Mountain Statistics
Location
Big White Ski Resort sits atop the highest summit of the Okanagan Highlands, on the western edge of the Monashee Mountains in British Columbia's Southern Interior, within the Kootenay Boundary Regional District (RDKB).
- Village Centre: 56 km (35 mi) east-southeast of Kelowna via Highways 97 and 33 and Big White Road
- Gem Lake base area: 45 km (28 mi) from Kelowna
- Nearest airport: Kelowna International Airport (YLW), with resort shuttle service available
Elevation
| Area | Metres | Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Summit | 2,319 m | 7,608 ft |
| Village Centre | 1,755 m | 5,758 ft |
| Gem Lake base | 1,508 m | 4,948 ft |
Vertical drop: 777 m (2,549 ft)
Terrain:
| Area | Hectares | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Total resort area | 3,140 ha | 7,759 acres |
| Patrolled area | 1,147 ha | 2,834 acres |
| Groomed terrain | 367 ha | 905 acres |
| Alpine bowls and gladed terrain | 618 ha | 1,525 acres |
| Night skiing* | 15 ha | 38 acres |
*Largest night skiing area in Western Canada
Runs:
| Difficulty | Symbol | Trails | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 🟢 (Green) | — | 18% |
| Intermediate | 🟦 (Blue) | — | 54% |
| Expert | ◆ (Black Diamond) | — | 22% |
| Extreme | ◆◆ (Double Black Diamond) | — | 6% |
Total: 119 designated trails across 105 km (65 mi) of marked terrain
Longest run — Around the World: 7.2 km (4.5 mi)
Alpine T-Bar (Top) → Whitefoot Trail → Powder Bowl → Blue Sapphire → Ogo Slow → Gem Lake (Base)
Vertical Drop:
777 m (2,550 ft)
LIFT SYSTEM INFORMATION
- Total lifts: 16
- Uphill capacity: 28,700 skiers per hour
- Vertical transport: 20 million vertical feet per hour
| Lift | Incline | Top Elevation | Bottom Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lara's Gondola | 600m (1,969 ft) | 1,760m (5,781 ft) | 1,671m (5,482 ft) |
| Snow Ghost Express | 1,868m (6,128 ft) | 2,105m (6,906 ft) | 1,655m (5,430 ft) |
| Bullet Express | 1,770m (5,807 ft) | 2,151m (7,057 ft) | 1,748m (5,735 ft) |
| Ridge Rocket Express | 1,814m (5,953 ft) | 2,095m (6,873 ft) | 1,654m (5,427 ft) |
| Gem Lake Express | 2,445m (8,020 ft) | 2,222m (7,290 ft) | 1,511m (4,957 ft) |
| Black Forest Express | 1,458m (4,785 ft) | 2,037m (6,683 ft) | 1,720m (5,643 ft) |
| Powder Chair | 896m (2,940 ft) | 2,150m (7,054 ft) | 1,845m (6,053 ft) |
| Plaza Chair | 592m (1,942 ft) | 1,765m (5,790 ft) | 1,660m (5,446 ft) |
| TELUS Park | 679m (2,227 ft) | 1,995m (6,545 ft) | 1,820m (5,971 ft) |
| Falcon Chair | 795m (2,609 ft) | 2,250m (7,382 ft) | 1,987m (6,519 ft) |
| Alpine T-Bar | 1,276m (4,188 ft) | 2,285m (7,497 ft) | 1,952m (6,404 ft) |
| The Cliff Chair | 651m (2,135 ft) | 2,260m (7,415 ft) | 2,020m (6,627 ft) |
| Beginner Magic Carpet | 137m (450 ft) | ||
| Children's Magic Carpet | 20m (66 ft) | ||
| Tubing Magic Carpet | 174m (570 ft) | ||
| Magic Carpet 2.0 | — | ||
Snow & Weather:
- Average annual snowfall: 750 cm (25 ft)
- Average daytime winter temperature: −5°C (23°F)
- Season: Late November through mid-April
Reported snowfall totals reflect accumulation through the official closing date each season.
View Mountain Weather Forecast →
Winter Activities:
Beyond the slopes, Big White offers something for everyone — from night skiing and fat biking to tubing, ice skating, the scenic Twinkling Trail, a full-service spa at Stonebridge, and After Dark Kids' Night Out to keep the little ones entertained while the adults enjoy the mountain after hours.
Nordic & Snowshoeing:
25 km (16 mi) of Nordic and wilderness trails wind through Big White's backcountry terrain, including 14 km (9 mi) groomed daily for both skate and classic techniques.
TELUS Park — Freestyle Terrain:
TELUS Park features a versatile skier- and boarder-cross course configurable for regional, national, and World Cup-level competition, alongside beginner-to-intermediate and intermediate-to-advanced terrain parks with a progressive selection of rails and jumps.
