A man and his dog... pt 1.

So my best buddy and I decided to do the Juan de Fuca marine trail on Vancouver Island. 47km plus a couple on the road, plus a few more if you get lost... or decide to hitchhike back... and don't get a ride...

I call him my best bud but I think it is a kind of one way thing - he is friendly with any and everyone. I think he could take or leave me. He is also very social - he will go up to anyone and greet them... and they always greet him back. Me, I am a bit shy, I don't just wander up to people...

We planned to leave at 3am Friday morning, and we were both ready to go at 3.45, not bad. We had to stop at Sportchek on the way, I had a gas stove buried in the bushes there... I had bought all my hiking gear including this brilliant little stove, unfortunately they never put the stove in the box... brilliant. But they were okay, we did some covert ops drop/pick up exercise and we were off.

So I drove the whole way, he never offered once but that is okay, I prefer to drive. Most of the time he just looked out of the window or slept. We stopped for burgers on the way - I am not really a burgers kind of guy but he loves them and with the calories we would burn over the next few days...

We got to the trail head around 2pm and after adjusting our packs and repacking and adjusting again and testing and paying our camp fee and adjusting again and loading our water bladders, adjusting again... we were instantly off.

The trail is broken down into various sections, different lengths and varying degrees of difficulty. The first two sections were 2km & 6.6km respectively and rated moderate... a couple of hours I thought - 4k per hour is reasonable, no?

I set off and even though it was all downhill I very soon discovered my glutes did not like hiking with a backpack, no not at all. Just a quick two hours over the estimated two, we arrived at Bear Beach; a little tired. Some German guy started talking to me (why?) and I tried to have a conversation with him - man I could not get a coherent sentence out, I was almost slurring my words... and no I had not been drinking.

Anyway the German guy quickly scurried off from the crazy dude and I set about pitching camp - I was pretty excited (delirious) and I got everything out - tent, sleeping bag, mat dehydrated food (Pad Thai - I had even bought some extra hot sauce to spice things up...) stove and gas canister. Now I was responsible for the cooking and the stove (I had done my covert ops thing...) everything was ready... or so I thought - I had my stove and I had my gas canister (one of those green ones, weigh about 5lbs or 25lbs after three days, the kind that don't fit my brand new stove... yes those kind... Kudos to my buddy, he never said a word, he gave me that tilted head look... and then went to have a pee.

The Pad Thai package said boiling water... now a dumb-ass would think it could rehydrate with cold water... the dumb-ass tested his theory. A hour... 11 hours... 18 hours... damn Pad Thai rock hard noodles. After a very crunchy dinner, a crunchy breakfast and a semi crunchy lunch... my buddy and I finally managed to finish the first package...

Now the next morning I assessed the situation -

1. I was exhausted after doing the moderate 8km.
2. I had no food. I have peanuts, tail mix and 7 solo bars.
3. I had no coffee (have I mentioned my addiction to the bean? A lack of caffeine means a big whole miserable Chris, and yes crying is involved)
4. The next leg is 12km and it is rated the 'most difficult'
5. I still have 41 km to go... if I don't do any detours... (why would I do detours...? Well I wouldn't want to do them would I... did you not see the dumb-ass bit?)
6. I have to be home on Tuesday or my wife will kill me.

But, I have wanted to do this hike for two years - who needs food. And my buddy was 'whatever'. So the next day, we packed up camp, ate some crunchy noodles picked up our packs (which despite consuming the quarter packet of noodles had strangely doubled in weight). And much to the annoyance of my glutes set off for day two of our adventure...

Big White is AWESOME! Cos the People 4 and Moonshine...

No... not the drink... the place. It is at Big White, in Snowpines, phase 1... 

Why am I writing about it? Well my buddy Blue developed it, and my buddy is AWESOME! And at Big White - doubly AWESOME! But apparently he snores - and he is not shy about his nocturnal, noise making ability. Actually RDKB has a budget allocation of $5000 per annum dedicated to address noise pollution at Big White... eh eh? 

