Discovering Big White

“What hit us at first were the tall evergreens all covered in snow. They were at least five metres high! You don’t see that in the Alps,” says Violette, amazed. As soon as they set foot in British Columbia, Violette and Stéphane took in the beautiful scenery and amazing blue skies. The scenery changed dramatically from their departure from Kelowna, a city with barely any snow, to a town buried under meters and meters of snow.

Located 56 kilometres southeast of Kelowna, Big White Village sits at an altitude of 1,755 metres. What sets this mountain apart from others is the incredible amounts of snow it gets. Every year, the resort is pounded with an average of 750 centimetres of dry powder. True Champagne Powder! It’s for that very reason that many snowboarders decide to live there: shredding fresh powder over and over again never gets old. Disclaimer for skiers: bring your “popo skis,” as Violette would say!

Powder as Far as the Eye Can See

During their three-day and four-night stay, our duo was able to explore the mountain and everything it had to offer. They also got the VIP treatment right upon their arrival and throughout the whole trip. Violette and Stéphane were also able to take full advantage of the amazing snow with one of their buddies who now lives in Big White.

For early March, the amount of snow on the ground far surpassed their expectations: “Such beautiful super light snow. We could float everywhere! What a beautiful resort,” says the delighted Stéphane. The rider and skier, who are used to the exposed summits of the Alps, were smitten by the lunar landscape of Big White. When the clouds give way to the sun, the view over the valley is breathtaking.

The first day was the highlight of their trip. Not only did it snow all night, but they got to explore the mountain with a guide from Quebec who was able to show them the best of what Big White has to offer, even though it was 25 below at the summit. The cold scared the people away: there was powder as far as the eye could see and not a soul to take advantage of it!

 The next few days were just so much fun. Our favourite duo was definitely charmed by the snow and the Big White Vibe. Although the resort offers 119 marked trails, it’s the glades that our friends chose to ride, Big White boasts an incredible number of them. The runs are long, the snow is deep, but it’s easy to get lost in the snowy woods. That’s why most local skiers always carry a whistle with them in case of an emergency.

Highlights and Après-Ski

The T-Bar at the top will be forever etched in Violette and Stéphane’s memory. At an altitude of 2,319 metres, the top of the Alpine T-Bar was the highlight of their trip: “When I got to the top, that’s when I really told myself: wow! The evergreens covered in snow, we’re all alone and it’s really stunning,” remembers Violette smiling ear to ear. This lift takes you to a summit with significant wind exposure. The cliff is steep and prone to avalanches. However, the slopes are accessible to everyone, like most of Big White’s terrain. It’s considered a family-friendly mountain that’s accessible to skiers of all levels.

Aside from the incredible amount of snow, the amazing glades, breathtaking landscapes, and burning legs at the end of each day, Big White’s après-ski scene is just as awesome. Our travellers’ bar of choice was definitely Woods for a drink after the last run. Why? For its après-ski ambiance and its outdoor terrace where you can order a drink without having to go inside.

Big White is a great destination to work on powder skiing—and to get a serious leg workout! Its snow coverage, ski-in ski-out concept, and all the activities make Big White the second-most popular ski resort in British Columbia. Our French couple was able to take in the breathtaking landscapes, ride fluffy powder and get a taste of skiing in Western Canada. “We were living the dream!”