Big White Ski Resorts Local Olympian

You might be familiar with Kelsey Serwa, her grandfather, Cliff Serwa, co-founded Big White Ski Resort in 1960 and she has become an extremely decorated athlete. She’s a member of the Canada Ski Cross Team and is the 2018 Olympic Champion, 2014 Olympic Silver Medalist, a World Champion, National Champion, and 2x X-Games Gold Medalist!!

Kelsey Serwa is a Big White Ski Resort local, that made it big! Since learning how to walk Kelsey has been skiing at the resort and has made the community at Big White extremely proud , in fact, there is even a ski run named after her! The #homegrownheros favorite run is Born to Run.

Big White Ski Resort has showed continuous support throughout the years, throwing viewing parties for the Olympics, celebrating her accomplishments with special events, and  ultimately influencing her career.  A career in which Kelsey retired from just a few weeks ago. “I’m ready for the next stages of my life,”‘ Kelsey told The Canadian Press.

The next stages of life for Kelsey include getting married this September, working towards her physiology degree and a six-stage mountain bike race. “I love racing. I love that feeling” Kelsey also recently started a scholarship fund which gave $10,000 to three different students-athletes.

Kelsey’s words to live by: Be where your feet are

Big White Real Estate Update – July

July has come and gone and it brought some heat to the real estate market at Big White Ski Resort! 16 new listings hit the market in July, bringing the total number of active listings to 105 at the end of the month. The number of sales in July saw a massive increase of 95% from that in June, which only saw 5 sales throughout the month. The average days on market for Big White Ski Resort is sitting at 109 days, just one week more than that of the same time last year.

The average sale price in Big White Ski Resort has seen steady increase over the last few years. The average sale price in July 2019 was $459,179, a 17% increase from July 2018, and an increase of 40% from July 2017. These numbers are the reason why many out of town buyers and investors are coming to Big White Ski Resort to buy property. There is a price range for everyone from under 100,000-5,295,000. That’s right, you can own a piece of beautiful Big White for less than 100K!

The Big White Real Estate market remains strong into the second half of summer – don’t miss the opportunity to purchase your dream mountain home or to sell that investment property!! Get in touch with me today for a complimentary market analysis or to receive new active listings within your criteria!

Big White’s Freeride Days Recap

This time last week athletes from all over the world arrived at Big White Ski Resort for the first Freeride Days, an event where people come to win points that could help them move up the rankings, according to a news release from Big White Ski Resort.

This inagural event was hosted by Tom van Steenbergen and is the only FMB World Tour Gold event in North America.  The event took place in Happy Valley and offered beer gardens, music, demos, food trucks and lots of excitement!

Thursday started with The Bronze Slopestyle event, one of nine in North America. The pressure was on for the riders to win points in order to move up in the rankings. To make the stakes even higher, the top five riders got to compete in Saturday’s Big White Invitational Slopestyle. Over 5000 people showed up to watch the riders vie for the gold event on Saturday and saw Swede Emil Johansson claim the top prize.

The worlds biggest women’s Slopestyle contest was held on Friday, and Canadian Stephanie Nychka topped the podium for the event. “With few bronze-level Slopestyle courses existing in the world, the female athletes had never been given a stage this large to compete on, and it brought out the best,” Big White said in a news release.

After the Slopestyle events were wrapped up, riders showed off their talents in the official Whip Off!, where American Reed Boggs took home the win!

For more Summer Big White Events click here

Big White open for S U M M E R!!

As of June 27th, Big White Ski Resort is open for Summer! This year brings biking, hiking and lots of new and exciting adventures to the mountain. It’s time to connect with nature, enjoy breathtaking views, and take in that fresh mountain air!

Lets start off with the new activities available for the Summer season at Big White:

Horseback Adventures – Big White teamed up with Christine & Troy McDonald & their team to bring this unforgettable experience to Big White.

Women’s Camps – Whether you’re a new rider or have years of experience, this fun fierce clinic is a great way to learn new skills with like-minded women.

Camping – Tents & RVS are welcome at Big White campgrounds! Located in Black Forest with all the necessary amenities. Pets are welcome too!!

Of course, making a huge comeback this year is BIKING and HIKING!

