Summer 2026 Brought New Trails, Local Flavours and Stronger Community Connections

As another summer has drawn to a close, we are looking back on a season filled with new trails, memorable events and the kind of mountain moments that bring people together. From first-time summer visitors to returning guests who have made Big White part of their annual traditions, the mountain was alive with energy all season long. 

“Bike Park visitation was strong due to the investment in new trails,” said Trevor Hanna, vice-president of hospitality at Big White Ski Resort. “We delivered a strong lineup of events, welcomed new and returning guests, and created experiences that brought families, locals and visitors together on the mountain. Music in the Mountains and Craft & Country were clear favourites, while the Long Table Seafood Boil and Dog Days also saw fantastic engagement. Guests are looking for unique mountain experiences, and those events really delivered.” 

A big season for Bike Big White 

The Bike Park had plenty to celebrate this summer, with new trails, expanded progression opportunities and improvements across the network. 

Dirt Daddy brought 1.4 kilometres of fresh, machine-built singletrack to the Spruce Blues network. The intermediate trail winds through a combination of rock slabs and smooth dirt flow, with the standout Spruce Rock feature adding a new challenge for riders to discover. 

Buy-In and Ante-Up welcomed their first riders in the new Skills Park, creating more space to practise and progress. Jub-Jub also opened as a new green trail for riders building confidence before advancing to more challenging terrain. 

Behind the scenes, the Trail Crew completed an extensive list of projects throughout the season. The crew built the new Bermslang overpass and reroute, rerouted a section of Nessy, rebuilt Bumble Bee, refreshed the lower 400 metres of Rocket Science and added 200 metres to the Black Slabbath exit. 

Events that brought people together 

Music in the Mountains and Craft & Country were among the season’s most popular events, drawing strong attendance and an enthusiastic response from guests. The third annual Long Table Seafood Boil and Dog Days also delivered memorable experiences that could only happen on the mountain. 

Throughout the summer, local musicians Dan Tait, Jessie Dans, Aidan Mayes and Billy Wiseman added live music to the mountain atmosphere. 

The Woods patio also became a high-elevation viewing hub during this summer’s international soccer tournament, where guests gathered to catch the action, play bingo and win prizes courtesy of Coca-Cola. 

Next summer, you can look forward to even more ways to make a weekend of it, with food, entertainment, outdoor recreation and family fun coming together across the mountain. 

A taste of the Okanagan at The Woods 

Local food and drink were at the heart of the summer dining experience at The Woods. 

The Taste of Okanagan Salad and other seasonal features showcased ingredients from Painter’s Market, Don-O-Ray Farms and Gatzke’s Orchards. Big White’s food and beverage leadership team also toured a local farm to learn more about responsible sourcing and sustainable beef production, supporting the department’s long-term sustainability goals. 

At the Long Table Seafood Boil, Lightning Rock Winery returned as the wine sponsor, while flowers from The Dirty Bee Flower Farm brought another local touch to the table. It was an evening that celebrated the region’s flavours and the people who make them possible. 

Local partners who went above and beyond 

The success of a summer season is built on strong partnerships, and one contribution deserves special recognition. 

Ron Kubek of Lightning Rock Winery went above and beyond as the wine sponsor for the Long Table Seafood Boil, even after being evacuated from his Summerland home the day before the event. His generosity and commitment reflected the community spirit that made the evening, and the season, so meaningful. 

That spirit extended beyond the resort. Donations collected during the season contributed $805 to Paws It Forward, supporting its work with animals in need. Fiv’r Fridays also raised $690 for the Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan, helping support mountain biking throughout the region. 

Big White recently donated $1,000 worth of food products to the Central Okanagan Food Bank to help stock its community kitchen. The kitchen prepares meals for people affected by wildfires and other community members in need. 

Hanna also highlighted the teams whose work contributed to a successful season. 

“The Trail Crew and Events Team delivered on creating a positive vibe through the work each of those departments did,” he said. 

Summer at Big White supports the region 

A strong summer at Big White creates an impact that extends beyond the resort. Guests who visit the mountain also stay in local accommodations, dine at restaurants, visit wineries and support businesses throughout the Central Okanagan. 

By giving travellers another reason to explore the region, summer operations help strengthen the Okanagan as a four-season destination. 

Looking ahead, Big White plans to continue growing the signature events guests already love while developing more experiences that encourage longer stays. Food, entertainment, outdoor recreation and family activities will remain at the centre of that vision. 

Next up: winter 2026/27 

With summer wrapped up, attention is turning to winter and a major improvement for first-time skiers and snowboarders. 

Opening Day is scheduled for November 26, 2026.