10 Things To Do In Big White, Canada

Things to do in Big White Canada
Abhinav
Abhinav 
Updated
| 5 min read

Look beyond the indoor activities – Big White, Canada, is all about having a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Kelowna’s ravishing landscape prompts everyone to get active. Wear boots, get your equipment ready, leap on a snowboard, and let the slopes take you to new places. When the summer season peaks, biking and hiking trails get ready to welcome adventurers. Then, there are the must-do things in Big White, like hiking or taking a hot air balloon trip. Take a look at this list of the top 10 things to do in this adventurer’s playground and start planning your trip to Canada!

1. Let a hot air balloon gently lift you into the breeze

Hot Air Balloons 5
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user freestock.ca used under CC BY-SA 3.0

See the world like the birds do, with a full panoramic view from a hot air balloon. Enjoy a shared or private ride as you soar above Big White with Okanagan Ballooning. This company offers a one-hour ride, with a glass of sparkling Okanagan wine included or you can have them custom tailor a package perfect for your special occasion.

Standing in a basket, thousands of feet up in the air, you will get the opportunity to see snow clad mountains, the resort, and vineyards. For a memorable experience, get in touch with Okanagan Ballooning and make a booking today!

Address: 848 Leon Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6J8, Canada

Website: Okanagan Ballooning

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2. Find the perfect gift from the wide-range of Big White merchandise

Village Centre Mall, Big White Ski Resort, British Columbia (8 January 2006)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user [Unknown] used under CC BY-SA 3.0

At Big White, shopping is not just limited to a few stores. In fact, the town offers a wonderful treasure trove of shops where you can find everything from snowboarding gear to a wide range of ski apparel. You can also buy accessories, homeware, and memorable gift items at the Big White Village Centre Mall. On the lower level of the mall, you will find a store called Mountainside, which is a great place to get something to remind you of your holidays in Big White, Canada. The store features many good souvenir items, such as magnets, stickers, keychains and other collectables, all available at the best price.

Address: 5315 Big White Rd, Big White, BC V1P 1P3, Canada

Website: Big White Village Centre Mall

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3. See the Kelowna Rockets play - A WHL hockey team in action

JT Barnett Kelowna Rockets
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user KelownaRocketsLover used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Big White, Canada is a great place to head to if you are an adventure seeker. Some people love the skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and other activities here, while others just come to Big White to explore the resort and spend some time in Kelowna. If you are visiting Big White, your trip won’t be complete without watching the Kelowna Rockets play, the local WHL hockey team. Get ready to cheer your guts out for your favorite players and experience the thrill and excitement of a live Canadian hockey game. Make sure you book tickets in advance, either at the arena or online.

Address: 101-1223 Water St. Kelowna, BC V1Y 9V1

Website: Kelowna Rockets Hockey

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4. Taste great steaks and Okanagan wine at the Kettle Valley Steakhouse


To taste the finest beef, chicken, and salmon, head to the Kettle Valley Steakhouse in Big White. Additionally, the restaurant offers the region’s largest collection of wines from the Okanagan Valley and different parts of the world. After a huge day on the mountains, the only thing that is needed is a great meal to satisfy your hunger. Charcuterie, oysters, seafood platters, desserts and wines, everything is available here. You can easily find this restaurant, but if you have trouble, just remember that it is located in the Happy Valley Day Lodge.

Address: Kettle Valley Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Happy Valley Day Lodge, Big White Ski Resort

Website: Kettle Valley Steakhouse

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5. Get up close to some unique animals


Zoos are very common in Canada, but in Kelowna, near Big White, there’s something very different on offer. Visitors of all ages should head to Kangaroo Creek Farm, located in Kelowna’s Lake Country. This is a small place, where you’ll get the chance to play with animals, feed them and hug them. From wallabies to kangaroos, emus, capybaras, and several exotic birds, a visit to Kangaroo Creek Farm is one of the best things to do while visiting Big White.

Earlier, entry to the farm was based on an optional donation, but these days, visitors need to pay an admission fee. Entry for children under 5 is free.

