
Big White
1,147 hectares, 119 runs near Kelowna. Family-owned since 1985, ski-in ski-out village, Okanagan snow.
Big White's summit reaches 2,319 metres, dropping 811 vertical metres to a base at 1,508 metres across 119 runs spread over roughly 1,147 hectares near Kelowna, British Columbia. Terrain splits 54 per cent intermediate, 22 per cent advanced, 18 per cent beginner and 6 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 7.5 metres. Fifteen lifts, including seven quad chairs and one six-person chair, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, two triple chairs, one gondola and three surface lifts.
Big White holds a genuinely distinctive place among British Columbia resorts as a family-owned, ski-in and ski-out village resort in the Okanagan Valley, known for its consistently light, dry snow. Its intermediate-weighted terrain and considerable on-mountain village have built Big White's reputation as one of the more family-oriented major resorts in the province.
Big White opened in 1963, developed to bring lift-served skiing to the Okanagan Valley above Kelowna. Ownership changed hands in 1985 when the Schumann family purchased the resort, and the family has continued to own and operate Big White ever since, a genuinely unusual arrangement given the scale of the province's larger, corporately owned resorts.
Big White's exact current pass affiliation is not confirmed in available resort information, though the resort has offered its own multi-day POWder Card products directly. Adult daily tickets run from 77 to 95 Canadian dollars.
Big White spreads 119 runs over roughly 1,147 hectares above Kelowna, dropping 811 metres from the 2,319-metre summit. This is an intermediate mountain first, with 54% of the terrain rated blue, 22% advanced, 18% beginner and just 6% expert. The result is wide, forgiving cruising, much of it among the heavily frosted trees known locally as snow ghosts, with about 7.5 metres of dry snow in a typical season. Skiers hunting extreme lines will find limited challenge, but families and mixed groups can stay together with very little effort.
The Cliff Chair side of the mountain holds the steeper pitches, with runs such as Exhibition delivering the more technical descents, while the alpine bowls above the Powder Chair open into wide, variable-snow skiing. Intermediates gravitate to the Black Forest zone, where blue runs like Serwa's and Kalina's make long, flowing laps. Beginners are well served close to the village, which sits directly on the slopes and keeps the walk to the lifts short. Big White suits families, progressing intermediates and groups of mixed ability who value ski-in access and consistent snow over big steeps.
The 2025-26 season at Big White ran from 28 November 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly eighteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 7.5 metres. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather in the Okanagan Valley.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent, light and dry conditions to Big White's intermediate-weighted terrain. As a family-owned resort, Big White draws considerable family visitation from across the Okanagan and Western Canada, alongside destination travellers seeking its ski-in and ski-out village.
Big White's substantial on-mountain village and family-friendly terrain continue to support strong visitation throughout the season, particularly during school holiday periods. The resort's snow school and varied terrain across all ability levels draw a genuinely broad family visitor base.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since the Schumann family took ownership in 1985, Big White has continued building on six decades of history since its 1963 founding. The resort's family ownership and considerable village scale remain central to its enduring popularity in the Okanagan.
Big White sits near Kelowna, British Columbia, in the Okanagan Valley, with a base elevation of 1,508 metres and a summit at 2,319 metres across an 811-metre vertical drop over roughly 1,147 hectares. This setting places Big White within a comparatively short drive of Kelowna, a considerably larger city than most Canadian ski towns.
Kelowna, the Okanagan's largest city, offers extensive lodging, dining and services within a manageable drive of the resort, while Big White's own substantial on-mountain village provides considerable ski-in and ski-out accommodation directly at the base.
British Columbia Highway 33 provides direct access to the resort from Kelowna. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled road is regularly maintained given the resort's status as a major Okanagan destination.
Kelowna International Airport, roughly a one-hour drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into the region, with Big White's considerable proximity to a well-served regional airport supporting substantial visitation from across Western Canada.
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Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 26, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Big White typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Our lift ticket pricing was last updated on Sep 26, 2026.
Day passes start from CA$84, with peak rates up to CA$189.
Full day access to Big White's 119 runs across 2,834 acres of famous Okanagan champagne powder for the 2026/27 season, served by 15 lifts including seven quad chairs and a gondola. Book online in advance to save over the window rate.
Buy passDiscounted full-day access for teens 13-18 across Big White's full 119-run network for the 2026/27 season, including terrain parks and night skiing. Book online in advance to save over the window rate.
Buy passFull-day skiing for kids 6-12 at Big White for the 2026/27 season, with access to dedicated beginner terrain, ski school programs, and the resort's family-oriented ski-in, ski-out village. Book online to save.
Buy passDiscounted full-day access for skiers 65 and over across all of Big White's 119 runs for the 2026/27 season. Enjoy exclusive Snowbird Club 65 benefits including performance tune discounts and special member pricing. Book online to save.
Buy passUnlimited season access for adults 19-64 at Big White for 2026/27, at Early Bird pricing on sale now through October 18, 2026, before rates step up through Pre-Season and into Regular Season.
Buy passUnlimited season access for teens 13-17 at Big White for 2026/27, at Early Bird pricing on sale through October 18, 2026.
Buy passUnlimited season access for kids 6-12 at Big White for 2026/27, at Early Bird pricing - the resort's most affordable full-season option for young skiers, on sale through October 18, 2026.
Buy passUnlimited season access for skiers 65 and over under Big White's Club 65 program for 2026/27, at Early Bird pricing on sale through October 18, 2026.
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