Activities

Big White Real Estate: Market Strength and Lifestyle Appeal as We Head Into Fall

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As summer at Big White Ski Resort winds down, the shift toward cooler days and the anticipation of winter begins. For me, this is always one of the most exciting times of the year—not just because of what’s happening on the mountain, but because of what it means for real estate. The market is moving, buyer confidence is back, and fall is a fantastic window of opportunity for both buyers and sellers.

A Strong Summer Market

From June through mid-August, Big White recorded 16 sales—right on par with last summer’s numbers in 2024. For a seasonal market like ours, that kind of consistency is a great sign. It tells us that demand for Big White properties isn’t slowing down, and that people continue to see long-term value in owning here.

I worked with a range of buyers this summer: families who want a mountain getaway, investors looking for rental income, and even buyers who fell in love with Big White after a single visit. That’s the beauty of this market—it attracts people for so many different reasons, but the common thread is always the lifestyle.

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Buy or Sell

Fall at Big White often flies under the radar, but it’s actually one of the best times of year for real estate.

  • Vacancy and Access: Most units are sitting empty right now, which makes showings easier and possession timelines quicker.

  • Ready for Winter: Buyers who purchase in the fall can take possession before opening day and enjoy a full ski season.

  • Sellers’ Advantage: Listing now means less competition before winter inventory increases. Buyers are motivated to secure something in time for the season, which can lead to strong activity.

 Curious what’s currently available? Explore my latest Big White listings here.

The Lifestyle That Sells Itself

Of course, the numbers only tell part of the story. What really makes people decide to buy at Big White is the lifestyle. I’ve seen it firsthand—families who come for a week and leave determined to find their own spot on the mountain.

Here’s just a glimpse of what life looks like up here:

  • Ski-in/Ski-out Living: No shuttles, no long walks—just click in and go. Most residences at Big White offer true ski-in/ski-out access.

  • Weekly Events: From après-ski gatherings to holiday celebrations, there’s always something happening in the village.

  • Canada’s Highest Outdoor Skating Rink: A magical spot for families, surrounded by alpine views.

  • Night Skiing: One of the largest night skiing areas in Western Canada—there’s nothing quite like carving turns under the stars.

  • Dining & Après: Incredible restaurants, pubs, and lounges that give the village a vibrant, welcoming energy.

  • World-Class Ski School: Whether it’s kids learning for the first time or adults fine-tuning their skills, the ski school is a huge draw.

Looking Ahead to Winter

This winter is shaping up to be busy, with plenty of events and activities already planned. Every year, thousands of visitors experience Big White for the first time—and many of them leave with more than just memories. They fall in love with the mountain lifestyle, and quite a few end up deciding to buy. That steady flow of new interest is one of the things that keeps our market strong year after year.

Final Thoughts

This summer showed us that Big White real estate remains steady and in demand, and as we move into fall, opportunities are only going to grow. With 16 sales logged already this summer, buyer confidence building, and the excitement of winter ahead, now is the perfect time to make your move—whether that means listing your property or starting the search for your own Big White getaway.

 View my current Big White listings or reach out anytime if you’d like to talk about opportunities before the snow starts falling

25 Things to do at Big White Ski Resort on Your Winter Holiday

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Planning a winter holiday at Big White Ski Resort? You’re in for a treat! Whether you’re a seasoned skier, a snowboarding enthusiast, or simply looking for some cozy mountain relaxation, Big White has something for everyone. With endless activities, breathtaking landscapes, and a lively village atmosphere, there’s never a dull moment here. From thrilling snow sports to delightful après-ski experiences, here are 25 exciting things to do at Big White Ski Resort that will make your winter getaway unforgettable. Let the adventure begin!

