Bowling shoes at Pinheads Bowling in SilverStar Mountain Resort.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Heather Angel
October 18, 2022 - 6:00 AM
A bowling alley at SilverStar Mountain Resort in Vernon is closing after a decade in operation.
Pinheads Bowling, located in the resort village on Monashee Road, was attached to Final Run Bar & Bistro but is currently being taken apart and sold piece by piece.
“It is very sad because we were always proud to be the only ski-in and ski-out bowling alley we’ve heard of and I thought it was a feather in the cap for SilverStar,” said owner Duncan Miller.
Miller and his family live in Australia but come to ski Silver Star every ski season to have fun and operate the bowling alley with the help of a local couple.
Personal and financial factors are behind its closure.
“Things took a dive during COVID and we just didn’t bounce back,” he said. “I am getting closer to retiring. All four kids are grown up and not around much to help run things.”
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Miller has been trying to sell the bowling alley for four years, hoping SilverStar or another couple will keep it going but to no avail.
While bowling is a fun and unique activity to offer at a ski hill, Miller said it is tricky to successfully operate.
“The problem is when you start a first bowling alley it is a financial struggle but the second one you open is spot on,” he said. “The building we bought here housed four lanes but to be successful we would need ten lanes.”
“I suppose not many people want to take on a bowling alley. I loved it but with a five-month season it was driven by my passion to be here with my four boys and ski.”
It is the second bowling alley in Vernon to close this year. Lincoln Lanes announced it was up for sale last month after 50 years in operation.
READ MORE: 50 years in the family: Vernon bowling alley now up for sale
Miller is sad to see the bowling alley shut down but has treasured memories.
“People always came in after big ski days to grab a drink and relax and bowl,” he said. "We had a lot of fun here.
“I am very touched the news of its closing has prompted a supportive response from those who made great memories spending time here and are disappointed to see it close.”
Miller is keeping half ownership of Final Run Bistro & Bar. The bowling alley will be turned into smaller suites and rented out to businesses.
Miller started the bowling alley because he loves his kids, bowling and skiing.
“It was a fun thing to do,” he said. “My wife and I first came to Silver Star after reading a review saying it was in the top five places in the world for families to ski.”
Miller has sold a pinball machine and other odds and ends, but there are still pieces for sale including sheets of plywood flooring, commercial equipment, tables, Pinheads hoodies and clothing and bowling balls.
He is looking for someone to run the bar and bistro.
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