Build at Big White

You can feel the excitement as 41 runs are now open and it’s just the beginning of the season! At 7595 ft Big White is one of the highest ranges in the Okanagan Highlands. Maybe this is one of the secrets to the Champagne Powder? For that reason and many others, we are the second largest ski resort in BC and continue to grow each year. Nestled in between the Monashee Mountains and the Okanagan Valley, this makes panoramic mountain views a reality. Our listings showcase a variety of price points making this a viable market for buyers and sellers. 

With The Crescendo winning ‘Best Chalet’ at the World’s Ski Awards in Austria, Big White is getting recognized for its design and innovation. This definitely helps attract people from around the globe I gotta say, this ski resort continues to impress me! Imagine what you could do with your own custom build. Perhaps you’re thinking about a chalet or an investment property. Work with a team that has experience in designing and building on the mountain for over 30 years. The expertise of Weninger Construction can help you execute your dreams, take a look as they construct Black Forest Lodge.

As a result of the unique climate and terrain, you’ll want to consider durable materials like stone, wood, acrylic stucco or treated concrete. In addition, the mountain is home to sensitive plant life so you’ll need to strategize how to be of minimal impact on the environment. Keep in mind growing season is short so you’ll want to get plants that will thrive in those months. The mountain is also getting a 800K sewer upgrade. In case you have further questions about the development process application which needs to be obtained before a builders permit click here.  Keep in mind Big White falls under the Kootney Boundry regional district zoning which allows for residential, high-density mixed residential\commercial, recreational, industrial, light industrial, and institutional & community facilities.

Check out these lots for some of the best locations to build in Feathertop. Feathertop is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods on the hill with access to Bullet Chair and Black Forest Chair. The alpine terrain is getting developed past here which makes this an ideal location to build your luxury chalet.

 

 

 

Holiday Fun at Big White Ski Resort

Big White Ski Resort is lively and festive as the holiday season has now arrived. With Christmas break approaching, many families will be heading up to Big White Ski Resort to spend quality family time together. The holidays allow us to make memories, and memories are definitely made at Big White. 

Spending the holidays at Big White Ski Resort is truly an amazing experience. The mountain is full of holiday spirit and as you walk through the village the festive vibe is always high. You can Tube with Santa, ice skate under the stars, or check out Big White’s Annual Christmas Craft Market which offers a wide array of items from local vendors. And don’t forget to bring the kids by Santa’s Workshop in the TELUS Igloo where they can make a decoration with the help from some special elves. 

Christmas Eve at Big White is even more spectacular, it’s a magical night full of festive wonder. At 4:30pm the Christmas Eve Service lead by Pastor Jack and accompanied by the Ski School Rookie Choir will begin. Following the service,  gather with your friends and wander through the village where live music by Jeff Piattelli will fill the air, and christmas lights will sparkle in the snow.

Pose in the photo booth or spin the Wheel Of Mayhem to see if you landed on Santa’s Naughty, or Nice List. You might even spot a glimpse of Santa before he beings his trek around the world. A dazzling fireworks display starts at 6:30pm and there are many surprises throughout the night.

Wishing you and your family a happy holidays from here at Big White Ski Resort! 

 

A Guide to Big White’s Opening Weekend!

Who’s coming up to join me for all the festivities at Big White starting opening day Thursday, November 28th?! My office is right under Snowshoe Sams in the Village Center and I’m looking forward to seeing you all there and participating in the fun. You won’t want to miss all the exciting events planned. Imagine carving down the slopes and right into your very own ski-in and ski-out spot. It’s never too late in the season to explore the possibilitiesP.S. Don’t miss the chance to stay during opening weekend and get 2 complimentary lift tickets

Thursday, November 28th

The Village Centre Mall and Happy Valley Day Lodge open at 7:45 am. Be one of the first people down the mountain when the Ridge Rocket chair opens at 8:45 am and runs till 3:30 pm.

During this time you can grab a hug or a pic with Lucy Moose & Loose Moose. Also, complimentary hot chocolate and ‘opening day 2019’ stickers will be floating around. Live music at Sessions, 3-6 pm with Canadian acoustic duo Mabaleka.

Sessions Taphouse and Grill will be hosting events all weekend long so be sure to check them out. In addition, they are home to Elevation 57 Brewing Co. Canada’s highest brewery with 12 different beers on tap and a variety of indoor activities…you might even find yourself trapped here. 