Dining Ideas

  1. Milkshakes at Black Diamond
  2. Pizza at Underground Pizza
  3. Tapas at The Globe
  4. Family Dinner at Bullwheel
  5. Hot chocolate by the fire in Happy Valley
  6. Enjoy a pint at Snowshoe Sams
  7. Romantic 7 course dinner at Six Degrees
  8. Have a burger at Happy Valley Day Lodge
  9. Coffee at Sprout Bread
  10. Horse drawn sleigh dining tour

Adventure Ideas

  1. Snowmobile tour
  2. Tubing
  3. Ice skating on Canada’s highest outdoor skating rink
  4. Snowshoeing
  5. Private ski or snowboarding lesson
  6. Attend a Saturday night carnival
  7. Dog sledding
  8. Watch the fireworks
  9. Horse drawn sleigh ride
  10. Explore the village
  11. Treat yourself to the Spa at Stonebridge
  12. Enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets
  13. Fat biking
  14. Twinkling trail lights
  15. Loose Moose challenge

BONUS #26 Explore real estate with me, Joan Wolf!

No matter how you choose to spend your time at Big White Ski Resort, one thing is for sure—this winter holiday will be filled with excitement, adventure, and unforgettable memories. With so many activities to choose from, every member of the family can find something to love. As you wrap up your stay, you’ll leave with a heart full of joy and a longing to return to this snowy paradise. Start planning your next visit, because once you’ve experienced Big White, it’s hard to stay away!

Big White Community Clean Up Success

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I’d like to start off by thanking every single person who attended, set up, organized, and made an impact this past weekend at Big White Ski Resort. The 2024 Big White Community Clean Up was a success. The participation from everyone enhanced our beautiful resort and played a crucial role in preserving its beauty. It’s shocking to witness the amount of garbage that appears once the snow melts, but its beautiful to be a part of, and witness the community coming together and making a difference.

It was absolutely empowering to see a community so close come together and work hard. My wonderful children got up at 5am, on their first weekend of Summer break, and volunteered all day. They gave it their all and with such great attitudes, it was awesome to see.

A special thank you goes to Deputy Carlisle for taking the lead role and not only collaborating with the regional district and Big White Ski Resort community, but also providing supplies, equipment and valuable information. The impact from this event is encouraging to see and our progress enhanced the resilience to wildfires through the Fire Smart resources.

The Bull Wheel provided the nutritional lunch to all of the hungry helpers who participated in the clean up, and it was well a deserved meal!\

It was a bonus that the weather cooperated this year, it was such a great day to be outside. Live where you play, and keep it clean.

Increased Activity at Big White and in the Okanagan

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We are seeing an increased amount of activity at Big White Ski Resort and within the Okanagan region within that last few weeks. The trend of the slower summer season was present, however, with summer coming to an end in the next few weeks, many buyers are keen to find a home.

Big White Ski Resort

Over 11 million dollars in sales have happened at Big White since July, a nice increase from the same time period last year where sales topped at 7 million. The average days to sell has however increased from 54 to 65 days because we are still seeing slower sales than average.

Closing day for the Summer season is September 4th. Meaning if you are wanting to get a few more mountain bike rides in, or finally get to the hike you only have a few weeks left. Winter ski season will be here before we know it and if this season is anything like last year we should except to see a large number of visitors, sales, and fun! Get to know everything Big White Summer here!

Some more exciting news is that Big White just introduced a state of the art car charging stations in Happy Valley! This is great to see for the growth of the resort. Read more about it here.

Okanagan

Since the beginning of August, 200 sales have happened within the Central Okanagan region including single family homes, condos, and townhomes. The average sale price within the same time period is 826,475. The average sale price for the month of August in 2022 was $854,854 so we seem to be fairly consistent with last year.

Although the smoke seems to have settled in hopefully it clears, maybe see a little rain, and we can soak in the remainder of August sun. The Okanagan has been blessed with a great tourist season thus far and many visitors are becoming more keen on purchasing real estate here in the Okanagan.

To be in the know, and receive up to date listings and information about the market, contact me here to get set-up!

Big White’s Summer season is here

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The big day is here, Big White’s Summer season starts tomorrow, June 29th. After a short shoulder season, the resort has cleaned up, geared up, and is set up for the upcoming summer season. With huge events scheduled, more biking opportunities than ever, and an entire mountain to explore while hiking it’s no wonder the summers at Big White have become a very popular summer vacation destination.

There is more than biking and hiking at the resort too. You can play a round of 9 holes at the disc golf course (which is free!), attend the Craft & Country Beer & Music Mountain Festival, or enjoy the Summer Music Series Saturdays in the Village. And that is just the beginning, you can check out all of the events here.

