Big White vs Silver Star: which should you book?
For most skiers wanting a week of varied downhill, book Big White. It is the bigger mountain with the deeper, more dependable snow and a true ski in ski out village, all at a fraction of Whistler or Banff prices. Book Silver Star instead if you want a charming village, smaller crowds, world class cross country and the best value for a relaxed family week. Both sit in British Columbia's Okanagan within easy reach of Kelowna, so this comes down to size and snow against charm and calm.
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Big White wins overall for size, snow and a ski in ski out village built for a week of downhill. Silver Star wins for village character, a quieter mountain, huge Nordic trails and a slightly lower bill. Both are superb Okanagan value compared with Canada's marquee names.
Big White and Silver Star are the two best known resorts in British Columbia's Okanagan, and both are a smart, affordable alternative to Whistler and the Banff resorts. Big White is the larger mountain, high and snowy, with a purpose built ski in ski out village where you can leave the car parked all week. Silver Star is smaller and prettier, a colorful gold rush themed village at the foot of a varied mountain with one of the largest cross country networks in North America. Both are kind to families and easy on the wallet, so the choice is about the kind of week you want around the skiing.
The numbers side by side
| Big White | Silver Star | |
|---|---|---|
| Ski area | Around 2,800 acres, the larger mountain | Around 750 to 800 lift served acres |
| Terrain | Wide cruisers, trees and a steep cliff zone | Gentle front side, steep back side |
| Snow | Around 7.5 m a year of dry powder | Around 7 m a year, light and reliable |
| Village | Modern, large, true ski in ski out | Compact, colorful, ski in ski out |
| Cross country | Some trails | Around 100 km, among the best in Canada |
| Day pass | About $90 | About $80 |
| Nearest airport | Kelowna, around 1 hour | Kelowna, around 1 hour 20 minutes |
The skiing
Big White is the bigger and more varied mountain, with a generous spread of wide groomed cruisers, excellent gladed tree runs and a genuinely steep cliff area for experts. There is more terrain here and more of it to keep a mixed ability group busy for a full week. Silver Star packs a clever punch for its size, with a sunny, gentle front side perfect for families and improvers and a steeper, north facing back side that holds powder and challenges stronger skiers. Winner: Big White for sheer size and variety, Silver Star for a tidy front to back spread that punches above its acreage.
Snow
Both resorts enjoy the Okanagan's light, dry interior snow, the same champagne powder that makes British Columbia famous, and both are high enough to keep it cold and reliable through a long season. Big White records a touch more, around seven and a half meters a year, and its altitude gives it the edge on consistency and those eerie snow ghost frosted trees up top. Silver Star is barely behind and rarely short of cover. Winner: Big White by a nose, with both excellent.
The village
This is Silver Star's strongest card. Its village is a cluster of brightly painted Victorian gold rush style buildings right on the snow, full of character and genuinely charming to walk around. Big White's village is larger and more modern, with more shops, restaurants and accommodation, but it has the functional feel of a purpose built resort rather than a pretty town. Both are true ski in ski out, so you can park the car on arrival and not touch it again. Winner: Silver Star for charm, Big White for choice and convenience.
Families
Both are excellent family resorts, among the best value in Canada, with ski in ski out bases that make life with children easy. Silver Star edges it for a young family thanks to its compact, walkable village, gentle front side and calm, contained feel. Big White is also superb and offers more terrain to grow into, plus a large family friendly village and a tubing hill, so bigger families and mixed ability groups may prefer its scale. Winner: Silver Star for little ones, Big White for families wanting room to progress.
Apres and evenings
Neither resort is a nightlife destination, and that is part of their appeal and their value. Big White has the larger choice of bars and restaurants and a bit more of an evening buzz given its size. Silver Star is quieter and cozier, geared to family dinners and early nights. Winner: Big White for a little more after dark, though both are low key.
Cost
Both are among the best value resorts in Canada, and both land most travelers in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band for a week, flights included. Silver Star is marginally cheaper on lift tickets and tends to be quieter, which can mean better lodging deals, while Big White's larger bed base means more choice across the price range. Either way you are paying far less than Whistler or the Banff resorts for comparable interior powder. Winner: Silver Star by a small margin, both outstanding value.
Access
Both are reached from Kelowna airport, which has good domestic and some cross border connections. Big White is around an hour away, Silver Star around an hour and twenty minutes via Vernon. Crucially, the two are only about ninety minutes apart, so many visitors base in one and ski the other for a day, or split a trip across both. Winner: Big White for the slightly shorter transfer, but the proximity makes a combined trip the smart play.
The verdict
Book Big White for a week of varied downhill, because it is the bigger mountain with deeper, more reliable powder and a roomy ski in ski out village that lets a mixed group spread out and progress. Book Silver Star if you want a charming village, a calmer mountain, world class cross country and the best value for a relaxed family week.
Both deliver British Columbia's famous light snow for far less than the marquee names. See where they sit among the country's best in our best ski resorts for families in Canada and best ski in ski out resorts in Canada lists, read the full reviews of Big White and Silver Star, or browse the wider picture in our Canada destinations guide.
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Common questions
Is Big White or Silver Star better?
For most skiers wanting size and snow, Big White is better, with more terrain, slightly deeper powder and a larger ski in ski out village. Silver Star is the better pick for village charm, a quieter mountain, outstanding cross country and a slightly lower bill, especially for a young family.
Which has the bigger ski area?
Big White, comfortably. It offers around 2,800 acres of varied terrain against Silver Star's roughly 750 to 800 lift served acres. Silver Star still skis bigger than its size suggests thanks to a clever front to back layout, but Big White is the larger mountain.
Which is better value?
Both are among the best value resorts in Canada and far cheaper than Whistler or Banff. Silver Star is marginally cheaper on lift tickets and tends to be quieter, while Big White offers more lodging choice across price points. Most travelers land in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band for a week at either.
Which is better for families?
Both are excellent, but Silver Star edges it for young families thanks to its compact, walkable village and gentle front side. Big White suits families wanting more terrain to grow into and a larger village with a tubing hill, so bigger or mixed ability families may prefer its scale.
Can you ski both on one trip?
Yes, and many do. Big White and Silver Star are only about ninety minutes apart, both reached from Kelowna, so you can base in one and ski the other for a day or split a week across both. It is a great way to sample two different mountains on one affordable Okanagan trip.
How do you get to Big White and Silver Star?
Both are reached from Kelowna airport. Big White is around an hour away by road, and Silver Star around an hour and twenty minutes via Vernon. A hire car is useful if you plan to ski both, otherwise resort shuttles run from the airport in season.