My family and I spent our first full day at Big White yesterday after arriving here from Hong Kong on Friday for a week long stay. My three children (15, 13 and 9 years) have never skied and my most recent experience dates back about 15 years. We arranged a full day lesson yesterday and we had the pleasure of being assigned to Mark Shaxted.

I was very impressed indeed with Mark's skill and instructional ability. He immediately established an effective rapport with each of us, especially with Katie, my youngest. He was able to offer the kids the very basic instruction they needed and he made it enjoyable and fun. Taking into account the sensibilities of teenagers, he pitched his instruction at an appropriate level and did not make them feel uncomfortable. On the contrary Mark's enthusiasm and encouragement brought out the best in them.

My wife and I are interested in purchasing real estate here and Mark proved to be an excellent ambassador for your mountain. He provided us with a terrific introduction to Big White and set the tone for what promises to be a very good holiday.

Incidentally, Mark also maintained a watchful awareness of what was going on around him. Without inconveniencing us he assisted a very small girl who was unhappy and seemed to have been overlooked by her own instructor.

I have just arrived home after spending a week with my family at Big White. We are a family of regular travellers who enjoy holiday’s world wide but I feel that I have to write to thank you and your staff for what can only be described as an amazing holiday.

The first problem we experienced was that my son, who has downs syndrome, could not ski. The guys in the equipment rental shop patiently and kindly fitted him out with all of the gear. He then went for his lesson but could not get the skis on. The ski instructor was amazing – she tried everything to get him sorted out but it was not to be. We disappointedly returned to the rental shop to return the equipment. The guys in the rental shop immediately took control of everything! Sorting out a full refund for the skiing and making it their mission to ensure that Ben got to the top of the mountain. What fantastic service, what fantastic people! They suggested that we take Ben on the snow limo. I booked immediately.

We spent 2 hours on the snow limo with Charlie and Slade. Now these two are really special people. They went out of their way to ensure that Ben and I had an experience to remember. It was that great that we booked to go again on our final day.

We had further injury issues and our youngest girl fell on the slopes, when trying to help a very young child get out of some trees, and lost her skis. Jeff in the equipment hire shop again dealt with the situation for us, sending out some of his guys to find the skis.

This level of service, kindness and all together friendliness is above and beyond anything that I have ever experienced on any holiday. You have managed to bring together some amazing people right through from bar staff in the Happy Valley Day Lodge to the guys at the top of the mountain helping to get the snow limo off of the lifts. I thank and congratulate you and your staff for giving us the most fantastic week – we will be back and we will be letting everyone know where to come for what must be the best in everything that a ski holiday can offer

However I feel compelled to write to you, and commend you and your staff, for the magnificence of the Big White Ski School. Your teaching and care were superlative.

My two daughters, Phoebe and Georgia Freeman, have just completed nine half day sessions with you. Not only did the children enjoy themselves immensely but they achieved so much more than they have ever achieved in a European ski school.

My fondest memory of the holiday was our first ever family ski down the Humming Bird run. ( Which we did after only 3 mornings in ski school for the girls, and our youngest had never made it down a green run before. ) The girls progress was, in the words of many of your instructors "Awesome". All credit due to your staff. By the end of their 9 sessions with you, we were all hurtling down the blue runs.

Not only are you methods of teaching amazing but the fact that so many of your staff greeted us outside of lesson time and engaged the children, even though they may not have been taught by them on that specific day was marvellous.

Two members of staff stood out particularly for our family. Drew and Aurilia. Not only were they fantastic teachers but were friendly, fun and enthusiastic on and off the piste to children and adults alike.

I may even take lessons as well next year because the Ski School at Big White has instilled so much confidence in me, I might even be able to iron out few old well established bad habits of my own!

Congratulations to you as a resort company on great facilities and a constant concern that everyone has a good time makes Big White stand out from all the others. The staff you employ from all around the world add to the great Canadian hospitality we enjoyed for 2 glorious weeks.If I can only work out a way to work and live there? Maybe I will have to work on opening an office there?

I have previously skied at numerous resorts throughout North America, Europe and Australasia and have worked at Perisher Blue Ski Resort (Australia) and Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation (USA) and have been extremely impressed by Big White's superior client service standards and facilities.

I must particularly commend Oliver, an English ski instructor, with whom I took a level 5 ski lesson. I found his instructions to be extremely helpful and well delivered in a friendly and professional manner. As a result of his instructions my skiing technique, in particular my approach to moguls, has improved immensely. I have since found that, rather than avoid mogul runs, I actually seek them out to ensure I continue to improve my technique.