Along with the shoulder season usually comes a slower real estate market and this year was no exception. Although we did see multiple sales there was a noticeable drop in showings and offers. That is no surprise with the resort being closed and traffic to the much less than the busy winter season. Another reason for some the slower market is that there is always a portion of sellers who remove their listing from the MLS in order to do some updates, etc during the off season and then get ready to Re-list once the resort re-opens.

Even this past week, leading up to opening day, you can see that the market is already rising with more showings, new listings, and accepted offers.

221-5340 Big White Road | $225,000CAD

406-5030 Snowbird Way | $1,050,000

Owning a property at Big White resort is attainable for many as the price range is vast. You can get a fully renovated studio unit with income generating potential for $225,000CAD. Or if you budget allows it, a penthouse suite with two primary suites in Happy Valley for $1,050,000CAD.

Whether your real estate portfolio goal is to purchase a piece of Big White’s magic for your family to enjoy, or to firm up a deal in order to generate income and potentially grow your portfolio in the future with more investment properties – Big White Resort can accommodate your needs.

Okanagan and Big White’s Summer Real Estate Forecast

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Lately the Okanagan and Big White’s forecast has been above average temperatures and somewhat smoky skies but what does their summer real estate market forecast look like? It’s hard to use the past 3 years of statistics to help forecast this summer as they were highly unprecedented, but we do remain seeing certain trends continue. It’s no secret this is a highly desired place to live and play and the number of buyers coming from out of town and purchasing still remains relatively high. That goes for the Okanagan area as well as Big White Ski Resort.

Big White’s Summer Real Estate Forecast

At the resort we’ve seen 15 firm deals since April 1st, keeping up fairly well to the record breaking last year when the same time period had 23 deals. Since the beginning of May, 6 new properties hit the market. It is a good time to list as the mountain is preparing for its upcoming summer season and most units are vacant and easy to view for potential buyers and their agents. Seeing strong activity through the shoulder season is promising and helps us foresee into a productive and busy summer season in Big White real estate.

Big White’s opening day is scheduled for June 29th, 2023 – events are starting to pop up including Fiv’r Fridays and Bike Big White BC Cup. On June 10th we will once again put on the gloves, grab the garbage bags and volunteer our time at the Big White Community Clean-up. And, after all the hard work, there is a complimentary lunch at noon!

Okanagan’s Summer Real Estate Forecast

Homes in Kelowna are spending more time on the market than last year but still averaging just 53 days. I believe this will not waver too much and will remain under the 60 day mark for the summer. A few months ago the average home price dipped under one million, but the past few months we have seen it climbing again. April hit $1,083,027, a number I believe will keep climbing but not at an alarming rate as we saw last year.

It’s hard to choose what to do in Kelowna in the summer as there seems to be endless activities and events to take in. It’s no wonder people are drawn to this spectacular city! From Rock the Lake, to Fat Cat’s Children Festival, to Diner En Blanc Okanagan, to Apple Trilithon, there is always something to enjoy and definitely something that is sure to be a good time! Check out all of the incredible events and more here.

Exciting Times in Spring 2023

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Spring 2023 is off to an exciting start in Real Estate! Interest rates were held again and the market is strong with Kelowna beating out Victoria to be the 3rd highest rental rate in the country. Big White Ski Resort is also experiencing one of the best rental seasons to date.

With lots of exciting music events happening like the Alti-tunes Fest at Big White this past weekend and the upcoming Rock the Lake in Kelowna and the many more events that are scheduled this coming spring and summer it is sure to bring in many tourists and people looking to possibly invest in the Okanagan and area. It’s very exciting that this area is where people dream of moving to – we are so lucky to live here.

Kelowna Real Estate Recap

Kelowna’s sale numbers increased last month when comparing to the previous months. “The upwards movement in sales activity compared to the previous month is showing signs that market activity is on its way to recovering from the previous month’s slump, while still maintaining healthy market activity,” said Association of Interior Realtors past-president Lyndi Cruickshank.

This is good news for Kelowna and Big White as a healthy and balance market is beneficial for both buyers and sellers.

