British Columbia, Canada
Big White
1,147 hectares, 119 runs near Kelowna. Family-owned since 1985, ski-in ski-out village, Okanagan snow.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
28 Nov 2025
Closes
5 Apr 2026
Days open
128
Annual snow
8m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
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.
811m
Vertical
119
Runs
2,834 acres
Skiable
8m
Annual snow
The Terrain
119 runs across 2,834 acres skiable
Big White spreads 119 runs across 2,834 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 54%, with 21 beginner runs to find your feet and 33 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
119
runs
119 runs across 4 grades
Beginner21 runs · 18%
Intermediate64 runs · 54%
Advanced26 runs · 22%
Expert7 runs · 6%
Time it right
When to visit Big White
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.
Season 2025 - 2026
28 Nov 2025
Opens
5 Apr 2026
Closes
128
Days open
8 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Big White, and where to stay
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.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Big White, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Arosa to Replace 40-Year-Old Hörnli Lifts With New Gondola and Chair
Arosa's Hörnli sector is getting its biggest overhaul in decades. The 1986 gondola and 1994 chairlift linking toward Lenzerheide are both being replaced, with capacity up, tower count down and a new base station lower on the hill. At roughly CHF 67 million, it is the largest single investment Arosa Bergbahnen has ever made - and the target opening has already slipped a year, to December 2028. Here is what is changing, and why the timeline moved.
20 Aug 2026
Sundance Mountain Resort Is Getting a New High-Speed Quad and More Back Mountain Terrain This Winter
Sundance Mountain Resort's back mountain is finally getting a proper lift. The Electric Horseman Express opens for 2026-27, unlocking a new bowl next to Bishop's Bowl and three expert gladed chutes across roughly 105 fresh acres - on top of the Storyteller ridge run that debuted in preview form last season. It's Sundance's biggest expansion since 1985, and it turns a three-lift slog into a single six-minute ride to Bearclaw Summit.
19 Aug 2026
Levi and Ruka Confirm October 2 Opening on Farmed Summer Snow
Finland's Levi and Ruka open for the 2026-27 season on October 2, more than seven weeks before most of Europe sees a lift turn. Neither resort is waiting on autumn snowfall - both are skiing on snow buried since last spring, insulated through the Finnish summer and dug back out for opening day. It is not a shortcut. It is a decades-old system now spreading from the Arctic Circle to Idaho, Utah, Vermont and Colorado. Here is how snow farming actually works, and why it is catching on.
19 Aug 2026
Sölden's Old Einzeiger Chairlift Gets a Second Life in Montafon
Silvretta Montafon is replacing its ageing Freda chairlift - but not with something new. The resort is having a 1999 four-seater chairlift, retired from Sölden, dismantled, shipped to Vorarlberg and rebuilt with new electronics, cable and clamps. It has to be running before March 2027, when Silvretta Montafon hosts the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships - the biggest winter sports event Vorarlberg has staged. Here's how a reused lift ends up cheaper.
18 Aug 2026
Nassfeld Invests €13 Million in New 6-Seater Chairlift for 2026/27 Season
Nassfeld is putting €13 million into a new 6-seater chairlift, the Tressdorfer Almbahn, connecting Sonnleitn with the Tressdorfer Alm from December 2026. It replaces three ageing drag lifts and will run through summer too, from June 2027, moving up to 2,500 people an hour on the roughly three-minute ride. It's the latest step in Carinthia's largest ski resort building out a genuine year-round offering, following last year's Gartnerkofelbahn gondola.
17 Aug 2026
Stelvio Glacier Suspends Summer Skiing, Leaving Continental Europe Without a Lift-Served Slope
Italy's Stelvio Glacier has pulled the plug on summer skiing from August 15. It was the last lift-served ski option left standing in continental Europe, and now there's none. Operator SIFAS pointed to persistent heat, storms, and a snowpack that simply wasn't refreezing overnight anymore. The cable car keeps running. Whether skiing comes back later this summer depends on the weather turning - and right now, nobody's promising anything.
15 Aug 2026
Maverick Mountain's Only Chairlift Destroyed as Sand Creek Fire Tears Through Montana Ski Area
Firefighters saved every base building at Maverick Mountain, Montana, but the resort's sole chairlift didn't survive the Sand Creek Fire. Owners Erik and Kristi Borge say the lift is "most likely" out for the 2026/27 season after flames tore through the mountain on August 8. The wildfire has since grown past 27,700 acres with zero percent containment. It's a gutting result for the tiny, one-lift operation near Dillon - though the lodge, groomers and equipment all made it through untouched.
15 Aug 2026
Fairmont Niseko: New Luxury Resort Revives Stalled La Plume Site for Early 2028 Opening
Fairmont is bringing its second Japanese property to Niseko, and this one's got history. The 165-room resort will rise on the site of the stalled La Plume project, which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2025 before J-Will Partners bought the site for redevelopment. Set between Mount Yotei and Mount Annupuri, it's slated for an early 2028 opening - putting it in play for the 2027/28 season. Expect two restaurants, a spa, onsen bathing, and a kids' club, a short drive from Niseko Village and Hirafu.
12 Aug 2026
Live webcams
8 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Big White's live webcams
Check live conditions across Big White with 8 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Gem Lake Top2222m
- Located at the summit of the Gem Lake Express, this Big White webcam showcases stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Get a bird's-eye perspective of the resort's highest terrain through this live cam that updates every 10 minutes.
- The Cliff2195m
- This Big White webcam offers a look at the resort's most challenging terrain. Positioned high above the resort at The Cliff area, this live cam gives advanced riders a preview of conditions on the expert runs.
- Snow Stake Cam1667m
- Monitor fresh snowfall through this Big White web cam focused on the official snow stake. Updated every 10 minutes, this live cam offers a clear view of snow accumulation, with the plot cleared daily at 4:00pm for accurate tracking.
- TELUS Park1820m
- Keep an eye on conditions at Big White's premier terrain park with this live webcam. Positioned for a perfect view of the TELUS Park features, this web cam lets you check the setup and riding conditions before heading out.
- Easy Street1765m
- Watch beginners perfect their skills through this Big White webcam overlooking the Easy Street learning area. This live cam provides a clear view of the gentle slope leading back to the village, perfect for checking conditions in the beginner zone.
- Snow Ghost1665m
- Get a great view of Big White's premium six-seater chair through this web cam. The Snow Ghost Express webcam lets you monitor lift operations and slope conditions around one of the resort's most popular lifts.
- Village Centre1775m
- Stay connected to the heart of the action with this Big White web cam overlooking the village center. This live camera captures the bustling atmosphere and current conditions in the main village area.
- Black Forest1720m
- Monitor conditions in Big White's famous intermediate zone through this webcam. The Black Forest live cam provides a view of both the lift and surrounding trails, perfect for checking out this popular corner of the resort.
Big White snow cams FAQ
How often do Big White snow cams update?
All Big White snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Big White.
Which Big White webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Gem Lake Top webcam at 2,222m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Big White webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Big White lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Big White snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Big White snow cams?
Check Big White webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Big White lift tickets?
Use our Big White webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Big White webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Big White snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Big White intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.