Powered by Tourism: Celebrating the People and Experiences That Make Big White Special
At Big White, tourism fuels our economy, sustains vibrant local businesses, creates jobs, and brings people together from across the globe. It’s the heart of our village, the soul of our mountain, and the reason we get to do what we love: welcoming guests, building community, and delivering unforgettable experiences.
Across British Columbia, over 16,900 tourism-related businesses employed 125,700 people in 2023—a nearly 8% increase from the year prior. Big White is proud to be a part of that growth. This week, we’re shining a spotlight on the businesses, operators, and community champions that make this mountain resort a truly special place to stay and play.
Restaurants & Après Scene: Where Good Food Meets Great Company
Whether you’re grabbing a latte before first tracks or winding down after a day on the slopes, Big White’s food and beverage scene is full of character, comfort, and community pride. Our locally owned restaurants, cafés, and après venues are not only central to the guest experience—they’re the cornerstone of our resort’s tourism success.
This season, we welcomed Toasty, a fresh take on mountain café culture by the team behind Sprout Bread in Kelowna. Designed for busy mornings and cozy afternoons, Toasty offers artisan grab-and-go fare that’s been a hit with skiers and boarders alike.
Snowshoe Sam’s, a longtime après icon, remains the heartbeat of Big White nightlife. This season, it expanded with the addition of Sopra: Sam’s Italian Kitchen, an elegant new dining experience by Kelowna’s Nixon Hospitality Group, offering authentic Italian cuisine above the village buzz.
Globe Café & Tapas Bar, owned by local chef-turned-restaurateur Ross Derrick, is evolving again. For the 2025/26 season, Globe will relaunch as a uniquely Canadian restaurant concept, spotlighting the ingredients, stories, and traditions that define this country’s culinary landscape.
Longtime local John Mooney, featured in the Keep Moving Forward documentary, began his Big White journey at Snowshoe Sam’s and went on to open Six Degrees Bistro and Underground Pizza with his wife Ana. His story reflects the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the mountain’s hospitality scene forward.
BeaverTails at Big White is proudly Canadian-owned and locally operated, serving up an iconic taste of Canada right at Gem Lake. This beloved food truck offers handcrafted, indulgent pastries that have become a must-try experience for visitors seeking a sweet slice of Canadian tradition.
Big White Ski Resort proudly owns and operates several key food and beverage locations, including The Woods, Clocktower Coffee Co., and the day lodges—Vista at Black Forest, Alpine Burger Co., Happy Valley, SPUDS at the Ridge Day Lodge and Moonlight Bistro at Gem Lake. The dedicated team behind these venues plays an integral role in the guest experience and the resort’s overall success. Like many who work within Big White’s broader network of businesses, many of these employees have devoted decades of their careers to the mountain community, forming the backbone of our resort culture.
Behind every dish and drink are hardworking chefs, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, and hospitality professionals—each contributing to the vibrant tourism ecosystem that makes Big White so special.
Adventure & Activity Providers: Creating Year-Round Magic
Tourism at Big White isn’t just about the skiing—it’s about building memories. Our activity providers offer a variety of experiences that reflect the adventure, beauty, and tradition of the Canadian mountain lifestyle.
Locally owned Outback Snowmobiles takes guests deep into Big White’s backcountry with adrenaline-pumping guided tours through powder meadows and alpine forests. Their experienced guides help guests see the mountain from an entirely new perspective.
Local owner Tim Tedford of Candle Creek Kennels provides unforgettable dog sledding adventures—offering guests a uniquely Canadian cultural experience. Gliding through snowy trails behind a team of huskies, Tim helps connect visitors to the land and to a long-standing tradition rooted in resilience and nature.
For a slower, storybook-style adventure, horse-drawn sleigh rides deliver. Operated by the Hamill family, who now live in Penny, BC, their grey and black Percheron teams—Hank, Willie, Dolly, and Reba—carry guests through snow-draped scenery, offering peaceful rides and a warm welcome every season.
These experiences are run by small, locally rooted businesses who employ seasonal Snow Host guides, Powderhounds Adaptive Snow Sports is a People In Motion specialists, animal care professionals, and guest service staff—all essential to Big White’s thriving tourism sector.
Accommodation Providers: A Warm Canadian Welcome at Every Turn
Big White’s diverse accommodation offerings are driven by a collection of proudly Canadian-owned and operated businesses, ensuring that every guest—from families to solo travellers—finds a place that feels like home.
At the centre of it all is Big White Central Reservations, offering the mountain’s largest selection of lodging, from slope-side hotels and condos to luxury cabins. Guests can build custom packages including lift tickets, rentals, ski lessons, and airport transfers, making vacation planning seamless and stress-free.
Trusted platforms such as the locally owned alluraDirect, a pioneer in vacation rentals since 1997, continue to connect travellers with privately owned homes and condos in Canada’s top mountain resort destinations.
For large groups, Locations Mountain Management Services provides top-tier properties in Happy Valley and the White Forest, complete with gourmet kitchens, cozy fireplaces, and ski-in/ski-out convenience. This locally owned, on-mountain business is operated by longtime Big White residents Sean and Lana Richardson, who bring their passion for skiing and travel to every guest experience.
If elevated alpine living is what you’re after, Luxury Mountain Vacation Rentals provides top-tier properties in Happy Valley and the White Forest, complete with gourmet kitchens, cozy fireplaces, and ski-in/ski-out convenience. This locally owned, on-mountain business is operated by longtime Big White residents Sean and Lana Richardson, who bring their passion for skiing and travel to every guest experience.
Meanwhile, for backpackers and social travellers, the Urban Retreat Hostel operated by the Berezan Hospitality Group is a family-run, 100% Canadian-owned business that provides budget-friendly slope-side accommodation just minutes from the village—a true ski-in/ski-out hosteling experience.
Behind every booking are front desk agents, housekeeping teams, property managers, and maintenance crews—working together to make every stay effortless and memorable.
Community Services: The Heart of Big White
Tourism thrives when communities thrive, and the strength of Big White lies not just in its slopes, but in the people who live and serve here year-round.
The Big White Fire Department is a pillar of that community. In addition to providing emergency services, the department leads wildfire prevention, public education, and safety initiatives—ensuring peace of mind for residents and visitors alike. They work closely with tourism operators to support sustainable growth and are always ready to lend a hand. You can meet the team at the upcoming Community Clean Up on June 21—a great example of tourism and community working hand in hand.
Powered by People
From morning cappuccinos to twilight sleigh rides, every element of the Big White experience is powered by real people. People who work with heart, serve with pride, and share the magic of this mountain with the world.
This #TourismWeekCanada2025, we invite you to thank the chefs, the first responders, the lesson instructors, the tour guides, the housekeepers, the business owners, and the first responders who help make every visit extraordinary.
Whether you’re a guest, a local, or part of our resort family—your support matters. Tourism is more than a vacation. It’s a career. A calling. A community. And we are proud to be locally-owned and operated, powered by tourism.
