Big White embracing what’s to come

• Over 100 cm accumulated snow at Big White
• More traffic from Lower Mainland possible

With the recent snowfall at Big White Ski Resort totaling over 60 cm, skier and snowboarders are eager to hit the hill, which at the base now has about 118 cm of the white stuff.

Senior Vice President Michael J. Ballingall told Kelowna10 he is excited to see families enjoying the amenities.

“The beginner magic carpet has opened up, and the tubing park is opened up. A few more days with cold weather and the Zamboni getting on the outdoor skating rink and we’re going to get that open,” he said. “That’s an exciting time before Christmas because everyone wants to play on the outdoor skating rink, tube park and go skiing with their friends and family so we’re really excited about that.”

At Monday’s government update, Transport Minister Rob Fleming said the Coquihalla highway could be open even sooner than expected, which could mean more people getting onto Highway 3 from the Lower Mainland making their way to Big White for the holidays.

“We're as excited as everyone else,” Ballingall said. “We have a lot of customers that are going to come through the U.S.A. because this is their traditional family holiday in the wintertime and if it takes an extra three or four hours to drive through the United States then they’re going to do it.”

Ballingall said there are still accommodations available over the holidays. He said more locals are making bookings and the hill is preparing for numbers to rise if highways do reopen ahead of schedule.

“We’re just going to take it one day at a time like we have been since the start, and we’ll make sure we can accommodate who we can. when we can. and we’ll have fun doing that with everyone that’s on the mountain,” he said.