Big White Ski Resort

Private Coaching (Adults & Kids)
There is no better way to improve than with private coaching, the fast track to building confidence and reaching new goals. Private Coaching sessions are for all ages and ability levels.

Group Ski (ages 4-12)/Board (ages 7-12)
Sessions run daily at 9:45am and 1:15pm. Kids can be dropped off as early as 8:30am at the Kids Centre. Book 5 days or come just once.

Daycare Centre
The Tot Town Daycare is for children aged 18 months to 5 years. The Daycare centre is open daily from 8:30am - 4:00pm

For more information or to book your family into one of our programs, please contact:

Big White Ski & Board School: Josh Foster, Director of Ski & Board School

TOP 10 Reasons to visit Big White

1. It's The Snow
At Big White, "It's the Snow" is our motto, with over 750cm of light, dry, fluffy powder falling annually! Come and ski and ride in the world-famous 'snow ghosts' – our frosty, snow-caked trees that resemble haunting, phantasmagoric shapes.

2. Canada's Largest Totally Ski-in Ski-Out Resort Village
Ski right from your door, whether you choose economy or luxury accommodation. Canada's largest ski in ski out village has something for every taste and budget.

3. Your Own Private Hot Tub
Soak in the breath-taking views from your private balcony and allow your hot tub to envelope you in relaxation while you watch the snow fall, blanketing the resort in powder for tomorrow's adventure.

4. Daytime & Apres-Ski Family Entertainment
Every day, Big White offers family friendly activities and events for all ages, just steps away from your accommodation! Enjoy live entertainment, go skating, play hockey, try tubing, or gather around the bonfire to watch the fireworks.

5. Perfect Winter Weather & Elevation
Daytime temperatures average -5ºC – perfect for a wide range of winter activities! With a moderate base elevation of 1,755 metres, the only thing that will take your breath away will be the views!

6. Kelowna International Airport Makes It Easy To Get Here
It's surprisingly easy to get here with non-stop flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Seattle. Take a regularly-scheduled Big White shuttle, and you'll be on the slopes in an hour.

7. Big, Wide Open Terrain!
Unfolding the mountain trail map, you'll discover 118 runs, 5 alpine bowls, TELUS park terrain park, the Mega Snow Coaster tubing park, a skating rink, snowmobile trails, and more. Challenge all 2,765 acres of terrain geared to all levels of skiers and boarders! You'll wish you could double your vacation time!

8. Taste More Than The Champagne Powder
With 18 on-mountain restaurants, cafes, delis, pubs and nightclubs, there's no shortage of places to relax or replenish your energy level when it's time for a break. Enjoy a luxurious lunch, sit for a social drink to warm your soul, have a 'dinner date', or treat the family to a wonderful meal. To thoroughly enjoy the BC Okanagan Valley's offerings, be sure to savour some famous local wines. You can also order your groceries and have them delivered to your chalet before you arrive.

9. Award-Winning Grooming, Kids Centre and Ski & Board School
It's a parent's vacation, too! Cruise down our immaculately groomed runs, safe in the knowledge that your children are being introduced to the exciting world of mountain fun at Big White's Kids Centre. Or, take a lesson from our top-notch Big White Ski and Board School certified pros so that your kids don't leave you behind!

10. Fast, Convenient, Modern Lifts Mean No Waiting in Lineups
At Big White, we believe that "time is your ultimate luxury, so use it well.' With 16 lifts and an uphill capacity of 28,000 skiers and riders per hour, you'll never wait more than a few minutes, even at the busiest times.

"3 Seasons in a Row!"

We are a Perth family with three children aged 8, 6 and 6. We have now been skiing at Big White three seasons in a row and cannot wait to go back. A lot of our friends seem apprehensive to travel so far with kids but the small hassle of the distance is by far outweighed by the champagne powder, the very family orientated resort and the most fantastic ski school including of course ladies day which is a great chance to ski with other women at your own level. Each time the whole family has had a fantastic time not just on the snow but enjoying tubing, skating, great food and service. The kids love the kid’s carnival in particular.

