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Snow Calls From Big White Ski Resort!
Monday, November 9th, 2009 by Cheryl MacKinnon
Planning a family ski getaway over a long weekend or during a holiday season this year? Consider visiting one of British Columbia’s most loved ski destinations – Big White Ski Resort located a quick hour outside of Kelowna. See video.
Set amongst spectacular beauty of over 750 cm (that’s 24’ plus) of fluffy, sparkling champagne powder, this magnificent resort affords the most expansive and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Plus the entire destination is ski and board in/out, as well as completely accessible on foot. Stroll the village in the evenings along lighted walking paths which connect the main village to the Skier Bridge, all the way down to Happy Village.
Big White Big Views!
Start the day at Village Centre Mall to pick up lift tickets, rentals and the day’s schedule over delicious snacks and fresh lattes at Beano’s Coffee Bar. Then head out to ski and board on any one of the 118 designated trails for beginners to those seeking extreme conditions – no matter what your family’s level of ability, it’s non-stop fun up, down and across the undulating terrain that is Big White. Snow ghosts, a phenomenon created by winds, clouds and fog that frequently pass across the ridge tops and summit of the mountain, add a mystical touch to the experience.
Big White’s Kids’ Centre houses rentals, lessons and child-minding, with snacks and lunches under one roof. The bright, colourful facility provides daycare from 18 months to six years, with an engaging Kids Club, complete with supervised climbing wall, for children aged three to twelve years. Managed by an enthusiastic team of professionals, this safe, controlled environment is constitently voted #1 in Canada. The most frequent comment heard from the kids other than ‘when’s lunch?” is “when do get to go to the park?”…that would be Telus Park, the favourite location for keen boarders and budding Olympic champions!
Overnight accommodations include everything from full service hotels and luxury condominiums – most with their own private decks and hot tubs, to cozy cabins and modest-priced units. And with uniquely ‘Big White’ dining spots like
Heart-warming Gun Barrel Coffees
The Globe (an on mountain wine/tapas bar), to the casually elegant Kettle Valley Steakhouse and Wine bar for dinner or, Snowshoe Sam’s for a famous ‘gun barrel coffee’ après ski, eat in or out…the choice is up to you.
Good Riding, Good Friends
Ok, so you don’t continually get awarded the North American Family Resort of the Year if you don’t meet or exceed expectations! Yes! Absolutely – Big White is incredibly kid friendly. Not just for the under 12 crowd, it’s also a major hit if you’ve got teenagers.
Apart from the exceptional skiing and boarding, Big White has gained an enviable reputation for keeping the gang entertained with all sorts of cool activities. Step on board the gondola to drop 1800’ below the Village Centre to Happy Valley. As its name states, this wide open space includes a huge outdoor skating rink – perfect for a game of hockey at one end while couples and families skate hand in hand at the other. A crackling outdoor fire pit and steaming hot chocolate are close by.
After a few spins, head over to the Mega Snow Coaster tube park. The squeals of laughter coming from the series of nine groomed lanes can be heard clear across the mountain! After sailing down, a rope tow hitches to the tubes for a gentle ride back up…and depending on which night of the week it is, indoor entertainment in the Happy Valley Lodge might include movies and snacks, to Big White’s version of Canadian Idol.
Travel Bits…
Easy to get to from the lower mainland and really anywhere from around BC, and most of North America for that matter, Big White is about an hour’s drive from Kelowna’s airport in the gorgeous Okanagan region, or about a four and half hour drive from Vancouver. Their web site is fabulous and easy to follow. Links with Air Canada and Westjet boast that you could be out on the slopes the same day you travel if you’ve got relatives or friends coming in from other provinces. Regular guests, Dave and Wilma from Toronto, echoed this statement with big smiles as we shared a shuttle from the airport to the Resort. Check it out for yourself at www.bigwhite.com.
Photo credits to Big White Ski Resort, BC, Canada
Big Beautiful Snow Ghosts at Big White