Big White Ski Resort: Whats new for the 26/27 ski season

WARMING HUT CHANGES CREATE MORE SPACE IN HAPPY VALLEY

Changes are underway in Happy Valley to make room for the new Polar Passage covered conveyor and expanded beginner terrain. A Tube Park warming hut will be located at the cabins near the top of the beginner area. A new snowmobile hut is also being built at the end of the Happy Valley parking lot, between the skating rink and the Big White Community School. The new location will make it easier for snowmobile tour guests arriving by car, while opening up more space for beginner skiers and snowboarders.

NEW LIFT HOURS

Daytime lift operations will run from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lara's Gondola will operate from 7:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 7:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. View all winter hours of operation, here.

DIGITAL GROOMING BOARDS AND LIFT-TOP UPGRADES

As part of a $5-million investment in mountain infrastructure, new digital grooming boards at the tops of the Ridge, Powder, Bullet, Black Forest and Gem Lake lifts will provide real-time updates on grooming, run openings, and lift openings and closures. A new fibre connection to the Ridge completed the infrastructure required to bring the boards online. Electrical upgrades at these lift tops have also allowed Big White to replace propane-burning furnaces with electric heating, reducing the resort’s reliance on propane.

A NEW ZAMBONI FOR CANADA'S HIGHEST SKATING RINK

Canada’s highest skating rink is getting a major upgrade with a new Zamboni and a purpose-built indoor garage equipped with hot water. Representing a $440,000 investment, the new equipment and facility will help crews resurface the rink more efficiently, protect the Zamboni from the elements and provide guests with smoother, more consistent ice throughout the winter.

RIDGE CONNECTOR AND PERFECTION IMPROVEMENTS

A $450,000 regrading project on Ridge Connector and Middle Perfection will create a smoother return route from the Bullet Chair to the Ridge base, helping the terrain open earlier and allowing crews to groom it more efficiently with less snow. The improvements will also reduce the need for winch-assisted grooming on the steeper Middle Perfection. Work on Lower Serwa's will flatten a challenging sidehill section and smooth several terrain transitions, making the run more approachable for beginners and easier to groom.

THREE NEW SKI-IN, SKI-OUT STAYS AT SUNDANCE RESORT

This season, Big White Central Reservations is welcoming accommodations in three new buildings located directly north of Sundance Resort’s main lobby. Ideal for families and groups, they offer true ski-in, ski-out access, with Bullet Express steps away in one direction and access to Black Forest in the other, plus mountain and valley views, gas fireplaces and private hot tubs. Guests can also enjoy Sundance’s heated outdoor pool and waterslide, two shared hot tubs, steam room, private theatre, games room, fitness centre and complimentary on-mountain shuttle service. Explore new Sundance units 82, 86B and 87B.

HAPPY VALLEY WELCOMES POLAR PASSAGE, A NEW COVERED LIFT FOR BEGINNERS

A new $1-million upgrade will be unveiled in the beginner learning area, featuring Polar Passage, a new covered conveyor lift, expanded teaching space and terrain improvements designed to make learning easier and more comfortable for the whole family. The refreshed area will also bring more personality to Happy Valley, with three existing beginner lifts receiving new names: Tiny Tracks, Frosty Flyer and Moose Mover.