Fly & Drive
Big White Ski Resort Vacation
Fly & Drive
If you are planning to fly to Big White Ski Resort, due to current COVID-19 international and provincial border restrictions, some airlines flying into Kelowna International Airport (YLW) may have suspended services.
Currently Kelowna has direct domestic connections from Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Whitehorse, Winnipeg, and Victoria, serviced by Air Canada, Westjet, Air North, Pacific Coastal, Central Mountain Air and Flair.
Vancouver and Toronto are hubs for numerous North American and international destinations. Air Canada, WestJet, Alaska Airlines, and their code share partners ensure straightforward connections from the USA, UK, Australia and Asia, subject to COVID-19 border controls.
A flight from Vancouver (YVR) or Calgary (YYC) will have you in Kelowna (YLW) in just under an hour. From the east, Toronto (YYZ) boasts multiple daily flights with flight time around 4.5 hours.
For our international clients from Australia and New Zealand, both Air Canada and Air New Zealand usually offer direct flights from both countries. These are currently suspended. Please check your country’s COVID-19 international border restrictions for up-to-date information.
Stonebridge at Big White does not book air travel for our clients.
Driving to Big White Ski Resort is a great option for residents of BC and Alberta — the ultimate winter road trip. Give yourself plenty of time to navigate winter weather driving conditions.
Big White Ski Resort is located in what’s known as the Interior Region of British Columbia, Canada. The resort is just 39 miles (62.5km) from Kelowna, which sits on the shores of Lake Okanagan. It’s a stunning drive from south, as the highway hugs this 100 mile (160km) long lake.
Driving to Big White Ski Resort from Vancouver, weather depending, takes just over five hours – meaning you can leave in the morning and still get in some afternoon and night skiing. By road, the resort is 280 miles (450km) from Vancouver.
If you are coming from the east and the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is another major city and airport hub. Allow around 8-9 hours to drive in winter conditions, some 406 miles (654km).
If you are considering a road trip to other ski resorts and experience the spectacular alpine scenery this information will help guide your driving plans.
Whistler is 6.5 hours away via Highway 99, some 320 miles (515 km), or you can loop via Vancouver Highway 97 and the Coquihalla Pass — the roads are generally better this route 354 miles (570km).
To the north, SilverStar Mountain Resort is just 1.75 hours, a close 77 miles (124 km) and Sun Peaks Resort (via Kelowna) is 3.5 hours by road, 169 miles (273 km).
To the north-east, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is 159 miles (256km), and beyond you’ll find Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 406 miles (653km) from Big White Ski Resort. Many of our clients who love a road trip, will head further east, ending up at Lake Louise 294 miles (473km) and either Jasper-Marmot Basin 407 miles (656km) or Banff-Sunshine 330 miles (530km) via the Trans-Canada Highway #1.
To the south, Apex Mountain is the closest resort, 97 miles (157km), then you can drive on to Red Resort, 177 mile (285km) drive from Big White, and Whitewater Resort 217 miles (349 km) respectively from Big White.
Getting to Big White
Travel Tips
- Check your country’s Public Health Notices and Border Patrol Orders before embarking on your journey.
- Most travelers need a visitor visa or an eTA to travel to, or transit through, Canada. Before you apply, find out what you need here.
- Allow at least 2 hours connection to clear customs and immigration, and to connect to your domestic flights to Kelowna.
- If you are transiting via Los Angeles give yourself extra time for connections to transfer from one terminal to another.
