Silver Star and Sovereign Lake: A Special Relationship

Silver Star Mountain Resort and Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre are neighbours.  They share a boundary and a mountain that is blessed with reliable and abundant snow.  Each area has maintained its own unique identity and ambience but they have developed a mutual relationship that benefits each of them and the skiers who have the good fortune to enjoy their facilities and amazing network of Nordic trails.

Trails maps where Sovereign Lake and Silver Star trails connect

“Our relationship reminds me of a family”, says Guy Paulsen, Nordic Manager at Silver Star Mountain Resort, referring to the liaison between Silver Star and Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre.  “We are related through our history and passion for skiing; we have our highs and lows but we never give up on each other.  We move forward together”

The relationship that these two very different but compatible Nordic ski areas have developed makes their combined facilities, as Guy says, “unique to the globe”.  But it’s more than just the connected network of 105kms of cross-country trails that make this partnership so special; it’s a sharing of resources and expertise, essentially all things that enhance the sport of Nordic skiing.

Upper trails, ample snow and meticulously groomed

Although Silver Star is best known as an alpine ski area, Nordic skiing has been part of the big picture for 30 years.  From 1985 to 1996 most of the Nordic trail system was developed as part of the master plan for the resort.    Silver Star’s other resources such as a well-developed marketing department are used to benefit both Nordic ski areas. 

Mountain View Cabin on Silver Star Nordic trails

Sovereign Lake began in 1938 when Vernonite, Carl Wylie, organized a club of backcountry skiers.  The City of Vernon donated a log cabin built at Vernon Lake to the club.  The lake was later renamed Sovereign Lake, acknowledging local winter sports enthusiast, Bishop Arthur Sovereign.  During the 50’s and 60’s Nordic skiing virtually disappeared as alpine skiing became popular but was revived again in the 70’s by the North Okanagan Cross Country Ski Club.  The members put in endless volunteer hours developing trails, and by the 80’s had acquired a track setter and begun ski programs.  In the 90’s a day lodge was constructed and utilities installed. 

Day Lodge at Sovereign Lake



New Captik Cabin on upper Silver Star trails close to Sovereign trails

The Sovereign Lake Nordic Club operates the Nordic Centre.  By purchasing a season pass or a dual season pass (for Nordic skiing at Sovereign Lake and Silver Star) individuals become members of the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.  General Manager Troy Hudson oversees day-to-day operations and reports to an elected Board of Directors.

The current Chairman of the Board, Brian Wills, describes one successful cooperative initiative for both Sovereign Lake and Silver Star. “The Super Camps, cross-country camps for all abilities and fitness levels held mostly in November and December, attract skiers from all over North America as well as locals” Brian reports.  “It is a joint venture.  We share terrain, facilities, instructors and financial arrangements.  With 17 top-notch instructors, some of the best early season snow in North America and great accommodations at Silver Star, it has become a great success.”

Black Prince Cabin on Sovereign Lake trails

Groomers from both areas get together annually to share knowledge and techniques.  As a result grooming throughout the combined trail system has been standardized. Skiers likely do not notice any difference in the grooming when they cross the borders between the areas. 

From an organizational perspective, Sovereign Lake can hold Nordic events.  It has the physical set up for large events, access to sources of funding and a large army of skilled volunteers to take on all the tasks.  To complement this, Silver Star has accommodation, a fitness centre and other amenities.

Sovereign Lake, designed to host large Nordic skiing events

Each area has its own distinct flavour.  Silver Star has its cafes, restaurants and shops.  There are other activities and distractions, alpine skiing, tubing, skating, snowshoeing and even bowling.  Meanwhile just down the trail on the other side of the mountain, Sovereign Lake offers a friendly, folksy feel, with families enjoying their bag lunches beside the wood stove.  Guests help themselves to mugs from the cupboard, and coffee for $1.50 or heat up tasty soups made by a local caterer.

 

And those of us that ski here not only enjoy the largest network of daily groomed cross-country trail network in Canada, exceptional grooming, and a long season of reliable snow, we have the best of two different worlds that are connected.  And both are stronger because of their unique relationship with each other.