Hiking – Grab a trail map and head out to enjoy the amazing trails Big White mountain has to offer.

Biking – Featuring 19 world class gravity fed trails that range from rolling greens, bermed blues, and big air blacks, Bike Big White has something for every level of rider. NEW for 2019 is the Joker, Bike Big White’s premier jump trail!

Don’t forget about FREERIDE Days July 11-14 where Tom van Steenbergen hosts Pro/Gold Invitation Slopestyle

History of Big White Part II

Continuing on from History of Big White Part I Big White Ski Resort showed continuous, steady growth from the 90’s and into the 2000’s. This second part  to the history of Big White will showcase all of the incredible amenities and features that have been constructed until mid 2000’s.

The opening of a Walk-In Medical Center at the Whitefoot Lodge took place in 1994, along with a 100 seat conference center,  Dom’s restaurant, and The Eagles and Chateau on the Ridge condominiums being constructed. The Ski Rental and Repair shop was also renovated during this time. In 1995, Big White Ski Resort invested more than $5 million in improvements to continue its growth. To accommodate its growth, a 350 car parking lot was placed between the Bullet and Black Forest and the White Crystal Inn opened offering deluxe accommodation and dining. On hill accommodations now exceeds 5,500 persons making Big White the largest on-mountain village in Western Canada!

The next few years brought the Ice Skating Rink, Snowboard Park, The Village Center Mall, The Big White Kid’s Center, Gem Lake Express Quad Chair and 1,200 acres of new terrain. Bringing the investment totals to over $75 million. Accommodations grew tremendously in 1997 and 1998 with the developments and expansions of Black Bear Lodge, The Coast Resort, Legacy Condominiums, Snowpines Estates, and The Ridge Day Lodge. Not long after in 1999, huge development milestones were hit with the completion of the Legend, Timber Ridge, Whiskey Jack, Treetops, Chateu at Big White projects. The Real Estate total for 2000 is $39.1 million!

In the early 2000’s, over $125 million was invested into the Gondola Woods Happy Valley Project. 100 acres of newly gladed terrain, summer grooming projects, and car park expansions were completed in 2001. While a year later, in 2002, a new super Olympic sized pipe, the 2nd one in Western Canada was constructed, along with the new skier bridge linking the village to Happy Valley. 2002 also saw a massive jump to nearly $50 million in real estate.

Stayed tuned for Part III

Big White Real Estate Market Update – April

Big White Ski Resorts real estate market is still going strong, even after the end of their Winter 2018/2019 season.

April of this year saw a total of 18 new listings hit the market, 44% of which were condos, down from March of last year where condos made up 63% of the new listings. Townhouses made up 27% of the new listings in April and 11% were lots.

The average sale price of lots located at Big White Ski Resort has increased dramatically over last year, the average sale price in 2018 from January-April was $181,500, this year we are seeing the average sale price at $330,667, an increase of 82%!! It’s not just lots that have increased, we are seeing an increase across the board including single family residences jumping from $633,500 to $889,667, a 40% increase!! These statistics prove exactly why Big White Ski Resort is an incredible place to invest in property.

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY

History of Big White – Part I

Do you know the history of Big White Ski Resort? Have you ever wondered who discovered this mountain paradise and ultimately founded the resort it is today? I’ve collected some interesting facts and details while researching the history of Big White Ski Resort that I will share below in Part I of the series.

Cliff Serwa and Doug Mervyn opened the mountain in 1963 named Big White just outside of Kelowna with one Main T-bar, and it wasn’t until 1968 that the first accommodations, a few private chalets were constructed on the mountain. By the end of the 60’s there were 3 T-bars. Population in Kelowna at the time was 10,000.

The legendary Snow Ghosts were discovered in 1965 and are still a big hit with locals and tourists alike!

 

The 1970’s saw lift and trail structure growth with the ridge double chair being installed in 1971 and both the Easter Triple Chair and Powder Triple Chair installed in late 1970s. The accommodations also grew from just a couple private chalets to facilitates and condominiums.

The Schumann Family purchased Big White Ski Resort in 1985 with the goal to build a world-class ski resort. They were to focus of offering new skiing terrain, customer convenience and service while increasing capacity.