Friday, November 29th

Enjoy the slopes all day long and when your body needs a good stretch head over to Mountain Yoga Studio for 7 pm for Practice, Pants + Dance Party, limited space so get your tix in advance. Still buzzing check out ‘Far Out Friday’s’ at Sessions featuring DJ Mr. M from 9 pm to close.

Saturday, November 30th

If you can’t make it any of the other days come Saturday for all the fun! During the day there’s a ‘Patio Party’ at Sessions featuring DJs, vendors & bonfires from 11 am-5 pm (Sat & Sun). Enjoy live music, from Vancouver’s country trio, The Heels, they will be playing in the Village from 12:30-1:30 pm & 6-7 pm. Between 6-6:30 pm, you’ll see the Village transform into a majestic wonderland known as Light up Big White followed by fireworks!

If you’re in the mood to laugh head over to Globe Cafe who is featuring a Comedy Night with Glenn Wool, show starts at 9:30-11:30 pm, get tix here. Get ready to dance as the legendary duo of SkiiTour will be at Sessions from 9 pm-close.

Sunday, December 1st

Take part in the Reindeer Round-Up Scavenger Hunt designed for the whole family, uncover the whereabouts of eight Reindeer that have escaped from Santa’s workshop and reveal the secret message to get them home. Get your clues from the concierge desk located in the Village Centre Mall.  Explore the Village through your taste buds with Walk, Dine, and Wine, the ultimate winter culinary journey for food and wine-lovers. Starting 5 pm, Sundays-Thursdays till Dec 19th.

Visit me at my office, 12:00 pm-4:00 pm!

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY

Big White Real Estate Update – October

With around 20 days left until Big White Ski Resort opens for the Winter 2019/20 season, the Village is starting to get busier and the Real Estate market is following suit. After a steady summer and off season, families and investors from near and far are travelling to the resort to purchase their own piece of paradise just in time for Opening Day!

Crescendo

October 2019 brought forward 25 new listings to the Big White Real Estate market. Listings starting at $87,000 for a studio apartment in Whitefoot Lodge, all the way up to a $3,250,000 listing featuring luxury amenities and great investment potential. There was a lot of movement of properties as well, as we saw 20 sales during the month of October. Which is basically on par for October of 2018 which saw 21 sales.

With 115 active listings, there is lots of inventory to choose. From lots, condos, and single family homes, there is a vast array of available options at Big White Ski Resort.

Click here for active Big White Real Estate listings

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY

3 Family Friendly Activities at Big White Ski Resort

Big White Ski Resort is Canada’s Favorite Family Resort and for good reason! Offering a vast array of activities, Big White is fun for all ages and athletic abilities. Not everyone has an interest in skiing or snowboarding and that deters them from experiencing Big White Ski Resort, but below you will find my TOP 3 activities that all families will enjoy, that doesn’t involve strapping on a pair of skis.

TUBING

Tubing at Big White is classic! Who doesn’t love to rip down a crisp smooth hill with the sound of laughter following you the whole way down!? No experience is required, no equipment is required, and a thrill seeking attitude is a plus! The tube-park offers 5 groomed lanes and the new tube lift offers more tubers per hour than ever to maximize the fun for everyone!

ICE SKATING

Canada’s highest outdoor skating rink offers a picturesque atmosphere to take a spin on your skates. The rink is suitable for a leisurely skate or a game of pickup hockey with others. Rentals are available! Visit here for more information and tips for the rink!

HORSE DRAWN SLEIGH RIDES

There is one beautiful way to see Big White, and that’s on a horse drawn sleigh! Cozy up under a blanket and glide through the winter wonderland with experiences horses. This activity is perfect for ALL ages. For rates and more information click here

For more family friendly activities offered at Big White Ski Resort click HERE

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY

First Ever Big White Realtor Tour

Last week over 30 Realtors journeyed to Big White Ski Resort for the first ever Realtor Tour. Ten luxury properties were showcased during the tour, with a parade of vehicles convoying to each one and ending with a special luncheon at The Crescendo, where the best of Big White was featured.

The afternoon started by meeting at noon sharp outside of my Big White real estate office in the Village just under Snowshoe Sam’s. Over the course of two hours, we showcased and visited 10 high end properties, from top quality penthouses, income producing duplexes, and high end chalets. The tour included a vast array of available options on the market today.

