Big White

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About Big White Resort

Big White Resort Big White, located just 56 km (35 miles) from Kelowna, offers something for everyone. Boasting an extensive offering of accommodations ranging from basic but comfortable to lavish and luxurious, visitors are able to vacation in the manner that suits them best. Blanketed by an average of 750 cm (24.6 ft) of blissful dry powder each year, Big White has grown to become the second largest ski resort in the province. Built as a completely ski-in/out resort, Big White was designed to put its enthusiasts where they want to be. Capable of hauling an impressive 5,400 skiers up the mountain each hour, the Snow Ghost Express, a recent addition to Big White and bringing the total lifts available to 16, ensures precious moments are not wasted. Drawing visitors from around the globe, Big White entices skiers and riders alike with its stunning display of vertical terrain, open glades and deep powder bowls. With so much to experience, from the half pipe of TELUS Park to the awesome skiing and riding to be had down any of its trails, Big White delivers a surge of adrenaline. At the end of a long day, Big White comes alive with an abundance of après ski entertainment. A healthy selection of restaurants and pubs, each exuding a certain charm, tantalize taste buds with a delicious offering of food and beverage while providing the ideal backdrop for enjoying the company of family and friends. From young to young-at-heart, the addition of parades, fireworks and themed-nights provide further enhancement to any Big White stay.

Resort Facts

Location
56 km (35 miles) southeast of Kelowna, BC.
Shuttle available from Kelowna Airport to Big White.

Hours Of Operation

Late November to mid-April
Day Skiing: 8:45 am - 4:00 pm
Night Skiing: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tuesday to Saturday
Night Skiing times vary at different times of the season

Annual Snowfall
750 cm / (294" or 24.5 ft average)

Lifts

Chairlifts
- 1 - 8 Passenger High Speed Leitner Gondola (Lara’s Gondola)
- 1 - 6 Passenger High Speed Chair (Snow Ghost Express)
- 4 - 4 Passenger High Speed Chairs (Ridge Rocket, Village Bullet, Black Forest, Gem Lake)
- 1 - 4 Passenger Beginner Chair (Plaza Chair)
- 1 - 3 Passenger Chair (Powder Chair)
- 3 - 2 Passenger Chair (Falcon Chair, Terrain Park, The Cliff)

Surface
- T-bar (Summit T-bar)
- Children’s Magic Carpet
- Beginner’s Handle Tow

Tubing
- 2 Tubing Lifts (Mega Snow Coaster)

Total Uphill Capacity
25,400 skiers per hour
20 million Vertical Transport Feet (VTF) per hour

Elevation
Summit: 2,319 m (7,606 ft)
Village Centre: 1,755 m (5,760 ft)
Gem Lake Base: 1,508 m (4,950 ft)

Longest Run
7.2 km (4.5 miles) - Top of T-Bar to Bottom of Gem Lake

Restaurants & Shopping
View our Big White Business Directory for a full list of local restaurants & shops

What's New For 2011/12

New for the 2011/12 season, Big White is proud to introduce several key elements, each certain to provide a more enjoyable visit to the resort. Visitors can expect to experience the benefits of the following:

Resort Developments - From the after glow of the 2011 International Children’s Games, to the thrill of the new 60-foot ice climbing tower, to family-friendly dedicated Family and Seniors Skiing and Snowboarding Zones, Big White Ski Resort is amidst another spectacular season.

Extended Season – Big White had excellent skiing conditions right to the end of last season and due to customer feedback, we are thrilled to have extended our 2011/2012 season to April 15th, 2012 to give you, an extra week to hit the slopes! Our tentative opening date is December 3rd, 2011 but as always, if we have enough snow, we will open earlier!

Rotating Slow Zones - Safety and education is always foremost at Big White Ski Resort and with that in mind we implemented the rotating “Family/Seniors Skiing and Snowboarding Zones” last season. We will continue with the success of our slow zones for the 2011/2012 season. Thousands of people have had the opportunity the ski and ride down our slow zones in comfort knowing those runs are designated for beginner skiers.
Three runs are selected each day and these runs will have signage, gated entry and the addition of extra slope watch and patrol to ensure that speed and slow skiing and riding are monitored. The theme of these selected runs is slow with extreme caution. This allows our more senior guests as well as families with small children to explore more than just the green runs on the mountain and be at a pace that is slower.