The last two seasons we have traveled with my mum who is a non-skier. She has however found plenty of activities to do such as walking, snow-shoeing, dog sledding and yoga/pilates.

"I have a feeling you must hear such warm Ozzie greetings a lot up at Big White!"

Just a quick note to say how very much our family enjoyed our visit to your fabulous resort.

The conditions, family friendly environment and genuine hospitality were all perfect, as was Copper Kettle Lodge.

After a great day on the slopes, my 17 year old took our girls to the fair while we prepared dinner. Later, from the comfort of our hot tub we watch the fireworks. How good is that? I would say that's a huge family memory.

Truly Big White lives up to its reputation.
You, your family and your team must be very proud of the destination resort you have created.

"A Brilliant Holiday"

We came back to Big White this year (Jan 4th-12th 2009) and wanted to thank the resort for our brilliant holiday.

We (stupidly) visited another Canadian ski resort (not Silver Star) this time, just out of curiosity and the good thing is now we can truly appreciate that Big White does it right when it comes to families with young children. The ski school for kids was great and has the flexibility with kids that we need. The drop off times into the designated building was great, gave peace of mind and allowed parents to make lesson times at 9 am without hassle. The Early bird half price lesson vouchers were excellent and that should continue as the flexibility was great for our family. Also my daughter who snowboards said "the size of the snowboarding classes were really cool not too big!!!!!!" She improved immensely during the time at Big White.

From my daughter " the tube park was awesome!!!!!!!!" THANKS the lifties and all others who made the tube park one of the best family experiences of the holiday. Those guys (lifties) were great in pushing and twirling us down the tubing run!!!!!! A special thanks to them!!!!!!! Best tube park in Canada and now we can compare it to others!!!!! Keep doing it well in the Tube Park it's great.

Dual resort Season passes were great value and allowed us the freedom of exploring Silver Star. Accommodation was lovely and as always convenient for our family (much easier than other resorts that rely on unreliable shuttle buses to self contained condos well out of the village). Staff were excellent and the arrangement of the Ice Hockey game for us through the internet was wonderful thank you Mili Cann! All staff were great lifties, ski instructors and boot masters that helped me immensely!!!!! Great work.

Big White does it well for families and congratulations. I will be recommending your resort in Canada over others we have visited and we will not waste our time exploring other areas in future!!!!!!!!

"It just keeps getting better as the ultimate skiing destination"

Having returned to Big White now for the 5th year in a row, I have to say, it just keeps getting better as the ultimate skiing destination. For us, the ski in ski out layout, and the warm friendly atmosphere of the people who run Big White, instantly makes for a relaxed environment. With the way in which we are treated, we now feel part of a close family and have a real bond with the mountain.
Meeting up with our friends from around the world for 3 weeks, makes for an awesome social time in a great skiing play ground, which has something to offer everybody of all levels.
Of the families who have travelled with us to Big White, all have come away with glowing comments of a great holiday.
Will be back again next year for more of the same.

Bruce Parry
Hawera
New Zealand

"Returning for my third visit"

Earlier this year (February 9-16) I returned for my third visit to Big White; my first visit was way back in 1997 when I experienced my first white Christmas. On this trip I brought my fiancé having talked up all that Big White has to offer. From the moment we caught the shuttle in Kelowna we knew we were going to have a great time. We were spoilt in that during that week there was the odd 3-4cm fall when this time of the season was particularly tough. A number of runs were desperately low on snow. Nonetheless, we explored all the terrain. The Cruz the Blues event was a particular highlight. I still have my free t-shirt. It is amazing how wonderful people cross your path at just the right time.

Kerry and I booked in for a private ski lesson. The instructor that had been allocated to us did not turn up for some reason and we were given another instructor: Rich. Rich asked us both what we wanted to get out of the lesson. I replied, “I wanted to ski just like Kerry”. Rich proceeded to pull my technique apart and reconstruct it. I struggled. Indeed the next day was one of my worst skiing experiences ever. Right at the end of the lesson, Rich took me to one side and quoted me a poem, which I can’t remember the title of for the life of me. Effectively, Rich told me to let it just happen for me. Those words could not have had more meaning for anyone else. Over the next few weeks skiing at other resorts in BC, I persevered with what Rich taught me. The feeling came! My skiing improved out of sight. Rich was magnificent.

