Big White Ski Resort is a world-class resort located just 56 km southeast of Kelowna, in the center of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. The Big White Village Centre offers accommodation, eateries, bars and shops. Big White is the sister resort to Silver Star Mountain Resort just 1.5 hours north in Vernon, BC.

Big White boasts an average of 24.5 feet (7.5 metres) per year of pure, fresh powder and 2,765 acres of skiable terrain, and is the second largest ski mountain in British Columbia. Abundant snowfall, mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine make Big White Resort the perfect ski resort for skiers of any level.

For out-of-town and international skiers, the Kelowna International Airport is serviced by all of the top Canadian airlines and several non-stop flights are available from major departure cities. By car, Big White is a convenient 6 hours from Vancouver, Calgary and Seattle.

Terrain

Big White currently has one 8 passenger high speed gondola, four four passenger high speed chairs, one four passenger “beginner chair”, one three passenger chair, three two passenger chairs, one T-bar, one children’s magic carpet, and one beginners handle tow. There are also two tubing lifts. These lifts are capable of transporting 25,400 people per hour uphill.

Stats

• 7,155 acres/2,880 hectares patrolled
  area boundary
• 2,165 acres/984 hectares ski-able area
• 755 groomed acres
• 1,325 alpine and gladed areas
• 38 acres illuminated for night skiing

Elevation

• Summit: 2,319m or 7,606′
• Highest transport: 2,286m or 7,500′
• Village centre: 1,755m or 5,706′
• Westridge base: 1,508m or 4,950′
• Vertical drop: 777m or 2,550′
• Night vertical drop: 495m or 1,624′ (Tuesday to Saturdays)

Runs

• 107 designated trails
• Novice - 18%
• Intermediate - 56%
• Advanced - 26%
• Longest Run - 7.2 Km or 4.5M

Transportation

• 13 lifts
• Gondola: 1 high speed, 8 passenger Leitner Gondola
• Chairlifts: 4 high speed detachable quad chairs
• 1 fixed grip quad
• 1 triple chair
• 1 double chair
• Surface Lifts: 1 T-Bar
• 1 Children’s Magic Carpet
• 1 Platter Lift
• Tubing Lifts: 2 Leitner Tube Lifts

Lift Capacity

• 23,400 skiers per hour

Webcams & Weather

Weather Report

Big White Ski Resort is well-known for its excellent snow conditions and great weather. For current weather conditions and snow reports please check the report below.

Daily Snow Report at Big White

Village Centre Webcam

Westridge Webcam

Telus Park Webcam

Getting Here

Kelowna Int’l Airport

Kelowna International Airport is located just 10 minutes north of the city, and is serviced by many Canadian and US airlines. These airlines are partnered with many well-known international carriers and offer non-stop flights to Kelowna daily from Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Kamloops, Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Seattle and Honolulu. Connecting flights are available from most international destinations.

• Air Canada (International)
• Jazz (International)
• WestJet (Canada/USA)
• Horizon Air (Alaska Airlines)
• Harmony Airways (Hawaii: Non-stop Honolulu -> Kelowna)
• Regional 1 Airlines (Western Canada)

Airport Shuttle Service

Daily shuttle service is available from the Kelowna International Airport to Big White Ski Resort. If you require a pick-up from downtown hotels or other Okanagan locations to the Kelowna Airport to meet the Big White Shuttle please contact the Kelowna Airport Shuttle Service.

Shuttle Services
Big White Ski Shuttle
All Canadian Escapes Big White Shuttle
Tourtime Holidays
Okanagan Limousine

Group Shuttle Charters
All Canadian Escapes Big White Shuttle
Falcon Bus Charters
Tour Time Holidays

Inter-Mountain Shuttle

Skiiers wanting to ski at both Big White and Silver Star can do so on Saturdays and Wednesdays by reserving a seat on the Inter-Mountain Shuttle Bus. For the current schedule and rates please see the website.

This is a day-trip service only and will only operate if 10 or more guests have requested service. For alternative days of travel between Big White and Silver Star guests can travel between the mountains via the Kelowna Airport.

Big White Village Centre

Big White Village Centre offers all the services and ammenities you would expect to find at a world-class ski resort. Central Reservations is where you need to head for all your ski pass and rental needs.

The Big White Kids Centre, restaurants, two day spas, and numerous shops and pubs are all here to make your stay at Big White Ski Resort an exceptional one.

Kids Centre

Located in the Big White Village Center, Big White Kid’s Center is rated as the “Best Resort Feature for Kids in Canada” by Ski Canada, and one of the “Top five in the world” by the UK London Daily Mail.

