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Vernon News

Silver Star bike park now open: New trails unveiled

VERNON - Silver Star Mountain Resort opened its Bike Park today and is now operating seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until September 1. All downhill (DH) and cross-country (XC) trails, with the exception of the very top of the DH trails, Double Dog and Shazam, are open. These trails are expected to open in one to two weeks time.

“Our trails are in prime condition and in fact, they are the best they have ever been for an opening,” said Cameron Sorensen, Silver Star bike park manager. “We had over 800 people at the resort for our bonus opening weekend and everyone had smiles on their faces.”

For the first time, XC riders will experience 5.1 kilometres of Silver Star’s newest XC trail network. For beginners, the new Explorer Loop adds an additional 500 metres of XC to the already existing Mountain View and Sidewinder trails, while for intermediate riders the new Silver Shack and Chakra add an additional 4.6 kilometers to the park..

Additional new XC and DH trails will open throughout the summer. A XC day pass costs $5 and season passes are available for $37.50. DH season passes are available for $389 for adults. For an additional $20, riders can choose a XC add-on. Full day tickets cost $43 for adults. New this summer is the 3-day Ride Card for $109. Season passes and the Ride Card can be purchased online at www.bikesilverstar.com or at Ski Dazzle in the village.

Competitive riders will have a selection of new races to enter this summer. As the BC Cup has been sanctioned as a North West Cup race, riders from Seattle and Washington will be able to earn points toward the overall NW Cup title. Emceed by professional mountain biker Brett Tippie and supported by Dunbar Cycles, Intense bikes and Momentum watches, the weekend will be action packed.  Competitors must visit www.ccnbikes.com to register.

This year the Silver Style Jump Jam will feature a Freeride Mountain Bike Association (FMBA) bronze-sanctioned event that will showcase the skills of international riders. The world-renowned competition is the highlight of Silver Star’s two-day festival held from July 11–13. Sponsored by Fox, Maxxis, Oakley and Rockstar, the weekend will feature a dirt jump jam, family events and a chainless race sponsored by the North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS).

“Silver Star has a long history of hosting top-level races and we’re thrilled to be offering so many new events this year,” said Ian Galbraith, summer business manager at Silver Star. “Young, aspiring riders have the opportunity to watch their favourite riders compete and can sign up for one of our top-end industry camps and be coached by the pros.”

On August 16, Silver Star is launching its first Norco Burney Ridge Enduro. The fun-natured, three-stage endurance race appeals to recreational riders with racing streaks and involves timed downhills.

Thomas Vanderham, a professional rider and one of the head coaches for Silver Star’s Elevate bike program said, “I’ve ridden bike parks all over the world and can vouch for Silver Star being in the top two in Western Canada. Their trail crew is a super dedicated group and the trails are always in great shape. Sometimes you forget you’re in a bike park.”

Silver Star’s bike park features more than 300 dirt jumps and 600 berms. Trails range from green (easy) to double-black (expert), from gently winding through wildflower meadows to adrenalin pumping runs packed with berms, table tops and features that challenge the hardcore rider. A four-bike carrier lift, Comet Express, allows access to 18 trails and 1,600 vertical feet of riding in under seven minutes. It runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the Summit chair runs from noon until 4 p.m. on Fridays to Sundays.

For a more leisurely outdoor pursuits, hikers can choose to access hiking trails from a chair lift or from the village. Trail passes can be purchased from Ski Dazzle ticket office.

New this year is an expanded food and beverage experience. For the first time, riders and hikers can start their day with a hot, hearty breakfast at Town Hall in the village and a barbecue lunch is offered by a food truck parked at the top of the Comet chair between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays. To top it off, there is a newly licensed patio at the Saloon so guests can enjoy a refreshing beverage under the warm Okanagan sun.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014
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