Big White Mountain. A magical paradise that entices families from across the globe to experience a winter wonderland deep in the Okanagan Highland of British Columbia.
While most people visit the ski resort in winter, there is so much to explore here in summer as well. With offerings like mountain biking, alpine hiking, sightseeing, concerts and festivals, Big White Mountain provides a stunning summer recreation area. In addition to what’s found at the resort, the Okanagan Valley offers a quintessential lake scene complemented by some of the best wineries and vineyards in North America.
Ready to experience what Big White Mountain and the surrounding area has to offer? Here’s a thoughtfully crafted three day itinerary for a weekend summer trip to the sun kissed Okanagan.
Day Zero - Getting There, Where to Stay & Summer Weather
What’s Day Zero? Well, it’s “travel day” so it doesn’t really count. Make your way to the mountains after sneaking away from the office early to line up three full days of fun and outdoor adventure around Big White Mountain.
Hours of Operation: This is important to note. Big White Mountain is only open Thursday through Sunday in the summer months, with exception of holiday Mondays. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm the Bullet chair is open for biking, hiking and sightseeing. Lara’s Gondola, which links the lower properties to the main village, runs from 9:45 am - 5:15 pm only on weekends.
Nearest Airport: The most convenient way to get to Big White Mountain is to fly into Kelowna International Airport (YLW). At less than an hour drive away, it’s one of the most accessible destinations to visit. Shuttle and car rentals are readily available at the airport too.
Overnight Accommodation: There is tons of variety for overnight accommodation at Big White Mountain. Stonegate Resort is the ski resort’s pinnacle for lodging. Parked right in the heart of the village and stones throw away from the lifts, you can easily access hiking, biking, dining and shopping. It's a favourite with families for the variety of condo layouts, bedding arrangements and price points.
Need a bit more space and more of a home vibe? Moonshine Ski Lodge lets you spread out, enjoy a private hot tub and balcony and provides a more peaceful experience tucked away in Village East.
Groceries: With the majority of accommodation having kitchens, it’s wise to stock up on snacks, drinks and groceries in Kelowna as prices are high and food selection minimal on mountain. Walmart and all the big chain grocery stores can be found in town as well as liquor stores.
Weather: Summer can be warm during the days and surprisingly cool at night. Highs of 25°C and nighttime lows in the single digits are considered normal here in the mountains. Even from the base of the mountain to the summit, a 5 to 10°C difference can be observed. Pack your usual summer athletic attire as well as a light jacket, active mid-layer, hiking pants and something to keep you warm during evenings on the patio.
Day One: Left Foot Right Foot
Morning
Your first full day of adventure starts with a morning hike on the Mountain. Before that, though, Coffee and Clocktower Coffee Co in the heart of the village. Venture into the alpine by your own two feet or via the Bullet Express. There are a total of five trails, each offering different views, vantage points, and difficulty levels.
Food always tastes better in the mountains, so pack a lunch and some snacks to enjoy with a view high in the alpine. Bring a swimsuit and a quick-dry towel to cool off in the chilly waters of Rhonda Lake. It’s cold, refreshing, and your muscles will thank you.
- Falcon Ridge - A steady 4 km climb from the base, passing through fields of wildflowers and rock fields. It’s the longest hike at the resort and takes about 2 hours to complete 553 m of elevation gain.
- Rhonda Lake Trail - a 4.5 km, one-way single track trail up and around Rhonda Lake. It’s rated intermediate, has 456 m of elevation gain, and will take an hour.
- Alpine Meadows - An easy-going and short intermediate trail linking Falcon Ridge to the top of the Bullet Express. At 0.5 km in the alpine, it’s a great spot to look for wildlife.
- Jaimeson Loop - The resort's most difficult hiking trail. It’s short but punchy and requires some rock scrambles along the way through this 0.75 km, 30-minute loop.
- Peak Trail - Head to the summit of the mountain to take in views of the Rhonda Lake below and the Monashee Range. At only 1 km and 166 m of elevation, it’s rated intermediate and will take about 45 minutes round-trip.
Hot Tip: Dogs are welcome on the trails and even the chairlift, but they MUST stay on a leash.
Afternoon
As the valley warms up, consider trying your luck at disc golf. This sport, similar to regular golf, is much more affordable and slightly less stressful than normal golf. The resort hosts a 9-hole Disc Golf course located just below the main village in the winter learning zone. It’s free to play if you have your own discs or $5 to rent one.
It’s actually quite fun and a really addictive sport. As most players can figure out the performance of rental discs pretty quickly, you should see some substantial improvement over your weekend.
