I skied at Big White today. While it has a reputation for being flat and well-groomed, my guide, Steve Threndyle, gave me a tour that unveiled numerous stashes of powder and glade skiing.

While it was a great day, I have to say the best thing about this area is that it lives up to its reputation as a family resort. Big White even guarantees it can teach you to ski in two hours or the next lesson is on them. The resort is packed with family friendly activities from skating, free hot chocolate around the bonfire each night and Nintendo DS stations for kids to play in the lodge.

One of the more interesting features of the upper mountain are the snow ghosts. These are trees that have been left in a deep freeze and take on interesting shapes. Here’s a picture of Threndyle in front of one of the ghosts.

And, as promised, here’s 42 seconds of Big White powder. It’s not deep and it’s used and probably not nearly as good as what you guys are getting in the Cascades this week, but it’s fun. Once again, this was shot with a handheld camera, so if it makes you sick e-mail web editor Mark Briggs
and ask him to spring for a helmet cam.

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