Places Archives - Joan Wolf, Big White REALTOR®

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

October 10, 2024 by Joan Wolf

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

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

Adventure Ideas

Snowmobile tour
Tubing
Ice skating on Canada’s highest outdoor skating rink
Snowshoeing
Private ski or snowboarding lesson
Attend a Saturday night carnival
Dog sledding
Watch the fireworks
Horse drawn sleigh ride
Explore the village
Treat yourself to the Spa at Stonebridge
Enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets
Fat biking
Twinkling trail lights
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 Summer Real Estate Market Update: 2024

September 9, 2024 by Joan Wolf

As the summer season winds down at Big White, it’s time to take a closer look at how the real estate market has performed over the past few months. The summer period is traditionally slower compared to the winter, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been significant activity. In fact, the market has remained relatively stable, showing promise as we approach the busy winter season.

Summer Sales: 2024 vs. 2023

From June 2024 through the end of August, there were 17 sales at Big White Ski Resort. This is fairly on par with last year’s numbers, which saw 19 sales during the same time period. While the volume of sales remains consistent, it is worth noting the range of properties that have exchanged hands. This summer saw sales ranging from a $165,000 studio unit to a $1,730,000 chalet. The diversity of options available ensures that both entry-level buyers and luxury home seekers have opportunities to invest in this vibrant resort.

The average sale price for the past four months was $604,558 CAD, showcasing a robust market where properties of varying sizes and price points are finding buyers. Compared to last year, the overall market sentiment remains optimistic, with demand steady despite minor fluctuations in the number of transactions.

Total Sales Value: Year to Date

As of September 2024, Big White has seen a total of $38,776,499 in real estate sales. While slightly below last year’s $43,995,000 figure for the same period, this year’s numbers demonstrate a strong performance given the general economic conditions affecting real estate markets globally. The nearly $5 million gap could be attributed to minor market slowdowns or timing differences in high-end property sales, but overall, Big White’s real estate market has proven to be resilient.

Days on Market: A Subtle Shift

One noticeable shift in the market this summer is the increase in the average days on market (DOM) for properties. Compared to last year, the average DOM has increased by 19%. This means that while properties are still selling, they are taking slightly longer to find the right buyers.

This could be attributed to several factors, including a shift in buyer behavior, the range of available inventory, or the seasonal nature of Big White’s market. While the winter season brings a flood of interest from those eager to secure a ski-in/ski-out property, the summer often sees a more relaxed pace. Buyers are likely taking their time, knowing that the high season is just around the corner.

Looking Ahead: Winter Market Opportunities

As we head into the upcoming winter season, we’re seeing an uptick in both new properties hitting the market and increased interest from potential buyers. Showings have picked up as people prepare for the ski season, which is traditionally the busiest time for real estate at Big White.

For buyers ready to make their move, now is an ideal time to take action. Many properties are currently vacant, offering immediate possession opportunities before the snow hits and the resort comes alive. Buying in the quieter summer months means less competition, and the chance to settle into a new home before the winter season begins in full swing.

Why Now is a Great Time to Buy

While summer may be slower in terms of transactions, it is the perfect time for serious buyers to take advantage of the market. Properties are more likely to be vacant and priced competitively, as sellers prepare for the increased demand of the winter season. If you’re looking for a property at Big White, acting now allows you to get ahead of the competition and secure a home that’s move-in ready before the snow starts to fall.

Whether you’re looking for a cozy condo, a family-friendly townhouse, or a luxury chalet, Big White continues to offer a wide range of properties for all kinds of buyers. With the winter season fast approaching, now is the perfect time to explore your options and invest in one of Canada’s most beloved ski resorts.

Get your early bird season passes now for Big White Ski Resort here.

Big White Community Clean Up Success

June 25, 2024 by Joan Wolf

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.

Top 5 Most Wanted Features in a Big White Ski Resort Property

February 7, 2024 by Joan Wolf

While every buyer is searching for something with their certain needs and wants, I am here to share the 5 most wanted features in a Big White Ski Resort property that are most common for buyers looking at purchasing property at the resort. Maybe a buyer is looking to check off all five of these boxes, or maybe just one, but these are the features that I have found to be the most wanted when working with both buyers and sellers at the resort.