The benchmark price rose above 1 million in March with the average being $1,001,500 – an increase from February but a 14% decrease from March 2022. Days to sell has also risen to 55 days on average – nearly double from March 2022 which, as we know, was an unprecedented time.

Big White Ski Resort Recap

As previously mentioned, the resort is experiencing one of the best rental seasons to date. With that in mind, many potential buyers are looking to invest at Big White as the benefits can be tremendous.

March saw a total of 14 sales at the resort, a decrease from 2022’s 25 sales. Even with the lower sales count, if the property is priced right and sought after there will be a buyer looking to commit.

To end of this real estate recap on a fun note, I’ve included some some fun facts from the season at Big White Ski Resort from Michael J Ballingall:

  • Events team served up nearly 5,000 cones of cotton candy to over 7,000 eager kids on Saturday at our weekly Carnival night. Over 7,000 new heads donned the famous Big White pom-pom toque, with over 100,000 now sold around the world.
    Big White’s food and beverage team served up 35,808 pounds of french fries, 49,971 shots of espresso (2,122 pounds of beans) and 17,263 liters of hot chocolate. Snowshoe Sam’s cooked over 7,500 Smash Burgers!
  • Visitors enjoyed over 125,000 tube rides, nearly 7,500 people went for a rip at night, and our brand new POWder Card made it into the hands of over 3,000 people.
  • Our outdoor operations team parked just under 130,000 cars, and our airport shuttle transported nearly 21,000 people to and from the resort, with the largest day being Saturday, February 25 with 404 people.
  • The Kids’ Centre, back for the first season since 2020, served up over 6,000 juice boxes and 1,300 litres of hot chocolate. Nearly 400 kids were dropped off at the Tot Town Daycare, and our Ski & Board School gave out around 2,500 private lessons and over 25,000 group lessons. Our Snow Hosts conducted over 500 free on-mountain tours with over 1,200 guests.
  • This season, we saw the return of our weekly events schedule, including Carnival Night, Bingo Night and Trivia Night. We also saw the return of Big Reds – with both nights selling out – and night skiing.
  • All 873 Big White team members want to send out a huge thank you to everyone, especially our loyal season passholders and locals, who came to enjoy our Okanagan Champagne Powder! We’ll see you in a few short months for summer – opening June 29 if weather permits

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me here.

March Fun at Big White Ski Resort

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March is time for fun at Big White Ski Resort. With many heading to the mountain for Spring Break – the resort is bustling and full of life! Property owners and renters alike are enjoying time at the hill – and with these events its hard not to.

As for Real Estate, there are plenty of showings happening around the resort as well with more and more people interested in investing at Big White Ski Resort.

March Fun at Big White Ski Resort – events

Of course, every Saturday night, the greatest firework show in town explodes down in Happy Valley. Its the perfect chance for the family to enjoy some great fireworks, take a skate around the skating rink, slide your way down tube town, or just enjoy from a window overlooking Happy Valley. This event starts at 9pm every Saturday.

Another big hit in March is the Moose Cruz! Starting March 22-23, this scavenger hunt is like no other. Discover and engage with the mountain, solving clues, exploring terrain and of course the most important, having fun!! Find all the information you need here.

And, the highly popular AltiTunes Music Festival takes place March 31, April 1 at the resort. This highly anticipated event will rock the resort with bands like Moontricks, DJ Invizible, Meems, Shred Kelly and many more! This is a celebration with live music, outdoor activities, and of course skiing! This event is a 19+ event and tickets are selling FAST. Learn more about this event here.

Brief Real Estate Update

Along with all of the fun events happening at the resort, real estate is also busy and seems to have picked up with Spring break happening. Many buyers are looking to find a vacation home to retreat to on the weekends or during school breaks. Units have been renting quite well so far this year with many fully booked for the remainder of the season. Investing on the hill at this time is a great opportunity!

Whether you are searching for an affordable studio unit that you can lock and leave or a luxury chalet with beautiful views, the market is seeing it all. Many people are loving the buildings with amenities such as a pool, fitness room etc.. as it does set it apart from the others than do not have amenities and most do not have rental restrictions.

