Rent Chalets has put together a few hints for your Big White condo or holiday ski chalet rental. If there is anything we have not mentioned, please contact our reservation office for assistance.

Towels:
All our Big White condo rentals come with sheets and towels, but please note that Big White's private chalets provide one towel per person, and unlike a hotel, there is no daily linen service. (Most accommodations, however, feature a washer & dryer.) If you require more towels, please bring them - or book a mid-stay cleaning service through us.

Supplies:
Your chalets at Big White come absolutely complete. Bedding is comprehensive and includes pillows. (Bedding is also included for any pull-out couches.) Full kitchens include a full-sized fridge, stove, microwave, coffee maker, tea kettle, tea pot, dishes, pots & pans, glasses, utensils. There is even salt & pepper and sugar…the works! You bring your food and drink, ski/snowboard gear and toiletries. If your chalet offers the electronic gear, bring your videos, DVDs, CDs or video games. Telephones cover local calls, so bring a phone card for any long distance calls.

Money:
Though there are no banks up on the mountain, Big White exchanges currencies and cashes traveler's cheques. It's best to bring Canadian dollars/traveler's cheques. ATM machines are another easy option - use your bankcard to withdraw Canadian funds. Please note that these machines charge approximately CDN$3 per transaction.

Shopping:
Groceries: the Mountain Mart store atop the mountain sells a limited selection of light groceries and liquor. For specialty items or vegetarian fare, consider a shopping stop in Kelowna - you can always top up once you are at Big White.

Kelowna grocery stores include Superstore, Save-On-Foods, Safeway and Costco (all on Highway 97) and others. Highway 33 - which takes you to Big White - offers IGA and Cooper's. Quality Greens on Spall stocks BC produce, while the nearby Choices on Highway 97 and Nature's Fare (beside Save-On-Foods) offer organics.

If cooking a holiday meal is in your plans, bring an aluminum roasting pan (and a disposable tree bag for your Christmas tree post-Yuletide).

Liquor: The Mountain Mart has a liquor/beer store, but selection is limited. Kelowna's biggest liquor store is on Dilworth Road, a block off of Highway 97 - check out the great selection of Okanagan ice wines and white wines - we are well known for them.

Other: Ski Dazzle at Big White sells everything from skis, boots, boards and bindings to outdoor clothing, goggles, wooly sweaters and wonderful curios.

Clothing: Outdoor
Big White is blessed with a temperate climate - it never gets too cold or too warm. Layers are the best bet: thermal underwear, fleece linings and GORE-TEX covers work well. Goggles are a must on this mountain, but there is no need for bum-rags - you'll never load in the rain. Several pairs of thermal socks, a good helmet or hat and fleece/GORE-TEX gloves work the best. A good pair of warm walking boots is a must - Sorels are a popular choice. Big White is very much about function before fashion…how refreshing!

Clothing: Indoor
Comfort rules! Again, so do layers: a T-shirt with a long-sleeved shirt, jeans or sweats - perfect for lounging around the fireplace. Slippers are great for getting to and from your hot tub. Bathrobes, though bulky, are so cozy. Going out at Big White is a very casual affair. Bring the clothes that make you feel like you're really on holiday!

Toiletries:
The alpine environment is often a surprise. In general, it's dry, very dry and extremely dry. Bring face cream (with sunscreen), hair conditioner, body lotion, bath oil, lip balm and so on.

Camera:
Bring a small camera that you can take along on your runs. For non-digital photographers, film is sold at The Mountain Mart. Alternatively, you can rent a video camera from Mountain Internet Cafe.