you might have to stay in Vernon if you plan to be at Silver star over new years.. they may be all booked ditto big white .. we have gone to Sstar many times for NY's and it really gets booked over the holidays... the company that owns both mountains has a bus that runs between the two so if you stay at one you can do a day skiing at the other.. I know they had helicopter serice before between the two but that would really be pricey...

suggest you go to www.hellobc.com and put either big white or silverstar in search box you will get direct link to either mountain and to accomodation etc...to drive from one mountain to the other would be about 2 hours. as to difference between the mountains I would say sstar is more laid back "family" oriented and big white is a bit more "happening".. just my opinion based on info from many I know who have skiied bdoth.

You may want to check out Okanagan Seasons Resort. It is located in Kelowna at the corner of Highwat 97 and 33. Would be about 45 minute drive to Big White and maybe 1 hour to Silver Star. It is a motel style complex and probably have a web site.

I agree that Silver Star more family oriented and Big White is party mountain. Enjoy yourself.