Family Après Ski at Happy Valley - Spend some time with your family after a day on the slopes in the relaxing atmosphere of the Moose Lounge in the Happy Valley Day Lodge for our Après Ski. Free popcorn and coloring books, bottomless pop, mock-tails, specials and prizes are all on offer for this fun family evening. Explore our wide selection of spirits, beers and wines from around the world and the Okanagan Valley. Live music and the stunning views of the Monashee Mountains await!
Every Monday will now be Magical Mondays Family Après Ski at Happy Valley - This one is for the kids! Join our family entertainment of clowns, magicians and singers for some fun in the Happy Valley day lodge.

Food & Beverage - Look out for a new restaurant coming to Big White. Located in the Whitefoot lodge, across from Snowshoe Sam’s will be a new sports bar & family restaurant. The menu is in the works!

New TELUS Park Features –Big White is amping up for winter with a 10K budget for new features in TELUS Park. Flynn Seddon from TELUS Park says, "We are looking at some large diameter tube features for the small and medium lanes that will allow people to make the transitions from boxes to rails more fluid. The Tube rails will also include a few larger feature designs built for Large and Extra Large park lane users as well. DV8 board shop has stepped up their partnership with Big White's TELUS Park and they will be unveiling a huge stair set with features mounted on the stairs. To add to that Big White is hoping to build a massive ledge box that will be added to the stair set to make it one awesome technical set up."

New Winch Cat – Big White has acquired a $500,000 Bombardier Sherpa winch cat. This will be the third winch cat added to the fleet of grooming equipment at Big White. Winch cats are generally used for steeper terrain, where they have the ability to move the snow around, rebuild the slope, while keeping the shape of the run better. This winch will often be used on runs like Powder Gulch, Surprise, Corkscrew, Blue Ribbon, Blue Sapphire, Exhibition, and Paradise. The cat creates an overall better skiing product with better coverage.

Big White Activities

With so many amazing activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained, it is no wonder why Big White has seen such worldwide accolade. Below is a selection of a few of the delightful things guests can expect to experience during their Big White vacation.

	Day Spa
	Providing a multitude of relaxing spa treatments and esthetic services, Beyond Wrapture is a soothing escape to a well-rested and rejuvenated self.

	Dog Sledding
	This breathtaking three mile exploration of Big White’s backcountry, lasting approximately 30 minutes, begins with an orientation and introduction to the dog sled team. After returning, Tim, the tour operator, will release the dogs from their harnesses to allow for guest interaction.

	Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride
	An enchanting means to view the snowy landscape, this traditional horse drawn sleigh ride allows guests to cuddle up together to appreciate the alpine splendor that Big White is known for.

	Kid’s Centre
	Offering numerous programs from daycare services to instructed lessons, the Kid’s Centre promotes age-appropriate recreation in a supervised setting. With delicious dining options geared to the tastes of little ones, including spaghetti and pizza, children are made to feel right at home in their surroundings.

	Mega Snow Coaster
	Known as North America’s largest tube park, the Mega Snow Coaster is certain to cause uncontrollable giggles and squeals of delight from anyone speeding down its groomed lanes. With a lift to the top, children and parents can quickly re-position themselves to slide back down again… and again.

	Mini-Z's
	Located at the base of the Happy Valley Gondola, these miniature snowmobiles allow children under 90lbs to take to the snowy hills for a rather tame version of the real deal. Tickets can be purchased from the Adventure Park Office.

	Skating
	Enjoy a Canadian tradition with a friendly game of hockey or take a spin around the rink hand-in-hand, guests options are limitless on either of the two outdoor icy ponds. Open late into the evening, ice skating is the perfect off-the-slopes activity.

	Snowmobiling
	This exciting adventure through the frosty forest trails surrounding Big White gives guests the option of either driving the snowmobile or enjoying the scenery as a passenger. Included in this guided tour: all necessary safety equipment and a mug of steaming hot chocolate.

	Snowshoeing
	Offering guided tours lasting from 90 minutes to two hours, guests are led through the beautiful backwoods of Big White Resort. Numerous breaks will be taken along the way to appreciate the natural flora and fauna of the area as well as to examine the tracks of various species of wildlife.

	TELUS Park
	This progressive terrain park was designed so that riders could gain confidence in their ability and advance at their own pace. Complete with boxes, rails and a 400 ft. long half pipe with 12 ft. transitional walls, TELUS Park is certain to impress.