Sun Peaks and Big White are both huge skiing and snowboarding resorts located in British Columbia, but they both definitely appeal to slightly different types of people.
In this article, I’ll be directly comparing the pistes, villages, accommodation, prices and much more so you can decide which resort is best for your next season.
Sun Peaks vs Big White 101
Big White has better snow quality compared to Sun Peaks. However, Sun Peaks is often considered better for families as there are more activities available and the village and resort is larger. Sun Peaks also offers cheaper tickets for children compared to Big White.
The ski season is slightly longer at Big White and lasts from mid-November to mid-April, whereas at Sun Peaks it only starts in late-November and also runs to mid-April.
| Aspect of the Resort | Best Resort |
| Beginner Trails | Big White |
| Intermediate/ Expert Trails | Sun Peaks |
| Snow Quality | Big White |
| Village and Activities | Sun Peaks |
| Ski School | Sun Peaks |
| Best Value for Money | Sun Peaks |
| Easiest to Travel To | Big White |
Ski Map and Pistes
Sun Peaks has a larger skiable area and more trails compared to Big White. Big White caters well for all levels with a good amount of beginner trails as well as plenty to keep more advanced skiers satisfied. Sun Peaks has a good amount of beginner trails but less than Big White and caters more towards intermediate and advanced level skiers and snowboarders.
| Statistics | Big White | Sun Peaks |
| Skiable Terrain | 2765 acres | 4270 acres |
| Vertical Drop | 2550 feet | 2894 feet |
| Total Trails | 119 trails | 138 trails |
| Green Circle Trails (Beginner) | 18% | 10% |
| Blue Square Trails (Intermediate) | 54% | 58% |
| Black/ Double Black Diamond Trails (Expert) | 28% | 32% |
| Longest Run | 7.2 km | 8 km |
Snow and Weather
In general, the snow quality is better in Big White compared to Sun Peaks so if this is your main priority then it’s worth heading there instead. The snow quality is still very good in Sun Peaks but the snowfall is lighter compared to Big White.
| Month | Temperature in Big White | Temperature in Sun Peaks | Snowfall in Big White | Snowfall in Sun Peaks |
| November | -3.8C (26.16F) | -2.8C (27F) | 47.0″ | 10” |
| December | -8.0C (17.6F) | -9.5C (15F) | 64.3″ | 40” |
| January | -6.9C (19.58F) | -6.7C (20F) | 59.8″ | 34” |
| February | -9.0C (15.8F) | -6.1C (21F) | 63.6″ | 35” |
| March | -4.7C (23.54F) | -3.9C (25F) | 58.4″ | 36” |
| April | -0.3C (31.46F) | -1.1C (30F) | 23.2″ | 14” |
Village, Restaurants and Other Activities
In terms of the resort villages and amenities, Sun Peaks is the best option compared to Big White. It has more restaurants, spas and other activities to keep you busy when you’re not skiing. Big White still has plenty to do, but the focus is definitely more on the slopes.
| Activity | Available at Big White | Available at Sun Peaks |
| Dining | 20 locations | 24 locations |
| Spas/ Massages | 2 locations | 8 locations |
| Dog Sled Tours | Yes | Yes |
| Fat Biking | Yes | Yes |
| Ice Fishing (Guided) | No | Yes |
| Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides | Yes | Yes |
| Ice Skating | Yes | Yes |
| Helicopter Skiing | No | Yes |
| Snowmobile Tours | Yes | Yes |
| Snowshoe Tours | Yes | Yes |
| Yoga Classes | No | Yes |
| Axe Throwing | No | Yes |
| Tubing | Yes | Yes |
Ski School
Both resorts have a ski school to make sure beginners can gain confidence on the slopes. Here is some information regarding the types of lessons available and the prices at each resort.
Costs are based on the most recent ski season at the time of writing and are subject to change. Please check the resort websites for up to date prices.
Big White Lessons
- Discover Half/ Full Day: group sessions designed for beginners
- Next Step: group sessions designed for skiers/ snowboarders which have completed the “Discover” session
- Standard Private: private lesson with professional (full or half day)
- First Tracks: private 1.5 hour lesson at the start of the day.
