• Scout Loves & Scout Tips
• Scout Review
• Big White Skiing
• Big White For Families

• Big White Accommodation
• Resort Activities
• Getting There and Around
• When To Go
• Facts & Figures

Scout Review

Big White ski resort's popularity has increased exponentially over the past decade or so. As a result, so has development of resort facilities and lodging options. Scout first visited Big White more than 15 years ago (and several times since) and the changes since then are amazing. We would estimate there’s been more condo development in Big White than any ski resort in North America, but this means endless options for families of every shape and size, and to suit every budget.

There are plenty of reasons why Big White is so popular. Sure, it can’t stake the claim to being the biggest ski area in Canada. Nor can it boast the most snow (even though its motto is “It’s the snow”). But Big White is about the whole package – it takes all the singular elements that other resorts claim, and does all of them really well, yet still maintains the charm and friendliness of a small resort. (There are some statistics that Big White can rightfully claim – including the biggest night-skiing area in Western Canada (38 acres/15ha), the highest resort village and highest ice-skating rink in Canada.)

It’s the proliferation of convenient condo-style accommodation as well as endless amounts of beginner and intermediate slopes that make Big White an excellent choice for families. Plus, a family of mixed abilities will be able to ski together – there is a green run from every lift in the resort. There are excellent facilities, including a world-class ski school, dedicated beginners area, large supermarket, and plenty of dining options to suit even the most fussy eater. And it’s easy to get around – there’s no need for a car and mostly you’ll never need to use a shuttle bus to get around the resort. If your kids are in ski school, they’ll even come to your condo to pick them up (for an extra charge of course).

Big White has an extensive amount of terrain (7355acres/3052ha) that has something for all abilities. There are 12 lifts – with five of these being express lifts and one gondola that connects the Happy Valley beginners area with the main village. In addition, there are two magic carpets and two tubing lifts. A total of 18 per cent of the terrain is for beginners, 54 per cent is intermediate, 22 per cent is advanced and 6 per cent expert.  A good deal of the terrain is groomed, but there’s also a huge amount that’s gladed. 

The majority of the mountain funnels down to areas around the Village Center or the Ridge Day Lodge. The western side of the mountain features long runs off the Gem Lake Express. This side can have variable snow in poor conditions and the chair is sometimes closed due to high winds, but it can get some of the best powder after a storm, and is a popular choice for locals.

Thanks to its inland location, the snow at Big White is relatively dry compared in particular to Whistler, which often has heavier snow. Big White receives on average 8m of snow each year – not a huge amount, but with the dry consistency it’s enough to make the resort market itself with the tagline: “It’s the snow”. Unfortunately Big White does get exposed to some pretty nasty weather, including fog – hence the popular nickname: “Big White Out”. When this happens it’s best to stick to the trees, or head over to the Black Forest express are where it is less exposed to the extremes. Though many of these up the top will be big “snow ghosts” (trees covered in ice and snow that form ghost-like sculptures), which prove useless in guiding you through the fog. It can get pretty cold at Big White, though not as frigid as resorts in the Rockies.

But groups without kids in tow shouldn’t be put off. Big White has something for everyone. There are some great restaurants with local produce and the nightlife is buoyed by hundreds (if not thousands) of Australians employed at the resort who enjoy après work as much as they enjoy après ski. Contact us at Scout for a quote for a family ski trip to Big White this season!

Big White Skiing

Big White is an intermediate skier’s dream. There is enough to keep them happy for days on end, including a lot of gladed areas in pockets throughout the resort. There are also lots of black runs that intermediates could get down without being scared out of their minds. The tree runs off the Easter Chutes are incredible on a powder day (and a good choice for those low-visability days), as well as the Paradise Glades (for leg-burning powder tree runs).

Beginners are also well catered for - in fact, Big White is one of the best ski resorts for first timers. A dedicated learning area at Happy Valley provides the space to learn, and once they’ve found their feet there are lots of easy beginner runs spread throughout the mountain. The Bullet Express is a great chair for those progressing from Green to Blue runs, and the Plaza Chair has a nice, slow unload meaning beginners don't feel rushed (the Green Runs down to Plaza Chair are also open for night-skiing so beginners don't miss out!). Talking about night-skiing, Big White has a considerable amount of terrain open for those keen to ski well into the evening (generally included in your life pass), and on a non-stop snow day, you can make some great powder turns.

