Situated high in the Okanagan Highland mountain range is a land of fluffy "champagne powder," amazing wines and chic chalets. On a recent weekend filled with hot tubbing, wine tasting and skiing, we discovered that Canada's largest ski-in, ski-out resort does indeed live up to its name.
getting there: With an array of non-stop flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto, Big White isn't far from home. Upon landing, jump on the regularly scheduled shuttle to whisk you to your hotel room. Feel like driving? A scenic four-hour drive from Vancouver will get you there. www.bigwhite.com
stay: Sundance Resort is an ideal home base for those with a love of the great outdoors who also want a little privacy. Suites and private cabins are set high up on the hill providing one of the best ski-in/ski-out entrances on the mountain. Cabins are chalet chic, with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces, private hot tubs, fully equipped gourmet kitchens and surreal views of the Rockies. Sundance Resort, 5315 Big White Rd, Kelowna, www.bigwhite.com
do: At Sundance Resort the ability to ski right from your door is made possible--and the no-waitline bliss at the top of the hill is a definite bonus. The dry, fluffy snow is a dream to ski on, and seems to fall endlessly. Not a skier or boarder? Big White's extensive snowmobile tour can bring the exhilaration you crave. Snowshoe tours and dog sledding are available, too. www.bigwhite.com
savour: Fuel up pre-ski with an eggs benny at Sessions Taphouse and Grill (try the cornbread version.) Mid-shred take a break at Toasty Treehouse and opt for the feature "Flammlachs," a slow-roasted salmon made using a traditional Finnish recipe. Refuel après-ski at the romantic 6 Degrees Bistro where wine is chilled at--you guessed it--6 degrees. 6 Degrees Bistro, 5227 Big White Rd. Stonebridge Lodge, Kelowna, www.sixdegreesbistro.com
sip: With Kelowna boasting some of BC's finest wines, it's easy to decompress after a long day on the slopes. Head for after-dinner drinks at Big Reds where the samples of truly great Okanagan wines flow freely, from the smooth Cabernet, to the sweet Sauvignon Blanc. We topped the evening off with a unique coffee experience at the Gunbarrel Grill, where we took in the impressive Gunbarrel coffee show (which involves flames and a shotgun). Gunbarrel Grill, 5375 Big White Rd, Big White, Kelowna, www.gunbarrelgrill.com
Big White, we'll be back. -Krystin Tysire
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