Look... staircase leading to the bathroom... pretty nice eh? Yes Chris

Moonshine is AWESOME! The best, well, apart from everything I developed (of course)... it is one of my favourite properties. There are four apartments (Jo lives in one) all very groovy! 

Blue's place is split over four levels, one master bedroom has a separate staircase leading to the ensuite bathroom... 

Wood panelled vaulted ceilings, floors (ooh! a place with floors) made of something (I can't remember I was drinking my fourth glass of wine). But the floor is there I assure you - I was able to lie on it without falling off.


But look how nice my pictures turned out! Far better than the real thing I tell you... okay the room is nice, whatever.

And yes the bathroom is okay, slate surround, sunken bathtub... but who cares about that stuff? Not me.

Off course I took a picture of the toilet - most important piece of porcelain in the room... Let me tell you about my morning ablutions... Wait, what...? You don't want to know? Whatever, your loss.









Okay, I'll talk a little bit about the kitchen instead... it is a kitchen. It is where the coffee making magic happens, or where the beer/wine is stored... oh and food... and cooking, cleaning etc.  Wait... did you know that already... am I waisting my time with this?



And the living room is a living room... sofa, wood burning fireplace, with a fantastic view of the Monashees - through the windows... but you can't see it in the picture - but they are there, behind that cloud, the Big White one, it is famous.


Did I mention wood burning fireplace - romantic eh?  
No. the wood is stored outside, in the snow, in the cold, a long way from the cozy warmth of indoors - wood burning fireplace... pah! Through that door there, the one where you ski in/out of, next to the comfy sofa - inconvenient eh... who wants comfy?

And finally the last bedroom - it sleeps... people, crazy eh? Man sometimes I ask myself where do I come up with this brilliant writing - I could be Shakespeare or Dickens - both started with a blog... true story.

Okay, here is the pitch - these two bedrooms are available to the right people - Blue is looking for -

Two couples or a couple and two singles. Clean, tidy, respectful, must be able to live with and behave appropriately around children. And be a guitar instructor - his daughter is learning.

Actually guitar instructor is not critical but it may reduce your rent a little... The place is available now through April. Blue will be delivering a yacht until New Year so the place will be all yours until then... I was gonna go sailing with him but apparently I don't meet the criteria - I could behave appropriately if I wanted... 

If you are interested, meet the criteria or just want to know about my bathroom activities, send me an email or contact me through Facebook  yes they are links, mouse over them.

Big White is AWESOME! Coffee and Camping...

The kids camp (that has been running for the most of the summer) decided to spend the night camping at Rhonda lake on Thursday. Most of the summer has been beautiful and sunny... most.

My son Luca was not that keen to camp, but we hiked up to see everyone and their camping set-up...


The Carrs with four people had a two man tent... as did the Isfan's but the Isfan's fourth was Gus the (giant) puppy. Now the Isfan's are made of good hearty stock (Shire Horses) and so were able to occupy 148% of the space available... to help with the space issue, Scott chose to pass on the fly sheet option - you know the thing that keeps the rain off...

The Brunts brought their 74 man tent, 14 sleeping bags, bbq, air beds, pillows, quad & two kitchen sinks...

The Martin's were happy to be (just) back from the UK, where they had left their body clocks... what time is breakfast mum?

This looked like it was going to be so much fun... so Luca and I escaped around 6pm. Rhonda lake sits on the east side of the mountain and the sun had already gone down; with the 2000m+/- elevation there was already a chill - how nice was it going to be for the kids who had been swimming to warm themselves by the campfire? Oh wait, campfire ban, no campfires... well at least they had brought towels and changes of clothing... well at least they had air beds... no? er sleeping mats... no? well at least they had those rocks to sleep on...

Which Rockbed is mine?

Jump forward 12 hours - I am in my cosy cosy bed, it is 5:35am, I am just waking to the gentle pitter patter of rain outside - love that sound when wrapped in my big feather duvet, it is peaceful and relaxing - makes me happy to just be. 

My addiction begins to demand service, I get up and make my way to the coffee machine - I am still half asleep, the house is quiet and I move slowly - the dogs lift their heads up and look at me, almost as if to ask 'is it time now?' Yes. 

We have one of the those bean to brew machines. I press the button and it starts, the beans grind and the aroma is released, 'Yes...' my addiction twitches, my brain clicks into first gear and I wonder how long it has been raining.

My first espresso is made - hot, sweet and very strong. Everyone else is asleep, it is just me and the dogs, and the sound of the distant rain through the windows - I sip the intense coffee, my brain slowly comes back to life, and, I think to myself 'thank f*** I'm not camping'

Coffee anyone?

Big White is AWESOME! Coming for the season...?

Are you coming to Big White for the season? Are you looking for a place to stay?

• Are you staying for six months?
• Are you clean and tidy?
• Will you pay your rent on time?
• Would you like to stay in a great place for reasonable rates?
• Sharing a room with one other is okay, sharing with 5 others... not so much?
• Do you want to stay in a place that has been looked after by previous tenants, or the owners?
• Do you want to stay in a place that you could bring your family to visit?
• Would you prefer quieter rather than a party place?
• Do you want to stay in a place that you can go to sleep when you want.
• Would you like a deck/hot tub?
• Will you respect the place you stay?
• Can you prove you have the ability to cover your rent?
• Do you have the ability to pay your first month, last month and half month damage deposit in advance?
• Can you provide references?

If yes (to most questions), then we can help.

Sólido Properties has places available in-

• Snowpines - three large bedrooms (two ensuite), games room, den with double bed, deck, hot tub, laundry, 3.5 bathrooms, private garage. Ski in and walk out. 2500 sq ft. 7 people, maybe 8.
• Village - penthouse in the best property and location on the mountain - two bedrooms, king bed, and 2nd bedroom with two queen beds. Two bathrooms. 6 people max - Rates are high.
• Lower village - three bedroom/two bathroom property - suitable for 6 maybe 7, view side, deck.
• Village - two studio apartments (no bedroom) - can sleep 4 & 3 respectively - would be better for two singles or couples. Full bathroom but only half kitchen.
• Snowpines - two rooms available in a luxury property - will be sharing with the owner and 11 year old daughter - good for two couples or one couple and two singles.
• Lower village - three bed town house (x2) deck, garage, two bathrooms. Would suit three couples or max 6 people.
• Apartment in a chalet - self contained, owners prefer a stable couple.
• Timbers - three bed penthouse suite - deck, hot tub, two bathrooms (one ensuite) one jack & jill, gym, games room, underground parking, granite, steam shower.
• Copper Kettle - three bedroom.
• Raven - penthouse rooms, 7 spots available - in unit pool table, bar, two decks, hot tub, BBQ, X-Box. Building has a gym and pool.
• Raven - two bed plus den - max 6.

We are in the process of placing people now and we have places coming available constantly, if you are interested in any of the properties and meet the criteria please contact us through Facebook.

Rates-

Hide-a-bed, not a closet. 

The rates at Big White are what they are, by November/December, the worst places will go for $550 per person per month - and you may have 12 or more in the place. 

Properties-

One bed places are very hard to find, studios - yes, but you are looking at up to $1500 per month for 'okay' places - $1200 for very small.

 

The place on the left - 6 people, $600 per month each, min 6 months. The other - two people $600 per month each, min 6 months... Where would you rather stay?

Pitch
Sólido Properties owns, rents, manages property and buys (beer) - if you are looking for seasonal staff accommodation, contact us. We do not deal with slum or party properties, we do not overcrowd, we provide high quality, value for money accommodation; we provide the type of place where your mum would want you to stay... Actually we are lying about the last bit - we don't know your mum.

We are not looking for groups of 8 guys or similar - sorry, our owners have strict criteria. We only take email payments, wire transfers, credit or debit card (fees extra).

Big White is AWESOME! Why we need to become our own Municipality...