Then there was Willy. We took advantage of the ski tours that are run everyday. When we took our first ski tour we found ourselves in a big group; it was ok. A couple of days later we wanted to know how we could best ski over to Westridge. It wasn’t such good weather – definitely could not see the top of the t-bar. Anyway, we thought we’d ask the ski tour people if they could help us. Initially everyone was reluctant to show us the way due to the weather. Then Willy piped up and offered to show us over to Westridge. Willy was just fantastic! And he’s a volunteer, doing what he loves to do – ski. He showed us safely over to Westridge without taking the t-bar, all the while showing us plenty of powder through the trees. That was one of the best days we had in Big White.

Airports Headquarters News - changes to the sports equipment registration policy

Effective April 16, 2009 fees for the following items (regardless of whether the item was pre-registered in advance or not) will be waived.
This policy is being revised to improve the experience for the customers who book via the following websites: Aeroplan, ACV and aircanada.com for Flight Pass.
These websites do not offer the customer the ability to pre-register and therefore when they arrive at the airport for check-in, they are subject to paying fees.
• hockey bags (containing hockey equipment) - Oversize charge waived
• hockey sticks (max 2 taped together) - Oversize charge waived
• skis and snowboard - Oversize charge waived
• ski and snow boots (when items are carried along with skis or snowboard) - Additional piece charge waived

We still ask that the customer pre-register any items as it provides valuable information for capacity planning purposes.
Sports equipment is still subject to all applicable additional checked baggage charges if over and above the free allowance.

Ski to and from the doorstep

DOOR-TO-DOOR service can put the icing on the cake of a white holiday, and nowhere is it a bigger priority than at Big White. Guests at every apartment, lodge and condominium in the Australian-owned resort can ski to and from their doorsteps. That makes it Canada's biggest ski-in, ski-out village. And that means an extra level of convenience and comfort for every skier in the 18,000-capacity resort.

It can make all the difference when you're enjoying a hot tub or a hot chocolate in the privacy of your own lodge straight off the slopes. Or sipping a gin and tonic by the fireside instead of dealing with cold, tired and hungry kids, getting the family down the mountain when you'd rather be staying up there.

It also comes in handy in the middle of the day. What better place to have lunch than your apartment? Especially when you can kick your boots off and have your feet up and the kettle on within minutes. Just stock up on groceries at the start of the week at the nearby town of Kelowna, or at the on-mountain grocery store, and it's just like home. You'll notice another benefit first thing in the morning. There's no need to get up at the crack of dawn. You can have a lie-in, a
leisurely breakfast and still be in time to make first tracks in the snow. And late at night? There's no need to count every drink in the bar when your apartment is within staggering distance.

The Australian connection with Big White couldn't be stronger. It's owned by Victoria's Schumann family, who once owned Mt Hotham, and Aussies make up 90 per cent of the staff as well as some 80 per cent of winter visitors outside North America. "We probably couldn't exist without them," Big White sales manager Rob Crichton says. "It's a perfect fit. The Aussies on our staff are usually on working holidays, so it suits them too. "Many are highly qualified and experienced."

Big White is renowned as a family resort, with more than 70 per cent of its terrain for beginners and intermediates, but there's a challenging section for experts, too, called The Cliff. Door-to-door service for Australians is already streamlined, with a direct flight from Sydney to Vancouver, a 45-minute connecting flight to Kelowna, then a one-hour road trip to Big White.

Falling over is all part of the fun at ski school

Being told to fall down, when you know skiing is all about staying balanced and upright, seems a weird way to begin a lesson. But it's the first thing we're told as we head out for our first run of the day at Canada's Big White resort in British Columbia's majestic Monashee ranges. Like toy soldiers, the boys in our class go down one after the other, winning ample praise from Rolly, our American instructor.
But four-year-old Courtney, the only girl in this class of four, remains unimpressed and determined to pretend she didn't hear him. For a few seconds it seems she'll get her own way, until Rolly approaches and good-naturedly pushes her over and enthuses "that's great!" before encouraging everyone back up on their skis.