The final part of the tour took place at the world renowned Crescendo, which was just voted Worlds Best Ski Chalet 2019. A spectacular set of guest speakers including Graham Sullivan with Owner Relations, Marlin Weninger, the leading expert on construction at Big White, Harry Pettit with Royal LePage and Jim Loyd, Director of Sales, took the time to educate the attending Realtors on a few things that makes Big White Ski Resort special within the Real Estate industry worldwide.

Local beer and wine, an in depth tour of the Crescendo provided by House Manager Sheila, and delicious tapas provided by The Bullwheel created a lively, ground breaking event at Big White.

A very big thank you to all of the presenters, behind the sceners, and the Realtors that attended!! With of all of your support this inaugural event at Big White Ski Resort was a success!

Big White Real Estate Update – September

Big White Ski Resort is skiing right into nearly 45 million dollars worth of real estate sold thus far in 2019! The third quarter alone brought in 19 million dollars, up slightly from the third quarter of 2018 which saw 17 million dollars in sales. Sales were especially strong in September as we saw 20 properties exchange ownership, an increase of  25% from September 2018. The number of listings currently at Big White Ski Resort sits at 125, which if compared to the same time last year, is up 30%.

September’s average sale price at Big White Ski Resort for 2019 is reported at $446,057. Going back to September 2018, it was reported at $380,344, quite an impressive increase. However; if we go back ever further, to September 2015, the average sale price was just $169,475!! So it just 4 short years, the average sale price has increased by a massive 163%! Talk about an impressive investment!!

The fantastic thing is that $446,057 is the average price, meaning you can purchase a property for far less, or far more depending on your budget. Currently the lowest priced listing at Big White Ski Resort sits at $94,900, UNDER $100k! If your budget is a bit more generous there are listings as high as $3,988,000 and $5,295,000.

Ready to take the jump and invest at Big White Ski Resort? Contact me to get started!

Opening Day is Around The Corner

Opening Day is scheduled for November 28, 2019 (snow dependent) so mark it on your calendars and start getting your snow gear ready! This year Big White Ski Resort is going to be better than ever with many new developments and amenities to increase locals and tourists experience.

“As Canada’s Favourite Family Resort, we are constantly investing in improving the sliding on snow, riding on lifts, and enjoying our hospitality. Year after year, families are returning to Big White because we are paying attention to their good times. And for that, we are truly thankful.” says Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President at Big White Ski Resort Ltd.

Despite the cooler temperatures, Big White Ski Resorts real estate market remains hot! The time for investors, families, and every one else to purchase the perfect Big White property is NOW! Whether you are planning on using the property yourself or using it for potential revenue income, there are many options for you to choose from. Old developments with the basic necessities to new buildings with luxury amenities like movies theaters and multiple pools there is a potential for incredible memories and revenue potential!

Get in touch with me today to receive new active listings within your criteria!

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

Developments Still Booming at Big White Ski Resort

Big White Ski Resort sees massive developmental growth every year, and this year is no exception. Big White Ski Resort amenities and housing continue to climb in popularity and create a demand for more exciting developments. The Resort is making some incredible changes this year to elevate the mountain experience.

Guest Experience

Many of the new developments happening currently at Big White Ski Resort including a 5.5 Million dollar Central Reservations building and 8 new gondola cabins to Lara’s Gondola which increase capacity 50%! The Gondola upgrade will be ready for the 2019/20 season and was a total investment of $600,000.

Riding Upgrades

The Resort has also invested $250,000 to create a new Magic Carpet for beginners. It will also more space for people to experience skiing or snowboarding for the first time. For the Gem Lake lovers, you’ll be able to get there earlier on in the season because crews are working on a new return trail that will allow skiers and snowboarders to hit Westridge with 30-40 cm less snowbase. Which means you’ll be able to ride weeks before the normal Christmas time opening!

There is also a new groomer for those who love Corduroy, which now ensures this run is always in tip-top shape!

Residences

The Real Estate Market at Big White Ski Resort is powering through the early summer and remaining strong going into the late summer. Properties are in high demand and buildings are continuing to be constructed and lots being ready to develop. The sought after Stonegate Resort is on Phase 3 of its development this year and lots are becoming more popular with Monashee Ridge lots starting at only $139,900.

The developments at Big White Ski Resort have remained strong since the mountain resort opened and the luxurious touches and amazing amenities keep exceeding expectations.

If you are interested in learning more about Big White Ski Resort developments or property investment opportunities, contact me today!