Big White vs Sun Peaks
One clear look at snowfall, elevation, and access, so you know which to ski.
Big White
BC, Canada · 7,606 ft
Sun Peaks
BC, Canada · 7,060 ft
Side-by-Side
| Metric | Big White | Sun Peaks |
|---|---|---|
| Region | British Columbia BC, Canada | British Columbia BC, Canada |
| Summit elevation | 7,606 ft 5,164 ft base | 7,060 ft 3,937 ft base |
| NWS forecast bias | Pending grade pending | Pending grade pending |
| Season snowfall | 3" 3 storms | 1" 3 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 0.2"/day | 0.0"/day |
| Best storm | 8/100 Tracked | 8/100 Tracked |
| SNOTEL record | 3 storm-days measured | 3 storm-days measured |
| Community reports | 10 TGR posts | 51 TGR posts |
| Nearest airport | YLW | YKA |
| Drive time | 1h 34 mi · YLW | 0.75h 34 mi · YKA |
| Access difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Pass | Ikon | — |
Snowfall totals come from each resort's tracked storms. NWS forecast grades read “pending” everywhere: six winters of checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct, so we show the raw NWS number and do not grade it.
The Verdict
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Big White and Sun Peaks and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
Big White and Sun Peaks ran neck-and-neck this season, about 3" and 1" of snowfall respectively.
Sun Peaks is the easier trip — about 0.75h from YKA (Kamloops), versus 1h from YLW for Big White.
Best for
Big White — chasing the biggest totals — it out-snowed Sun Peaks this season.
Best for
Sun Peaks — British Columbia regulars who want the local knowledge and access planning, not just a forecast.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelBig White
Big White called 'Big Whiteout' for a reason - higher elevation and more snow can create whiteout conditions.
Sun Peaks
After fresh snow: arrive Sundance line 8:00-8:15 AM for 8:30 opening; secure one decent run and possibly one more before Tod opens; skip groomed runs under chair and Granny Greene's; inst…
FAQ
Does Big White or Sun Peaks get more snow?
Big White and Sun Peaks ran neck-and-neck this season, about 3" and 1" of snowfall respectively.
Is Big White or Sun Peaks easier to get to?
Sun Peaks is the easier trip — about 0.75h from YKA (Kamloops), versus 1h from YLW for Big White.
Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Big White or Sun Peaks?
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Big White and Sun Peaks and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
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