Big White is part of the Regional District of Kootney Boundary. I believe it should be its' own municipality. Without being an expert or really, even moderately knowledgable about the workings of local government, there appears to be some obvious reasons.

Tax Base and Budget Allocation.
I have mentioned this before and I highlight the fact again. Last year the property tax submitted to RDKB was $4.2m. Approx 49% went to Provincial - schools, police and hospital funding. And approx 50% was allocated to Big White - fire department etc.

Net zero - we put in net $2.1m the community receives net $2.1m. However.

• The RDKB budget for the district is $33m this year. The property tax revenue is expected to be $17m. Extra funding comes from asset management, previous budget surpluses, revenue streams, provincial funding programs etc.
• This means for every dollar of tax sent to RDKB there is $2 of spending allocation.
• Proportionately Big White should have $8.8m allocated to the area - not $2.1m

This year the RDKB's Recreational and Cultural Development budget is $6.4m. Projected over the next 5 years it is similar. Zero is allocated to Big White - Zero! 

Provincial Funds
Big White cannot apply for provincial funding. 

Sun Peaks secured $470k of provincial funding in March 2012. Sun Peaks, under the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) is eligible for $310k per annum to focus on the goal of increasing visitation in the Summer and Shoulder seasons.

Click Here.

Big White would be entitled to similar if it achieved Resort Municipality Status.

Real Estate Values
There are numerous factors putting downward pressure on property values at Big White. One of the factors is the ability to finance a purchase - banks are reluctant to lend to resort and/or recreational property purchasers. Municipality status would change the banks view of lending to buyers at Big White. This would-

• Attract more buyers.
• Attract more residents
• Increase values.
• Increase tax base.
• Generate more revenue for existing business
• Encourage more businesses to open during the off and summer seasons.
• Create Community Growth.

Fair Representation
Big White represents almost 25% of the net tax base of the RDKB - we have no say in how budgets are allocated. 3000 property owners at Big White - zero influence.

Self Direction, competition and growth.
Sun Peaks - with $310k per annum to develop the resort? We can only compete, if we have a fair playing field - "Come to Big White in the Summer - we have nothing." Is our current offering. But market conditions change with marginal increases - the Globe has seen huge increases in customers this summer, achieving lots, with very little - imagine what we could achieve with a sustained campaign budget and self directed resort plan? lots?

5-Year Plan.
Where will Big White be in 10 years? The same? No, please, if our competition is moving forward and we are stagnant... we are moving backwards.

Five years, is my goal to Resort Municipality status - but I cannot do it alone. We need to determine what, and execute, the actions needed, to achieve that goal.

Complacency achieves nothing...

Big White is AWESOME! Huckleberries and stuff...

 

I told you, I took my wife Miking... and after pushing her bike most of the way up the mountain, she got a puncture... Yes...? We laughed... well one of us laughed... well one of us laughed until the other one gave the laughing one the "look" at which point the laughing one realized we were heading to a "Fine." situation... and he stopped laughing. 

Following a series of yes dear, and no dear, and sorry dear, and it won't happen again dear, and no, it was not funny at all dear... We made our way down to the village, to hit our favourite destination.

Almost every day (especially when I hike... or even... "mike") I hit the Globe for a coffee, and if I am feeling particularly exuberant... a bacon and egger... er Yum! They taste so good, cos Ben and Jo make them with luurve... True.

After miking up the mountain and then experiencing the definitely unfunny, puncture followed by a long hike down, (not miking) - we were looking forward to our regular coffee... I could smell it, I could taste it, I could see the aroma rising from the mug... but, no...

This seems like fun... except for the er... fun bit... Can't wait for my coffee...

Imagine the distress when I realized the Globe was closed and my lovely wife would not get her coffee! Do you have any idea what this meant...? Any...?

...Closed... for the love of god mother, why? Then I recalled, there were some pictures... drinking, 4am (ish), party for the popular people, regulars and such (not every regular apparently... I am the best customer... well, probably, if I paid my bill I would be... at least top 250 anyway) 

Wait, what?

