Your First Canadian Ski Holiday Starts Here

A first Canadian ski holiday can feel like a big step for for skiers and snowboarders from Down Under: long-haul flights, unfamiliar snow conditions and a mountain you have never skied before. Big White Ski Resort makes the transition easy. 

High above British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Big White Mountain reaches 2,319 metres and sits in one of North America’s renowned snow belts. It combines reliable winter conditions with a compact, welcoming village built for skiing, snowboarding and slowing down between adventures. With Canada’s second-largest lift system, you’ll spend less time waiting in lift lines and more time skiing. 

From travel mode to holiday mode 

Once you arrive, you can settle straight into Canada’s largest totally ski-in, ski-out village. Accommodation, rentals, lessons, restaurants, cafés, shops and lift access are all close by, with the village map making it easy to find your way. Unpack once, get your bearings and focus on enjoying the holiday. 

Once you arrive, the village is easy to get around. Accommodation, rentals, lessons, restaurants, cafés, shops and lift access are all close by, so you can unpack once and focus on the holiday. 

For families, couples and groups of friends, that simplicity makes a real difference. It is less time spent coordinating and more time spent on the mountain. 

Finding your feet 

Big White is a great introduction to skiing and snowboarding in Canada, whether you are a first-timer or simply new to North American skiing. 

With a green run from every lift, beginners and progressing skiers can explore more of the resort as their confidence grows. Rather than being confined to one learning area, you can work your way around the mountain at your own pace. 

Lessons with the Ski & Board School are a smart option early in your stay, particularly if you want to build confidence in deeper snow or get to know the terrain. Big White offers ski and snowboard lessons for adults and children, plus rental packages for travellers who prefer not to bring equipment. 

Families travelling with children can take advantage of the Big White Kids’ Centre, with ski and snowboard lessons, daycare and supervised After Dark programs available. 

New to the resort? Join a complimentary Mountain Tour on your first morning. Led by Big White’s Snow Hosts, it is an easy way to learn the layout, discover suitable runs and pick up local tips before setting out on your own. 

Beyond the runs 

A memorable Canadian winter holiday is about more than how many runs you ski. 

Happy Valley is Big White’s hub for off-slope activities. Spend an afternoon tubing, skating, snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling or enjoying a horse-drawn sleigh ride. The Twinkling Trail is another family favourite, especially after dark. 

Big White’s weekly events calendar runs from Tuesday to Sunday and includes ski-run bingo, trivia, live music, kids’ craft sessions and Carnival Night, with regular Saturday-night fireworks in Happy Valley adding a memorable finish to the day. Check the event calendar before or during your stay, as the program varies throughout the season. 

Then there is night skiing. Big White has Western Canada’s largest night skiing operation, offering a completely different way to experience the mountain once the lifts and runs light up after sunset. 

Settle into mountain life 

Big White has the kind of rhythm that makes it easy to settle in. Mornings begin with coffee, mountain views and freshly groomed runs. Afternoons might mean exploring new terrain, taking a lesson, heading to Happy Valley or relaxing over lunch. 

Evenings are for good food, après, village events and time together. With locally owned restaurants, cafés and pubs, the village feels more like a mountain community than a resort base. 

It is the kind of place where favourite spots are discovered by accident, familiar faces quickly reappear and a first trip often becomes an annual tradition. 

A few tips before you book 

• Fly into Kelowna International Airport and pre-book your airport shuttle to Big White. 
• Buy lift tickets online before arrival for the best available pricing.  
• Consider booking accommodation directly through Big White to access lift-ticket and stay-and-ski package offers. 
• Reserve lessons, rentals and popular activities early, especially during Australian school holidays. 
• Pack warm, waterproof layers, quality gloves or mitts, goggles, warm socks and a neck warmer.  
• Make sure your travel insurance includes snow sports and overseas medical cover. 

Start planning 

Give yourself time to make the most of it: time to explore the mountain, try something beyond skiing, discover your favourite après spot and enjoy a proper Canadian winter. 

Before you arrive, watch Big White’s First-Timer’s Guide on YouTube for tips on accommodation, lift tickets, navigating the mountain and local favourites.  

Main Banner Photo Credit: Geoff Holman
Article by: Big White Ski Resort