Canada's largest, totally ski-in ski-out resort village Big White was awarded North America’s #1 Family Resort. When I visited end of November they had already 3 feet of snow. Both, me and my dog wished we had snow shoes with us, when we sunk several times into the deep snow trying to make a shortcut to another road.
Right now the top levels have almost 7 feet of snow (over 2 meters). The location of this resort is outstanding, the views are stunning and you have sun almost all day long and on most days you can see the panorama of mountains and hills for hundreds of miles. Several days a week you can even ski at night from 4pm to 8pm.
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During my stay there where no waiting times at the ski lifts, in fact only approx. 20vpercent of the ski lifts were used, almost entirely by young Aussies who seem to man the whole resort workforce.
They are very friendly, upbeat and an awesome bunch of youngsters / students who work in the resort during the season from mid November to end of April. On their days off or after shifts they can ski for free as much as they want.
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What You Need to Know about Big White
Big White is for Winter Sport!
The resort town is in a very remote area, no villages around and no grown infrastructure. I could count the number of houses I have seen in the last 40 kilometers on one hand... The population in and around Big White consists of 60 people, however with visitors it grows to 22,000 at the Christmas and New Year's high season.
Don't compare it with Breckenridge in Colorado, Whistler near Vancouver, BC or any of thousands of ski towns in Europe: Big White is marvelous and a perfect place for skiers and snowboarders, but that's it. Barely any apres-ski activities, other than going out for an evening dinner or some musical entertainment.
Concerts, a library, movies etc. are absent. No critique at all, just to let you know what to expect - and to let you know that snow and skiing are the big thing here - not partying.
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Transportation is Solely by Car or Bus.
There is a shuttle bus from Kelowna's airport to the resort - in my eyes the safest way to get there. Even though the resort is only 60 kilometer from Kelowna and its international airport, the drive can be tough, and it is for sure longer than an hour, it took me more than two hours! I was lucky to make it without winter tires / snow chains, as I drove very carefully and slow. The road will be plowed, but not salted. My drive was both ways during the week, so not any traffic to speak of. The road is very winding and in parts pretty steep.
There is a shuttle bus from Kelowna's airport to the resort - in my eyes the safest way to get there. Even though the resort is only 60 kilometer from Kelowna and its international airport, the drive can be tough, and it is for sure longer than an hour, it took me more than two hours! I was lucky to make it without winter tires / snow chains, as I drove very carefully and slow. The road will be plowed, but not salted. My drive was both ways during the week, so not any traffic to speak of. The road is very winding and in parts pretty steep.
Should you have an accident on the road or on the ski hill or any health condition: Transportation to the Kelowna hospital is via the only connecting road. No helipad available at the resort. When you travel by air to Kelowna, spare your money for a rental car. You don't need it in Big White as the lifts start directly in town, the roads are very narrow and there are no parking spaces unless you have one in your own vacation rental place.
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Shopping and Groceries
My camera quit on me at the last hour of my stay. For the way back and until I could purchase a new one, I wanted to buy a small digital camera.
No luck, there are neither batteries, memory sticks nor any cameras available, I asked a local security guide and I went to all six shops in Big White. Yes, six is the total amount of stores there, where you can buy anything at all and only in one you can purchase groceries (at inflated prices, However, they need all to be extra-delivered to this high-altitude place).
When renting a vacation apartment in Big White organize your purchases before you travel up - and even if you are in one of the very few hotels and don't want to eat in restaurants three times a day, or if you are on a special diet. Better don't forget anything! If you arrive at Kelowna airport, take a taxi to the nearest grocery store or Costco in the city and stock up for the whole time of your stay. Not only food, but drinks, water, milk and everything else you might need - before you enter your shuttle bus to Big White.
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Photo Big White Resort
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And Now the Fun Begins!
And Now the Fun Begins!
I haven't seen better snow anywhere else! Champagne Powder as the snow is called, falls in huge amounts every year in this vast acreage for skiers, snowboarders, nordic fans, skaters and sun lovers. Make sure not to miss the Free Mountain Tours: Local "Snow Hosts" will show you the best ski and snowboarding spots on Big White with a Complimentary Mountain Tour.
This tour will open your eyes to the locals’ favourite ski and snowboard runs, providing you with the ins and outs of Big White Resorts. Guided cross-country skiing tours are offered Thursday to Sunday to introduce you to the 9 miles / 14 km of Nordic trails.
