The Road to Winter: Infrastructure Improvements Underway

Posted On: August 01, 2025 |

While bikes drop down the trails, wildflowers bloom, and the village patios buzz, our winter operations crew is deep in go-mode behind the scenes.

Summer is when the real work happens — and this year, we’re investing $9.4 million into resort upgrades for 2025. It’s all part of our long-term plan to modernize the mountain, improve sustainability, and level up your experience for seasons to come.

“Summer is when the real work happens,” said Darcy Arnold, Chief Operating Officer. “This is the time we prepare the mountain and the infrastructure to deliver the best possible experience when the snow flies.”

Getting the Runs Ready
Every summer, our team tackles brush cutting and slope prep — clearing out thick summer growth that can mess with early-season snow coverage. It’s tough, detailed work, but it makes a big difference when the flakes start falling.

“We’re excited to show off the summer grooming this year,” says Arnold. “We’ll save all of the low elevation brush clearing until September to smooth things out so we can open more terrain sooner.”

This season, we’re completing brush cutting and slope preparation on 15 runs to improve early-season coverage and accelerate terrain openings as snow conditions permit.

Current focus areas include:

Villager Track to Ridge Connector
Shakey Knees
Powder Gulch/Keg Glades
Blue Ribbon

Lifts Get a Lift
Summer’s our only chance to upgrade the lifts — and this year, we’re going big:

Falcon Chair just got a brand-new haul rope (first one since it launched in 1992).
Black Forest Chair is almost done with a full $3 million upgrade that includes installation of an auxiliary motor and electrical upgrade.
Ridge Chair is starting a multi-year refresh — starting with a new electric motor and drive, a new gearbox, and a fresh roof on the bottom station.

Tech Time: Resort-Wide Digital Upgrades
We’re future proofing the mountain with fibre optic cables running to Ridge, Bullet, Powder, Gem Lake, and Black Forest.

What’s coming:

Real-time mountain communications
Digital signage at the top of lifts (rolling out next winter!)

Around the Village: New Builds & More Parking
Construction is booming in the Village, too:

Framing is complete for the new Daycare and Expanded Kid’s Centre and revamped Kettle Valley Steakhouse
The Rider Store is moving to Whitefoot Lodge, with framing underway now

Looking for easier access on busy weekends? You’re in luck. The newly expanded Upper Black Forest parking lot opens this season with room for 300 vehicles, making it easier to snag that perfect spot — even if you roll in a little later.

So yeah — summer at Big White looks a little different, but there’s nothing slow about it. From lift upgrades to slope prep, we’re working hard now so your winter is smoother, and even more fun, from first chair to last run.