Big White adapts ski and snowboard lessons to the pandemic

If you’re hoping to come out of this pandemic with a new skill, this might be the best time to finally learn how to ski or snowboard.

Big White ski resort has modified its lesson plans with a two-hour private session at a lower price and packages that can be divided by your social bubble.

"If you were ever to take a lesson and take a lesson where it's just you, you have singular focus, you have all the attention and you could learn the sport very quickly," says Michael Richards, director of mountain sports at Big White.

If you’re a first-timer, it can also be a great time to learn as there are less crowds around to see you struggle.

"Normally, with our group lessons and our discover packages we would have quite a few groups down here [on the Mountain]," explains Big White snowboard instructor Natasha Ellwood. "This year though, we have the space to ourselves."

For over a month, Big White has been dealing with a COVID-19 community cluster, with 28 linked cases announced yesterday. Interior health has said that it’s safe to continue visiting the ski resort and Richards says Big White is doing everything in its power to make visitors feel comfortable.

The hill added numerous outdoor washrooms and placed food trucks at lifts to avoid visitors from gathering inside.

Skiing and snowboarding are activities that allows participants to enjoy the outdoors in a big way.

"You feel the outdoors have gotten bigger – and that’s really what we’re after," says Richards. "You know, I don’t want to be stuck at home in my house in Kelowna, I want to come up here and enjoy, as Michael J. would say, ‘The Champagne powder.’"