TOP 5 MOST WANTED FEATURES IN A BIG WHITE SKI RESORT PROPERTY

Ski-in/Ski Out Access

Ski-in/ski-out access is a highly sought after feature. Luckily, unlike other ski resorts like Whistler, Big White offers arguably the best ski-in/ski-out accessibility from nearly every property at the resort. Whether its right outside the door or a short walk to the closest run, ski-in/ski-out access is an attainable feature no matter where on the mountain you are.

Well Run Strata

Having a predictable and proactive strata is another very important and wanted feature for those buyers looking to purchase a condo. As the majority of buyers are not living on the hill, having a well-run strata can ease the minds of buyers that are not always in the unit. With a well-run strata you can trust, a buyer can feel comfortable, and dependent that not only their unit will be looked after but the building itself maintained and functioning at the level they desire. Each building is different in how their strata runs so it is very important to work with a knowledgeable agent and of course review all strata documents.

Rental Income Potential

As previously stated, many buyers are not living on the hill and often look for rental income potential to offset costs when they are not using the property for personal use. Some units provide a steady stream of revenue and others can be limited due to many factors. Revenue potential varies depending on the type of unit, location, and amenities it offers. Many agents will provide past revenue numbers and a revenue forecast if available and applicable.

Location

This feature is completely dependant on each specific buyer but location is very important. Some buyers want to be right in the Village with amenities and activities just a few steps away, while others are looking for a more tranquil area. Happy Valley is a great location and highly sought after as it offers a close proximity to adventures such as ice skating, tubing, and more with also providing direct access to the Village from Lara’s Gondola.

View

Admittedly, this feature is not as important to some as say, ski-in/ski-out access, however many buyers are looking for a property that showcases the stunning Monashee Mountains. Whether it’s from a gorgeous chalet in Feathertop Estates or a condo in the Village centre, views can be a massive selling feature. With the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets that the resort is blessed with, its no wonder views make the top 5 most wanted features in a Big White Ski Resort property.

With the news of the foreign buyer ban being extended, and the resort being exempt from the short term rental ban, Big White Ski Resort is a superb investment for global and local clientele.

What’s Happening at Big White Ski Resort

October 25, 2023 by Joan Wolf

As we near the opening day, which is scheduled for November 23, 2023, there is lots happening at Big White Ski Resort. Each season the resort grows, replaces, and revamps many areas to improve hospitality, housing, and operations. According to the Regional District, over $100 million dollars in construction and maintenance is projected for the resort.

What’s Happening at Big White Ski Resort

Developments – The luxurious Feathertop Estates development is booming. There is a ton of construction happening in the area with new builds popping up all over the development. Foundations have been poured and constructed over the summer months, framing is taking place, and many chalets are in the lockup stage. This is exciting as we are starting to see them come together and ready for the finishing touches.

More new developments are also taking place in Black Forest, Porcupine, Sundance, and Monashee Ridge. They are coming along nicely and will be a great addition to the resort once complete.

Some of the complex buildings are also getting facelifts including Snow Ghost Inn. This is great to see updates happening around the resort and not just new construction.

You may notice a large pile of sand at the bottom of Big White Road that will be used for the roads. Speaking of transportation, some more exciting developmental news is that the resort has commenced building the first phase of the $600,000 upper parking lot at Black Forest. This parking lot will hold an additional 250 vehicles!

Tourism/Operations – Snow cats are a huge part of the resorts success and the resort has brought in some new ones and have been working to maintain the current ones so everything is ready to go once the snow starts to fly. There is a new restaurant in the works that will be ready for opening day. A welcomed addition to the Village, along with new electronic signs throughout the resort. Boxes and boxes currently fill the Village Centre as a new central reservations team prepares for the season.

It’s very exciting to see all of these preparations come together as we are expected to have an awesome Winter 2023/24 season.

What That Means for Real Estate

Both showings and deals have picked up immensely over the past few weeks. As normal, the off season slows down but now we are seeing a steady increase. Buyers, nationally and internationally are starting to get serious about putting in offers and many are arriving at the resort prior to opening day to secure their perfect ski home in time for the Winter season.

An abundance of showings over the past weekend has brought in multiple offers on a variety of styles of homes from 1 bedroom units at The Inn at Big White to multi-million dollar chalets with unbelievable views.