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Big White, 40 miles/60 kilometers from Kelowna in British Columbia was named one of the Top Ski Resorts from a world-renowned German resort test portal. After an assessment using 18 stringent criteria, the site Skiresort.info awarded Big White 4.3 out of a possible five stars.
Did I mention the wonderfully clear and clean air? Coming from the city it was such a treat to smell this fresh and unpolluted air. I am looking forward to the next ski and snow vacation in Big White! Maybe even next spring when they offer specials after the Easter Holidays.
What's more:
Big White Season Opener in early December
It's a giant skatepark covered in snow and trees and was recently bought by an Australian family along with Silver Star.
http://www.worldsnowboardguide.com/resorts/canada/britishcolumbia/bigwhite/
Big White caters to families, but over 800 staff (mostly young and mostly friendly Aussies) ensure there's plenty of action in the bars 'til well into the wee hours. Raakel's, which also hosts a popular snow patio on sunny afternoons, has been rated #1 Ski Bar by Ski Canada Magazine. Good Ski & Snowboard Magazine says Snowshoe Sam's Pub (home of the fiery Gun Barrel Coffee) is tops.
Each year, seven meters (24.5 feet) of Mother Nature’s finest, driest champagne powder blankets over a hundred immaculately groomed cruising runs and spacious alpine bowls. You will instantly feel the difference that natural snow makes as you carve turns on perfectly buffed trails, float through the powder bowls, and slalom through the "snow ghosts" – our signature snow clad glades.
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Big-White
Big White - World Snowboard Guide
www.worldsnowboardguide.com/resorts/canada/.../bigwhite/
Big White! Where? Located in the Okanagan Valley, 45 min from the large town of Kelowna, Big White is the world's best big unknown resort.
Wine Lovers Wednesdays at Globe Café, Tapas, Trattoria: Every Wednesday relax after skiing from 5pm to 7pm on our Wine Lovers Table, and learn about a particular theme incorporating both local Okanagan and international wines.
http://www.globedining.com/globetapas/
Season opens: 20 Nov
Season closes: 10 Apr
Draglifts: 5
Chairlifts: 10
Gondolas / Cable Cars: 1
Cross-country: 25 km
Did I mention the wonderfully clear and clean air? Coming from the city it was such a treat to smell this fresh and unpolluted air. I am looking forward to the next ski and snow vacation in Big White! Maybe even next spring when they offer specials after the Easter Holidays.
What's more:
Big White Season Opener in early December
It's a giant skatepark covered in snow and trees and was recently bought by an Australian family along with Silver Star.
http://www.worldsnowboardguide.com/resorts/canada/britishcolumbia/bigwhite/
Big White caters to families, but over 800 staff (mostly young and mostly friendly Aussies) ensure there's plenty of action in the bars 'til well into the wee hours. Raakel's, which also hosts a popular snow patio on sunny afternoons, has been rated #1 Ski Bar by Ski Canada Magazine. Good Ski & Snowboard Magazine says Snowshoe Sam's Pub (home of the fiery Gun Barrel Coffee) is tops.
Each year, seven meters (24.5 feet) of Mother Nature’s finest, driest champagne powder blankets over a hundred immaculately groomed cruising runs and spacious alpine bowls. You will instantly feel the difference that natural snow makes as you carve turns on perfectly buffed trails, float through the powder bowls, and slalom through the "snow ghosts" – our signature snow clad glades.
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Big-White
Big White - World Snowboard Guide
www.worldsnowboardguide.com/resorts/canada/.../bigwhite/
Big White! Where? Located in the Okanagan Valley, 45 min from the large town of Kelowna, Big White is the world's best big unknown resort.
Wine Lovers Wednesdays at Globe Café, Tapas, Trattoria: Every Wednesday relax after skiing from 5pm to 7pm on our Wine Lovers Table, and learn about a particular theme incorporating both local Okanagan and international wines.
http://www.globedining.com/globetapas/
Season opens: 20 Nov
Season closes: 10 Apr
Draglifts: 5
Chairlifts: 10
Gondolas / Cable Cars: 1
Cross-country: 25 km
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BC’s largest group ski and boarding bus tour specialist offers bus tours to Big White most weekends - See more at:
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