Big White, Canada

Essential Advice for the Perfect Trip

A good family ski area with superb snow, negligible lift lines, great grooming and excellent accommodation, Big White is a big hitter among the more recently developed clutch of Canadian resorts that have successfully sought international acclaim. It is hidden away in British Columbia in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, the country’s famous wine-growing region. Big White takes its name from the sometimes all-enveloping moisture-filled cloud, which creates a phantom forest of snow-ghosts – trees frozen into eerie shapes. It is within easy reach of Silver Star, where you can ski for the day albeit with a separate lift pass. The ski area is much bigger than you’d expect from looking at the trail map, with a mixture of long cruising runs, fearsome bump runs and gentle beginner slopes.

The resort heart is the Village Centre Mall – with its iconic clock tower – and the Kids Centre. The resort has a handful of restaurants including a tapas bar, the well-known Snowshoe Sam’s bar and an Irish pub.

We Love	We Hate
The convenience of being able to ski right from your door. The lack of queues and empty slopes. The facilities for families. Snow quality that forms amazing natural sculptures on the trees – known as snow ghosts. The 152-m (500-ft) long, Olympic-standard super-pipe.	The limited nightlife, apart from a couple of bars. The lack of restaurant choices on the mountain.

1. 

   
   Guide to the Mountain
2. 

   
   Where to Stay
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   Where to Eat
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   Where to Learn
5. 

   
   Where to Party