6 Sustainable Travel Tips For Your Silver Star Holiday

1. Support Local 

We’re lucky to be surrounded by a huge range of locally-owned and operated businesses offering everything from coffee to sourdough pizza, to paintings and organic vegetables. You can make a positive impact and support the community if you eat at local restaurants, buy local products, and choose local experiences during your trip. 

The Okanagan’s hot and sunny climate makes it perfect for growing, and during the summer there is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables to savour. Visit the Vernon Farmer’s Market (every Monday and Thursday 8am-1pm) to pick up seasonally fresh ingredients and support local farmers. If you’d rather let someone else do the cooking, Cambium Cider Co has based their entire menu on regional farm-to-table ingredients. 

When shopping for your Silver Star souvenirs, opt for those made by local artisans to share your passion for Silver Star in an authentic way. The Village Boardwalk has a number of cozy shops and restaurants to explore, including eclectic Coldstream Dry Goods and kids’ favourite The Goody Box. Meander through the Polson Park Artisan Market (every Friday from May 19) for a wide range of locally-made pieces, or visit Vaz Art Gallery for a Silver Star-inspired print. 

2. Pack the Reusables

The most effective way to reduce waste is to bring reusable coffee cups, water bottles, and shopping bags. This reduces the need for single-use plastics during your vacation. (Top tip: Bugaboos Bakery Cafe sells colourful reusable coffee cups and Evolve stocks a number of handy reusable items.) Another way to save energy and conserve resources is to make the most of Silver Star’s composting and recycling facilities at the on-mountain Transfer Station. These are free facilities that can be used to reduce the majority of household waste.

3. Learn More About the Natural Floral and Fauna 

Silver Star is home to a host of wildlife including deer, moose, and black bears. Whether you’re hiking the Ridge Walk or wandering through the village, you never know when you could come face-to-face with one of these spectacular animals. Spotting wildlife may be an exciting and memorable experience from your Silver Star holiday, but to protect yourself and keep the animals safe, it’s important to learn how to behave around them.

Avoid attracting bears to your accommodation by keeping garbage, dirty barbecues, and pet food inside or locked away. If you come into contact with a bear or other wild animal, keep calm and give it plenty of space. If you want to take a photo, do so from a distance. Bears and other wildlife are naturally timid, but if they come too habituated to people, conflicts are more likely.

Top Tips:

• Keep garbage inside
• Keep dogs on a leash
• Drive carefully (bears love foraging on the sides of roads!)
• Talk or sing to avoid surprising a bear
• Hike in groups of two or more

For more wildlife safety information click here. 

4. Have a Longer Holiday

Extending your holiday gives you more time to relax and enjoy all the fantastic activities here, plus it’s better for the planet! Staying in one place for longer creates less emissions than high-frequency travelling, so why not make the most out of your stay? There are a plethora of exciting activities and experiences at Silver Star in both summer and winter; you’ll find it’s easy to spend days exploring the mountain. Whether you’re biking or skiing, shopping or eating, there’s enough on-mountain to satisfy everyone in your group. If you feel like venturing further, Vernon is a 25-minute drive away and boasts lakes, wineries, independent record shops, and attractions. It’s no stranger to good trails either (the Greater Vernon Area was recently named the Trails Capital of BC!), and local haunts include routes around Kalamalka Lake and Ellison Park. 

5. Use Public Transport

Opting for public transport is a great way to reduce carbon emissions — and it means you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the stunning mountain drives! 

Kelowna Concierge offers daily scheduled shuttle services from the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) to Silver Star, and are fully equipped for mountain driving with professionally trained drivers. Once you’re on the mountain, Silver Star is completely walkable. You won’t need a vehicle because you’ll find everything you need at your doorstep, including a spa, fitness centre, a market, and plenty of restaurant options. If you want to get out of town, Cheers! Okanagan Tours and Sip Happens Wine Tours offer wine tours of the region with pick up at Silver Star.

6. Travel In the Spring and Fall

For the ultimate relaxing getaway that is also better for the community, consider travelling outside of peak months. Off-season visitors help bring balance to the environment and the economy, and Silver Star is a beautiful location in both the spring and the fall. The mountain may be quiet, but watching spring emerge in May or witnessing the first snowfall in October are both wonderfully unique Silver Star experiences. It means you can spend less time in crowds and more time connecting with nature. Make sure to follow @destinationsilverstar to find off-season operating hours.

Words: Hannah Brinkhurst
Photo: Greg Huszar, Silverstar Veggies, Sebastien Brule, Lianne Viau, Paula Wallis