- Late Tracks: private 1.5 hour lesson later in the day.
| Lesson | Type | What’s Included | Price |
| Discover Half Day (Ages 3-5) | 2 Hour Group Session | Rental equipment, day lift ticket | $105 |
| Next Step Half Day (Ages 3-5) | 2 Hour Group Session | Rental equipment, day lift ticket | $105 |
| Discover Half Day (Ages 6-12) | 2 Hour Group Session | Rental equipment, day lift ticket | $111 |
| Discover Full Day (Ages 6-12) | 2 x 2 Hour Group Session | Rental equipment, day lift ticket | $159 |
| Next Step (Ages 6-12) | 2 Hour Group Session | Rental equipment, day lift ticket | $162 |
| Discover Half Day (Adult 13+) | 2 Hour Group Session | Rental equipment, day lift ticket | $119 |
| Discover Full Day (Adult 13+) | 2 x 2 Hour Group Session | Rental equipment, day lift ticket | $150 |
| Next Step (Adult 13+) | 2 Hour Group Session | Rental equipment, day lift ticket | $194 |
| Half Day Private (Any Age) | 3 Hour Private Session | N/A | $335-440 |
| Full Day Private (Any Age) | 6 Hour Private Session | N/A | $675-$750 |
| First Tracks (Any Age) | 1.5 Hour Private Session | N/A | $175-$195 |
| Late Tracks (Any Age) | 1.5 Hour Private Session | N/A | $165-$185 |
Sun Peaks Lessons
- Adult Full Day Private Lesson: 6 hours, $659 for first 3 people and $179 per additional person
- Kids Full Day Private Lesson: 6 hours, $509 for first 3 people and $109 per additional person
- Park Posse Private Lesson: 6 hours, freestyle coaching, $339 for first 3 people and $109 per additional person
- Bump or Carving Private Lesson: 6 hours, specialist lessons, $659 for first 3 people and $189 per additional person
- First Tracks Private Lesson: 2 hours, intermediate-expert level, $398 for first 3 people, $109 per additional person
- Sun Tots Private Lesson: 3 hours, 7-12 years, $199 per child and $129 for additional child
- Learn to Ski/ Snowboard for Kids: 2 hours, 6-10 years, $109-$195 per child depending on age/ time slot
- Learn to Ski/ Snowboard for Adults (Half-Day): 2 hours, age 13+, $107-$138 per person depending on age/ time slot
- Learn to Ski/ Snowboard for Adults (Full-Day): 2 hours, age 13+, $150 per person depending on age/ time slot
- Sun Kids Half Day: 4 hours, group session, 6-9 years, $129 per child (plus lift ticket and equipment)
- Group Lessons The Next Step: 2 hours, $65-$139 depending on time slot and rental equipment needed
- Group Lessons The Next Step: 4 hours, $225 depending on time slot
For a full list of available lessons at Sun Peaks, check out this page.
Accommodation
Big White has a range of accommodation options including 3 hotels, 25 town house complexes, 244 cabins/ holiday houses and a youth hostel. On average, accommodation for 2 adults in January for a week will cost roughly $2500-$4000.
Sun Peaks has 6 hotels, 15 town house complexes and an extensive range of chalets and suites. On average, accommodation for 2 adults in January for a week will also cost roughly $2500-$4000.
Check out the following links to accommodation options and availability:
Still not narrowed down your choice of resorts? Scroll ahead to the end of the article for a list of more comparisons of Sun Peaks and Big White to other ski areas.
Location and Traveling
Both Sunpeaks and Big White are easy resorts to access.
- Big White is 56 km from Kelowna in Okanagan Valley and is a 55 minute shuttle ride away from Kelowna’s International Airport.
- Sun Peaks is 59 km from Kamloops and is a 50 minute drive from the local airport. Alternatively, it is a 2 hour 45 minute drive from Kelowna International Airport.
Additional Costs
In terms of the daily lift prices, Sun Peaks works out cheaper compared to Big White. The difference isn’t huge when comparing the adult tickets, but it’s very significant when comparing the youth, child and senior tickets.
Remember that you can get deals though when you are booking accommodation so make sure you consider all the options available to you rather than just the daily rates.
In terms of equipment rental prices, both resorts are very similar.
Costs are based on the most recent ski season at the time of writing and are subject to change. Please check the resort websites for up to date prices.
| Ticket Price Day Lift (Peak Season) | Big White | Sun Peaks |
| Adult | $134 | $115 |
| Youth | $123 | $80 |
| Child | $104 | $50 |
| Senior | $123 | $80 |
| Equipment Rental (Daily) | Big White | Sun Peaks |
| Skis and Poles/ Snowboard | $49 | $50 |
| Boots | $27 | $28 |
| Helmet | $10 | $15 (or $7 as add-on) |
| Skis, Poles/ Snowboard and Boots | $54 | $55 |
Which Resort is Best?
If your main focus is on the slopes and you’re planning on spending most of your time either skiing or snowboarding then Big White is probably the better option. It has a great range of trails despite being smaller than Sun Peaks so it suits all ability levels and the snow quality is excellent.
If you want to make the most of the village and other activities as well as spending time on the slopes then Sun Peaks is the best option. It is much larger and there’s a lot more to do so it’s great for families as well.
For beginners, both Sun Peaks and Big White are good options. There are plenty of Green Circle trails available (although slightly more at Big White) and the ski schools offer a wide variety of lessons. However, for younger skiers/ snowboarders, the rates are cheaper at Sun Peaks.
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