Mountain Layout—Skiing

Here is a larger, more detailed trail map.

Expert/Advanced: Experts gravitate to the long and inviting Gem Lake Express runs. Take any of the runs off the Gem Lake Express with black diamonds on the sign. Goat's Kick, skier's right off the Ridge Rocket Express, is an especially fun challenge. Going to skier's left from the Alpine T-bar gets you into Parachute Bowl. Don't miss Big White's Pegasus and the double-black extreme playground, The Cliff, off the same lift. You'll have quite a ski-out to the bottom of the Black Forest Express, but the initial double-black rush is worth it.

Natural hits and drops fall off the side of Perfection, Falcon Glades and around Westridge. For bumps, try Dragon's Tongue to skier's right of Ridge Rocket Express.

Intermediate: Good warm-up runs are the Sun Run from the top of the Alpine T-bar, Exhibition, Highway 33, Serwas and Sundance. There's also fine terrain off the Rocket and Powder chairs. Roller Coaster, Blue Sapphire and Kalinas Rainbow are highly recommended. International is an intermediate bump run. The blue ratings in the Black Forest are low-end. An entire area off Gem Lake Express is dedicated solely to intermediate runs, making it worthwhile to venture to this out-of-the-way part of the mountain.

Beginner/First-timer: People grouping together for lessons meet just across from the Village Centre Mall or at the Kids' Centre. A private and secluded teaching area with Magic Carpets is at the base of the free Happy Valley gondola, a short ride down from the Village Plaza. Many lessons are taught on Hummingbird, served by the Plaza Chair. All lifts serve at least one green run – Easy Out, Serwa's and Kangaroo are among the best runs. Ogo Slow is a very long run that goes from the Ridge over to the Gem Lake Express, but the terrain serviced by that lift is not terribly beginner friendly unless it's a powder day. Black Forest is ideal for novices - Millie's Mile, named after the owner's granddaughter is a good one.