Area Profile
Winter Activities
Summer Activities
Après-ski
Transportation
Housing
Employment - Ski areas: Big White Ski Resort
- Population: Kelowna 88,000
- Snow report: (604) 765-SNOW
- Annual snowfall: 223" (585 cm.)
- Ski season: Mid-November-mid April
- Kelowna Chamber of Commerce: (604) 861-1515
- Average cost 1-bedroom apartment: $500-$600 Cdn. per month
- Cost of adult 1-day lift ticket: $68 - $73 Cdn.
- Local newspaper: Kelowna Daily Courier, (604) 762-4445
Area Profile Big White is located at the edge of the incredibly scenic Canadian Monashees, and is B.C.'s highest ski resort. The surrounding area, the Okanagans, is a popular tourist destination known for its mild climate, dry summers, and
abundant lakes and ski resorts. The hub of the Okanagans is Kelowna, a small city situated on the shores of Okanagan Lake. Big White is a fast-growing resort in both reputation and size; investment on the mountain over the past four years exceeds fifty million dollars in commercial and residential development. The ski area has also added three high-speed quad lifts and a double chair all in the last four years. Winter Activities
Big White is a top destination ski area that doesn't get as much attention as fellow B.C. resorts Whistler and Blackcomb, but is the second largest destination resort in the province. Dry powder falls early and often, averaging over eighteen feet each winter, and attracting skiers from all over North America. Big White's 2,050 feet of vertical drop is served by nine chairlifts including three high-speed lifts which reach bowls well above the tree line.
Snowboarders are welcome, thrive in the steep bowls and dry powder, and can enjoy a brand new snowboard park. Big White also offers thirty kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Summer Activities Big White is pretty quiet in the summer, but is still popular with mountain bikers, hikers, and sightseers. The Tyrolean-style White Crystal Inn is open year-round and offers lodging, a lounge and pub, and nearby hiking. Kelowna
is at the center of the Okanagans, a major summer recreation center famous for waterskiing, sailing regattas, summer festivals, and early autumn fruit and wine festivals. Après-ski The village at the base of the mountain houses up to 4,000 people during the winter months and offers five restaurants and three bars for the after-ski crowd. All the night spots are located in one central area, so there is no need for
transportation once at the village. Kelowna, fifty-five kilometers away, is a large town and offers a wide variety of clubs and attractions. Transportation Kelowna is a forty-five minute drive away; and Canadian Airlines and Air B.C. schedule regular flights to the Kelowna airport. A staff bus shuttles employees from Kelowna to the ski area, and a ski bus from Kelowna brings skiers to Big White on weekends and holidays. Housing
Big White maintains accommodations for resort staff in the village at the base of the mountain, but many employees share private village cabins or commute from Kelowna. Employment Big White is the only employer at the village itself. Many ski area employees work at resort-related facilities in and around Kelowna during the summer. Ski instructors who are Canadian citizens can arrange an exchange with Australian
and New Zealand resorts and work there during the summer. Silver Star Ski Resort >>>
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