Why We Chose to Spend a Month at Big White

When our children were little, we were looking for somewhere that would make family life easy on a snow holiday. For us, Big White ticked every box.

Living in the Snow: True Ski-In, Ski-Out Convenience

We wanted to spend a month immersed in winter. We wanted to wake up each morning, pull back the curtains and see snow-covered roofs, frosted trees and ski runs instead of roads and traffic. We wanted our children to think about skiing from the moment they woke up until they went to bed. We needed the logistics to be very easy. 

One of the biggest attractions was that Big White is a true ski-in, ski-out village. We loved being able to walk almost everywhere on snow rather than along roads. As parents, there was something incredibly reassuring about knowing the village was designed around skiers instead of cars. It gave us the confidence to let the children enjoy a little more independence as they grew.

Everything felt close and uncomplicated. There was one small supermarket for the essentials, cosy eateries, and everything revolved around life on the mountain. Rather than spending time driving, parking or catching buses, we simply stepped outside and started our day.

Family Life, Ski School, and Community Spirit

Ski school was another major consideration. We wanted our children to ski every day, improving their skills while making friends from around the world. Big White’s children’s programs gave them confidence on the slopes while giving us a chance to enjoy some skiing together. Having access to local babysitters and nannies also meant we could occasionally sneak away for a few hours or enjoy a relaxed lunch, knowing the children were well looked after.

The village made family life even easier. We could simply say, “Meet us at Snowshoe Sam’s at three o’clock,” and everyone knew exactly where to go. It became our unofficial family meeting point after a day on the mountain, if we’d split into two groups to concentrate on different skills or take the morning off. Whether we met for a hot chocolate, a snack or a game of pool, it was cool to have an easy meeting spot.

Weekends had a different feel again. The central village came alive with activities, games and entertainment, creating a real sense of community. It felt like a mountain neighbourhood. Those afternoons became some of our favourite memories because they added another dimension to the holiday beyond skiing and we still laugh about some of the prizes the kids won, including our toddler who won a huge toy snake and went around wacking everyone with it. It felt safe and fun and there was something for everyone, not just the parents.

Beyond the Mountain: Wine, Road Trips, and Regional Exploration

Another unexpected highlight was discovering the surrounding Okanagan region. We’d originally chosen Big White for the snow, but we quickly fell in love with the local food and learning about the wine. Sometimes when you have kids you feel like that’s an aspect you need to suspend for a while but it felt easy and exciting to still keep learning about the world and what different wine regions offered. 

My husband took a little roadtrip to Revelstoke with a mate for two days and one night and he was surprised how easy that was to do (for an Aussie!). And Sun Peaks, Silver Star and Apex are even easier for a road trip.

The Magic of Big White: A Sydney Family’s Perspective

Being based at approximately 1,755 metres above sea level (with skiing reaching around 2,319 metres) meant we genuinely felt like we were living in the mountains. Snow wasn’t something we drove to each morning. There was something magical about that, seeing we live at the beach in Sydney.

Looking back, it wasn’t one single feature that made Big White the right choice. It was the combination of everything working together. The pedestrian-friendly village, excellent ski school, family atmosphere, welcoming community, easy logistics and access to the Okanagan all created a holiday that was simple, relaxed and memorable.

If you ask may Aussies, Big White is the stepping stone into realising how much you love snow life.

Related articles:
https://snowaction.com.au/big-white-canada-family-guide-tips/
https://snowaction.com.au/big-white-skiing-and-snowboarding/
https://snowaction.com.au/big-white-aussie-favourite/