If you have any questions or would like to see where your property would be in today’s market at the resort, feel free to reach out anytime! Always reachable by phone 1-778-231-0308 or email [email protected]

Property at Big White Ski Resort

October 5, 2023 by Joan Wolf

Property at Big White Ski Resort is more than just owning a vacation home. The potential revenue that comes along with your investment plays a major role in your purchasing power. Finding properties that double as a vacation home and a rental property with great earning potential are a rare find. Especially when other resorts such as Whistler have speculation tax. Big White Ski Resort is exempt from that tax making it an even more desirable place to invest.

Owner/Rental Use

Depending on how much you use your property for personal use, the revenue potential can be vast. Renting out your property during the high times such as Christmas and New Years break and Spring break, can yield some great revenue and also provides an opportunity to still use the property personal use during other times of the year. High end luxury chalets have potential to reach six figure rental revenue.

Location Location Location

Choosing an area of the resort is also imperative for both personal pleasure and when renting. Being in or close to the Village is a valuable asset for any property. Many people visiting the resort like to have immediate access to all amenities whether that is in Happy Valley or the Village centre. Speaking of amenities, if a condo is what you are after, comparing each complex’s amenities is important and will affect rental potential. You could go all out and enjoy Stonegate’s amenities which include indoor/outdoor pool, movie theatre, game room and much more. Or if you are looking for a more cost effective strata, a complex such as the Whitefoot lodge may be more ideal.

Owning property at Big White Ski Resort offers the chance to enjoy and revel in the best of both worlds. Using the property for personal use, hitting the slopes and enjoying family vacations along with a fantastic earning potential gives Big White a leg up on other Canadian ski resorts.

Are you ready to start the search for your perfect Big White Ski Resort property? Reach out today and let’s get looking!

Okanagan and Big White’s Summer Real Estate Forecast

May 17, 2023 by Joan Wolf

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.

Okanagan and Big White Ski Resort Real Estate Update

February 7, 2023 by Joan Wolf

January was a great start to the new year with the Okanagan and Big White Ski Resort real estate market leveling out yet still producing high levels of deals. Even with mortgage rates rising, and an already difficult market to jump into, it seems to have remained steady through January and is picking up momentum as we go through February. A slight decrease in listing and sales price has made the market a bit more achievable and many people who were waiting to see this decrease are now jumping in on the action.

It is still a quite even market with it not favoring neither the seller nor the buyer at the moment. Sellers are acknowledging the prices have taken a slight downturn, but are still, of course, wanting top dollar for their property. Buyers seems to notice the small decrease in price and have been committing to purchase.

Okanagan Real Estate Update

Sales have seen a decrease in the Okanagan area with just 63 single family residence sales in the month of January, a 59% drop compared to January 2022. However the inventory has increased dramatically with 161% more properties available for sale. Currently sitting at 699 single family homes on the market. The average days to sell has increased to 81 – a large leap if compared to the same time last year when it was just 36 days. Which we know was unfamiliar and unprecedented.

The price ratio for January sat at 95.51% – on par for the market we were used to seeing prior to the pandemic. Comparing to last year is almost irrelevant because as we know most homes were selling for full list price and some way above list price.

So far this year the market seems steady throughout the Okanagan and is giving a chance to buyers to be able to purchase their first property or even their first investment property.

A great development that would work as a primary residence or investment property are the new townhomes at West 61 at Shannon Lake in West Kelowna. These 2/3 bedroom units offer views of Shannon Lake, top notch amenities, and modern luxury elements. Starting at $799k, these properties are a must see and are scheduled for completion August 2023.

Big White Ski Resort Real Estate Update

Big White Ski Resort had a slower January, with only 3 sales at the resort. However, the activity has increased quite a bit over the past two weeks and inventory has been selling at a faster pace that the beginning of this year. The average sale price at the resort in January was $650,667 – an increase of 13% when compared to January 2022.

All of the events happening at the resort are a factor in the real estate market. More and more locals and travelers alike are spending much more time at the resort. It’s also a factor with overseas buyers that the resort is exempt from the Foreign Buyer Ban really making Big White the ideal place to invest. The average days a property is spending on the market at the resort is just 53 days. Fairly on par if you compare to the same time last year where the average was 50 days.

