Fresh snow on opening day for Vernon's SilverStar Mountain is typically a good sign.
However, on Saturday, June 15, the mountain was dusted with a light layer of the white stuff, which was a surprise for mountain bikers looking to get an early start on the riding season.
Despite the snow, the mountain did officially open for the Saturday, as riders braved the weather to kick off the 30th season of biking on the resort.
However, the resort decided to close Sunday, due to " heavy snow forecasted and current snow accumulation."
It will re-open on Friday, June 21 for the official bike park opening.
Bike Park Opening Weekend features Slay The Dragon Trail Running Race, Solstice Sips and entertainment Saturday including Thunderclap from Niagara Falls, local favourites October Poppy and Brass Camel and headliner Jesse Roper.
Silver Star Saturday Music Series takes place over 13 weeks from 2 to 5 p.m. on the Nokian Community Stage June 22 to Sept. 14, bringing local and headlining acts with the help of Local Losers.
Indigenous songwriter Francis Baptiste takes the stage on June 29, The Boom Booms on July 27 and DJs Joanna Majik and Neon Steve on Aug. 3.
While out on the trails, riders and hikers will see more bears coming to Silver Star, but these are the kind that are fun to run into.
The Silver Star Bear Stewardship Group (SBSG), with the support of the Silver Star Property Owners Association, has installed skillfully made artistic bears around Brewer's Pond on the Bear Byway Trail.
Each bear is life-size, or close to it, and created by a well-known artist from British Columbia. The bears can be found climbing trees, rubbing against trunks and hanging out doing what bears do.
Speaking of trails, Greater Vernon is the Trails Capital of British Columbia.
And SilverStar is excited to open a new accessible hiking loop at the top of the Gondola this year, opening up breathtaking views and access to nature to even more guests.
The summer fun continues with the Soup 2 Nutz Duathlon July 6, Vernon Women's Enduro July 13, Brokenagan Backyard Ultra July 20, Crankworx Summer Series/SilverStar BC Cup/Canada Cup Downhill Aug. 2-4, Silver Star Beer & Cider Fest Sept. 7 and more.
More information can be found at skisilverstar.com/things-to-do/activities/bike-park