Big White

Closed
Jack Lee
SnowPak Local Insider
Jack Lee
Pros
  • Tons of powder
  • Biggest ski-in/ski-out village in Canada
  • Largest night skiing area in Western Canada
Cons
  • Low visibility and can get crowded

Overall

4.5

Big White is Canada’s largest ski in/ ski out resort village, so buckle up your snow skirt, tuck your face mask under your goggles, and prepare yourself for a seemingly endless supply of champagne powder! No matter what you’ve heard, nothing can prepare you for the breathtaking blasts of snow after every turn, stop, and yard sale (we don’t judge). With a whopping annual snowfall of over 300 in, Big White isn’t shy to brag about their unbelievable climate. Shielded from wet Pacific air by The Coast Mountains of The Okanagan Valley, it’s no wonder why Kelowna's gentle giant continues to win awards for their conditions year after year.

Best month to go

February to March

While a standard ski season at Big White spans between November and April, the most pristine conditions align in February and March. Late winter and early spring visits will prevent you from losing the feeling in your toes despite them being completely submerged in light, fluffy powder. The days are a bit longer, so you’ll get a little more bang for your buck, and the holiday crowds have already petered off. With that being said, don’t think you’ll be the only one taking advantage of these immaculate ski conditions. Prepare for rowdy folks in the village and swarms of fresh faces on the hill, as spring break usually attracts hoards of like-minded powder junkies during the first weeks of each month. Early February and March are high season for visits from families of tourists, meaning you may find yourself waiting a little longer in lines, especially if you hang around the east side and main village.

FLY TO

Kelowna International Airport

SHUTTLE TO

Big White (1 hour)

Base of Big White (Walk)

  • Ski-in/ski-out village
  • Short walk to dining, amentities and lifts
  • Wide range of accommodation

Find accommodations around here

Kelowna (35-40 mi)

  • Cheaper accommodation than at Big White
  • An hour drive from the resort
  • Variety of attractions

Find accommodations around here

For beginners

Never-evers can start off on the lower east side where there is a beginner learning area with a magic carpet to get them going! For the more experienced, the green runs higher up the mountain on the east side will keep you busy but check out Serwa's on the west side if you want to see the snow ghosts!

More beginners tips

For intermediates

There is a wide variety of blue runs on the east side but our favourites for intermediates are in Gem Lake area where you can find some knee-deep powder or perhaps a face-shot or two! Frankly we think its some of the best intermediate terrain in the west!

More intermediates tips

For experts

There are steep black diamonds underneath Gem Lake Express where you can fly through the trees and leap off drops, rocks, and ledges! The double blacks off Cliff Chair are also a real treat!

More experts tips

Find freshies

All over the mountain, that's why its Kelowna's powder paradise! Stashes can be found between the Snow Ghosts (snow-covered trees) and if you like face-shots then Mustang Sally is just perfect!

Ditch the crowds

Most of the crowds ski on the east side which is closer to the village. Avoid them by skiing over at the Gem Lake Area.

Non skiers

Non-skiers won't have a problem staying entertained here. From yoga classes to snowtubing, ice skating and snowshoeing, there is plenty on offer at Big White!

Families

It calls itself "Canada's Favorite Family Resort" and we gotta agree; here's why: a variety of terrain (to suit all abilities), a ski-in/ski-out village for easy accessilbility, endless kid's activities and Friday night bargains such as night skiing, rentals, tubing and dinner, all $10 CAD ($7 USD) each!

Save up to 36% when you book a Big White package!

View Big White packages

Big White Reviews

Fabulous 4.3 / 5
based on 42 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Good!3.8 / 5Nov 08, 2017
JSJackson S.
expert skier
Big White is a great family resort very close to Kelowna, BC. It has lots of fun runs for beginners and intermediate skiers. The hill gets quite crowded at times, but there are many lifts and lots of different terrain throughout the mountain. As a more advanced skier big white is still lots of fun. Sometimes the snow can be very good, and other... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 08, 2017
BBraden
advanced snowboarder
Resort is very nice! Great for the family getaway. Always the go to mountain! Family goes every year and is always great there. Snow, lodging, hottub, skating always means for a good time. ... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 07, 2017
IBIsaac B.
expert snowboarder
Love this hill, it has some of the best snow in BC. It can get foggy but on a sunny snow powdered day, nothing can beat this mountain!! I would love to go back ... More
Fabulous!4.2 / 5Nov 06, 2017
BWBraeden W.
advanced skier
I have been skiing here for a few seasons now and it has to be one of my favourite! The snow is phenomenal and the accessibility is great. I would highly recommend skiing or snowboarding here to family and friends. ... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Nov 05, 2017
BBrandon
beginner skier
It's never a disappointment when going to big white. Accommodations are great. Snow fall is even better and it's less than an hour from where I live. Which makes it even better. Keep it up!... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 29, 2017
AJAaron J.
Incredible terrain for all abilities. Short lift lines and efficient lifts where necessary. Lots of powder during our stay. It was a bit foggy but that didn't prevent us from skiing the whole mountain.
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 26, 2017
WGWilliam G.
Really great, family friendly resort. A nice amount of varied terrain to ski and a really fun village set up with lots of ski in and ski out options! Also has night skiing available on some nights which can be super fun as well as variety of other activities on and around the mountain at nights for entertainment. Down sides; well, they don't... More
Superb!5 / 5Oct 25, 2017
CFCorey F.
It's my families favourite resort. Our kids love the instructors and the snow tubes. The village in the middle of the mountain is awesome, everything so close. The snow is better than any other mountain in BC.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 23, 2017
JCJason C.
Big White Ski Resort caters to ski/snowboarders of all levels. Lots of different trails to choose from. Really good marketing team with a lot of interesting promotional videos. Around 40mins drive from Kelowna so you can definitely get there fairly easily.
Superb!5 / 5Oct 16, 2017
JCJoshua C.
It's a family friendly hill with lots of intermediate terrain. The runs are designed in such a way that it's not too difficult to navigate from one part of the hill to the other. The snow is usually very dry and deep. The village is nice a feels very "homey". There are lots of kids activities at night time.