Luxury used to mean something different. For decades, it was defined by bigger homes, expensive cars, designer labels, and exclusive experiences. The focus was often on acquiring things and achieving a certain lifestyle. But over the past few years, there has been a noticeable shift in what people truly value.
Today, the new luxury is time.
Time to slow down. Time to disconnect from work and daily responsibilities. Time to spend with family and friends without feeling rushed. In a world where schedules are increasingly full and distractions are constant, uninterrupted time together has become one of life’s most valuable commodities.
As a realtor at Big White Ski Resort, I’ve had countless conversations with owners who purchased a property for one reason and stayed for another. While they may have initially been drawn to the skiing, the mountain lifestyle, or the investment potential, what they often talk about years later are the experiences they’ve shared and the memories they’ve created. They remember teaching their children to ski, gathering around the table after a day on the mountain, hosting family over the holidays, and spending weekends together without the distractions of everyday life.
A Place That Brings People Together
In our daily lives, we’re constantly being pulled in different directions. Between work commitments, school schedules, sports, social activities, and technology, quality time can often feel like an afterthought. Even when families are together, they are rarely fully present.
Big White Ski Resort has a way of changing that.
Whether it’s spending the day on the slopes, exploring hiking and biking trails in the warmer months, or simply relaxing together after a day outdoors, the mountain naturally encourages connection. There is always something to do, but there is also an opportunity to slow down and simply enjoy being together. A property at Big White becomes more than a place to stay—it becomes a place where family and friends gather, traditions are created, and memories are made year after year.
Four Seasons of Memories
One of the things I appreciate most about Big White is that it isn’t defined by a single season. While many people know it for its exceptional skiing and snowboarding, the mountain offers something unique throughout the entire year.
Winter brings powder days, skating, snowshoeing, and the energy of mountain life. Spring and summer open the door to hiking, mountain biking, sightseeing, and enjoying the beauty of the Okanagan from a completely different perspective. Fall offers a quieter pace and stunning alpine scenery before the snow returns once again.
Each season creates new opportunities to spend time with the people who matter most, and that’s what makes ownership here so special. Families don’t just visit Big White; they build traditions around it.
Investing in Experiences
Real estate is often viewed as a financial investment, but some of the most meaningful returns are impossible to quantify.
The ability to step away from busy routines and spend meaningful time together is something many families are searching for today. A mountain property provides a place where those moments happen naturally. Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend getaway, a family holiday, or a summer adventure in the alpine, these experiences become part of a family’s story.
When I speak with long-time owners, they rarely talk about square footage or finishes. Instead, they share stories about the people they’ve welcomed into their homes, the milestones they’ve celebrated, and the traditions they’ve built over the years. Those experiences often become the most valuable part of ownership.
What We Remember
Years from now, most people won’t remember every upgrade they made to a property or every purchase they invested in. What they’ll remember are the moments that brought them joy: the first ski lesson, the family photo at the top of the mountain, the laughter shared over dinner, and the traditions that became part of their lives.
Perhaps that’s why the definition of luxury has changed.
It’s no longer about having more. It’s about having more time, more experiences, and more opportunities to connect with the people who matter most.
And that’s something Big White has been offering all along.
Which leads us into spring and the market we might expect. 2023 saw a spring market that was stronger than the 10 year average. And that was with fixed interest rates that were still approaching 5%. Most borrowers opted for shorter term fixed rates in the ~4.85% range in the spring of 2023. And where do we sit today? On average, fixed rates of all terms are about 0.5% higher today than the same time last year. But as we get closer to the inevitable first cuts, it’s likely that fixed interest rates will see some more downward pressure. And it is quite possible that we will see the same levels we saw one year ago.
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 
