The Snow
Snowfall Data
Already for 2020-21, early season snowfall during October, saw the first 50cm settle. All long term weather forecasts called for a big and snowy season ahead, and we have not been disappointed.
By end of December 2020, 135cm of Okanagan Champagne Powder snow had accummulated, which was the more than it had been in the same timeframe in the past 5 years. 2015-2016 saw a whopping 201 cm at the same measurement date.
January ended up slightly below the average snowfall, with a further 123cm recorded. Fortunately the snow gods quickly delivered the goods in early February, with a massive 27cm on February 4, and 68cm within the first week of February along. This was quickly topped upwith regular snowfalls , then followed by a further 18cm falling overnight on February 18, 2021. The snow storms continue to roll in, interspersed with clear blue sky days.
Check back at the end of each month for our latest updates.
Credit: Gavin Crawford Photography
Last Season 2019-2020
While British Columbia, and resorts in the Okanagan in particular, always receive plentiful snow each winter, the 2019/20 season was spectacular. The early period of the season from opening day to mid-December was normal. By the 16th December regular snow falls provided Big White Ski Resort with an accumulation of 165cm and an alpine base of 109cm.
By the 14th January 2020 that result had ballooned to 459cm accumulation and the alpine base was 262cm. Well ahead of averages for that period. It did not slow down. By 31st January the accumulation was 561cm and the alpine base was 291cm.
December and January combined, delivered very happy visitors 464cm accumulation. That’s about 60% more than the long-term 38 year average for these two months combined at Big White.
The first 15 days of February delivered 111cm more accumulation, well ahead of the long-term full month average for February of 100cm. By the 15th February the accumulation total was 672cm and the alpine base breached 300cm. Â
Unfortunately due to the BC Health Department COVID-19 order to close on March 16, 2020, record keeping of snowfall ceased. On this early and unexpected closing day, Big White Ski Resort had an alpine base of 302 cm, and a total accummulation of 783cm. The snow kept on falling right though March and April, and it was looking like a record breaking season. As at the official closing date, snowfall records indicated that on, April 20, 2020, a massive 8.32 metres. (27.3 feet) had fallen across the resort.
The highest recorded accumulations since records were collated in 1981-82 are:
| Year | Snow Accumulation |
| 1998-99 | 962 cm |
| 2015-16 | 946 cm |
| 2012-13 | 889 cm |
| 1996-97 | 887 cm |
| 2001-02 | 871 cm |
| 2017-18* | 859 cm |
| 2019-20 | 832cm |
*The resort saw snow on 96 days out of the 136 days of the season. The biggest one-day snowfall was 38 cm (15 inches).
Such results however are not surprising considering the historical snowfall consistency the mountain is renowned for.
The snowfall and snow base records from the last 39 seasons illustrate why the mountain is called Big White and reinforces why this ski resort, near Kelowna, BC, Canada, has earned such an enviable reputation for reliable champagne powder snow, every season.
While the result for this last season has been outstanding, records over the last 5 years, last 10 years and right across the last 30+ years demonstrate Big White Ski Resort turns on great snowfall with a high degree of certainty year in year out. Few other ski resorts enjoy such a high level of snow reliability.
Big White Ski Resort is always a reliable snow bet for international skiers, especially those that have to plan well ahead to secure air travel.
Coupled with the very attractive Canadian Dollar exchange rate; genuine ski-in, ski-out accommodation in the heart of the village; Stonebridge Lodge and Stonegate Resort are the perfect vacation lodgings, when booking your ski holiday.
