If you are planning a family ski trip to Big White Ski Resort in British Columbia, Canada, I’ve gathered some great information about all the best things to do in Big White with Kids, other than just skiing or snowboarding on the ski hill.
Big White is a world class ski resort located in the Okanagan Valley with so many other things for the kids to do on your next winter ski vacation with the family. We’ve spent many weekends out at Big White Ski Resort, and from being a local to Kelowna these are our favourite things to do at Big White!
What You'll Find in This Post
- 1. Big White Tube Park
- 2. Skating Rink Fun
- 3. Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
- 4. Climb the Ice Wall
- 5. Carnival Night
- 6. Night Skiing
- 7. Craft Corner
- 8. Fireworks
- 9. Roast Marshmallows at Firepit
- 10. Snowshoeing
- 11. Nordic Skiing
- 12. Cruze the Blues
- 13. Find Lucy Moose & Loose Moose
- 14. Kelowna Rockets Hockey Game
- 15. Snowmobile Tours
- 16. Dog Sled tours
- 15. Tobogganing at Big White
- BONUS – Big White Christmas
- Big White Ski Resort Travel Tips for Families
1. Big White Tube Park
So much fun for the entire family! This tube park is one of the best ways to spend some time at Big White Ski Resort. The kids absolutely love it and just keep going to this tube park! There are 5 groomed runs and a magic carpet that is designated just for tubing fun so you don’t have to walk back up.
2. Skating Rink Fun
Play hockey or have some fun ice skating on Canada’s highest outdoor skating rink. They have skate rentals and training bars to help kids and adults learn to skate. The skating rink has lights, so this can be a fun activity at night to enjoy as a family. Skating is FREE for anyone that doesn’t need to rent skates! Don’t forget to bring your kids’ helmet to the rink.
3. Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
What is better than a horse drawn sleigh ride and hot chocolate with the kids. You can pre-book these horse sleigh rides with guest services at Big White. It’s a magical winter wonderland on these winter sleigh rides. They even have sleigh dining tours if you are interested too!
4. Climb the Ice Wall
Take the challenge of climbing the ice wall and conquering the task of this ice climbing tower located down in Happy Valley at Big White resort. They have all the equipment there for rent, so just show up and give ice climbing a try.
5. Carnival Night
Check out the Carnival nights located at Village Centre Mall for some family and kid-friendly fun. Some kid focused fun including bouncy castles, cotton candy, popcorn, carnival games and prizes. Check Big White’s website for the latest days when carnival nights are, but they are typically Tuesday and Saturday nights.
It’s always a great way to spend the evening with the kids and socialize in the village. Plus, it’s all FREE fun for kids.
6. Night Skiing
Ok – well it’s a different kind of skiing! We love to go night skiing with the kids and there is no better place to go night skiing than at western Canada’s largest night skiing area! There is night skiing at both the Bullet and Plaza chairlift.
Night skiing can also be a great way to try skiing for the first time since generally the ticket prices are cheaper for the few hours night skiing is open.
7. Craft Corner
If your kids love to do crafts there is always some kind of winter craft fun happening at Big White. Check out the weekly itinerary of things going on to see what’s going on in Big White this weekend. In the past, these craft corners have been held down at Happy Valley lodge, so mom and dad can enjoy some food and apres ski drinks while the kids have some craft time.
They also have all kinds of great toddlers and smaller kids activities at the kid’s centre and tot town daycare when they are there for daycare.
8. Fireworks
Typically every Saturday night there is a display of fireworks down by the skating rink. There is something spectacular about fireworks in the winter! We love how the fireworks look over the snow-covered trees and a chill of seeing your breath while watching fireworks.
9. Roast Marshmallows at Firepit
When you are either at the Tube Park or the skating rink there are open fires to keep you warm. Bring along some marshmallows, fire roasters, and everything you need to make some s’mores. Enjoy it with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and you have the perfect evening. Don’t forget the wipes to help clean up the sticky goodness of the melted marshmallows!
10. Snowshoeing
Give snowshoeing a try down at Happy Valley! They have rentals and specific trails for snowshoeing that work for the entire family.
11. Nordic Skiing
If downhill skiing or snowboarding is not a fit for someone in your family or you want to try something different, you can explore the nordic skiing tracks they have at Big White Ski Resort. There are rentals down at Happy Valley and trails for cross country skiing along the lower part of the ski resort.
12. Cruze the Blues
This one is at least a cool skiing idea! On certain weekends there is an event where you can try to figure out a word phrase by cruising all the Blue runs at Big White mountain. Each run has a letter and great for families to figure out together and challenge themselves. Check to see if this is on when you are there and you can win some prizes.
13. Find Lucy Moose & Loose Moose
Don’t forget to get your picture with Lucy and Loose who are always walking around Big White. These moose mascots are always a hit with kids.
14. Kelowna Rockets Hockey Game
During the winter months, you can go see a Kelowna Rockets hockey game in Kelowna. Sometimes they have buses that are arranged from Big White so you don’t even have to drive. Check the Kelowna Rockets website for details of game times and Big White Ski Resort guest services to see if anything is lined up.
15. Snowmobile Tours
Snowmobile tours are a great way to explore the Big White Mountain backcountry area. Family cruising can be arranged so the entire family can enjoy a few hours on snowmobiles at Big White. They even have the option of side by side ATV with snow tracks.
16. Dog Sled tours
Dog sledding tours are a great and exciting way to see part of the Big White area. You will be able to enjoy this fun activity with the dogs. Be sure to pre-book this activity in advance to avoid disappointment because it is a popular item at Big White. Tours are conducted by Candle Creek Kennels and kids must be at least 3 years old to ride the sled.
15. Tobogganing at Big White
Have some fun with tobogganing at Big White. There are all kinds of great places for the kids to slide down the side and mountains of snow that have built up alongside your condo rental. Some rentals even have some sleds for you to use, otherwise don’t forget to pack them for the kids fun!
BONUS – Big White Christmas
If you happen to be visiting Big White at Christmas you will be pleasantly surprised with some great Christmas fun with finding Santa on the slopes, Christmas lights and Christmas trees all decorated around the village. You can also see the Big White Christmas light up and fireworks if you time your stay for the big reveal weekend.
Big White Ski Resort Travel Tips for Families
- Find out all the details about Big White accommodations (including where to stay, Big White condo rentals, Big White hotels) check out our post all about Big White Ski Resort.
- Arrange for ski school lessons for your kids in advance.
- Book tot town daycare for your little ones in advance.
- If you are travelling internationally, don’t forget to have travel insurance! We use World Nomads, which includes skiing and snowboarding in their activities. You can read our full review of World Nomads here.
- Check out our Family Ski Packing Hacks and what to bring on a family ski trip.
- Check out the Big White Ski Resort website for current activities going on this weekend or when you are there.
- Many of the restaurants have kid’s menus and colouring sheets so be sure to ask when you dine out.
There are so many indoor and outdoor activities to do at Big White besides skiing and snowboarding on the mountain resort. It is a fun and great place for families to enjoy a winter holiday.
Big White is a great destination for multi-generational and big family ski trips. Big White Ski Resort has so many things for the entire family to do that the biggest thing is keeping your energy up so you can check all these things off your list!
Looking for more Ski Vacation Ideas?
- Sunshine Village Ski Resort – Alberta, Canada
- Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort – Montana, USA
- Best Family Ski Resorts in the World
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