A First-Timer’s Guide to Visiting Big White Ski Resort

Well, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a guide, from start to finish, to give you the best possible experience during your visit to Canada’s Favourite Family Resort.

Get Familiar
Your absolute first step is to get to know us. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X & Youtube) and our #SkiBigWhite hashtag. Click your way through our website. Read the blog. We know how great Big White is, and we know that if you get familiar with who we are and what we do, you’ll think we’re great, too!

Book Your Getaway
Now, it’s time to secure your stay. The experts at Central Reservations can find you the best deal on the mountain and set you up in a home-away-from-home that best suits your budget and your taste. Big White Ski Resort is totally ski-in, ski-out, so no matter where you’re set up for your vacay, there is absolutely no need for a vehicle.

Getting Here
Have a car? Enjoy the scenery and wildlife during the 55-minute drive from Kelowna, but be sure to check your fuel level, as there are no fuel stations on the mountain. If you are an electric car owner, you’re in luck, as E.V. charging stations are located in the Happy Valley Parking lot. Ensure that you’re up to date on the road conditions and understand the provincial winter tire requirements for your vehicle. Do not make the journey unless you have mud and snow-rated winter tires, mountain snowflake tires, or chains.

There’s plenty of free parking throughout the resort. Park in Happy Valley and take a short (and FREE!) ride up to the Village Centre on Lara’s Gondola to get to the lifts and maybe grab a morning treat from Clocktower Coffee Co. Parking permits are required for overnight guests and can be purchased through Central Reservations.

Shuttle Service
Flying into the Kelowna International Airport (YLW)? Let our Central Reservations team know, and we’ll reserve a spot for you on our Airport Shuttle.

How to Get Here: Alberta
How to Get Here: Vancouver
How to Get Here: Australia & New Zealand

Purchasing Lift Tickets
Our lift tickets are up to 25% off all season long when purchased online. Please take the time to read the Alpine Responsibility Code when you purchase your ticket. Once you have your QR code, you can go to one of the many contactless ticket pick-up boxes located around the resort and head straight to the lift!

Talk to Our Rental Experts
Our rental team knows how daunting skiing or boarding can be for the first time. That’s why they have equipment suited for every level. They’ll talk you through what you need to be comfortable – and what you need to work your way up from beginner to pro.

The Rental Department is located in the Village Centre Mall. It opens at 8 a.m. – get there early so you can spend less time in line and more time on the slopes.

Shop for New Gear
Want to check out a great selection of new equipment options? Visit the knowledgeable staff at Dizzy’s, Altitude, The Rider and Mountainside in the Village Center Mall. They have your gear needs covered with equipment hand-picked for Big White’s conditions, all at the best price.

Take a Free Tour
Before setting out for the hill, familiarize yourself with Big White by checking out the terrain map and take advantage of our Free Mountain Tours. Our Snow Hosts meet every day at 10:15 a.m. outside Dizzy’s, across from the Village Centre Mall. Each tour will be limited to 8 people per host to ensure the safety of our guests. Tours can be booked online up until 30 minutes prior to departure.

Our snow hosts wear bright jackets, so you can’t miss them! For two hours, they’ll give you the ins and outs on the best runs for your ability (no blacks!) and give you a rundown on lifts, restaurants, lodges and mountain etiquette.

Take a Lesson
It can be tempting to have a buddy teach you instead of one of our certified snow pros, but for your introduction to the sport, get instruction on the easiest way to succeed safely and have fun doing it. If it’s been a while since you strapped on a pair of skis or a board, we recommend taking a refresher lesson.

For skiing or snowboarding, we encourage all newbies to enroll in our Discover Lessons, which include a lift ticket, lesson, and rental and are available for all ages in either full day or half day. Our snow pros use our beginner areas to introduce you to our proven progression and learn the basics of the sport. We use terrain designed to remove the fear so you can have fun while you learn.

After graduating from our Discover Packages on our beginner terrain and are comfortable joining a level 3 group, our pros take you to the Plaza beginner chairlift to consolidate your skills and build your confidence.

Contact our Ski and Board School to find out what level you should enroll in. Adult group lessons start at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and children’s lessons at 9:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Be sure to arrive 45 to 60 minutes ahead of schedule to allow time to sort out your rentals!

Bringing a Young Family?
Experience the bliss of sipping a hot cup of coffee (or being the first to carve through your favorite slope!) without the stress of rushing your kids to their lessons. At Big White Ski Resort, the Ski & Board School goes above and beyond, providing a convenient valet service for your morning lessons and Tot Town Daycare service. Picture this: a friendly instructor arrives at your doorstep to collect your little ones, and when they're all done having a blast on the slopes, they'll be safely returned to you. Now that's what we call a stress-free start to a snowy adventure!

Explore Happy Valley
Bringing the family? Don’t miss out on all the action at the Happy Valley Adventure Centre. From tubing to dog-sled tours, there are so many kid-friendly activities to keep you and your loved ones busy when you’re not on the slopes. Or, head to Canada's Highest Skating Rink for a lap or two! Skating is free for everyone at Big White, with skate rentals available at Happy Valley Lodge.

Après Time!
Rest your ski legs and warm up at one of the many on-mountain bars and restaurants for either a pick-me-up or après ski. The Broken Anchor at The Globe offers a great selection of gourmet coffees and pastries, with the best Fish and Chips in the Valley from lunchtime onward and FREE slushies for kids! The Bullwheel has not one, not two, but three Happy Hours – and has the perfect patio for watching the sunset over the Monashee Mountains. Ski straight to the door of The Woods and grab a beer or a warm cocktail right in the heart of the village. If you want more variety, check out the Black Diamond Bar & Grill, with lunch starting at 11:00 a.m. and après and dinner starting at 4:00 p.m.

Full list of on-mountain bars, cafes and restaurants

After Hours
Each week, there is a variety of entertainment in the Happy Valley Day Lodge, including Bingo Tuesday and Trivia Thursday.

On Saturday nights, stick around for Carnival Night or our weekly fireworks display. Check out our weekly events calendar to discover what happens daily at Big White Ski Resort.

Additional Questions?
Big White is a big resort with tons to do – and we understand it can be difficult to wrap your head around an entire village situated on a mountain that’s sole purpose is to have fun. You’re going to have questions – our Resort Services Team is going to have the answers. Have a certain type of food in mind? Looking for something to do after the lifts stop spinning? Unsure of where something is? They can and will point you in the right direction.

Get in touch – let us help you plan your trip to Big White Ski Resort, home of the world-famous Okanagan Champagne Powder.

Photo credit: Ben Walker, Karl Nurse and Andrew Jay