at: www.totabc.ca and click on sights and activities, then click on Wine and Agritourism. Over 50 wineries are located in the Okanagan Valley.
After lunch, depart the Kelowna area following highway # 97 north. The highway hugs the shoreline of Woods Lake and climbs over the bluff to offer spectacular views of Kalamalka Lake as you descend to the small City of Vernon. No visit to Vernon is complete without a stop at Davison Orchards and Country Village, just minutes from downtown. Orchards are the heart & soul of the Okanagan and the Davison experience includes the village, Orchard Tours, bakery & restaurant. You can purchase the freshest of fruit and vegetables, pure apple cider, fresh baked loaves and pies, all baked fresh daily on the premises. Enjoy afternoon coffee or tea, a homemade snack or a glass of cider on the deck, overlooking the orchard and the valley below. For more information visit: www.davisonorchards.com From Davison's, follow highway # 97 to the north end of Vernon and turn right on 48th Avenue, which becomes Silver Star Road. Follow Silver Star Road 22 km to Silver Star Club Resort. Spend the night in this unique mountain village, inspired by the turn-of-the century Victorian architecture of B.C.'s 1890's mining towns. Spectacular views, lush mountain meadows and fresh alpine air complete this magical setting. For more information, visit: www.silverstarclubresort.com Osoyoos to Silver Star Club Resort, - 174 km
Day 3
Depart Silver Star Club Resort this morning to begin the journey back to Vancouver, following highway # 97 north towards Kamloops. 12 km north of Vernon, a morning stop is highly recommended at the historic O'Keefe Ranch. Founded in 1867, the O'Keefe was one of the largest cattle ranches in British Columbia, spanning over 20,000 acres of prime Okanagan land. Today, O'Keefe Ranch is a designated BC Heritage Site. Tour the O'Keefe Mansion, St. Anne's Church and the General Store; pan for gold or take a tractor ride around the property. A visit to the exquisite gift shop is a favorite for many. New in 2006 is the wine tasting bar presented by Hunting Hawk Vineyards. From O'Keefe Ranch, follow highway # 97 through the villages of Falkland and Westwold, joining the Trans Canada Highway at Monte Creek to Kamloops. The City of Kamloops offers many excellent choices for lunch. For more information visit: www.tourismkamloops.com After lunch, depart Kamloops west on highway # 5, the Coquihalla Route, to Hope, BC, where you join the Trans Canada Highway to Vancouver to end your Okanagan experience. Silver Star Club Resort to Vancouver - 463 km.
Day 1
Morning departure from Vancouver, follow the Coquihalla highway (highway # 5) to a Kamloops lunch stop. Kamloops, or "meeting of the rivers" provides many luncheon alternatives. In the afternoon, tour to Silver Star Club Resort via the Trans Canada, highway # 1 to Monte Creek (26km) and then highway # 97 through Westwold and Falklands, with a mid-afternoon stop at the historic O'Keefe Ranch, 12 km north of Vernon. From the O'Keefe Ranch, a 40-minute drive takes you to Silver Star Mountain Village and your overnight stay at Silver Star Club Resort.
Vancouver to Silver Star Club Resort - 464 km.
Day 2
Depart Silver Star through Vernon and take highway # 6 east into the Monashee Mountains. East of Lumby, follow the Shuswap River to Cherryville. (A rest stop is available here at the Goldpanner Café & Campground - and an opportunity to try your hand at "gold panning".) Shortly after leaving the Goldpanner, cross over the Monashee Pass (1189 meters) through heavy forest and begin the descent to Arrow Lake. (Arrow Lakes are actually the Columbia River.) At Needles, the free ferry takes you across the lake (every half hour) to the tiny village of Fauquier. (Vernon to Needles, 135 km.)
From Fauquier, a beautiful 57 km drive along the shore of Arrow Lake takes you to Nakusp, a quaint mountain community steeped in the history of the 1890's mining booms and the river boats that plied the inland waters. Nakusp is an excellent lunch stop, set on the shore of the lake and nestled beneath the west slopes of the Selkirk Mountains.
Vernon to Nakusp - 192 km
After lunch, continue on highway # 6 south and east to New Denver, another unique community established during the mining boom in the 1890's, located on the Shore of Slocan Lake. Slocan Lake is another BC gem, wedged between the Selkirk and Valhalla Mountain ranges, over 40 km long.
Continue south on highway # 6, through Silverton, another historic village on Slocan Lake and a booming silver mining community in the early 1900's. The highway climbs above Slocan Lake south of Silverton, offering stunning views of the lake and the Valhalla Mountains to the west. Following the Slocan River, pass the tiny communities of Slocan and Winlaw and at Crescent Valley Junction, turn north (left turn) on highway 3A to Nelson. Nelson, called the "Queen City" is set on the shore of the west arm of Kootenay Lake. Beautiful stone and brick heritage buildings from the 1890's have been lovingly preserved and Baker Street is a classic tree-lined main street, with an explosion of flowers and friendly outdoor cafes. Overnight Nelson (Nakusp to Nelson 147 km)
Day 3
This morning, follow highway # 3A north from Nelson to Ainsworth Hot Springs. Enjoy a dip in this natural hot springs, with a large outdoor hot pool. Enter the cave and soak in the source of the hot water as it flows out of the mountain. From Ainsworth, very scenic drive winds along the shore of massive Kootenay Lake to Kaslo, a wonderfully preserved mining town from the 1890's. Tour the SS Moyie, one of the original sternwheelers plying the waters of Kootenay Lake during the peak of the mining days. The Moyie has been graciously restored and rests on the lakeshore in the heart of Kaslo.
From Kaslo, follow highway 31A over the Selkirk Mountains to New Denver. Watch for animal life along this scenic byway. In New Denver, follow highway # 6 north and re-visit Nakusp, an excellent stop for lunch.
Continue north from Nakusp on highway # 23, passing Halcyon Hot Springs where you may wish to stop. Halcyon was a booming hot springs and wellness centre in the early 1900's and has been completely redeveloped as a hot springs resort and spa. Just north of Halcyon Hot Springs, take the ferry at Galena Bay across Arrow Lake to Shelter Bay and continue north to Revelstoke, joining the Trans Canada Highway, # 1 west. A stop is recommended at Craigellachie, where the last spike was driven to complete the Canadian Pacific, Canada's first trans-continental railway. From Sicamous, the highway winds along the Shore of Shuswap Lake to your overnight stop in Salmon Arm.
Day 4
From Salmon Arm, continue west on the Trans Canada to Kamloops, and then take highway # 3, the "Coquihalla" route through the Cascade Mountains. Near Hope, BC, rejoin the Trans Canada and at Exit # 135, follow the directions to incredible Minter Gardens. Minter Gardens, established in 1980, fills 32 acres with 11 individual gardens all lovingly sculptured around the varied landscape of the acreage, with stunning Mount Cheam providing the backdrop. Two excellent restaurants make this outstanding attraction an ideal lunch stop.
From Minter Gardens to Vancouver, a 90-minute drive takes you to Vancouver and the end of your Supernatural British Columbia adventure.