Wait a minute was the Globe closed because there had been some R&R the night before...? God forbid! But yes I think it true...


Now according to Brad (and yes apparently he still works there, despite the rumours...) Ben had to do something with something and there was no chef and blah blah blah blah... And Jude said this and at 4am that... 

What..! Ever...! - Where's my  Coffee!


Now some people would say the staff work really hard (they do) and deserve the one day off a year (yes, okay, if you must). Some people would say look, they worked 17 hours yesterday. Some people would say... Blah, Blah Blah... Coffee! Some people would say it is not about me - er what? Some People!

Calm down... look at the pretty picture, a flower... pink... pretty...


And breathe in... and out... ahhh. Make my own coffee I will... yes Luke, join the dark (roast) side... we have Amaretto cookies.

Ok, yes, my name is Chris "Hi Chris" and I... am... a... Globa-aholic... today is day 2 of being Globe free, and everyday is a 'sniff'  challenge... ...it all started when I was a little girl, uncertain of my secularity...

But I must be strong... fight the cravings... so here I am at Pulp Fiction - Downtown Kelowna not drinking Globe coffee... every day is a challenge...

Anyhooo... we went  Huckleberry picking last night - man, there is tons of the stuff, they were everywhere - and then we found some big ones... Kind of look like Blueberries but er not blue... So it was huck muffins tonight - 'maybe I won't have two... maybe'

Apparently you cannot eat too many of these berries or you get aggressive... it is true - bears eat lots.

Pitch
Sólido Properties owns, rents, manages property and buys (beer) - if you are looking for seasonal staff accommodation, contact us. We do not deal with slum or party properties, we do not overcrowd, we provide high quality, value for money accommodation; we provide the type of place where your mum would want you to stay... Actually we are lying about the last bit - we don't know your mum.

Big White is AWESOME! Employment..

Big White estimate there are roughly 1300 seasonal staff each year at Big White. And using my advanced math skills and a very complicated formula I was able to calculate with a 5% significance level the number of employment opportunities available at the resort.

I could be way off but the calculations point to around 1300...

I have touched on working at Big White before, so apologies if I am repeating myself.

Realities.
Seasonal staff begin to arrive early October (earlier in some cases) but most jobs will not start in earnest until the season begins - late November/ early December. This will mean potentially a couple of months without income... expenses are ongoing so you should factor this into you travel budget.

Employment types -
It is a resort, tourist driven industry - Big White requires - serving staff, cleaners, snow clearers, labourers (skilled sometimes helps - electrician etc), lift operators, ski/snowboard instructors etc etc.

There are some positions that will begin earlier... for example if you get a position in housekeeping you may find yourself part of the property preparation teams. A serving position at Sam's may commence in November (as may Globe, Blarney Stone and the store) which will help with your budget...

A liftie or ski instructor will not start until skiing starts obviously...

You should also ask yourself how important the skiing activities are, compared to the job - a Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm is going to limit your skiing to the busy weekends - an evening job on the other hand...

If it was me (and I did a season in France a long time ago) my first port of call would be the bars and restaurants -

Globe
Blarney Stone
6 Degrees
Bullwheel
Black Diamond
Kettle Valley Steak House
Loose Moose Lounge
Raakels (if opening)
Snowshoe Sam's
The Market at Big White
Sante's
The Bakery
Gunbarrel Grill
Underground Pizza.
Beano's

Other employments opportunities-
Vacation Services
Big White - by far the largest employer on the mountain.
Rent Chalets
Chalets at Big White
Medical Clinic.
Big White Spa Services
Major Domo

Do a Google search - you will find them.

Some places will help you with your ski pass - ask in advance. And some employers help with providing or finding accommodation (Big White, The Market, Beano's). Looking for jobs earlier will help find a better position - the best jobs will go first!

Keep in mind all employers require a full season commitment - you getting bored in March and leaving, creates problems. With this in mind employers try to 'encourage' commitment - Big White tie the seasons pass and accommodation to the position. Some employers may offer an end of season bonus - paying for your ski pass if you finish the season etc. 