Daily learn-to-ski programs are matched to your child’s ski level, and an on-site kitchen provides kid-friendly meals and snacks during the day. The Timbers is only 3 minutes by gondola from the Big White Kids Center providing convenient access for families to this exceptional service. Ages: 2-6

Day Spas

Beyond Wrapture Day Spa
Rejuvenate your tired muscles and restore your mind with the Spa Specialty Treatments in this first class day spa at Big White. Located in the Chateau at Big White.

Day Escape European Spa
The Day Spa is located in the in the Village Centre Mall, next to Central Reservations. To book your appointment or for more information please call (250) 491-4167 or e-mail info@dayescapespa.com

Restaurants

Copper Kettle Grille/Snow Ghost Lounge
The Copper Kettle Grille specializes in Canadian and Regional cuisine. The restaurant is located slope side at the White Crystal Inn. Visit the adjoining Snow Ghost Lounge and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and live entertainment on the weekend. Tel: 250 491-8122

Frank’s Chinese Laundry
Frank’s Chinese Laundry offers a packed buffet, with both Chinese favorites and some western style cuisine. Located in the Whitefoot Lodge. Tel: 250 765-7866

Coltiono’s Ristorante
Coltiono’s Ristorante serves delicious pasta dishes and other Italian cuisine. A great restaurant for families.
Tel: 250 765-5611

Happy Valley Bar
The Happy Valley Bar features live DJ music (on some nights), theme nights and a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Located in the Happy Valley Lodge just steps from SouthPoint. Tel: 250 765-3101

Kettle Valley Steakhouse
The Kettle Valley Steakhouse is located near the top of the gondola. Menu items feature prime steaks, seafood and more. You can choose from a large selection of Okanagan Wines at the stylish wine bar. Tel: 250 491-0130

Powder Keg
The Powder Keg serves tasty Greek dishes and deserts. This restaurant is located in the Inn at Big White. Tel: 250 491-0221

Raakel’s Ridge Pub
Head down to Raakel’s Pub for a pint or two and a fun time with friends. The bar also features many popular Okanagan wines. Tel: 250 765-5611

RidgeRocket Cafe
The restaurant is known for providing hearty, daily made-from-scratch soups, fresh salads, sandwiches, burgers and more. Great breakfast items are also available. The Ridge Rocket Cafe is located at the base of the Ridge Rocket and Plaza Chairs and is open from 7:30 a.m. To 3:30 p.m. daily. Tel: 250 491-5850

Snowshoe Sam’s
At Snowshoe Sam’s visitors can relax around the cozy stone fireplace with a warm or cold beverage and a hot meal. The menu offers a pub-style menu with burgers, nachos and more. Live music and DJ entertainment is also offered regularly. Tel: 250 765-1416

Swiss Bear
Swiss Bear serves European style cuisine and great fondues. This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tel: 250 491-7750

Underground Pizza
The Underground Pizza serves traditional and non-traditional pizzas and more. Delivery is also available. Tel: 250 491-3575

2006/2007 Day Pass Rates

Downhill Skiing

Big White averages 24.5 feet (7.5 metres) per year of pure, fresh powder. With 2,765 acres of skiable terrain Big White is the second largest ski mountain in British Columbia. Abundant snowfall, mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine make Big White an ideal place for skiers of any level. Big White was awarded “Best Grooming in the West” by Ski Canada Magazine.

In 2005 Big White added six new runs at Gem Lake and the Cliff Chair. The Cliff Chair accesses Big White’s famous “Cliff Area” leading to many pristine powder skiing areas. With the expansion on the western side of the mountain, last season’s addition of six intermediate runs added another 200 acres of skiing terrain.

The Snow Ghost Express will open beside the Ridge Rocket for the 2006-2007 ski season. This will jet skiiers to the top of the mountain in just 6 minutes, increasing skiier capacity to 5,400 skiiers/hour.

Night Skiing
Big White Ski Resort, offers night skiing under the bright lights of the largest night skiing area in Western Canada. During the 2006-2007 season, the Plaza Lift is scheduled to be open from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm and the Bullet Chair is scheduled to be open from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Night skiing also includes TELUS Park, Big White’s world class terrain park.

Night skiing is free with the purchase of any multi-day lift ticket. Night skiing is available Tuesday through Saturday. Weather permitting.

