A Snowboarders Guide to Big White
Welcome to Big White, known for its fluffy powder and family friendliness. Perched high in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada, and boasting some of the best powder on Earth, Big White Ski Resort has been enchanting snowboarders for decades. The resort is less than an hour from the Kelowna airport, making it easy to grab a taxi or shuttle up to the mountain once you've landed.
In this guide, we'll reveal all you need to know about the great skiing and snowboarding at Big White - from its world-class runs and top hotels & Airbnbs to its infamous Snow Ghosts and some of the best-hidden gems on the ski resort. Although there are many mountains in Canada with higher elevation, more rideable acreage, or more ski lifts, this is my favourite.
Whether it's the heart-pumping descents off the Cliff and Falcon Chair, perfectly shaped features in the Telus Park, or some of the best snow in Canada, Big White has something for everyone. So let's dive right in!
Big White Statistics
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Elevation: 7,606 ft.
Average Snowfall: 550 cm
Number of Ski Runs: 118
Longest Run: 11 km
Terrain Type: 20% green runs, 45% blue runs, 35% black runs
Number of Ski Lifts: 16 (2 high-speed)
Season Dates: Early December to mid-April
Best Runs at Big White Ski Resort
Big White's 118 ski runs offer something for everyone, from beginners to experts. One of the best ways to summarize Big White is "a little bit of everything." Wide open, steep bowls with deep snow? You bet. Wide open easy groomers? Everywhere. Steep, open, tree runs? Yup. Ski schools to drop your kid off for the day? Uh huh.
No matter which of these runs you hit first - or whether you're skiing or snowboarding - at Big White you'll experience the great snow the Monashee Mountains are known for, and some of the most approachable terrain in western Canada. It is truly a place for all ability levels. Here are a few of our favourite runs:
Best Beginner Run: Serwas
Like most runs at Big White, Serwas has incredible grooming and can be accessed off the Snow Ghost Express or Ridge Rocket Express chairlifts. If it's been a while since you've been on your snowboard, or if you just want to warm up your legs before more advanced runs, this is a favourite first run of mine at Big White.
Serwas starts off mellow and wide and eventually narrows to snake through the Snow Pine Estates. Toward the bottom of Serwas, there are excellently spaced rollers great for practicing flat ground tricks off of.
Honourable Mention: Sun Run
Sun Run is usually one of the first beginner runs open in the season, and is the main run that is open during Big White's night skiing. Sun Run is a wide, mellow groomer where you'll snowboard past (or into) the Telus Park, Big White's terrain park - also open for night skiing.
Best Tree Run: Dragon's Tongue
Accessed via one of the better blue runs on the mountain, Paradise, Dragon's Tongue has well-spaced trees and an almost natural half-pipe-style terrain. Generally best to hit when you know the snow conditions are good enough to have covered up any stumps or rocks.
This run has an off-piste feeling since Big White doesn't groom it. That means it can be a little tracked out if there hasn't been fresh snow in a while. If you hit Dragon's Tongue when snow conditions are ideal - especially later in the season - it can be a fun introduction to intermediate tree terrain.
Honourable Mention: Thunder Glades
Found off the Gem Lake Express, the Thunder Glades are steep with tightly spaced pine trees. When there is good snow, these glades and Gem Lake in general are great places to be. Make sure you remember where you're parked, since it's a long walk back to the main side once the chairlifts are closed.
Best Park Run: Telus Park
Telus Park is Big White's terrain park. Known for its progression and family friendliness, it has appropriately sectioned off areas according to feature size and type. Beginners can safely stay in the Small and Medium line, where they'll have easy and intermediate terrain park features. This area is fenced off from the larger features and has a separate entrance to help avoid traffic jams.
The Large and XL on the left side of the park play host to more advanced skiers and snowboarders. The upper section of the park is full of creative rail features, and the lower section features a three-pack of XL jumps. With its own dedicated chairlift, I found myself spending a lot of my days on the mountain here.
Best Difficult Run: Easter Chutes
Not for the faint of heart, this off-piste thriller can be accessed via a traverse off the Bullet Express. When snow and wind conditions are favourable, this area can be loaded with fresh powder even if it's been days since a snowfall. Make sure you know what you're getting into before you drop in.
As the name implies, this run is a series of tight chutes that will offer little in terms of escape routes, and will demand tight, precise turns as you navigate your way down to the Black Forest chairlift ski-out from The Cliff.
Honourable Mention: The Cliff
Probably one of the most well-known difficult areas of the ski area, The Cliff is accessed via the Alpine T Bar and can be a great first place to hit with fresh snow. I prefer the Easter Chutes as they are a little more off-the-beaten-path and usually less tracked. Also, not for nothing, there was an on-piste avalanche that killed one snowboarder in 2007.
Best Hotels & Airbnb's at Big White Ski Resort
Big White Ski Resort is home to some of the best ski-in/ski-out accommodations in Canada. Whether you're looking for a luxurious hotel or an affordable AirBnB, there’s something for everyone.