We also found the ski school ticket sellers and the ski and snowboard rental staff very friendly and helpful.

Every aspect of our visit to Big White was exceptional! Starting with every single member of staff - including the shuttle drivers, check-in staff, restaurateurs, shopkeepers, instructors...and everyone else. What extraordinary attention is given to guests and their families. The attitude of every person working at and for Big White was exemplary and surprising. It's clear we are settling for far too little at our home in Toronto! Thank you...

It's obvious that with the plans for expansion at Big White, the resort will continue to be appealing to skiers and their families. The village, the facilities, the condo options.

We'll look forward to visiting again in the not too distant future with several members of our family (9 siblings, their spouses; 28 nieces & nephews and 26 great nieces and nephews!)

We know without a doubt the Big White Ski School, in particularly Gerald, has had a huge impact on Scott’s success.

Scott has won this year:

• The Buller Cup Snowboard Alpine at Mt Buller
• The Rossignol Cup Snowboard Alpine at Falls Creek
• The XTM Series Boarder X at Mt Buller
• The Victorian Interschools Snowboard Alpine at Mt Buller
• The Victorian Interschools Boarder X at Mt Buller
• The Australian Boarder X at Perisher Blue

We would like to thank the Big White Ski School Kids Centre for the expert tution and the care they provide. Our children feel a part of the family-like atmosphere that it has and look forward to returning each year.

Our son Tim, who is a member of the Big White Racers, will stay for the entire season this year & go to the Big Community School.

Our children have participated in many ski schools and all believe Big White Ski School to be the best.

So to Bill, Jason, Gerald, Dave, Bunko, Lindsay, Corey, Sam, Meg, Pat and Brian and all at Kids Centre (names supplied by Scott Sean and Tim) thank you and we look forward to our return later this year to rip up your new terrain park.

Kind regards,

2. We had three clear nights in a row, with a bright, full moon shining over us, adding a special touch of magic to our night skiing!

3. The "Country Coachways" bus was comfortable, the driver was helpful and friendly, and most importantly: showed up on time, both at the airport and at the hotel on our way back.

4. The staff at Big White were all very pleasant and helpful, from the smiling lift operators to the warm receptionist at the Inn.

5. The group reservations office staff was excellent in putting the whole package together for us and answering all our questions in a prompt fashion.

6. We were grateful when the group sales people came to our aid one more time when one of our members lost her multi-day lift ticket pass on the first day! This lady in our group wanted to wear different ski outfits on different days, so she did not want to attach her lift ticket permanently to one of them. The method she chose to attach the ticket was not very sturdy, and that's how she ended up losing the ticket somewhere on the slopes, ... most likely somewhere in the powder. Fortunately, your staff was able to give us a replacement ticket.

7. A lot of the people in our group were impressed with the variety of choices available for restaurants and bars within the village.

8. Several of us really enjoyed the ice skating!

9. The Inn at Big White was very comfortable and well equipped (microwave, refrigerator, eating utensils, hair dryer, fireplace). We also really enjoyed watching the sunset from the hot tub and warm swimming pool.

10. On several occasions throughout our stay, people made positive comments on Big White. People said things like: a) "This is the best club trip ever!" b) "Thanks for putting this trip together! It's wonderful!" c) "Let's come back here again!"

I wanted to thank you and to commend the program supervisor 'Sherri' and her staff for this outstanding introductory program.It is affordable, accessible and very appropriate for kids....right down to the video on the bus which helped manage initial fear and post skiing fatigue!

Without the reasonable and accessible after school program we may not have become involved with skiing. Undertaking a new sport seemed a bit daunting to us as parents. It was a wonderful and positive introduction.

Several of our group just couldn't wait to try the Okanogan snow and although it was past time for the day lifts to close, made several runs on the night skiing lifts before dinner. We found that there were ample varieties of restaurant fare to sample during our stay from Swiss to Greek and all well prepared and served.

Then I remember the great times I had at Big White, after which I forget all about the travelling & start counting down to next March.

You should be proud of your Team at B/W, their attitude to work, & professionalism is second to none, and everyone I had dealings with went out of their way to be helpful.

This year is my second visit to Big White, & so long as I can still board I’ll be coming back.

My nine year old son MacIntyre participated in the Sunday morning program for the last ten weeks. He loved the “Free Ride” concept of exploring the mountains with safety and instruction. His coach Jamie Forbes was absolutely fabulous from his morning greeting to the safety he instilled in MacIntyre.

The lifties are awesome, always talking to you, always willing to do whatever for you. Me and my friends talked with a lifty, Lauren Fullerton, and she was very nice. I just thought I would write and tell you how impressed with your resort I was.