Your ski week at Big White or Sun Peaks is booked, and you're starting from Vancouver or landing at YVR with winter bags. This guide compares the ways to get there, what to arrange before you travel, the winter drive into the BC Interior, and the trip back to the airport.
Choose how to get there
Big White is reached through Kelowna, and Sun Peaks through Kamloops. You can fly into the nearer airport and take a resort shuttle, drive yourself, or go door to door by private car from Vancouver or YVR.
| Option | Suits you if | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Fly to Kelowna (YLW) + Big White shuttle | You're happy to change planes and ride a shared shuttle | Connecting flight times, airline ski-bag rules and the shuttle booking |
| Fly to Kamloops (YKA) + Sun Peaks shuttle | You're happy to change planes and ride a shared shuttle | Connecting flight times, airline ski-bag rules and the shuttle booking |
| Rental car | You want to drive the mountain highways yourself | Winter tires or chains, fuel and parking at your accommodation |
| Pre-booked private car | You want one vehicle from Vancouver or YVR to your door | Every address and time, passenger and bag counts, and the return date |
Big White: Big White's own travel guide says the flight from YVR to Kelowna takes about an hour, and the Big White Airport Shuttle takes about 55 minutes from the airport. It recommends booking the shuttle early in peak season. Read Big White's guide to getting there from Vancouver.
Sun Peaks: Sun Peaks Resort says Kamloops Airport is about 45 minutes from the village, and shuttles run from both the Kamloops and Kelowna airports. It strongly recommends booking ahead in the winter season.
Private car: Urban Limousine drives from Vancouver and YVR to Big White and Sun Peaks in winter. You send the trip details, receive a flat-rate written quote, and get your chauffeur's name before pickup. Share your itinerary when you request a quote.
Before you book
Send your flight, your resort address and your gear in one request. A ski trip has more bags than most trips, and the vehicle choice depends on them.
Include these details in your request:
- Pickup address in Vancouver, or your flight number and arrival time at YVR
- Domestic or international arrival
- Resort, accommodation name and full address
- Passenger count and number of suitcases
- Number of ski or snowboard bags, with the length of each one
- Any stop you'd like on the way, such as a grocery store
- Your return date and pickup address
Ask for the whole trip before you confirm it. Your written quote includes applicable parking, tolls, ferry and meet-and-greet charges. Pickups between 2am and 6am carry an off-hours charge, included in the written quote, so give the exact time.
Landing at YVR
If you fly into Vancouver, your chauffeur meets you inside the terminal. For domestic arrivals, the meeting point is at the baggage carousel. For international arrivals, clear customs and collect your bags, then go to the public meet-and-greet area just outside the customs hall, by the two wooden statues.
Complimentary waiting starts from when your flight lands: 60 minutes for international arrivals and 40 minutes for domestic arrivals. Keep that start point in mind if customs or your ski bags take longer than expected.
For YVR pickups, Urban Limousine tracks your flight. Keep the dispatch number, 604-992-6999, on your phone in case you have trouble finding the meeting point. For more on the airport leg, see our Vancouver airport limo service.
The winter drive
Treat any drive time as an estimate and check the roads on the day. Sun Peaks Resort estimates 4.5 to 5 hours from Vancouver via Highway 1 and Highway 5, the Coquihalla, then Tod Mountain Road from Kamloops. It notes that winter road conditions and traffic can change driving times a lot.
Big White sits in the hills east of Kelowna, about 55 minutes from Kelowna's airport according to Big White. The highways to both resorts cross mountain passes, so check for delays and closures before you set off.
Our vehicles have winter tires. Ski racks are not available. The BC government says winter tires or chains are required on most BC routes from October 1 to April 30. Before you travel, check DriveBC for current conditions and closures.
Keep a warm layer, snacks, medicines and phone chargers with you rather than packed away. If you're driving a rental, note Big White's advice that there are no fuel stations at the resort.