With the Schumann Family rapidly growing the resort, along came The Plaza chairlift, the first quad chairlift in BC, the lengthening of the Alpine T-bar, Cliff Platter, and the Ridge Rocket all constructed before 1990.

TUNE INTO OUR NEXT BLOG FOR PART II OF THIS SERIES!

 

Big White Real Estate Market Update – February

Big White Village

Big White Ski Resort’s temperature might be in the negatives lately, but the real estate market is climbing to hot hot hot! With 18 new listings becoming active in February, it brings the total current listing count at Big White to 117. That number includes condos, single family residences, and lots. 

Condos currently make up 42% of the current listings and with prices ranging from $104,500 to $1,100,000, there really is a price point for everyone.

Whether it is local families, investors, or people from out of the country buying vacation homes, condos are an incredible chance to own at Big White Ski Resort. They allow owners and occupants to live a secure, low maintenance, lifestyle while reaping the benefits of amenities and location. Condo living often boasts the “Lock and Leave” lifestyle, which for a vacation home is an opportunity for less stress, and the confidence your home is secure and taken care of while you are not there.

Condos at Big White Ski Resort are becoming more luxurious and the amenities are increasingly raising the standards. Complexes such as Stonegate Resort offer incredible building amenities like a heated indoor/outdoor pool, 18 seat movie theater, fitness center, game room, and more! To check out the sophisticated Stonegate Resort, click here.

So whether you invest, vacation, or live on the mountain,the condo lifestyle may be right for you.

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY!

The future’s looking bigger and brighter at Big White

Big White Ski Resort Black Forest expansion

It’s not only real estate that’s booming at Big White Ski Resort. The resort recently updated their master development plan to include two newly proprosed chair lifts that, once completed, will open an additional 70 ha of new terrain.

Currently referred to as the Black Forest Connector and the Backcountry Chair, the two chairlifts would be located to the east of the Black Forest Express, within Big White’s existing Controlled Recreation Area. Both chairlifts will be easily accessible from the Black Forest Express Chair and the Cliff Ski-Out.

An environmental assessment and surveying were conducted in August 2018. Pending approval, Big White Ski Resort hope to complete both new lifts by the start of the 2019/2020 ski season.

 

More terrain, more glades!

The new lifts will add 70 ha of skiable terrain and an additional 50ha of gladed terrain. The Black Forest Connector and Backcountry Chair will offer predominantly intermediate ski terrain and gladed tree areas, with a few beginner and expert runs. Overall the terrain will be similar to the ski runs and glades in Black Forest, Big White’s most popular ski area.

Big White Ski Resort new runs

Future housing expansion at Big White?

With the completion of the first of four staff residences in the Black Forest area and plans for even further expansion to ski terrain in the Black Forest and East Peak regions, it’s also looking like we’re one step closer to the long-awaited release of land for the Black Forest residential subdivision.

 

Family Day at Canada’s Favourite Family Resort

Family Day was originally created to give people time to spend with their families, so why not head up to beautiful Big White Ski Resort and check out the variety of family friendly activities for all ages to enjoy together.

If something adventurous is on your families to do list on Family Day, there are lots of options at Big White Ski Resort that doesn’t involve hitting the slopes.

As the years go on, and everyone gets busier and busier, it is important to take time to create new memories with your family and possibly some new traditions!

Snowmobile Tours 

Big White’s varied terrain allows for a range of snowmobile adventures from gentle family cruises to advanced back country power rides.

Kids can have the experience too of driving their own snowmobile on Big White’s Mini-Z miniature snowmobiles on a track built just for them! click here

Tubing

The Big White Tub Park is fun for the whole family and is located in the Happy Valley Adventure Centre. Don’t just think this one is for the kids, 5 groomed trails allow you to zoom down the slopes!

Dog Sled Tours

Experience the thrill of mushing with powerful Canadian Sled Dogs through Big White’s back country on this great adventure sport with Candle Creek Kennels.

 

Ice Climbing Tower

The impressive 60 foot ice tower is exciting and a perfect way to try out the sport. All ages are welcome, with beginner to advanced options. Big White will provide the climbing gear required!

Check out all of Big White’s winter activities here

Remember, Family Day is this coming Monday, February 18th, 2019. Grab the family and head up to Big White Ski Resort!

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY!