Plenty of investments over the summer at Kelowna ski resort

Big White Ski Resort was recently ranked in the top 15 of value destination ski resorts in North America.

“Big White has always been great value when you look at the ski-in, ski-out convenience, the size of resort and amenities combined with the second largest lift system in Canada,” Big White senior vice-president Michael J. Ballingall says. “It’s wonderful to be recognized for that value. What Okanagan residents may not know is that Big White’s commitment to locals never needing to pay full price would put Big White in the number two spot for value in North America.

“We know people residing in the Okanagan live here for the incredible lifestyle it offers. We’re proud that Big White Ski Resort plays such a big role.”

In addition to the tremendous value Big White offers, there are also a number of upgrades in store for visitors to the mountain this season:

1. Gem Lake Return Trail ($354,000)
For those who love traversing the boundary edge on Kalina’s Rainbow, gliding through the powder in Sun Rype Bowl or whizzing through the trees in the Sapphire Glades, you’ll be able to do so weeks earlier in the season thanks to an enhanced return trail from Gem Lake. Big White crews have been working tirelessly over the summer and fall to finish off the new Village Way Return. This way, skiers and snowboarders can shred their favourite Gem Lake runs with a snow base of 30 to 40 centimetres less than what Big White normally needs to open Westridge. The Gem Lake chair doesn’t usually start spinning near Christmas time, but with this upgrade, plan for early December.

2. Two New Groomers ($940,000)
Big White knows the people of the Okanagan love a good corduroy, and that’s why, for the 2019-20 season, the resort has added two new groomers to its already extensive fleet. The resort grooms all of its green runs, around 50 per cent of its blues and a handful of blacks—depending on conditions. These new groomers offer the most modern alpine technology for precise grooming work, meaning crews will be able to keep your favourite runs in tip-top shape all season long.

3. Magic Carpet 2.0 & Beginner Area Expansion ($315,000)
Big White has always been committed to introducing the sports of skiing and snowboarding to as many newbies as it possibly can, and now this mission is made easier with the brand new Magic Carpet 2.0 in Happy Valley. The new carpet is located right below the Ice Climbing Tower, offering up another swath of Okanagan Champagne Powder for first-timers and beginners to practise their pizzas and french fries on.

4. Phase 1 of New Central Reservations Building ($1.2 million)
Big White’s Central Reservations team members are some of the busiest people on the mountain, fielding 33,208 phone calls and organizing airport transfers for 21,043 people during the 2018-19 season. That’s why Big White is building them a brand new centre to call their own. The first phase of this $5.5 million project is complete and will feature more guest parking for easy check-in and check-out, a large and open front desk, high ceilings, and the addition of a guest lounge with showers and bathrooms for those wanting to ski on the day of their check-out. The new building will also house a larger reservation office and owner relations office, a board room, a meeting space and a maintenance shop.

5. Forest Fuel Mitigation ($660,000)
Thanks to a grant from the Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia, Big White has been able to thin out the forested areas around the resort’s recreational boundary to slow down the threat of potential wildfires in the area. This summer focused on machinery work, and come next spring and summer crews will finish off the rest by hand, raking and cleaning up forest debris.