BIG WHITE
Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
Big White, CANADA has a very reliable powder snow record, a well laid out efficient lift system and a modern ski in ski out mountain village.
Big White Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
The skiing and snowboarding terrain consists of steep treed areas, long mogul runs, powder filled bowls, challenging chutes, immaculately groomed wide trails and easy gentle beginner areas.
Advanced Skiing and Snowboarding
The steepest most challenging terrain at Big White is the open powder filled treeless double black diamond bowl serviced by the Cliff Chairlift. The Parachute Bowl run should only be attempted by very confident skiers and snowboarders, it is almost vertical!
The tree skiing and snowboarding is excellent at Big White go to the Black and Blue Glades, the Sapphire Glades and the Thunder Glades, basically any of the glade areas on either side of the Gem Lake Express Chairlift are fantastic.
Huge moguls litter the Piece of Cake run on the left and side of the Snow Ghost Express Chairlift and the Flagpole run under the Powder Chairlift.
One of the longest advanced trails is Black Jack, it is steep, bumpy and tree lined, it’s just a real adrenaline pumper!
Intermediate Skiing and Snowboarding
Intermediates are spoilt for choice at Big White, 56% of the terrain is allocated to intermediate skiing and snowboarding.
For a long and enjoyable cruise from the top of the Falcon Chairlift turn right and take the White Foot trail that links with the long tree lined Blue Sapphire trail that eventually ends at the base of the Gem Lake Express Chairlift.
All the trails on the left hand side of the Gem Lake Express Chairlift are intermediate, they are well groomed and of varying descents, Kalina’s Rainbow trail links with the winding and sometimes bumpy Blue Ribbon trail.
For morning warm up runs catch the Black Forest Chairlift and take your pick from any of the four immaculately groomed trails on the Chairlift’s right hand side.
Beginner Skiing and Snowboarding
The designated first timers beginner area, located below the Happy Valley Day Lodge, is gentle and flat and serviced by a magic carpet.
Two of the gentlest beginner runs are Hummingbird and Woodcutter running through the Village under the Plaza Chairlift, they are wide and very gently sloping.
Once confidence grows beginners are not limited to one area, every lift on the mountain accesses at least one corduroy groomed wide beginner trail. For a long run down turn right at the top of the Alpine T-Bar onto Sun Run before connecting with Highway 33 and cruising all the way down to the Happy Valley Day Lodge.
The Big White Ski and Board School is one of the best in Canada, it has lessons and clinics for all levels and ages of skiers and snowboarders.
Big White and Silver Star which 60 miles away, about a 2 hour drive are owned by the same company and have a shared lift pass. An intermountain shuttle bus operates a couple of days a week to and from one resort to the other. For more information on Silver Star click here
Big White Terrain Park and Halfpipe
The Telus Terrain Park, located above the Village and serviced by the Telus Park chairlift, has jumps, kickers, rails and tabletops of varying sizes catering to all freerider levels. It also has a snowcross course, a standard halfpipe and a 500 foot long international competition standard superpipe.
Big White Night Skiing and Snowboarding
The Plaza Chairlift, the Bullet Express Chairlift and the Telus Terrain Park are open for night skiing and snowboarding on Tuesday through to Saturday nights from 5pm to 8pm. There is no charge for night skiing and snowboarding with the purchase of a multi day ticket at Big White.
Other Activities at Big White
Other activities at Big White include snowmobiling tours, ice skating, snow shoeing tours, snow tubing, dog sled tours, cross country skiing, horse drawn sleigh rides and massage and beauty treatments,
Big White Shopping
The Big White Village has a couple of gift and souvenir shops, a snowboard shop (The Village Rider) and a large ski shop (Ski Dazzle) both stocking the latest equipment, clothing and accessories. Rental and demo equipment are available from both of them.
The Market at Big White stocks basic groceries and liquor. Vacation Food Services will stock your condominium full of groceries before you arrive at Big White so you don’t have to bother with any grocery shopping.
Big White Restaurants
Big White has 18 restaurants and cafes, ranging from fine dining cuisine to Chinese, Italian and Swiss cuisine.
For fine dining go to the Copper Kettle Grille specialising in local cuisine, it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Kettle Valley Steakhouse and Wine Bar also serves gourmet cuisine in beautiful surroundings complemented by an excellent wine list.
The Swiss Bear restaurant serves European infused cuisine and cheese fondues in a family friendly and warm environment.
Carvers restaurant have both a western style and international menu while Coltino’s Ribs and steakhouse have the best meat cuts on the mountain.
For a quick bite go to the Big White Bakery for a pastries or drop into Beano’s Coffee Plaza for delicious takeaway sandwiches and soups.
Big White Nightlife
In the Big White Village the friendly Snowshoe Sam’s bar is a hive of activity in the evenings, not only does it serve tasty bar meals it stays open really late with DJs, lots of dancing and live band performances.
The Loose Moose Bar kicks off the action in the early afternoon with après ski drink specials and stays open late with pumping music.
New for 2007/2008 at Big White
In 2008 the Kelowna International Airport will have its runway extended from 7,300 feet to 8,900 feet meaning international flights will no longer have to go via Calgary or Vancouver, they can land directly at Kelowna cutting international travel time. The extension will be completed in time for the 2008/2009 winter season.
The Black Forest car park has been extended to hold 180 vehicles and a new heated building housing 100 lockers has been added.
The Big White Ski and Board School has introduced 'Flight School and Heavy Metal Shop' intensive week long programs designed to improve TELUS terrain park skills dramatically for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Also held in the TELUS terrain park they are offering 'Teen Freestyle Coaching' lessons for 13-17 year old advanced skiers and snowboarders only.
More About Big White
Your Big White Ski & Snowboard Resort Reviews
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Statistics |
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Elevation |
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Average
Snowfall |
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294
inches |
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Lifts |
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16 |
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Trails |
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Terrain
% |
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Halfpipe |
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2,
1 super pipe |
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Terrain
Park |
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2 |
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Resort
Website |
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