View from the top of the mountain

One of the most wonderful things about winter is the recreation. With the snowfall come things like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, sipping hot chocolate, strolling through a picturesque village that looks like something out of a winter wonderland postcard, wining and dining, and a whole lot more. What’s even better, is having all these things in one fabulous place like Big White Ski Resort. 

Located in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, high in the summit of the Okanagan Highland, Big White Ski Resort is renowned for its champagne powder snow, endless slopes, and exciting array of activities for the whole family. This is one place where you can have it all, even if only for a few glorious days.

RECREATION & DINING 

Ski School

Kids love the miniature snow mobile rides

New skiers can enroll in ski school and learn to ski or snowboard on the bunny hill which has its own magic carpet conveyer-style belt. Those with a bit more experience can enjoy the wide slopes ranging from beginner/intermediate to advanced and expert levels. The slopes are even open at night for those who enjoy skiing after dark.  

Parents can leave their tots and children in the safe company of caring instructors or the day care made for little ones, while they have a bit of fun on their own. The slopes are wide, with scenic views of the surrounding mountainous landscape, and offer thrills galore for those who enjoy zipping down the mountain. Ski lift lines are short, with fast-moving rides to take guests to the top of the slopes.

Winter Sports & Activities

The outdoor ice rink is great fun

For those who enjoy Nordic skiing—an absolute personal favorite—visitors will be enchanted with the meandering trails through lush forests of evergreen trees that tower majestically along the path. This is an ideal sport for those who delight in the splendor of solitude where peace and tranquility reign.  

Other activities include ice climbing, miniature snow mobile rides for children, snow mobile riding for adults, a tubing park, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow shoeing, dog sledding, and ice skating on a large outdoor rink surrounded by snow-capped trees.  Visitors can also browse the village shops, enjoy a fitness class, or unwind at the day spa.

Restaurants & Dining

A variety of restaurants are tucked into the picturesque village

Choices abound when you are hungry, from cafeteria style eateries, cafes and bistros, to enticing restaurants with delicious cuisine featuring perfectly grilled steaks, fresh fish and seafood, savory soups and salads, pastas, pizza, burgers, an assortment of mouth-watering desserts, and more. Many of the restaurants boast a wine list to pair with dinner, including award-winning wines from the lush Okanagan Valley. And while parents sip and savor the moment, tots and children can partake of meals from the kids’ menu, made with the finickiest eaters in mind.  

The village has a market with a nice selection of groceries, as well as a bakery and deli for stocking up on food to prepare and eat in your own kitchen at the lodge.  Guests even have the option of ordering groceries online, and having them conveniently delivered to your doorstep. 

ACCOMMODATIONS 

Some of the lodges are right on the slopes

Big White offers accommodations to suit a variety of budgets and family sizes, from the posh ski-in, ski-out five star chalets, complete with full-service kitchen, living room with fire place, one or more bedrooms and bathrooms, washer/dryer, private hot tub, and a balcony with a grill ready to be fired up, to the more affordable rooms, inns and lodges providing many of the comforts and necessities of home.

TIPS 

The sunsets are breathtaking

This is the kind of place that has a wonderful array of activities for the entire family. Everything is close by and convenient, from the charming village, shops, eateries and restaurants, to the ice rink, snow sports, slopes and trails, and a choice of great accommodations. New non-stop flights make it easier to travel for those with smaller children.  The ride up the mountain from Kelowna International Airport is a smooth and scenic drive. And while the vistas, activities and location make for a memorable family holiday, one of the most unforgettable moments at the end of a long day of moving around, is the sky at sunset which lights up in breathtaking colors of lavender, pink and gold. It illuminates the majesty of the mountain as only nature’s own splendor does. And it will lure you back again in the years to come.