Hello Big White, my old friend. I've missed you so. It's been 8 long months since we were cruelly forced apart. I'm looking forward to getting reaquainted - so much has happened since we last saw each other. Great opening weekend at Big White for passholders only. Mountain officially open to everyone yesterday. Let's hope it lasts. In other news, wear a mask - or else ! Big White Ski Resort taking firm stand on mandatory mask rule - Kelowna News - Castanet.net
Awww, Crystal - I don't want to make you cry tho ! Think we might try living at the hill this year, since we are working remotely anyways. Might need to change working hours in order to take a couple hour break for some turns each day.
The old east side/west side of the valley split going on again at the moment. Apex due to open this weekend coming but only 40 cm base. Temps have been low enough for snow making and preservation of the little natural snow, but it looks like just the T bar and magic carpet will run for the time being. Glad to see some resorts getting snow.
I have to admit that without snow for the past week, there are a number of spots poking through. Just have to be more careful on some runs.
We all should go to Revy, I saw pics of their opening day a week ago - 260 cm base and a full on powder day.
Late day Sunday. High pressure ridge has kept the mountain cold enough to keep the snow we have, but there hasn't been a lot of it lately. Like none for the past week or more. Looks like a low with corresponding moisture headed this way though, so good chance of precip for the remainder of this week !
Man, what a difference 18 hours can make. The dreaded "one chair visibility freezing mist" kind of day. Managed 6 runs before I had to get back to the "office".
Yep I looked east from the top of Apex yesterday to see only cloud where BW should have been. Bluebird and inverted west of the valley, perfect -1 all day, freezing fog down in Shingle Creek well below and -5.
Great morning today "between the layers". Valley cloud below, and cloud above, but great skiing in between the two. Was almost disorienting.
On another note - I hope they can keep this under control. IH conducting COVID-19 tests at Big White after reports of parties - Kelowna News - Castanet.net
This is going to be an ongoing issue for the ski hills this winter. Even if they can convince the youngsters to not party, living arrangements will always be a challenge.
Agree Sly. But it appears they have not convinced the youngsters not to party. Not the resorts fault. https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelow...irmed-in-COVID-19-cluster-at-Big-White#319375
Here's another source. It mentions living in close quarters among other possible transmission methods. Who would have thought........................................ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/brit...e-ski-resort-covid-19-covid-cluster-1.5842980
Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna, B.C., has fired some of its employees for breaking a social responsibility contract, after health officials announced that 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been linked to the resort. The contract includes clauses about reporting symptoms of illness to managers, as well as following public health orders around social gatherings, according to resort management. In a statement issued Wednesday, the company said all employees are expected to adhere to the provision in the contract and sign a health declaration at the beginning of their shift. "Big White Ski Resort Ltd has a zero tolerance policy with any employees who are found to be in breach of these documents," the statement reads. "To that end, we have had to let go some of our employees." It is unclear how many employees have been fired. Resort managers and health officials have linked the spread of the disease to social gatherings and many people living in the same household. The majority of the infections are in people in their 20s and 30s who live in homes with large numbers of people, according to health officials. "We are taking about large households — households that have 16 or even more people in them," said medical health officer Dr. Silvina Mema. "Individuals are sharing bedrooms with two, three up to four people sleeping in the same bedroom and that is where we have seen the cases come from." RCMP increasing patrols at resort Kelowna RCMP is increasing patrols at Big White — located about 55 kilometres southeast of Kelowna in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley — to address community concerns over people not complying with provincial health orders. "The RCMP will be there to assist the community in containing that situation and maintaining public safety," Supt. Kara Triance said in a statement. "While we certainly can, and will enforce the provisions available to us under the COVID Related Measures Act, we continue to encourage everyone to voluntarily comply with the provincial health orders, so enforcement is not required." Under the provincial COVID-19 Related Measures Act, someone organizing a social gathering can face fines of $2,300. Someone refusing to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces or failing to comply with directions of an enforcement officer may face a fine of $230, according to the RCMP.
Angry looking clouds above, but still awesome to have the Gem Lake area of the resort open before Christmas.
Mmmm, Blue Saphire and Kalina's Rainbow. My fav area of the mountain. Spectacular. Hope to see more pics, helps us Aussies cope.
Another 20 Covid cases discovered at Big White. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-big-white-covid-19-cluster-96-cases-1.5852341
Highest positive test rates in BC right now is Interior Health at 7%. A couple of outbreaks (at BW and a longterm care home in Oliver) which are small in the overall picture but producing a lot of positive tests. The youngsters at BW have all recovered but sadly there are several deaths and more to come at McKinney Lodge. Generally though BC is showing good signs with hospitalizations and active cases falling. If only that was the situation in a fortnight from now.
Fair numbers of skiers over the holidays, but not enough to put a huge dent in the base. Still looking good these days. Side by side pic of end of November vs end of December. By the end of the season, head will be above the sign I bet.
bwr Thanks for the pictures you will have our attention if you are able to keep taking this comparison
New 50 Year master plan for resort released to media. The future looks big at Big White in its 2020 Master Plan - Kelowna News - Castanet.net
I've heard golf courses being discussed for BW for many years now. I suspect golf is not viable at 1700 m, season too short.
Ditto..... It was very much "on the table" when I first visited in the mid 2000's The only way it will be viable is with aspects of global warming kicking in and the "winter" season becoming more marginal at lower elevations below 1700m..... Being a volunteer at the golf course for 4+ years I well know how much Sun Peaks struggles with golf course ops at 1200m , let alone 1700..... I notice the course has moved from the one Greg Norman designed some 12 years ago too.
Yes didn't SP struggle some years to have the course snow free and fit for play in time for May long weekend?
Very sad. & once again highlights the dangers of tree wells. https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelow...eling-after-the-tragic-death-of-nurse-and-mom
Because conifers are conical less snow reaches the bit of ground closest to the trunk. This means that under the tree there is less snow so a depression or hole forms. If someone falls into one it can be very difficult to get out particularly if your head is below your skis or board. People die. It is something to consider if skiing trees. As a basic precaution, never ski or board trees alone. It is not a problem in Australia because our trees are a different shape.
Talk of a golf course at BW is just fools talk. With so many excellent courses in the Okanagan Valley, no one is going to go golfing at Big White. Beautiful it is not in the summer. It looks so different than winter.
Yes it is a little... well, Mars-like up there in summer. They are persevering with the mountain bike operation and investing money in trail construction after being quite late to the bike park party. At least on that front they aren't trying to convince riders to pass other lifted options down in the valley. I can't see golf making sense up there either. Not when courses at valley bottom are open 10 months of the year. You could probably get a round at Skaha Meadows today, they're snow free at the moment.
(A) what is this lockdown of which you speak? (B) Alberta plates are a common sight in BC any time of year. Many Albertans own recreational property here, and the Okanagan is especially popular with its beaches, wineries, golf courses and skiing. Also lots of people who work in the Alberta resource sector choose to live in BC but maintain an Alberta address to take advantage of lower provincial income tax rates and vehicle insurance premiums. The car in front of you with Alberta plates could well belong to someone who lives on your street.
For those interested in learning more about tree wells. For N. American, only applies to certain regions where deep powder and the relevant type of trees are common. The video is from 2012. http://www.deepsnowsafety.org/index.php
