Big White

Q: Is Big White good for families and beginners?

One of the best family resorts in Canada. The terrain is gentle and consistent, the dry Okanagan powder forgives a fall in a way heavy coastal snow does not, and it is a ski-through village where nothing needs a car — you can reach almost everything on skis. The famous snow ghosts, trees encased in rime ice, are a bonus for the kids.

Q: How do I get to Big White?

Kelowna airport is around an hour away and has domestic flights; Vancouver is about five hours by road or a short connecting flight. Once in the village you will not need the car again until you leave, so a lesson can start from your door.

Okanagan, British ColumbiaSee it on the map

Region

Okanagan, British Columbia

Country

Canada

Local time

America/Vancouver

Currency

USD

Big White is best known for its snow ghosts — trees so completely encased in rime ice that they become white sculptures, an effect produced by the freezing fog that sits on this mountain.

It is a ski-through village in the dry Okanagan interior, which means light cold powder rather than the heavy coastal snow of Whistler, and a layout where you can reach almost everything on skis.

Last reviewed 14 September 2026

Best suited to

Families
Beginners
Intermediates
Snowboarding

Featured instructors at Big White

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Where lessons start

One of the best family resorts in Canada: gentle consistent terrain, dry snow that forgives a fall, and a village where nothing needs a car.

Getting there

Kelowna is around an hour, with domestic flights; Vancouver is about five hours by road or a short connection.

See it on the map Official resort website

Qualifications required in Canada

Canada has no state teaching licence. The professional standard is the Instructor certification, and Alpine Pal shows what each instructor actually holds so you can judge it for yourself.

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Big White: common questions

Is Big White good for families and beginners?

One of the best family resorts in Canada. The terrain is gentle and consistent, the dry Okanagan powder forgives a fall in a way heavy coastal snow does not, and it is a ski-through village where nothing needs a car — you can reach almost everything on skis. The famous snow ghosts, trees encased in rime ice, are a bonus for the kids.

How do I get to Big White?

Kelowna airport is around an hour away and has domestic flights; Vancouver is about five hours by road or a short connecting flight. Once in the village you will not need the car again until you leave, so a lesson can start from your door.