So far March has seen 6 firm deals, a drop compared to March last year which firm deals equaled 25. The average sale price in March 2022 was $690,128 while thus far March is sitting at an average of $509,417.

I will be on the hill all of Spring break – so give me a call or stop by my office in the Village under Snowshoe Sams. I have plenty of brochures for current listings and can answer any questions you may have about rental revenue, investing, and more! You can also start by contacting me here!

March Fun at Big White Ski Resort

Okanagan Summer is HERE!

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The day all of us in the Okanagan have been waiting for, Summer is officially HERE! With the prolonged spring weather here in the Okanagan, it’s nice to see the weather changing and bringing that beautiful Okanagan sunshine we all crave. Summer in the Okanagan is when our city thrives. Welcoming back tourists to our amazing town and seeing all of the locals get out and enjoy all of the events happening after a two year hiatus.

Live, Work, Play – Summer in the Okanagan …

The Okanagan is a sought after area to live, work and play. There’s no question why its an attractive city to purchase a home in. And with the real estate market changing, it is becoming a little more attainable than the recent months. We are seeing a shift in prices, including many price reductions on already listed properties. This however, doesn’t mean its a buyers market quite yet because the market is still favoring sellers at the moment.

The Okanagan continues to attract people to own property here. Coming from out of town, and out of province, buyers are dedicated to find their own piece of paradise here in the Okanagan. Whether that’s in Peachland, at Big White Ski Resort, or in Lake Country. That’s the thing about Kelowna and area, there is a neighbourhood for everyone and anyone. No matter your price point or requirements.

Summer is also on everyone’s mind at Big White Ski Resort. With the resort now open for the summer 2021/22 season, many are making their way up the mountain to get outdoors. Enjoy mountain biking, hiking, or check out this year’s Craft & Country Music Fest on July 16th! This year, the resort is packed with events and fun for everyone. Check it all out here.

With the shift in the market, you may be left wondering where that places you and your situation. If you are planning on selling, are you curious what the price drops mean for the value of your home? If you’re buying, are you wondering if now is the time to make an offer on that home you’ve been humming and hawing over? I am always here to answer any questions so reach out via email, phone, or contact me here.

Gear up for Summer at Big White

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Its time to gear up for summer at Big White because the resort is opening on June 30, 2022 for its summer season! If you read my last blog post, you are aware of some pretty incredible events and experiences lined up. Like the Craft & Country Music Festival happening on July 16th. This year marks the resort’s 7th year of hosting this event that features tons of great breweries, cideries, and this year featuring music from The Heels.

There are so many more events to talk about, so lets dive into it!

Events to Gear up for Summer at Big White

The resort is still looking for ambitious volunteers for this years Community Clean Up. This is a great way to get outdoors and make sure the resort is looking impeccable for the summer months! To register or find more information just head to this link.

The Okanagan Graveller, brought to us by the team behind the iconic Okanagan Granfondo in Penticton, is a 2 day, 3 distance weekend that the resort is thrilled to host June 18-19, 2022. The Village is sure to be bustling with excitement in the beer gardens with entertainment and BBQ after the ride.

If you enjoy trail running, then the Big White Peak Challenge is perfect for you. Being held on July 10, 2022, this event is brought to us by Hoodoo Adventure Company. Two distances to choose from, including a 11km trail with 633m elevation gain or a 32km trail with 1940m elevation gain. Both of these trails will leave you in awe after trekking on dirt roads, around lakes, atop ridges, and featuring amazing mountain views.

April Real Estate Stats

April, finishing up the first quarter, was a fairly strong month for real estate at the resort. Keeping up with the previous months thus far 2022. April saw 13 sales, a 40% decrease from April 2021, but saw an average sale price increase of 32% from the previous April. The average days to sell continues to see a decrease from April of 2021 and the homes at the resort are sitting on the market an average of 45 days.

21 new listings hit the market during the month of April, and the close to list price on sold listings was 98%.

As of today, May 9th, there are 47 active listings at Big White Ski Resort. These listings range from a studio units for under 200k all the way up to multi million dollar chalets.

Feel free to reach out and contact me with any question you have about Big White, the summer season, and what’s happening in Real Estate!