Address: 3193 Hill Rd, Lake Country, BC V4V 1T7, Canada

Website: Kangaroo Creek Farm

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6. Experience the challenging topography and snow with a heliski ride

Wikipedia heliskiihng heliboarding
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Scarver used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you want the ultimate ski experience and budget is not a concern, nothing is better than a heliski tour in Big White, Canada. Make a booking in advance for your special occasion with Kingfisher Heliskiing. No heliski operator in the region is cheap, so be ready to shell out between 1500-4000 USD per person. If you do, you’ll get to explore the beautiful 120,000 acre (48,562.3 hectare) ski area, surrounded by trees. All you need to do is make sure you book your tour in advance because the helicopters are rarely grounded.

Address: 423 BC-6, Cherryville, BC V0E 2G3, Canada

Website: Kingfisher Heliskiing

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7. Put on some snowshoes and explore

Snowshoeing at Mountain Vista (8638066885)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Denali National P... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Situated in the hills east of Kelowna, the Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club is one of the oldest places in the region offering such an experience. Suitable for all levels, the community offers 21 km (13 miles) of Nordic ski trails, open to all. Visitors can even bring their dog with them and for kids, there’s a special area available to play.

The club offers membership options for the season, so if you’re going to frequently visit this place or if you’re planning to stay for a long time, getting a membership can help you save money. Since the club doesn’t provide rental services, you can easily get equipment from nearby places. Ski rentals are for 24 hours, so you’ll get plenty of time to enjoy the experience.

Address: McCulloch Rd, Kelowna, BC V0H 1N0, Canada

Website: Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club

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8. Enjoy the beautiful view with unique wines made from estate grown grapes


Enjoy a picnic with a great panoramic view and even better wines at the Ancient Hill Estate Winery. The winery is situated in the Ellison area, north of Kelowna, and it offers a great variety of wines, made from estate grown grapes. With more than six decades of experience, this European-style winery is popular for its beautiful seating arrangements. Covered and open picnic areas provide you enough space to enjoy your drink with some food. The vineyard doesn’t have a restaurant but they allow you to bring food in. If you’re coming to see the winery and taste some wine, make sure you bring some food because the winery shop has few things to snack on.

Address: 4918 Anderson Road, Kelowna, BC V1X 7V7, Canada

Website: Ancient Hill Estate Winery

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9. Take the Mudd, Sweat & Tears challenge

Mud, Sweat and Tears, Runners temper their mettle during MARSOC Mud Run 140426-M-ZB219-238
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sgt. Paul Peterson used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

If you are addicted to obstacle-course racing, Mudd, Sweat & Tears is the best racing experience you can get. Without a doubt, it is challenging and the 8-10 km (5-6.2 mile) course is carefully chosen and designed by Army cadets trainers, to make it even more difficult. Expect to race on all sorts of terrain, including slopes and through mud and expect scratches and bruises. This event takes place every year, so check the official website and plan your trip accordingly. Rossland is about three and a half hours from Big White.

Address: Rossland, British Columbia V0G 1Y0 Canada

Website: Mudd, Sweat & Tears

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10. Try night skiing on the longest vertical drop

Big White Ski Resort, Monashee Mountains
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Hamedog used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you don’t like going to bed early, why not try some night skiing? Big White never sleeps, especially at Telus Park, where you can enjoy night skiing on North America’s longest vertical drop. But this place is not just for pro skiers. For beginners, there’s a 12-foot (3.7 meter) half pipe and also a snowcross course, for those who wish to learn the basics of snowboarding and skiing. There are small, medium and large size areas dedicated for snowboarding and skiing at night. So, whatever your ability range, you will surely find a suitable ride here.

Address: 5315 Big White Rd, Kelowna, BC V1P 1P3, Canada

Website: Telus Park

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Adventure: the perfect antidote to natural beauty

A journey to Big White has people hooked: you can walk on the snow, hike or ski the beautiful summits, and snowshoe through frosty white forests. Big White is a great blend of urban culture and the great outdoors. Standing in the snow, with the breathtaking view of the mountains on the horizon, Big White is blessed with a beauty you’ll never forget.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Abhinav, an avid writer and intrepid traveler, embarks on journeys to remote locales and bustling cities alike. His heart yearns for the mountains, with a dream to travel to Antarctica, ensconced...Read more

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