Big White Winter Blog

We know it can be overwhelming tackling a new language when you’re travelling. Luckily for the English speakers that visit Big White Ski Resort, this isn’t much of a hurdle – but, like everywhere else, Canadians have a unique way of speaking that, at times, can cause quite the kerfuffle (problem). So, for all you keeners (brown-nosers) out there looking to make your transition from tourist to full-blown Canuck (Canadian) more seamless, we’ve translated a list of Canadianisms for you to use on your next visit to Big White.

For you, the mountains surrounding Big White Ski Resort may seem worlds away from the beaches that line the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. But, we like to think there are more similarities than differences, and we’ve come up with five reasons why you should think this, too. (But, as similar as we think mountains and beaches are, we wouldn’t recommend taking up valuable luggage space with flip flops and beach balls!)

With direct flights from Australia to Vancouver, and now, a new direct Air Canada flight to Vancouver from Auckland, getting to Big White Ski Resort from across the Pacific has never been easier. The flight between Vancouver and the Kelowna International Airport is just under an hour, with multiple flights arriving and departing throughout the day – meaning you won’t have to spend much time waiting around in the Vancouver airport before grabbing your connecting flight.

At Big White Ski Resort, we love Mother Nature. She’s responsible for our blanket of Okanagan Champagne Powder in the winter and for the fields of wildflowers in the summer – and, of course, the spectacular views of the Monashee and Selkirk Mountain ranges.

Since 2014, Big White Ski Resort been the backdrop for numerous love stories – in summer, winter, sun and snow. The event professionals at Big White will make your wedding day story-book perfect, whether that’s hauling benches to your chosen “I do” location, helping you find a wedding planner and photographer, or simply being there for support while you do it yourself.

On Sunday, March 17, Big White Ski Resort Ltd. honoured the life and legacy of Canadian ski legend Jimmie Spencer with a special bridge dedication ceremony. The skier bridge over Hummingbird run was named the “Jimmie Spencer Memorial Bridge,” with a plaque commemorating the man who developed the Canada West Way.

It’s the time of year when nothing tastes better than a cold, frothy pint on a sun-soaked patio. The craft beer movement has taken hold of North America, and Big White Ski Resort is no exception. Use this guide to help you navigate Big White’s craft beer scene – from our very own on-mountain brewery to beer-centric festivals to slope-side patios. 

When you’re training ground is your backyard, a career as a professional skier doesn’t seem all that farfetched. “I could just walk out the back door and jump on a ski run,” says 17-year-old Lewis Brunt.

Brunt, whose been skiing at the age of three, is well on his way to becoming a professional freeskier – a feat he attributes largely to his upbringing at Big White Ski Resort and time at the Big White Community School.

All ye hooligans, rejoice! St. Patrick’s Day is here again, and that means green pints and shamrocks galore – plus plenty of good Irish fun for the whole family. We’ve put together a list of all of the shenanigans at the resort to help you celebrate this lucky day. You dig?

Oh! And don’t forget to wear green out there on the slopes, unless ye fancy a pinch!

Seventeen-year-old Gabby Guarducci dropped into the sport of freeride skiing by chance. “My former coach put us into groups, and we didn’t know what they were. Some were in park, some were on moguls, and some were in freeride,” she says. “He took us out on to The Cliff and we did two laps there and I never wanted to leave.”