Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Duane Grandbois

Near Naked Aussies Hit the Slopes

Jan 27, 2018 | 11:35 AM

Hundreds of half-naked Australians celebrated their national day by heading out onto Canadian slopes in nothing but their swimwear.

The annual event took place at SilverStar Mountain Resort and saw many visiting ‘Aussies’ and their Canadian “mates” bravely riding down the snow carrying Australian flags, inflatable Kangaroos and some with nothing at all!

With over 338,000 Australians visiting British Columbia annually there is no secret that our Commonwealth partners are fans of the area. SilverStar Mountain is most popular at this time of the year with its Australian visitors escaping the heat during their summer holidays.

Mountain employee Kristie Buckley has been living in Canada for 6 years and recently received her Canadian residency, “you wouldn’t want to live or work anywhere else in the world than here in the Okanagan! All my friends who have visited me keep coming back!”.

SilverStar Mountain Resort is welcoming its most number of visitors in recent years with extremely good weather conditions and a surplus of snow. The alpine base is over 2 meters and with non-stop snowfall we can expect more local and International visitors to the area.

Water Shortage
RDNO wants operators to seek water transfers as some have service shut off
5h ago
Vehicle Disabled, Man Arrested
Spike strip used to stop fleeing vehicle
7h ago
May 2027 Camps
NFL coaches coming to Vernon for Global Gridiron camps
9h ago
by Duane Grandbois

Other Matters

Water Shortage
RDNO wants operators to seek water transfers as some have service shut off
Agricultural properties in the North Okanagan are facing a new water supply challenge.The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) said some users in the area had reached their full seasonal water allocation and, as per Greater Vernon Water policy, their agricultural water service would be shut off.The RDNO encourage...
5h ago
Read More
Splash Around and Cool Down
Lavington Outdoor Pool opened over the weekend
A local amenity people use to escape the heat opened over the weekend.The Lavington Outdoor Pool faced several delays to its opening due to mechanical issues that needed immediate repairs.The pool's system was fixed and it was able to open and give people a place to cool off Saturday.The pool will remain open for use t...
7h ago
Read More
Vehicle Disabled, Man Arrested
Spike strip used to stop fleeing vehicle
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP had to disable a vehicle in order to make an arrest Saturday evening.At around 6 p.m. July 11, police received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked outside a residence on 25th Avenue.Police responded and located the vehicle travelling on 24th Avenue, but when officers tried to initiate a t...
7h ago
Read More
New Program
Okanagan College adding new medical lab programs with provincial funding
Okanagan College is expanding its health-care training options with a $1.5 million investment from the Province of British Columbia to help launch new Medical Laboratory Technologist and Medical Laboratory Assistant programs.The programs, expected to begin in September 2027, will provide students with hands-on training...
8h ago
Read More
Catch basin treatments
Second round of mosquito control underway
Mosquito control crews are back out across the Central Okanagan for a second round of roadside catch basin treatments.Crews are placing larvicide pouches in catch basins to help prevent mosquito growth and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus.Residents can also help by removing standing wate...
9h ago
Read More
May 2027 Camps
NFL coaches coming to Vernon for Global Gridiron camps
A local businessman and football coach will be bringing some big names in the sport to the North Okanagan.Global Gridiron will host football camps in Vernon and Salmon Arm on the weeks of May 20 and May 28, 2027.The camps will provide local athletes with a chance to learn from elite coaches to develop their skills and ...
9h ago
Read More
Upper Hand
Park Lakes wildfire east of Oyama Lake under control
A wildfire east of Oyama Lake has been brought under control after crews responded to the blaze over the weekend.The BC Wildfire Service says the Park Lakes wildfire was discovered Sunday, July 12, and grew to 1.7 hectares before crews were able to contain it.An initial attack crew, along with two helicopters and airta...
10h ago
Read More
Election 2026
Kelly Fehr seeking third term on Vernon City Council
A Vernon City Councillor will look to serve the city for a third term.Kelly Fehr announced he will again run for his seat in the municipal election in October.Fehr was first elected in 2018, and said in a release his decision to seek re-election stemmed from a commitment to help Vernon responsibly navigate growth while...
11h ago
Read More
Water Restrictions
West Kelowna moves to Stage 3 water restrictions amid drought conditions
West Kelowna has moved to Stage 3 outdoor watering regulations as drought, heat and high water demand continue to put pressure on local reservoirs.The restrictions limit residential irrigation to one day per week in an effort to conserve water supplies for essential indoor use, firefighting and other critical needs.Und...
11h ago
Read More

What Matters

Water Shortage
RDNO wants operators to seek water transfers as some have service shut off
5h ago
Vehicle Disabled, Man Arrested
Spike strip used to stop fleeing vehicle
7h ago
May 2027 Camps
NFL coaches coming to Vernon for Global Gridiron camps
9h ago
Election 2026
Kelly Fehr seeking third term on Vernon City Council
11h ago
Advocates for Agricultural Cost Supports
Coldstream still on the fence about joining municipal agricultural initiative
Jul 12, 2026