The Big White Full Mountain Experience

Jan 30, 2017

Get your ticket to ski and ride with a winter's worth of snow-filled activities

LEIGH McADAM

"It's so soft", says a newly arrived Australian couple in unison as they touch snow for the first time in their lives at Big White Ski Resort. Magical snow - the dry, fluffy, soft-as-marshmallows variety is part of the thrill of a visit to this mountain. Every winter approximately 750 centimetres of the white stuff falls, the equivalent of the height of a giraffe and a half if you need a visual. The season starts in November and ends around mid-April.

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Located in the Okanagan, Big White is an easy resort to access. The least stressful way to get here is to fly to Kelowna and take a 45-minute shuttle to the mountain. Once you're at the resort, cars are unnecessary as everything from restaurants to accommodation to the Happy Valley Adventure Park is within walking distance.

Ski Free with your same day of arrival WestJet boarding pass.

This year is a great year to visit. Fly in on WestJet and take advantage of the Same Day Ski for Free promotion when you show your boarding pass at the ticket window. It's a sweet deal and a fantastic way to start a vacation.

Photo: Leigh McAdam

Leigh McAdam produces her WestJet ticket which gives skiers a free ski day on the day they arrive.

"There's a reason Big White is well known to repeat and new visitors for being a family-friendly ski resort. That family feeling starts at the top and trickles down to every employee you meet", says Trevor Hanna, Vice-President of Hospitality. People are genuine here.

Photo: Leigh McAdam

Sleigh rides are just one of many non-ski activities at Big White.

With 118 designated trails and 15 lifts, there's lots of terrain to choose from. Almost 75 percent of Big White is classified as easy or moderate, so its a great place to learn to ski. It's also one of the most beautiful resorts with a forest of snow ghosts in all shapes and sizes at the top of the mountain. You'll be dazzled, especially on the bluebird days. If you're new to the resort take advantage of a free, two-hour mountain tour led by a snow host every morning. It's one of the best ways to discover trails that match your ability.

Photo: Leigh McAdam

The snow ghosts are legendary Big White.

Unlike many ski resorts, Big White does a fantastic job of catering to guests who either dont want to ski or want a break from it. The Adventure Centre, accessed via a free ride from the village on Laras Gondola, is home to a host of activities. The most popular one is a horse-drawn sleigh ride for the whole family. Adventure lovers, kids included, will want to try ice-climbing a 18-metre tower of ice. Sign up for a snowmobiling tour or enjoy an evening of tubing. Play a game of shinny. And if you're looking for some solitude, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on 25 kilometres of trails that feel far removed from the resort.

Photo: Leigh McAdam

Snowshoe through the woods for a slice of solitude.

If you're 50 or over and want to improve your skiing and make new friends, sign up for a Masters Week, offered for the third consecutive year. Off the mountain enjoy the après lifestyle complete with wine tastings and evening sleigh rides.

Family Day weekend, promises to be a busy one. Sign up for Cruz the Blues and see if you can ski all the blue runs at Big White in two days. Or join in the celebrity-hosted Lip Sync Battle or live concert in the Tube Park, starring performances from the cast of Family Channels Backstage.

Big White is an awesome resort offering the full mountain experience. At the end of the day you can always look forward to excellent dining showcasing some of B.C.s best wines, beers and local food.