Ski bags and your vehicle
Confirm the gear before you book; seat count alone doesn't tell you whether the bags will fit. Count suitcases, carry-ons and equipment bags separately, and send the length of each ski or snowboard bag, including double bags.
Tell us if anyone will rent equipment at the resort, because that changes what travels with you. If a bag is added after the quote, contact us before the trip to check the vehicle still suits your group. You can view our fleet, but ask which vehicle is available for your group and date.
Arriving at the resort
Send the full accommodation address and any check-in instructions with your request. Big White and Sun Peaks both have villages with hotels, condos and private chalets, and each can have its own entrance or check-in point.
Some stays check in at a separate office before you reach your unit. Big White, for example, has a Mountain Check-in building at its Happy Valley parking lot. Forward the instructions your host sends, and ask about check-in times and bag storage if you might arrive before your room is ready.
Agree on the return pickup point before you leave, especially if it's different from where you were dropped off.
Common travel hiccups
Contact dispatch as soon as your plans change. Dispatch is available 24/7 at 604-992-6999.
Delayed ski bags: report missing bags to the airline before you leave the airport, and ask how delivery to the resort works. Tell dispatch what's happening before you leave the terminal.
New flight: send the new flight number. Flight tracking follows the booked flight, so a rebooking needs a message.
Road closure: check DriveBC and contact dispatch about your booked trip. Let your accommodation know if you might miss its check-in hours.
Extra skier: check that the booked vehicle still suits the group and the gear.
Back to Vancouver or YVR
Plan backwards from your airline's recommended airport arrival time. Add the drive from the resort and extra time for winter roads, then choose the pickup time. Include the return trip in your first request so both legs are quoted together.
Keep the last ski day flexible. Check the roads the evening before you leave, and keep your airline's ski-bag rules handy if you're flying home with equipment.
More winter trips
Planning Whistler instead, or staying in Vancouver first? Our YVR to Whistler winter guide covers the Sea-to-Sky trip, and our Vancouver to Whistler transfers page has the details. For Big White, see our Vancouver to Big White route details.
If you're spending a night in the city before heading up, our YVR hotel-arrival guide covers the airport-to-hotel leg.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Vancouver to Big White?
Fly from YVR to Kelowna and take the Big White Airport Shuttle, drive a rental car, or book a private car from Vancouver or YVR. Big White says the flight takes about an hour and the shuttle about 55 minutes.
How do I get from Vancouver to Sun Peaks?
Fly to Kamloops and take a shuttle to the village, drive a rental car, or book a private car from Vancouver or YVR. Sun Peaks Resort says Kamloops Airport is about 45 minutes from the village.
How long is the drive from Vancouver to Sun Peaks?
Sun Peaks Resort estimates 4.5 to 5 hours from Vancouver via Highway 1 and the Coquihalla, Highway 5. Winter conditions can add time, so check DriveBC before you leave.
Is there a shuttle to Big White or Sun Peaks?
Yes. Shuttles run from Kelowna Airport to Big White, and from the Kamloops and Kelowna airports to Sun Peaks. Both resorts recommend booking early in the winter season.
Can I book a private car from YVR to Big White or Sun Peaks?
Yes. Urban Limousine drives from Vancouver and YVR to both resorts in winter. Domestic arrivals meet the chauffeur at the baggage carousel; international arrivals meet in the public meet-and-greet area just outside the customs hall, by the two wooden statues.
Can I bring skis or a snowboard?
Ski racks are not available. Send the number of ski or snowboard bags and the length of each one before you book, so we can confirm a suitable vehicle for your date.
Do you need winter tires to drive to Big White or Sun Peaks?
The BC government requires winter tires or chains on most BC routes from October 1 to April 30. Our vehicles have winter tires.
How much does a private transfer to Big White or Sun Peaks cost?
Request a flat-rate written quote with your pickup address or flight, resort address, passenger count and bags. Your written quote includes applicable parking, tolls, ferry and meet-and-greet charges.