Big White Lift Tickets 2006/2007

	Adult	Youth/Senior	Child
Day (8:45 am-3:30 pm)	$65	$56	$33
Afternoon (12:30 pm-3:30 pm)	$50	$42	$27
Night (3:30 pm-8:00 pm)	$25	$25	$20
Afternoon/Night (12:30 pm-8:00 pm)	$65	$56	$33
Day/Night (8:45 am-8:00 pm)	$70	$61	$38

2006/2007 Season’s Pass Rates

Telus Snowboard Park

Telus Park at Big White is a world-class snowboarding and skiing facility open to everyone. The park is also lit at night for night skiing and snowboarding:

• 1800 ft. lift with 500 ft. vertical
• Park Area: 50 acres
• Food and Beverage facility with large deck
• Intermediate & Advanced Terrain & Rail Parks
• Olympic-size 500 foot-long Super Pipe with 17-foot transitional walls that meets FIS World Cup and X Games standards
• Regular Half Pipe with 12 ft. transitional walls, 400 ft in length
• Boardercross / Skiercross track tuned up for Regional, National and World Cups events and tuned down for everyone to learn at their own pace
• Ski & Snowboard Racecourse
• Snowmaking & Lights for night skiing and snowboarding

Mega Snow Coaster

The Mega Snow Coaster at Big White Ski Resort is North America’s largest resort tubing park. Located next to the Happy Valley Lodge, just steps from SouthPoint and a short gondola ride from the village centre, the mega snow coaster is a favorite with all ages and an activity that is not to be missed during your stay at Big White. The kids will love it!

Hours of Operation:
Weekdays: 4:00 pm-9:00 pm
Weekends & Holidays: 2:00 pm-9:00 pm

Tickets are available at the Happy Valley Day Lodge, Village Centre Mall or at the Cabin located at the base of the tube park.

Nordic Skiing

With easy access from SouthPoint to 25km (15.5 miles) of cross-country ski trails, experiencing the natural beauty of Big White Ski Resort has never been easier. For beginners, Big White offers a 2 hour introductory cross-country ski lesson. Cross-country skiis are available for rent at Big White Ski Resort.

For more information on lessons contact the Big White Ski and Board School at (250) 765-3101 ext. 238 or e-mail at skischool@bigwhite.com

2006-2007 Nordic Skiing Day Rates
Adult: $20
Youth/Senior: $12
Child: $8

Skating

The outdoor skating rink at Happy Valley Lodge is just steps away from SouthPoint, and a favourite pastime for skiiers, and non-skiiers alike. After a day of skiing enjoy a round of hockey with friends or a quiet evening skate.

Skating Rink Hours
11:00am - 9:00pm Daily

2006-2007 Skating Rates
Skate fee: $3.50
Rental skates: $6.50

Snowmobiling

Big White Resort offers guided snowmobile tours on the forest trails and back country of Big White Ski Resort. Guests can drive their own snowmobile or choose to double up with a friend.

Tours depart daily at 8:30 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm.

Drivers must have a current drivers’ license. People under 19 require parent or guardian to sign a waiver. The tour includes safety gear and hot chocolate.(Optional $23 insurance fee with a $500 deductible.)

2006-2007 Rates
Single
1 hour $109
2 hour $149
4 hour $229

Double
1 hour $148
2 hour $208
4 hour $318

Note: 4 hour tour is only available at 8.30am and is condition dependant.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoe rental is available at Big White Ski Resort for those who would prefer to explore the forest trails and backcountry of Big White on foot.

A 2-hour guided snowshoe tour departs at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. This includes snowshoe rental, refreshments and an interpretive guide.

2006/2007 Snowshoeing Tour Costs
Adult - $28
Child - $22

Price includes snowshoe rental and light refreshments. Other times can be arranged with four or more people.

Grade 5 SnowPass

Kids in Grade 5 (or born in 1996) can ski or snowboard for free at Big White this winter. Apply Online for your Western Canada Snow Pass, and use it for:

• 3 Free Ski Lift Tickets at Big White
• 2 for 1 Mega Snow Coaster Tickets
• 25% off Group Lessons
• 25% off Ski and Snowboard Rentals

*Only available with the Western Canada Snow Pass (not the Eastern Canada Snow Pass)

Website: Grade 5 SnowPass

Okanagan Travel Info & Links

Kelowna Real Estate
The Madison - Luxury living in Downtown Kelowna

Regional Travel Info
Visit the Okanagan Travel Directory
Kelowna International Airport
Greyhound Canada

Wineries
Mission Hill Winery
Summerhill Estate Winery
Okanagan Wine Festivals

Art & Culture
Okanagan Symphony
Kelowna Art Gallery
Kelowna Cultural District
Okanagan Cultural Corridor
Kelowna Community Theatre
Kelowna Museum