If you are looking to build at Big White Ski Resort, Monashee Way is offering lots starting at $375k – these properties are ski-in/ski-out, with no rental restrictions. Build your dream chalet with the builder of your choice.

If you, or someone you know is looking to either get into the real estate market or perhaps free up some of your property assets, feel free to reach out – I would be happy to answer any questions and assist throughout the process.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF MY CURRENT LISTINGS

Historic and Exciting News for Big White Ski Resort

December 8, 2022December 7, 2022 by Joan Wolf

In the last 54 years, we went from no accommodations, the first one was constructed in 1968, to what you see at Big White Ski Resort today which is just over 3,000 units.

There has been quintessential development and steady growth at the resort and it’s exciting to hear and now share the historic and exciting news for Big White Ski Resort that is currently in the works and the future plans. In addition to accommodation developments, Big White has grown to be the second largest lift system in Canada.

Historic and Exciting News for Big White Ski Resort

Black Forest Residences is marketed and sold by EPIC Real Estate Solutions Inc. I provide buyer representation to those interested.

As the 1999 master plan completes, the resort focuses on the Black Forest area. This included a $6m utility investment, $1m skier overpass, and 8 development sites this past summer. The developmental sites include:

Staff accommodations for up to 400 more staff;
an 11 acre site for 44 single and duplex buildings called The Glades with Acorn Communities;
a 7.5 acre, 35 homes and 15 townhomes development by Iron Horse Developments; and a
172 unit development offering micro suites. Which is currently preselling with K-West.

For information on these developments, as well as future plans, please visit Big White Ski Resort’s website, or contact Jordan Hettinga ([email protected]) or Paul Plocktis ([email protected])

Monashee Ridge is another development that has been a desirable place for buyers. These chalet’s are ski-in/ski-out with low strata fees, snowmobile accessible, and feature stunning mountain views. These 3-4 bedroom properties offers vaulted ceilings, open concept floorplan and room for everything.

As in the previously published blog, in the resort’s new 50 year master plan, there will be a tremendous increase in further accommodations and terrain.

When this historic and exciting news for Big White Ski Resort is approved, the plan would increase skiable terrain to over 1000 hectares and the number of lifts would total 35. To handle all of this, the resort would double in size and number of developments.

Big White Ski Resort has a bright future and one of the contributing factors is that Big White doesn’t have any land in ALR, so you can still purchase a property walking or sliding distance to the Village, and 100% of the overnight accommodations are ski-in/ski out. This is significant in differentiating Big White from other Canadian resorts such as Whistler which over offers approximately 20% of their bed base deemed ski-in/ski out.

(information source: Jordan Hettinga)

Okanagan Region is growing rapidly

October 27, 2022July 5, 2022 by Joan Wolf

The Thompson-Okanagan region is rapidly growing. Population hit 620,000 residents in 2021 with an average of 10,000 new residents every year. It is the fastest growing population in Canada according to Statistics Canada. The City of Kelowna itself now has over 224,000 residents. Making it double the size of Kamloops, Prince George and Nanaimo. It’s no wonder the real estate development is continuing to accelerate even with this slight downturn in sales.

The City of Kelowna recently voted unanimously to approve a 425 home development in the Tower Ranch neighborhood and a 1000 home development on Lakeshore Road. Those developments in addition to many pre-sales happening throughout the region are a direct correlation to the influx of out of region residents. Okanagan real estate has been stifled with supply in the past months creating a rise in prices. With the new projects arising, we are hoping to see a shift, making housing more affordable within the region.

Even with residential sales slowing recently, the average price is still on the rise. We saw May’s average single family home sale price increase from just under 1 million ($997,441) to $1,139,144 from the same time last year.

It is estimated that investors make up nearly 60-70% of condo buyers in the city. This I believe goes hand in hand with Kelowna’s rental vacancy rate which sat at just 0.6%. The lowest level in Canada in May. With the average price of condos sitting at $518,637 in May, its an affordable and wise investment choice.

The Thompson-Okanagan region, especially Kelowna, is rapidly growing. Now may be the best time to capture that piece of Okanagan paradise. Feel free to reach out and contact me with any questions or to get started finding your perfect home.