For some of you this may be your first real job - being late, being drunk, taking random days off, and or hungover is not acceptable - you are the responsible adult! 

And keep in mind businesses at Big White have 12 months of fixed costs but only 5 months of revenue... the beer you serve may have a 20% profit margin, out of which has to come - wages, rent, utilities, delivery service, cleaning etc etc. Your 15% tip is more than the bar makes - don't resent the owner his profit.

Other than that have fun! It will be an experience of a lifetime, you will meet new people, make great friends, and create lifetime, lasting memories.

Pitch-

Sólido Properties owns, rents, manages property and buys (beer) at Big White. We offer guaranteed or direct to owner income. If you are interested in renting or would like to know more contact us on Facebook or our webpage.

Big White is AWESOME! Miking.

Miking... Yes it is my new word, I figured the English language was lacking in verbs so I added one, all by myself.

To Mike - is to combine hiking and mountain biking together... or... push your bike up the hill and ride down. 

The map (my Miking trail from Friday) shows I started at High Forest, I did start at the Timbers but only logged on at... The loop you can see is the first part of the cut mountain bike trail (Thanks to Gavin I think) - it is quite a technical trail (I was scared, cos I'm not very good) - and then back up again towards the top of the Ridge Rocket.

The sun was shining, the temp perfect, I rode past the lake at the bottom of Powder Chair - and I took it easy, lowest gear and pushing when it was steep - Miking, it was great!

People have mentioned bear sightings but I have probably been up the top 40 times this summer and not a sign - no scat, no prints, nothing. I did have a bit of a scare though.

I was riding just on Serwa's just getting to the flattish bit, close to the top of the Ridge. I have trance music in my ears, I have been riding for probably an hour and I am at peace with the trail - my dog, Hobbes the big dude is up ahead, and everything is good... Suddenly, in my peripheral vision I see brown and big, and next to me... moving - and did I say big... My heart did that little skip - you know the one, 'uh oh, I am going to fall off this cliff' before I realized it was Yoda and Lucy (two of the Globe dogs). 

Yoda comes hiking around the mountain with me regularly, Lucy once or twice - but I had been out for over an hour - god knows how they found me or how they got there. They came back with me, and we went to Globe for coffee, (they choose water) it was all cool.

Pitch-

Sólido Properties owns, rents, manages property and buys (beer) at Big White. We offer guaranteed or direct to owner income. If you are interested in renting or would like to know more contact us on Facebook or our webpage.

If you are interested the tracking is done with imapmyfitness.com - it is a great iPhone app.

Brief one today - I am off Miking again - you should try it.

Just a quick addition, I took my wife Miking today, not quite as successful, she pushed her bike to the top... through Snowpines up to the bottom of the powder chair then up Meadowlark to Serwa's and finally to the top of the Ridge Rocket. Great! Then she got a puncture... so she pushed her bike back down to Happy Valley... 

Map 

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyFitness

Big White is AWESOME! UK not Big White.

I just realized with all this education I now have, I am now so clever, that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying...* Mr. Wilde

So I have spent the last few days in the UK - a four day trip, two are travelling... I was in London, I cannot claim it is my favourite place... I had some free time today and I got myself to a squash club - The Concorde Club. Sounds posh eh? No. 

I miss Big White, I miss, the fresh air, I miss the space, I miss hiking the mountain (I really do, I was in the gym and the thought of getting on the treadmill...) I miss coffee at the Globe, I don't miss being surrounded by 11m people and of course I miss my family.

And even though with the strength of the Canadian dollar I can buy a pound for only $1.60 it is still effin expensive. I played squash like I said, in a place not suitable for the Queen. 

7.2 miles from my hotel 
- taxi $60 return. (every been to Hong Kong? $6 almost anywhere)
- use of facilities $13+/- for 40 mins

$75 for a bit of squash... really? Just a bit of a Victor Meldrew me.

