Discover the Hidden Gems of Big White: A Photographer’s Wildflower Paradise
Nestled above the dense coniferous forests but below the treeless alpine zone, the subalpine meadows offer a unique short-season environment for an array of plant life. Bring your camera!
Photos by Geoff Holman & Bruce Barritt, Ph.D
As spring breathes life into the landscape, hardy wildflowers emerge, painting the meadows with vibrant hues from late May to early June. The true spectacle, however, unfolds in July and August when these meadows reach their peak bloom period. Throughout this time, the landscape transforms into a kaleidoscope of colours, offering an awe-inspiring sight for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.
The Magic of Alpine Meadows
Big White's extensive network of hiking trails offers the perfect opportunity to explore the wildflowers in their various environments, from the forest near the village at 1750 meters to the higher subalpine meadows and treeless alpine zone at 2200 meters. For a truly unforgettable experience, take the Bullet Chairlift to the heart of the meadows, where the easy 'Alpine Meadows’ hiking trail awaits.
A Photographer's Dream: The Wildflowers of Big White
At Big White, we're proud to host an extensive network of alpine hiking trails that allow you to admire some of B.C.’s most beautiful and rare native blossoms.
Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect to find:
White Globeflower (Trollius albiflorus) Buttercup Family
A perennial with erect flower stems 10 to 40 cm tall and white flowers above the leaves. It flowers early in moist meadows from the forest zone to the alpine zone. Globeflower can be easily distinguished from Marsh-marigold, which blooms at the same time, by its upright and subdivided leaves.
Western Pasqueflower (Anemone occidentalis) Buttercup Family
Both in bloom and in seed, the Western Pasqueflower is a spectacular sight in the subalpine meadows at Big White and deserves to be the wildflower symbol for Big White.
Alpine Bog-Laurel (Kalmia microphylla) Heather Family
A low and spreading evergreen shrub 10 to 20 cm tall with small pink flowers; blooms early in moist areas in forest openings, subalpine meadows and the alpine zone.
Western Springbeauty (Claytonia lanceolata) Purslane Family
Generally erect to 15 cm tall, multi-stemmed perennial with numerous small white flowers. It blooms early, not far from melting snow; common in forest openings, subalpine and alpine zones.
Pink Mountain Heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis) Heather Family
A dwarf mat-forming evergreen shrub with woody stems, 10 to 40 cm tall, and small pink flowers. Common and widespread in forest openings, subalpine meadows, and the alpine zone.
Common Red Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) Figwort Family
Common in subalpine meadows; 20-60 cm tall, hairy, multi-stemmed perennial with showy brush-like orange-red clusters. One of the most eye-catching features in subalpine meadows; growing and flowering in midsummer alongside Arctic Lupine, Mountain Arnica, Alpine Daisy and Sitka Valarian.
Experience the Wildflower Wonder at Big White
The wildflowers at Big White won't wait for long! The time is now to lace up your boots, grab your camera, and hit the trails to walk with the wildflowers. Whether you're a wildflower enthusiast looking to admire these rare blossoms or a photographer seeking the perfect shot, the prismatic panorama of colours at Big White is worth every step.
So, come and immerse yourself in the wildflower wonder of Big White. Experience the sweet scents of delicate mountain blossoms and capture the beauty of these rare and hard-to-find species. We promise it will be an experience you'll never forget. Check out our Field Guide and get ready to discover what blankets the meadows at Big White during the summer.
From Thursday to Sunday and Holiday Mondays, catch a Sightseeing Chairlift ride up the Bullet Chair for easy access to all the hiking trails at Big White.
Smoking of any kind (including tobacco, marijuana, e-cigarettes and vaporizers) is strictly prohibited anywhere on Big White Ski Resort property outside of designated smoking areas. Applies to summer and winter seasons. Mountain Safety Info >>
