Apres Ski in Big White
Big White’s mountain village is Ski-in, ski-out, ski-through… Big White’s Main Street doubles as a ski run and a pedestrian walkway linking the resort’s accommodation to its off-slope attractions.
Big White Village
Modern and thoughtfully developed the Big White village deserves its status as Canada’s most family friendly resort. Though the resort will never rival more traditional mountain villages for authentic charm the purpose built lodges and holiday facilities are attractive. Still relatively new, the gaps in between existing developments will be filled in over the coming years to give the resort a more wholesome feel. Expect a Southern hemisphere feel: Big White is Australian owned and a sizeable proportion of the resort staff hail from ‘down under’.
The Village Centre Mall in the centre of the resort is the resort’s main hub and the place to head for all your holiday essentials. Home to the Central Reservations for accommodation, you can also buy lift passes, book ski and board lessons, rent equipment, shop for wintersports gear or stop for a bite to eat. Families are the visible majority in Big White and the resort’s off-slope attractions are visibly biased towards them. The resort runs a series of organised events throughout the week, including movie and carnival nights for the young and young-at-heart. Pick up a copy of the weekly programme in the Village Day Centre.
Apres Ski Bars & Restaurants in Big White
Big White resort offers a choice of around 20 restaurants, cafes and delis for breakfast, lunch or dinner, eat-in or take-away.
Big White apres-ski has a strong family focus with daily activities in the Village Centre Mall. For something a little stronger don’t miss the famous ‘gunbarrel coffee’ served daily at Snowshoe Sam’s, the main apres-ski bar.
Best known for its lively evenings, Sam’s Pub has regularly been voted one of the best ski bars in North America, with twenty beers on tap, live bands or DJ and late snacks also available. The restaurant above Sam’s Pub serves full and continental breakfasts, lunch and dinner. Open from 11am until 1am daily. Tel: +1 250 765 5959 (Pub).
Big White Restaurants & Cafes
Beano’s Coffee Parlor
The ideal place to grab a coffee while you sort out equipment hire and lift passes, Beano’s in the Village Centre Mall does a roaring trade in breakfast muffins, sandwiches and soup, all available to take-away. Open daily 7am-9pm. Tel: +1 250 491 3558.
The Big White Bakery
On the lower level of the Village Centre Mall and open 8am-5pm a canteen style bakery serving a selection of cold patisseries and cakes and hot pies with bread baked fresh daily. Tel: +1 205 491 3575.
Carvers Restaurant
Carvers in The Inn at Big White, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7am-10pm daily. The south-facing terrace is a popular spot for watching the sun set on the Monashee mountain range. Tel: +1 250 491 2009.
Copper Kettle Grille
A slope-side restaurant in the White Crystal Inn, head to the Copper Kettle Grille for Canadian and international cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tel: +1 250 491 8122.
Frank’s Chinese Laundry
Chinese food has been served here for over 19 years, with a buffet on Friday and Saturday nights and a take-away service available all day. Tel: +1 250 765 7866.
Kettle Valley Steakhouse
Located in Happy Valley, excellent steak, fish and vegetarian dishes are complimented by local Okanagan wines. Tel: +1 250 491 0130.
Loose Moose Bistro & Pub
A casual, family-friendly bistro by day with a menu of snacks, cake and coffees, the Loose Moose in the Happy Valley Day Lodge runs a full restaurant service in the evenings. Tel: +1 250 491 6154.
Pappas Roasters
Fire-grilled food is the speciality at Pappas Roasters in the Whitefoot Lodge. Open from 11am daily. A take-away service is also available. Tel: +1 250 807 2407.
The Snow Ghost Lounge
For weekend entertainment head to the Snow Ghost lounge next door to the Copper Kettle Grille in the White Crystal Inn.
Snowshoe Sam’s Dining Room
Best known for its lively evenings, Sam’s Dining Room (above the Pub) serves full and continental breakfasts, lunch and dinner. Finish off your meal with a flaming “Gunbarrel” coffee, before moving downstairs to the Pub, regularly voted No. 1 Ski Bar in North America. Open from 11am daily. Tel: +1 250 765 1416 (Dining).
Swiss Bear Restaurant & Lounge
Diners are greeted by a life-size Grizzly in the Chateau Big White, in the resort centre. European cuisine and Swiss-fondues are on offer for evening diners, while breakfast and lunch are also available. Open 8am to 10pm daily. Tel: +1 250 491 7750.
The Underground Pizzeria
On the lower level of the Village Centre Mall, next to the bakery, gourmet pizzas are cooked fresh to order eat-in or take-away from 5pm to 11pm daily. Tel: +1 250 491 3575.
Other Activities in Big White
Big White prides itself on its holistic approach to winter activities offering plenty of non-ski activities from snowmobile tours to dog-sledding, and a weekly programme of events for children and adults.
Happy Valley is the base for many of Big White’s other activities. The Mega Snow Coaster, by Lara’s Gondola, is North America’s largest ski resort tubing park.
The guided snowmobiling tours are a great way to see the forest trails and back country of the ski area, with ‘Mini-Z’ snowmobiles available for children.
Big White’s ice-rink is Canada’s largest natural skating rink, with a beautiful setting among the pine forest.
Husky-dog sledding offers a real Canadian experience, or for something under your speed snowshoeing tours are also available.
Non-skiers can also experience the ski area with a ride in a Sno-Limo.
Book all activities at the Activities and Information Centre in the Village Centre Mall. Tel: +1 250 491 6111.
The Beyond Wrapture Day Spa & Retreat in the Chateau at Big White offers a variety of different massage and beauty treatments for those in need of some TLC. Tel: +1250 448 8899. Web: www.beyondwrapture.com.
Big White Tourist Information
For more information contact the Tourist Office in Big White:
Big White Tourist Office
Tel: +1 250 765 3101
Web: www.bigwhite.com