Evening
A Friday night means the village will be alive and full of energy. Summer après shine on with live music, bar entertainment and more. Take a stroll around the village to find the perfect patio to watch the sunset from. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from The Woods, the resort's signature fine dining restaurant.
Day Two: Thrills on Wheels
Morning
The sun rises early in the mountains, and as it peeks through your bedroom window, fingers crossed, your legs aren’t too sore from the previous day's hiking adventures. Be sure to enjoy a slow morning by taking a stroll around the village, grabbing breakfast at Toast,y and getting some gentle movement in. Today’s going to be a big one!
Day two presents an opportunity to experience the most fun you can have on two wheels. Adrenaline junkies will rejoice on day two in Big White as it’s time to enter the bike park. Curious about giving it a try? Today is also your time to shine.
The mountain's bike park hosts 19 world-class gravity-fed trails that range from easy meandering green runs to big air black trails serviced by the Bullet Express. There’s enough trail variety to keep all skill levels entertained with a thoughtfully designed safe progression through the bike park.
If you’re a new mountain biker eager to hit the trails and need gear, Big White will set you up with a bike, helmet, and pads. Opt for the pads, although they can be cumbersome, it’s well worth it. The resort also offers a full service Bike School with lessons and guiding experiences catering to all levels.
If you’re a seasoned rider with your own gear, grab a “Tip and Tour” 2-hour group lesson. You and up to four of your favourite riding buddies can get the low down on Bike Big White’s best terrain and snag some invaluable tips on conditions, speed advice, and a few cheeky pointers. Love your ride? Tip your guide.
Another great experience available on select weekends is the ZEP Adult MTB Camps. Attend a wickedly fun, educational, and social weekend on the trails with two days of expert coaching, bike set-up clinics, video analysis and social events.
Evening
After a day of gravity-fueled fun on two wheels, I know you’re going to be exhausted, tired, and thirsty, but in the very best way. It’s time to recharge with some comfort food at Globe. They specialize in a little bit of everything. Impressive locally sourced dishes and pizza that will knock your socks off.
If you’re not falling asleep at the table after dinner, wander over to North America’s #1 rated ski bar, Snowshoe Sam’s. Drink specials, live music and fun bar vibes will keep you entertained well into the evening. The pub food here is also ridiculously good.
Day Three: Relax and Indulge
Morning
Enjoy a leisurely final morning, get a stretch in and maybe even a local yoga class to get the body moving after all that mountain biking. Today, we aim for a day full of relaxation.
Given that the area around Big White Mountain is home to some of the most well respected wineries in North America, what would a trip to the area be without stopping by one (or several) for a wine tasting tour.
Situated along the shores of Okanagan Lake, over 40 wineries dot the hillside just in Kelowna alone. The majority of them have wine tasting tours, fine dining restaurants, transportation and most also welcome children. Quails’ Gate, Ancient Hill, The View, Vibrant Vine, Camelot are some of the local favourites but with so many to choose from, I don’t think you can go wrong.
Afternoon
Once you’ve got your fix of wineries, it’s time to head to one of the local beaches to soak up some sun and relax. Secret Beach on the far side of the lake is usually quieter and more peaceful. Families can check out Boyce-Gyro Beach Park and enjoy the sandy beach that’s a stone's throw away from shops, hotel,s and restaurants.
Wherever you end up, soak up the sun, take a paddle, enjoy a refreshing swim, and look back on your time here in the Okanagan Highland of British Columbia.
Conclusion
And there we have it, an adventurous yet well-balanced three-day itinerary for a summer trip to Big White Mountain and the surrounding area. With action packed highlights like alpine hiking, disc golf, and mountain biking, your inner child will be pleasantly satisfied. Spending your evenings immersed in fine dining, relaxing along the shores of Okanagan Lake and dabbling in the sophistication of winery tours will reward you differently.
The above plans and ideas only break the surface of what's available in Big White and around the Okanagan Highland. Countless hiking and biking trails line the mountainsides, golf courses paint the dry valleys bright green and more adventure awaits if you look deeper.
Originally from Northern Ontario, Anthony now calls Whistler, Canada, home. As an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for science and tourism writing, he chases excitement and communicates his experiences through his written work. Anthony holds CASI 2 and CSIA 1 certifications. He has over eight years of teaching and coaching experience as a snowsports instructor and 20+ seasons of skiing and snowboarding under his belt. He also proudly holds a B.Sc in Nanoscience and Engineering from the University of Guelph and gets impressively excited about anything science related.
When away from the office, Anthony celebrates his freedom by being immersed in mountain culture, playing instruments and travelling internationally. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking and mountain biking take up his free time, often complimented by sailing and the occasional backpacking adventure.