Big White Skiing & Snowboarding Resort Guide
Interior British Columbia is famous for its deep powder and great tree skiing and snowboarding. Big White delivers on this reputation, and also offers great family friendly facilities to locals and visitors alike. Big White is located about an 60 minute drive east of the town of Kelowna, which has its own airport. The terrain is not as steep or extreme as many other British Columbia resorts, however, the grooming, beginner terrain, and intermediate terrain is top notch. Beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders will love to explore all over the mountain.
Big White has a great selection of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. The mountain is awesome for beginners and intermediates especially. Below the mountain village, in the Happy Valley area, there is a beginner learning area that is nice for those skiers and snowboarders making their first turns. Stronger beginner riders have a ton of terrain on the main part of the mountain to explore, too. Unlike some ski and snowboard areas, the beginner terrain at Big White is spread out all over the mountain, including all the way to the summit. The Bullet Express lift is a great place for beginners to cruise around and hone their skills. On clear days, the Alpine T Bar is a must do for beginners, offering great views on Big White’s summit.
Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will love Big White, too, with more than half of the runs rated for intermediates. The parallel Snow Ghost and Ridge Rocket chairlifts access mostly intermediate terrain, as well as the rest of the mountain. On the far skier’s left side of the mountain, the Black Forrest Express chairlift is a great place for to explore. The runs here can help intermediates get a taste of the off piste skiing and snowboarding, weaving in and out of the trees.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders will not find an abundance of scary steep terrain at Big White, however, there is definitely plenty of fun terrain. The Gem Lake Express is the place to be. This chairlift serves a huge 2,333’ of vertical drop. Sun Rype Bowl is rated intermediate, but riding in the snow covered trees, called snow ghosts is fun for anyone. On clear days, the Cliff Chair off of the mountain’s summit has the steepest and most challenging terrain at Big White.
Big White is located about a 60 minute drive from the city of Kelowna, and about five hours from Vancouver. This means that Big White is one of the closest Interior BC ski and snowboard areas to Vancouver, because of its location on the eastern edge of the Canadian Rockies. The Kelowna International Airport is close by for skiers and snowboarders coming from farther away. The resort offers shuttles from the airport, too.
Travel Resources:
Getting to Big White
Airport Shuttle
Big White is located about a 60 minute drive from the city of Kelowna, and about five hours from Vancouver. This means that Big White is one of the closest Interior BC ski and snowboard areas to Vancouver, because of its location on the eastern edge of the Canadian Rockies. The Kelowna International Airport is close by for skiers and snowboarders coming from farther away. The resort offers shuttles from the airport, too.
Getting to Big White
Airport Shuttle
There are lots of lodging options available at Big White, ranging from hotels to condos. In the mountain village there a lot of ski-in-ski-out options, which are great for convenience and for getting the family out to the slopes in the morning. Many of the other mountain village lodges and hotels are a short walk or shuttle ride to the slopes. For those road-tripping or on a tight budget, Kelowna has more options, including larger value hotel brands. Big White offers lodging packages that include lift tickets, keep an eye on these to help save some money.
Big White Lodging Overview
Deals and Packages
Deals and Packages
Our Favorite Snowboards for Big White
Local Food Picks
Big White has a standard accompaniment of restaurants and bars for visiting skiers and snowboarders. One unique services offered at Big White is grocery delivery; The Market at Big White can stock your condo with food and alcohol when you arrive. As for restaurants, the Globe Cafe and Tapas Bar is a tasty apres spot. The Moose Lounge in the Happy Valley lodge is a good family restaurant.
Our Favorite Skis For Big White
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Big WHite?
Big White ski and snowboard lift tickets are moderately priced. Youth, children, seniors, and students all receive discount Big White lift tickets, too, which makes family trips a little bit lighter on the wallet. For the best value, purchase Big White lift tickets online in advance.Big White Conditions & Weather Information
Big White sees a big average annual snowfall of 295” which delivers lots of classic British Columbia powder days throughout the winter. As is also common in BC, Big White has a lot of foggy days. This can mean low visibility for skiers and snowboarders. When the fog hits and the visibility drops, head for the trees and glades.Big White Ski Report
Big White is a great destination for BC bound skiers and snowboarders, and families especially. The nice slopeside accommodations and good variety of terrain are perfect for families looking to plan a British Columbia vacation. The nearby Kelowna airport makes Big White easy to get to as well.
