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Big White Resort Reviews


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Visitor reviews for Big White Ski Resort

Big White Ratings

Overall: 4.0. Based on 79 votes and 38 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.5

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Big White is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.4

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Big White has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 4.2

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.2

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.6

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Big White.

Public Transport: 3.6

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Big White, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.5

(1) No places to stay in/near Big White, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.5

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.1

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Big White.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.7

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.3

(1) There are no child care facilities at Big White, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 2.2

(1) Big White relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.3

(1) There are no snow groomers at Big White, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Big White are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.7

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Big White is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 2.8

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Big White, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.5

(1) Big White usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.3

(1) The staff at Big White are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Big White are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.1

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.2

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.4

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.5

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.6

(1) No intermediate terrain at Big White, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.0

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 4.3

(1) Not even a kicker at Big White, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.6

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Big White, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 2.7

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Big White has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 3.8

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.2

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.8

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 3.0

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.3

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 3.7

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.1

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.1

(1) Overall, Big White is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.1

(1) Overall, Big White is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

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March 02, 2022
Willy C from Ski Canada Canada
This resort has a big heart. I was stuck on very heavy wet powder (I am a rusty intermediate with mid fat skis). Snow was up to my right knee. I couldn't move my right ski a hair and I might have injured my knee. With no confidence to go on without risking further injury, I call the Big White concierge. Shortly ski patrol Alex arrived and examined me. Ski patrol, Chris, arrived shortly after with a toboggan. Alex hauled me down with Chris riding shotgun. Both are extremely well-trained, professional and very kind. They escorted me back to our accommodation and assured me that I did the right thing. Champs! Read More
December 12, 2021
ski pro from Ski Canada Canada
This resort used to have heart. It used to have soul. Then it decided profit over experience is their game. So they outside by side chairs...except the mountain never grew. They added more and more accommodations, but they lost all their employees so there is no service to be had from them. They mandate vaccines for outdoor staff and now have none. They also don't care if you have high expectations. We had an old man having a heart attack and all the coffee owner could say was "can't you do this outside" Big White was a cool place in 1980. Now it just wants $$$$$ What was once a great place has been ruined, with a helicopter to a sister resort of Silver Star. Big White, more like big white out. Think I don't know. I gave them my heart and soul for 8 years. They are not worth your money time or effort. (note from editor: text altered for the sake of relevance) Read More
February 18, 2020
Bill Smith from Ski Canada Canada
Rather disappointed with Big White resort. Food: only 1 or 2 decent options. Kids activities other than skiing start at 3pm Resort built on the side of a mountain, accessibility poor. Most times you are walking uphill. Shopping non-existent. Big White is aptly named as you are virtually in white-out conditions up top. Pretty difficult to navigate terrain you can't see. Local skiers claim that this is a regular symptom of skiing here. Not as kid-friendly as advertised. Read More
January 26, 2020
Mark Wiens from Ski Canada Canada
Best resort on Earth! Untouched snow for everyone and fantastic staff!
April 06, 2018
Brian from Ski Canada Canada
Yes, the snow is fantastic. The variety of terrain is also great. But the fog! You really take a chance if you come for less than a week. Fog is so prevalent that unless you come for a week you may be disappointed. The web cameras do help the locals decide if it is worth going out. The mountain could use more adult facilities, e.g. over 30. All in all, a great ski mountain when you can see. Read More
January 24, 2018
emily from Ski Canada Canada
Big White is the most amazing experience you could ever have. The staff are so friendly, always going the extra mile for you. The hill itself is phenomenal with amazing powder and beautifully groomed runs. I would recommend that everyone go to Big White.
November 20, 2017
Scott Martin from Ski Canada Canada
Took the family from flat Ontario to BW in January 2017. At first glance, it looked more like a hill than a mountain. After 5 ski days, however, we were sold. The snow was excellent, the resort was good, access from Kelowna was easy and lift lines were non-existent. In August, we went back out to BW and purchased our own chalet. That's how much we liked it. If you're looking for a crowd and a huge party, go to Whistler or Tremblant. If you're looking for a resort with ski-in/ski-out accommodations, great skiing, great snow, etc come to Big White. Read More
December 31, 2014
Richie from Ski New Zealand New Zealand
Great skiing, great family resort. Staff all very pleasant and helpful. We had plenty of snow and tree skiing was great. Although (Xmas 2014) they thought there wasn't much snow. If you ski in NZ or Scotland this seems pretty acceptable to me! We've skied in various other resorts in Canada and this is comparable. Certainly for ski in-ski out and for families this is up there. Things to do better? How about a more coherent lift system, somewhere to eat on the mountain; better staff training (99% of staff were awesome but some hadn't much of a clue about what they were doing, probably because many of them come from that Mecca of skiing: Australia. So I can understand their snow/lift/ski knowledge is average. Clocks on the lifts would help too! But apart from those minor points we had a great time. [note from the editor: some minor alterations have been made so sentences are coherent.] Read More
January 27, 2014
nrocz from Ski Canada Canada
I don't want to write too good a review of Big White because if I do, more people might come and track down all of my pow. I don't want to say how beautiful Stone Gate resort is because I might not be able to get my favourite room next time. I really don't want to tell people about what an awesome place Big White is. Instead, I'll say this and hope this is the only part they read "stay away from Big White!!" because I want it all to myself. Read More
December 09, 2013
Nicki from Ski Canada Canada
Love this mountain! 9 years with a seasons pass here; proud owner of a studio apartment right in the village. The family skis and boards every weekend; it's our happy place. We take advantage of everything. The snow coaster, the skating rink, après ski in happy valley. Go for walks, snow bank adventures. Have eaten in every restaurant. Love the gun barrel, the bull wheel and am looking forward to afternoons in the Blarney Stone. Danced the night away at Sams and Raakels. The snow is amazing and for those who don't know..mother nature brings all mountains their fair share of wind and fog and sometimes dry patches (what, no pow pow!) but we have a great time no matter what is going on outside! But, normally, when it's cloudy in Kelowna it's sunny up on the hill. Kids carnival, fireworks, new years eve...they try to think of everything. Very proud of our mountain and all the fun memories it's given me. I've visited a lot of mountains and so have many of our friends and Big White always ranks top! Read More

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