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UPDATE 10:20 a.m.
Big White's President and CEO Peter Plimmer took to Facebook Saturday morning to thank staff across the resort for their efforts to keep operations running through Friday's resort-wide power outage.
"Today I have nothing but admiration of our team and hope that you as guests appreciate what they have done to keep the show rolling and minimize the effect of the power outage that happened yesterday," Plimmer posted on Facebook in the Official Big White Group Saturday morning.
"As a local family owned and operated resort to say that I am proud of the team is an understatement. Every day, I get to work with some of the best and most invested people in the industry."
A fallen tree took out a power pole Friday morning, causing a complete outage at the resort. Generators were used to keep several lifts running, and FortisBC crews worked late into the evening to restore power to most of the mountain early Saturday morning.
"I sit here this morning absolutely humbled by the effort that the team have put in for the last 24 hours. Some of the challenges are still continuing and we are getting on top of them," Plimmer said.
He encouraged guests to give a high-five to any staff they see on the mountain Saturday, as a thank you for their efforts Friday.
It's currently -5 C and mostly sunny at Big White. As of 10:15 a.m., the Gem Lake chair is on standby due to winds, while the T-bar is not running due to maintenance issues.
UPDATE 6:35 a.m.
Power has been restored to almost all of Big White as of Saturday morning, after crews worked deep into the night to fix the widespread power outage at the resort.
After a tree took out a power pole Friday morning, Big White was largely without power all day, save for generator power that kept several lifts running.
But FortisBC crews worked to repair the outage all day and into the night, restoring power just before 3 a.m. Another tree had fallen across a power line Friday evening, and in total, five poles had to be repaired.
Big White posted a photo to Facebook at 2:48 a.m. showing 11 of the crew members who worked on the repair.
"Thank you and job well done! 18 hours to fix 5 poles in total. Hats off and standing ovation," the post reads.
According to the FortisBC website, there remains seven homes without power Saturday morning, but the final repairs are expected to be completed by 8 a.m.
UPDATE 8:00 p.m.
The power outage at Big White Ski Resort will last a while longer, as repair crews have another downed power line to worry about.
Big White Ski Resort V,P. Michael J. Ballingall tells Castanet that a second tree has fallen on the line about 50 metres north of the first.
The entire village has been without power since just after 8 a.m. Friday morning and lifts have been operating on backup diesel generators.
Ballingall said that FortisBC has just about completed the repairs on clearing the first tree that took out power to Big White.
"They're expecting that to be completed between nine and ten o'clock," he added. "Then they'll work on the second one. They're not expecting power to be restored until midnight on Friday night."
UPDATE 3:45 p.m.
FortisBC continues to work on repairing the power outage that has left the entire mountain village without power.
Big White Ski Resort V,P. Michael J. Ballingall says they are managing to keep most of the lifts operating on back up diesel generators but they do not expect power to restored until 10 p.m.
FortisBC spokesperson Nicole Brown tells Castanet, "our crews and a certified utility arborist team are making good progress on clearing the tree that took out power to Big White. This is a delicate and challenging process to do safely because of the considerable tension on the line. We appreciate everyone’s patience."
Brown says the new pole is now onsite and ready to be installed once the downed tree has been cleared away.
"Once the new structure is in place, crews will attach the power lines, test the system and restore power. With many trees in the area heavily loaded with snow and ice, we will also patrol the lines and clear any additional compromised trees in the area," says Brown.
Big White Rd. remains open to single-lane alternating traffic, however Browns says, "we ask that drivers pay careful attention to traffic controls and follow the instructions of flaggers.
"With unpredictable winter weather conditions, especially in alpine areas, this is also a good reminder to always be prepared for outages," says Brown.
For the latest on power outages in the Kelowna area click here.
UPDATE 11:53 a.m.
Power remains out all across Big White Ski Resort and the mountain village Friday.
FortisBC is telling Big White Ski Resort that power likely won't be restored until 10 p.m.
"The entire mountain is without power so if you're not equipped for the cold weather, please don't come up here," says Big White V.P. Michael J. Ballingall.
Right now there is only one outdoor restaurant open, and because the power is down, there is no internet and that means no debit or credit banking. Ballingall says only cash will be accepted on the mountain until power is restored.
"We can't sell a lift ticket, can't do any rentals. Nights skiing is closed, the tubing park is closed, and ice skating is closed, anything that needs power is closed," Ballingall says.
According to Ballingall, FortisBC says they will have the power restored by the end of the evening and they fully expect to open and run the resort as normal in the morning.
"People have to remember we are at 5,800 feet above sea level, so the village it's cold, if you don't have any power it gets even colder. People need to think safely. Don't put a barbecue inside."
The power was knocked out just after 8 a.m. after a tree fell on a power line taking out power to the entire resort.
ORIGINAL 9:25 a.m.
Residents and skiers at Big White are without power Friday morning.
More than 2,000 customers are without power after a tree fell on a power line and damaged a power pole.
Big White V.P. Michael J. Ballingall tells Castanet that the entire village has been without power since just after 8 a.m.
"We are running lifts on backup diesel. So the Snow Ghost is operating, the Bullet will operate. The Ridge will operate, the Powder Chair will operate the T-bar will operate. Gem Lake will operate and the Gondola will operate."
Ballingall says the resort has back up generators in place and will be capable of running the lifts and the village for the entire day.
"Fortis is on the way, we're not sure how long it will take to fix the pole and restore power," says Ballingall.
"The Village Centre Mall has a backup generator. Put your gas fireplaces on," Ballingall says they have redundancies for a reason and this power outage will put them to the test.