I am just the innocent observer of what goes on when Mums and Dads leave their children at ski school for the day. It's interesting to observe the logic behind this vital first requirement, before we've even skied a hundred metres. As Rolly explains: "If these kids can't stand up on their own after they fall down, then they're in the wrong group and we'll have to change them to another." It makes sense; one child's lack of skill or confidence can hold a group up, making the lesson tiring and boring, which is something all instructors know to avoid. But these "Jumping Joeys" are up and raring to go, like any four-to-six year old in the program knows how - with plenty of high fives and roars of "yeah!" as we set off on the cruisy Serwa's run, a beautifully groomed green, but with plenty of pitch for these quick learners who love a bit of speed. Observing how a lesson progresses gives plenty of insight into why the smallest skiers on the mountain seem to be among the best. Lessons are fun. Local instructor Holly Kunster knows if they're not having fun, kids don't learn as quickly, or as well.

"The first thing we do is make them happy," she says. "If they're not happy, they're not receptive. If they're not receptive they're not going to learn anything and you're about to have the lesson from Hell."
The four children in our group, two locals, one from the UK and another from Hong Kong, all take turns following the leader, jumping, turning and gliding down the mountain like a multi-coloured
caterpillar. And this scenario takes place every day for scores of children guided by instructors who all seem to have a degree in child psychology. In fact, the instructor's program nowadays has a component in child behaviour, says Adelaide-born Ella Stewart, who takes our family of three out later in the week for a "Mom, Dad and Me" lesson. The one-on-one sessions are great for highlighting the skills children need to concentrate on to crack the next level of competency, while helping parents with their own teaching skills for the times when they all want to ski together.

Meanwhile, Rolly is full of praise and advice. The group lesson is broken by small bursts of activity, with regular pauses for assessment, observation, and instruction, most of which is conducted while he skis backwards. Occasionally, he must climb back up the hill to help someone who's fallen down, but is reluctant to pick them up. "It's important for the kids to learn how to get themselves up in all situations, so my job is to encourage them to do it themselves," Rolly explains, as Courtney twists her body and skis around to parallel so she can lever herself to the standing position. Later on the chair, the conversation turns to things other than skiing and Courtney explains how she once "vomited three times" during a flight to her parents' homeland of South Africa, her fall long forgotten as we head back to base for a well-deserved snack and hot chocolate. With their particular knack of making the most innocent anecdote a belly-laugh, it's part of the fun of the job flowing back to the instructors.

"Kids say the darndest things," says Rolly, grinning widely beneath his helmet and goggles, then smoothly guides his charges inside, where his fun factor ensures no-one knocks their drink over and the break is enough to charge everyone for another run before lunch. Big White's learning slopes are long, so there's plenty of time for regular breaks, and with trips back to base for lunch and snacks, not to mention the extra-curricular craft, drawing and maybe a little tv, the children at Big White don't have time to get tired of their learning programme. In fact, they often progress beyond parents' expectations, such is the combination of their own eagerness to learn and go fast, and the instructors' acknowledgement of their readiness for the next level via a reporting card system which attaches to their ski suit.
This keeps kids interested and enthusiastic. Theme days, where instructors and helpers dress in pyjamas or other outfits, just add to the mantra of keeping things fun. And there's plenty of activities after hours, if your little ones just aren't tuckered out or need a break, with carnival night - including free activities, popcorn, fireworks and a three-way race by the resort's three mascots - a highlight of the week; a tubing and skating park, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sledding and mini-skidoo rides. Children are keen to show off their skills when Mum and Dad come to pick them up at the end of their day and keen to head to the chair for the last runs of the afternoon. And that's fun for the whole family, even if you fall down.

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Media Release - Nov 17, 2009

Australian Snow Sports Camp

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