The easiest option for most travelers is to call up Big White Central Reservations, where you'll get a personal concierge who will help you book everything you need for a hassle-free stay. Whether it's a budget vacation or an all-out family vacation with the kids, the concierge personally books and reviews order details to ensure all the details are taken care of.
If you prefer to book your own experience, there are many ski-in/ski-out options right at the base of Big White mountain. If you prefer something away from the village center and main ski runs look a little further down the Happy Valley.
Best Budget Hotel: Whitefoot Lodge
Located in the main village above the ski school, the Whitefoot Lodge is the most economical place to stay at Big White. With rooms starting from $68/night and direct access to the slopes it's tough to find a better deal on the resort.
Best Value Hotel: Ptarmigan Inn
One of the original hotels of the village, the Ptarmigan Inn offers great value for your dollar, making it ideal for a young family or budget-minded travelers. Just a few steps up the hill from Easy Street in the main village, the Ptarmigan Inn is also close to ski shops and most of the restaurants on the resort.
In the mornings, you'll drop into Hummingbird and ride past the Plaza Chair to get to the main chairlifts. This run also stays open for night skiing, so if you or your kids have any extra energy left a few easy laps ought to do the trick.
Unique Airbnb's at Big White Ski Resort
Located a stone's throw distance from the bottom of the Telus Park Chairlift, this multi-level home is at the top of the Big White pedestrian village. This means a good half run in the morning before you ride your first chairlift. It can also mean a long walk up hill if you're spending the night at restaurants.
This general area of the village (Solana Ridge, the Aspens, and Killintyme) is some of the best ski-in/ski-out accommodation on the mountain and in Canada.
Best Restaurants at Big White Ski Resort
Big White Ski Resort is home to some of the best restaurants in the Okanagan Valley. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot for après ski drinks, a family-friendly dinner spot, or an epic buffet experience, Big White has something for everyone.
Best Quick Breakfast: Happy Valley Lodge
Located at the bottom of Happy Valley next to the ice skating rinks, the Happy Valley Lodge has your standard bacon and eggs to fuel you up before a day on the slopes. Early in the morning, it's easy to find seating. If you've got kids in tow you can send them right downstairs to get their equipment rentals afterward.
Best Après-Ski: Snowshoe Sams
Snowshoe Sams is a Big White Ski Resort staple. It's been in operation since 1980 and has been voted North America's #1 ski pub. You'll find arcade games, pool tables, and rustic decorations in this cozy apres-ski spot.
Showshoe Sams will often have live entertainment and be the celebration location for any on-mountain races, contests, or events. . This is classic fill-you-up-at-the-end-of-a-long-day pub food, and it's glorious.
Best Fine Dining: The Globe Cafe & Tapas Bar
With amazing pasta, fantastic service, and central location The Globe Cafe & Tapas Bar is the perfect place to treat yourself after a long day on the slopes. Have a look through the local wine list as you snack on some of their legendary s'mores. It's a little on the pricier side - but worth it if you want a treat!
Big White Ski Resort Hidden Gems
Snow Ghosts: These snow-caked trees are caused by the moist air condensing on the branches at high altitudes. Although they appear to be made of soft, fluffy powder - I can assure you they are not. The first time I ever tried to bonk one of these I was ejected over the nose of my board, surprised by how dense the snow was on the Snow Ghosts.
Best Nordic skiing Trail: Ollie’s Meadow into Trapping Meadows.
There's more than just downhill ski runs at the resort. If you're tired of having your feet attached to a board, try out Nordic skiing. There are plenty of trails spawling all around the lower resort and near the Black Forest chairlift.
Best Overnight Parking: Happy Valley Lodge
If you're looking to park a campervan overnight near Big White, the best bet is in the furthest corner of Happy Valley day parking. If you're parking overnight it's best to get permission from the resort. You can take Lara's Gondola up from the parking lot, which will bring you to the village center. As long as you're minding your own business, you won't generally get bothered.
If you're not looking to stay overnight or avoid lift lines on a powder day try parking on the Gem Lake side. The Gem Lake Express opens at the same time as the rest of the lifts and the Westridge Warming Hut has standard cafeteria food and hot chocolate. Just be careful where you end your day, it can be a leg burner to get back to the bottom of Gem Lake.
Final Thoughts
I spent many of my formative years as a snowboarder riding at Big White Ski Resort, and its sister mountain Silver Star Mountain Resort. When I first moved to British Columbia it provided an appropriate introduction to bigger mountain riding that was a much different experience from the slopes of east coast Canada.
Big White Ski Resort was rated Canada's Favourite Family Resort several years in a row, and it's easy to see why. Between ice climbing, dog sledding, an ice skating rink, cross-country skiing, an amazing ski school, and even horse-drawn sleigh rides there are plenty of off-hill activities to keep everyone busy.
Even if you don't have kids or aren't traveling with a family, Big White has great value for your dollar compared to the caliber of riding, especially when compared to most major resorts in British Columbia (looking at you Whistler). Consider checking out Big White if you’re looking for something a little less mainstream, but a lot of fun.
Happy Adventuring!