Big White’s skier tunnel has been removed after serving as a passage to the mountain for decades.
The 30-foot tunnel was originally installed in 1985 and has become well known to skiers and snowboarders passing through on their way to the mountains chairlifts.
According to Michael J. Ballingall, the tunnel has become too small as Big White has continued to grow.
"When it was originally built there was no accommodation below the road and now there are 1,000 beds below the road," explained Big White's Sr. Vice President.
"Most people at all times of day and night use it as a pedestrian tunnel as well all the skiers and snowboarders."
The old tunnel will now be replaced by one twice as large in an upgrade that will cost nearly $1-million.
"We've done it primarily out of safety and it's a huge job that involves taking out the provincial government," said Ballingall.
"There is a detour constructed and we'll build the new tunnel before reconstructing the road and hopefully it's ready for the September long weekend."
The tunnel is just the start of the mountains $10-million in planned upgrades that include $3.9 million that is going towards the construction of the new Powder Chair.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