I could go on about the financial pleasures of London or the UK in general, I could talk about the traffic, I could express my disdain for the weather and overall depressive/oppressiveness of the city... I could...

I went into the centre of London (Blackriars) for business, and then I had to get to Guildford. From Blackfriars a taxi saved me a 35 min tube ride, and then 45min on a crowded train (the fast one apparently). I sat and watched the (every day, journey) commuters - did not look like Fun...! I have the option of living at Big White... after my first degree I briefly attempted to work in London - "Good god man, what were you thinking...?"

Property
I met with an old business friend of mine, developer (like me), crashed and burned (like me). Rob had to regroup and he started selling high end property in Saas Fee, Switzerland. Switzerland is an interesting place, you can get a type B residency permit for $2k (plus bureaucratic hoops etc) - gives you permanent residency - you can work, buy property etc. (or so I am told). 

Rob is familiar with Big White and we naturally discussed comparable property values... In Saas Fee an older place will cost around $800 per sq ft, a new place $1200. Further afield prices jump $3300 - $5500 per sq ft. The Edge homes I built with 3800 sq ft would at a minimum be $4.5m, going up to $19m...? You can buy the big Edge, 3800 ft place today for $825k... Interesting times.

Edge at Big White.

I have not done the research to support Rob's stats but the place above is asking Swiss 22m or $24.24m Canadian... discount for cash?

We talked about reasons for the disparity...

Finance-
In the UK you can get a 95% mortgage, government insured - it is called a "Helping Hand" mortgage - if you have 5% the government will kick in 20% of the property value, to allow the buyer to attract low ratio, low interest mortgages (I saw an offer for 1.49%). The 20% is interest free for five years. 

In Switzerland a property buyer can finance their purchase at 2.4% fixed for 20 years, with an amortization period of 100 years - think about that. On at $200k purchase your monthly payment would be $440 per month - fixed for 20 years. Add a little time value of money... i.e. what will $440 buy you in 20 years?

Swiss 1741

At Big White, the banks will not finance Snowpines - the property corporate structure is now a no, no... unless you don't need finance. To buy a duplex property I need more than 25% (trying right now - and being challenged) the interest rate would be okay, but a two to four year term. But god damn it, what do the Brits or Swiss know about banking and finance? Nothing I tell you.

All-Season Activities.
Property values at Big White are below their 2000 levels in some instances. Silver Star managed to hold their levels (more or less - there are foreclosures tho). Sun Peaks, Whistler, Mont Tremblant - year round activity. Big White owners survive with an average of 65% occupancy on a 130 day season = 84 days of revenue... or 77% of the year vacant!

Let me just say here the properties at Big White are world class luxury (not all, yes, but many) 17,000 beds, 77% vacant equates to 1.4m+ vacant days at Big White... but they all pay 12 months of mortgage, tax, utility service (yes I know but there is a connection fee), water, sewer, phone, internet (the smart ones disconnect).

European Access?

Direct flights from London to Kelowna would boost the European tourists to Big White immensely - we don't have it, they go to Whistler or Banff. Getting the flight though... Big White cannot accommodate a charter flight full of holiday makers - we would need someone to build a great big hotel, Ha!

Tax Revenue and Independent Status.
I have said this before - Regional District spend $2 dollars for every property tax dollar collected. This would equate to $8.4m at Big White, Regional District spend $2m at Big White. $6.4m of this years budget goes towards Recreational and Cultural Development - not a single penny is allocated to Big White. Not a single penny over the next five years either.

But this is another reason for ultra low property values - we are considered purely recreational real estate - or in the lenders eyes High Risk.

With independence comes the ability to secure provincial funds, funding mountain growth, funding mountain development funding resort sustainability - without a coherent cohesive voice chasing this goal, Big White will remain in limbo and property values will struggle to reflect their true value.

I am now back at my beloved mountain and off hiking!

Pitch- 
Sólido Properties owns, manages, rents properties and buys (beer) at Big White Ski Resort. If you are looking for long term rental revenue or guaranteed income contact us.

*Oscar Wilde