Snow Hosts:
Complimentary guided mountain tours are offered daily by Big White's volunteer Snow Hosts — a welcoming way to explore the mountain and get oriented.
Learn More About Free Mountain Tours →
Ski & Snowboard School
More than 100 certified instructors deliver private and group lessons for all ages and ability levels. Programs range from improvement camps and recreational race camps to specialty clinics, including Ladies' Day and Masters' sessions.
The Kids' Centre — previously ranked No. 1 in Canada — offers structured programming for younger learners in a safe, engaging environment. Tot Town Daycare provides licensed childcare for children aged 18 months to five years, with supervised indoor activities and outdoor play (weather permitting).
Explore Ski & Snowboard School Programs →
Accommodation
Big White offers true ski-in, ski-out accommodation across a diverse range of property types, suitable for families, groups, and independent travellers at every budget level.
- 3 village hotels
- 25 condominium and townhome complexes
- 244 vacation homes and luxury cabins
- 1 ski-in, ski-out youth hostel
Dining & Après-Ski
Big White's on-mountain dining scene includes 20 establishments — from casual cafes and delis to family-style restaurants and fine dining. Eight lounges and bars offer lively après-ski programming and regular live entertainment throughout the winter season.
Retail & Shopping
Five on-mountain retail outlets serve resort guests: Dizzy's, PEAKS, Altitude, Mountainside, and The Rider, offering everything from apparel and gear to souvenirs and essentials.
Guest Services & Amenities
The Village Centre provides a comprehensive range of services and amenities:
- Grocery, deli, and liquor store with online ordering available
- ATM and banking services
- Day lockers and equipment rentals
- EV charging stations
- Ski and snowboard repair shop
- Community police office
Connectivity
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout key Village Centre areas, powered by the TELUS network. The resort is supported by TELUS PureFibre internet infrastructure, delivering high-speed connectivity to accommodations, businesses, and resort operations. TELUS 5G and 4G cellular coverage is available across most developed areas of the resort.
General Email: communcations@bigwhite.com
PAST OPENING DATES
| Season | Opening Day |
|---|---|
| 2025/2026 | December 4 |
| 2024/2025 | November 22 |
| 2023/2024 | December 8 |
| 2022/2023 | November 17 |
| 2021/2022 | November 26 |
| 2020/2021 | November 19 |
| 2019/2020 | November 28 |
| 2018/2019 | November 22 |
| 2017/2018 | November 23 |
| 2016/2017 | November 30 |
| 2015/2016 | November 13 |
| 2014/2015 | November 29 |
| 2013/2014 | November 16 |
| 2012/2013 | November 29 |
| 2011/2012 | December 1 |
| 2010/2011 | November 25 |
| 2009/2010 | November 14 |
| 2008/2009 | December 8 |
| 2007/2008 | November 30 |
| 2006/2007 | November 25 |
| 2005/2006 | November 19 |
| 2004/2005 | November 25 |
| 2003/2004 | November 22 |
| 2002/2003 | December 11 |
| 2001/2002 | October 20 |
| 2000/2001 | December 1 |
| 1999/2000 | November 27 |
| 1998/1999 | November 26 |
| 1997/1998 | December 6 |
| 1996/1997 | November 21 |
| 1995/1996 | November 19 |
| 1994/1995 | November 11 |
| 1993/1994 | December 4 |
| 1991/1992 | November 23 |
| 1990/1991 | November 30 |
| 1989/1990 | November 25 |
| 1988/1989 | November 25 |
| 1987/1988 | December 4 |
| 1986/1987 | November 29 |
DRINKING WATER
If you're packing groceries before heading up to Big White, here's one thing you can leave off the list: bottled water. Big White's tap water is some of the cleanest and freshest in the world — rigorously tested, naturally protected, and comparable to the bottled water you'd find on any supermarket shelf. In fact, recent testing found it was cleaner than commercially available distilled water.
A Watershed Worth Protecting
In alpine environments like Big White, water systems are uniquely sensitive. Snowpack, rainfall, and underground aquifers feed a limited, highly localized supply — making source protection not just a priority but a responsibility. Each year, Big White's mountain watershed delivers more than 1.2 billion litres of clean, fresh water. The snowfall and snowpack that define winter on the mountain don't simply disappear in spring — they become the water that sustains life and operations at the resort throughout the year.
From Rhonda Lake to Your Glass
Big White's water originates at Rhonda Lake, tucked into the base of the Cliff at approximately 2,012 m (6,600 ft) above sea level. The lake holds roughly 284 million litres (75 million gallons) of fresh mountain water, naturally protected from contamination by ice and snowpack through the winter months. The surrounding watershed is free from logging, mining, range livestock, and urban development — ensuring the water source remains exceptionally pure.