Now, you’ve probably heard this before but the proof is in the pudding: Big White is BIG WHITE. It is a mountain that is literally covered from head to toe in the good stuff. Some sort of weather phenomenon, and I’m guessing tree orientation, makes all the trees turn into snow cones. Everywhere you turn, your embraced by a winter wonderland, making your ski runs feel like they are taking place inside a snow globe.
A tree lovers dream, Big White also follows the philosophy of live and let live. Though there are a lot of runs for every kind of skier, the natural surroundings have not been butchered to produce huge wide-open highway-like runs. Instead, you can pop in and out of the forest, wind you way among the bushes and get lost from run to run on purpose as you pick your way down the mountain guided only by your mood. There is always powder to be found, even several days after a snowfall. You will discover nooks and crannies with stashes just for you because you looked.
A combination of high-speed lifts for those who want to make one hundred runs that day, and nice slow moving two-person chairs that allow you to smell the defrosting trees as you pass by them, make it a good mountain for appeasing different tastes and skill levels.
And the best part about Big White’s lifts, the lifties are real pros. I think their philosophy and attitude is a nod back to the day when lifties really were a big part of your day and skiing experience. The guys and gals at Big White keep it real: “hey, how was that run?” “I get off in an hour, where’s the powder stashed today” “Wooa, I just saw you guys, leave some snow for the rest of us.” That kind of love coupled with the gentle expertise of the right pull-back and placement of a chair is rarely seen these days.
Like all the other ski resorts located in the B.C. interior, Big White is a great family place. There’s lots of fun to be had in their giant, the biggest in North America, tube-park, (a fair bit safer than - albeit less intense than - the ones in Europe). And parents and singletons alike can rock out at Snowshoe Sam’s. Do order the nachos. They’re of the ‘cheese and sauce should not run out before the chips’ variety.
An easy drive from Kelowna, which has an international airport, Big White is a great place for a whole week and you can also check out the nearby Silver Star. There are a lot of great accommodations on the mountain so you can stay slope side.
All around, Big White delivers more than a lot of snow, it has a real genuine, kind vibe and even if your have a bad ski run, trust the lifties to lower the bar for the kids and raise your spirits for the next go round.
