Protecting Big White Mountain’s Water, From Snowpack to Tap
In a high-elevation environment, water stewardship is not a one-day initiative, it is a year-round responsibility that supports the guest experience, public safety, and the long-term health of the surrounding ecosystem.
In alpine environments like Big White, water systems are uniquely sensitive. Snowpack, rainfall, and underground aquifers feed a limited and highly localized supply, making source protection essential. Unlike urban systems that draw from large, interconnected networks, mountain resorts depend on safeguarding water at its origin.
Each year, Big White’s mountain watershed provides more than 1.2 billion litres of clean, fresh water. That makes source protection a critical part of how the resort operates. The snowfall and snowpack that define winter on the mountain do not simply disappear in spring, they become the water that supports life and operations at Big White throughout the year.
Protecting the Watershed
That connection is at the heart of Big White’s approach to environmental responsibility. Protecting the watershed means protecting the mountain itself. From source to storage, from treatment to distribution, every part of the system is managed with care to help ensure water remains clean, safe, and reliable for residents, guests, staff, and the environment around us.
Investing in Resilience
This long-term commitment is reflected in the resort’s infrastructure investments. In 2023, Big White made a $2.5 million investment in a new treated-water reservoir as part of its forward-looking approach to water stewardship, system resilience, and public safety. The reservoir was developed to meet provincial requirements for treated-water capacity to combat two structure fires, helping strengthen the reliability of the resort’s water systems as the mountain community evolves.
To support that system, Big White draws water from Rhonda Lake, located at the base of the Cliff at approximately 6,600 feet above sea level. This pristine mountain source is part of a carefully managed water network designed to protect quality at every stage, from intake to treatment to delivery.
Strong Performance During Peak Demand
The value of that long-term planning is already being reflected in how the system performs during peak periods. Despite a record number of visitors this past season, Big White’s total water use over the Family Day long weekend remained remarkably consistent, with 6,138 cubic metres recorded in 2026 compared with 6,126.4 cubic metres in 2025 and 6,204 cubic metres in 2024.
During one of the busiest periods of the winter, that stability points to a resilient and efficiently managed water system supported by responsible operations and investments in critical infrastructure.
A Closed-Loop Approach
Water stewardship doesn’t stop at the tap.
Stewardship also means taking responsibility for what leaves the system. Through ongoing monitoring, treatment, and responsible wastewater management, Big White works to ensure the water returned to the environment is clean and safe. This closed-loop approach helps protect the natural balance of the mountain ecosystem and reinforces a deeper commitment to sustainability that extends far beyond a single season.
Last year’s snow is this year’s drinking water. By protecting that cycle, Big White is helping safeguard the mountain, its community, and its freshwater resources for generations to come.
Learn more about Big White Utilities.