Advanced and expert skiers will find some runs, including a few cliffs and chutes in the Gem Lake area, to challenge their skills, however it doesn’t have the same extent of extreme terrain found at other Canadian resorts.

Overall, Big White is a fantastic all-rounder ski resort for the whole family, particularly for those with varying ability levels and kids that are new to skiing.

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Big White For Families

We’ve said it a few times, but we’ll say it again; Big White is perfect for families. In fact, it is well-known throughout the ski industry as one of the most family-friendly ski resorts in Canada. Although it takes a bit of effort to get to (a flight to Kelowna and then a 1-hour shuttle to the village), once you’re there everything is easy to get around. There really is no need for a car. Many condos are close to the Village Center and if you can’t walk there, you most probably can ski there relatively easily. The Village Center is home to most of the services, including ski school, rentals, retail, large supermarket and many restaurants.

The ski school is well organized and has a cute clubhouse, where there are other activities for young’uns apart from skiing (such as a climbing wall) and where they are served lunch. All children in ski school wear GPS tracking devices, which is not only a great safety precaution in case they get lost, but it means parents can check at any time of the day from their phone to see where their child is and what they have done. We’ve no doubt kids love looking at their statistics at the end of the day!

Apart from skiing there are lots of other activities for families and non-skiers, including an ice-skating rink (Canada’s highest) and ice-climbing tower, tubing, horse-drawn sleigh rides and mini Ski-Doos. Kids will never be bored on a ski vacation to Big White! Check out our article on the Best Non-Snow Activities at Big White!

Big White Accommodation

If you want a condo in Big White you are going to be spoilt for choice. Plus, we would estimate it has the most private hot tubs of any resort, anywhere in the world. Seriously – every single condo seems to have one. The hot tub maintenance teams must be doing very well for themselves.

From basic value studio to the most luxurious, kitted-out five-bedroom condo - whatever style of condo you want you can get in Big White. Some are in serviced buildings with facilities such as a reception desk and swimming pool, while others have no extra facilities. There are also a couple of hotels (most of which have a combination of hotel rooms and studio-style apartments).

Almost all properties in Big White are conveniently located to the slopes. Many are ski-in ski-out while others are “ski-to ski-from”, meaning that it might require a few side steps and a bit of a push to get to or from the ski slopes, but you can generally keep your skis on most of the way to the building. Click here to find a map of the ski resort area and location of each Big White lodging option.

Use our detailed and independent property reviews to choose the right Big White ski accommodation to suit your needs and book your lodging and Big White ski packages via Scout.

Resort Activities

Most of the additional activities to be found in Big White are targeted at family fun. An ice-skating rink, 60ft ice-climbing wall, tubing and Ski-Doo track are located in Happy Valley.

For the energetic, there are some beautiful, groomed cross-country trails through the forests. It’s possible to explore the area for backcountry skiing, however we would recommend getting a guide, and obviously having the right safety gear and knowledge – avalanches do occur in the area.

As far as après activity goes, Big White has a good selection of restaurants and bars, from lodge-style laid-back apres to amped up evenings. The new Sessions Taphouse is a popular place for après, as well as Snowshoe Sams (Voted number one ski bar by 'Ski Canada Magazine' and best après ski venue in North America by the Good Skiing and Snowboarding Guide).

Getting There and Around

The fastest way to get to Big White is to fly to Kelowna and catch a shuttle up to the resort (55 mins). There are daily direct flights from several Canadian and US cities, including on Air Canada, West Jet and Alaska Airlines. The resort runs on-demand shuttles from Kelowna Airport where it’s also possible to rent a car. Transfers can be booked via Scout as part of a Big White Ski Package.

SilverStar Mountain Resort is also located nearby and another fantastic resort for families, and is an easy transfer between the resorts for those wanting to spend a little more time in Canada. Why not split your time between both for the ultimate Canada roadtrip!

If you want to make it a road trip, Big White is about a five-hour drive from Vancouver or 7.5 hours from Calgary. Silver Star and Sun Peaks make obvious choices for combining resorts, though there are plenty of others further afield.

When To Go

Big White’s ski season runs from mid-November until mid-April. The most reliable snow conditions are in January and February.