How big is Big White?
Big White has 118 pistes served by 16 lifts — 7th for pistes of the 15 resorts we track in Canada. On lifts it ranks 2nd of the 15.
Big White resort guide
British Columbia, Canada
Okanagan powder with family-friendly terrain
Big White at a glance
118
Pistes
16
Lifts
2,319m
Top
1,755m
Base
564m
Vertical
YLW
Nearest airport, 42 km
18% beginner54% intermediate28% advanced
Big White offers Okanagan powder, family-friendly terrain, and excellent facilities in beautiful British Columbia.
Your questions about Big White, answered
How high is Big White?
The lifts run from 1755m at the base to 2319m at the top, a vertical of 564m. Of the 15 resorts we track in Canada, that is the 5th highest, with the 9th biggest vertical.
Is Big White good for beginners or experts?
The pistes at Big White split 18% beginner, 54% intermediate and 28% advanced, against an average of 20% beginner and 34% advanced across the resorts we track in Canada.
On those numbers it suits intermediates.
For off-piste, our guide documents 4 zones at Big White, with the lift to take and the avalanche risk for each.
When is the ski season at Big White?
Over the last ten winters Big White has typically held skiable snow at mid-mountain from around 9 December to 30 April, about 144 days.
February is the best all-round month on the record, with an average base of 71cm, 41cm of new snow and 0.8 bluebird days.
Month-by-month snow history →What is the nearest airport to Big White?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Kelowna (YLW), 42km away in a straight line. Penticton (YYF) is 57km, Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional (YCG) is 105km. Road distances are longer, often much longer in the mountains, and the nearest airport is not always the one with the most flights.
How much is a lift pass at Big White?
A 6-day adult Big White lift ticket costs CA$1,430 for 2025/26, or CA$238 a day. For value it ranks 8th of the 15 resorts we price in Canada.
Full lift pass prices and history →Airports near Big White
Airports with scheduled flights, nearest first. Distances are straight-line; by road they are longer, and in the mountains often much longer.
- KelownaYLW42 km · major airport
- PentictonYYF57 km
- Castlegar/West Kootenay RegionalYCG105 km
Travel time to Big White
Pick the airport you fly from for an estimate of the journey to the resort.
- Fly to Kelowna (YLW)Quickest
- Flight
- 9h 45m · 7,350 km
- Transfer by road
- 50m · 57 km
- Total
- ≈ 13h 5m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
- Fly to Penticton (YYF)
- Flight
- 9h 50m · 7,404 km
- Transfer by road
- 1h 10m · 77 km
- Total
- ≈ 13h 30m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
- Fly to Castlegar/West Kootenay Regional (YCG)
- Flight
- 9h 45m · 7,333 km
- Transfer by road
- 2h 10m · 142 km
- Total
- ≈ 14h 25m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
Estimates from straight-line distances, not timetables: flights at typical cruising speed plus taxi and climb, transfers at an average 65 km/h by road. They leave out check-in and baggage time, and mountain roads in snow can take much longer. Check with airlines and transfer companies before booking.
Big White lift pass 2025/26
CA$1,4306-day adult Big White lift ticket · ≈£765
CA$238 per day · 1.0 km of piste per € · #8 of 15 for value in Canada
Dynamic pricing — book early for lower prices
29value scorePremium price
Big White piste map
We publish a piste map only once we have checked it against the lift company's own file, and we do not yet have a verified map for Big White. Most resorts release the new season's map between October and December, so this page will fill in as winter approaches. In the meantime, Big White has 118 pistes and 16 lifts, running from 1,755m to 2,319m.
Why go to Big White
- Okanagan powder
- Family-friendly terrain
- Excellent facilities
- Beautiful British Columbia scenery
- Great for all skill levels
- Less crowded
Things to know
- Can be expensive
- Weather can be variable
- Limited flight options
- Remote location
Skiing and snowboarding Big White by ability
Beginners
Big White offers excellent beginner terrain! The resort is very beginner-friendly with well-maintained beginner runs and excellent ski schools. Beginners will feel comfortable here.
Intermediates
Big White is excellent for intermediate skiers! The resort offers extensive intermediate terrain with Okanagan powder. Intermediate skiers will love the variety and long runs.
Advanced
Big White offers good advanced terrain! The resort has challenging expert runs and powder opportunities. Advanced skiers will find plenty of challenging terrain to explore.
Our take on Big White
Food & dining
Après-ski
Price level
Mid-range
Facilities
Official resort website: bigwhite.com
More on Big White
- Big White snow reportLive conditions, snow depth and the 7-day forecast by elevation
- Big White snow historyTen seasons of snowfall, snow depth, powder days and when the season ends
- Big White lift pass pricesDay and week pass prices, how they have changed, and value for money
- Big White off-piste guideWhere the powder is, which lift to take and the avalanche risk
- Ski resorts in CanadaLive snow reports and a map of resorts, cities and airports in Canada
Ski resorts near Big White
- Sun Peaks146 km
- Revelstoke148 km
- Panorama208 km
- Kicking Horse220 km
- Banff Sunshine270 km
- Lake Louise271 km
Distances are straight-line, not by road.