Big White, British Columbia, just received its first snowfall of the year. Just after 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, the resort shared an image from its “Gem Lake Top” webcam via Facebook, showing a light dusting of late-summer snowflakes coating one of the mountain’s highest chairlifts.
This initial dusting marks the start of what interior BC skiers hope is another banner year for a resort famous for its snow quantity, quality, and dependability. Big White annually receives an average of 750 centimeters (295 inches) of light and dry “Okanagan Champagne Powder,” thanks to the mountain’s unique microclimate. Additionally, unlike other mountains which can experience long dry spells capped by sporadic, one-off storms, Big White often benefits from routine nightly top-ups that keep snow fresh day in and day out, as the resort sees an average of 81 days with measurable snowfall each winter.
Given the resort’s consistent and reliable snowfall, Big White operates as the largest resort in all of North America that relies almost entirely on natural snowfall, using artificial snow only to aid in the construction of features such as its ski cross course.
The out-of-season snowfall comes directly on the heels of a major announcement by Big White: construction of a new beginner lift called the Polar Passage, set to be fully open and operational by the onset of the 2026-27 ski season. The Polar Passage is a fully covered magic carpet that will offer those new to the sport an opportunity to get quick, comfortable laps in while learning on the slopes. The project highlights Big White’s commitment to operating a resort complete with offerings for guests of every skill level, showcasing why the mountain was named Best Ski Resort for Beginners at the 2025 Snomad Ski Resort Awards.
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Additionally, Big White has invested CAD 400,000 (USD 288,000) into trail regrading projects. These upgrades aim to enable runs to open with less snowfall, allowing for a lengthened season with a widened footprint, and acting as an insurance policy should the upcoming “super” El Niño prove unkind to the region.
All in all, while snowfall this early in the season will likely melt before contributing to a meaningful base layer, and definitely won’t get lifts spinning in September, it does serve as a nice reminder that winter may not be as far away as it feels. Skiers and riders hope that this tease from Mother Nature is a sign of more to come at one of Canada’s premier resorts.