Bluebird Skies & Smiling Faces – Big White Opens for the 2019/2020 Season
Opening Day saw 1,162 skiers and snowboarders strap on their gear and hit the slopes, a 12% increase from last year’s season opener. Friday occupancy at Big White-operated hotels was 28%, and Saturday 64% – 27% higher from the Saturday occupancy rate in 2018.
“It was so great to see smiling faces getting out of the city and up on the mountain where there is snow,” says Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President at Big White Ski Resort Ltd.
“With only a couple of runs open, skiing and snowboarding was limited, but the sunshine definitely helped, as did the beverage gardens and restaurants opening. Opening Weekend has become quite a tradition for some families!”
One of those smiling faces was Kelowna-local, Donavon, who woke up at 3:00am Thursday morning, drove up the mountain, hiked to the Bullet Chair, and was in line before 6:00am – all to secure a spot for himself on the first chair of the season.
Even Boomer, Big White's Aussie mascot, travelled all the way from Australia to shred a few laps with Loose Moose on Opening Weekend!
Season-opener festivities continued into the weekend with the annual Light Up Big White taking place on Saturday. Around 2,000 guests witnessed the mountain glow with thousands of lights, a laser show and a fireworks display – and got to enjoy a live performance by country trio, The Heels.
"This annual event has grown into a wonderful family tradition and the Light Up this past Saturday did not disappoint," says Bethan Wetheral, Guest Services Manager. "Nothing says we’re ready for the 2019/2020 season like 5km of lights strung up throughout the Village Centre, lasers, and an impressive fireworks show on a Easy Street!”
Big White currently has single-day lift tickets, group lessons and regular rentals available at 50% off. This deal is available until further notice.
The resort has seen an additional 12 cm of snow fall Monday and Tuesday. Stay in the loop by checking out our Snow Report, updated every morning.