Get to Know Julie Fox — from Big White Living Magazine
The Fox Family at the Big White Mountain Community Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner held on October 8th, 2024.
Julie Fox and her family moved to Canada from the UK in 2014. They did not plan to move to Big White but since they already owned small condo on the mountain they called it their first home in Canada. Ten years later, they may be in a larger home, but are still living on the mountain year-round, have made many friends, and absolutely love the Big White community.
It all started when Julie’s husband Phil, having previously visited Big White brought her out to our mountain paradise in 2010, then again, with their 1 year old in 2013. At the time Julie and Phil were considering selling the condo to facilitate the purchase of a larger home for their growing family in the UK, but after having such a great holiday and decided we would keep the condo and make plans to come out more often. Then a friend suggested that since Phil worked from home, there was nothing stopping him getting a inter-company transfer. “It set the wheels in motion and 10 months later we moved our whole lives to Big White,” says Julie.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I have two kids in the local school, so on school days we have the usual morning hustle to get ready. They enjoy lots of outdoor time come rain, shine or of course snow. The kids and parents have a great community between them, and you will usually find one or both kids either at someone else’s house, or other kids at ours after school. On non-school days I enjoy long walks with our dog Luna, the kids do come too, sometimes reluctantly. We spend lots of time playing board games, watching the stormy weather from our deck, baking and cooking, and watching movies.
What’s your favorite part about living at Big White?
The winter sports are of course great, but add in the fireworks, carnivals, winter market, tubing and skating, dog sleds, horse drawn rides, there is so much fun to be had at Big White. Honestly though, I actually prefer the summer months when things are a little quieter and less busy. The mountain comes alive with colour from all of the wild flowers that grow and hiking the mountain with my friends is one of my favourite things to do. It never gets boring as the landscape is always changing.
Do you have a favorite ski run or area on the mountain that holds a special meaning for you?
As a family we really enjoy heading over to the Black Forest area, but my favourite run is probably Marvyn's as that is where my husband proposed to me on New Years Eve of 2013.
How has living in a seasonal community shaped your friendships and relationships?
Living in a seasonal community can be tough. The school see's it's numbers go up and down, often related to accommodation issues for those wanting rentals for their families year round. Friendships and bonds form between both the kids and parents, and then families move away. It is a hard thing for everyone, but also a learning experience. I feel very fortunate to have anamazing group of friends, and to have had so many great experiences and made so many memories with everyone I have met over the years. I cannot stress enough how special our community is, how unusual it sometimes seems to think my family in the UK often don't know their neighbours.
What’s your favorite season and why?
Summer — it is quieter and more relaxed, the school summer break is wonderful for spending time with the family and friends. We don’t downhill bike, but we still bike the mountain, paddle boarding at the local lakes, camping trips and a family and with other mountain families, the summer camp keeps the kids enjoying time together and being outside in nature a lot. The longer daylight hours are just lovely, we often eat dinner on our deck and then watch a movie as a family, or settle into a game at the dining table.
Is there a specific experience or memory that perfectly captures your life here at Big White?
Honestly, it’s probably our family camping trips on the last weekend before school finishes and then again before school starts back. Lots of families come and we all have sites next to each other and spend our days enjoying each other’s company. It's not on the mountain, but happens because we live on the mountain.
What do you do for work or hobbies when you're not skiing or snowboarding?
I have done a few different jobs while living at Big White. I have been the administrator on various strata councils, have run a cleaning business, and now I am the teacher at the Big White Mountain Early Learning Centre which is situated in the basement of Big White Community School. This is my third year at the ELC and it brings me such joy to spend my time with the younger kids on the mountain before they transition into the school for kindergarten.
Have you seen Big White change over the years and how do you feel about the growing popularity of the resort and community?
Big White is always growing, you can see that from the amount of building work happening all over the mountain, especially over the last 4-5 years. I love the Black Forest Day Lodge which was an addition a few years ago now, and we enjoy snow shoeing over that way and stopping in for a hot chocolate and some fries. The new staff accommodation buildings were and are also a welcome addition. I am excited to see the new kids centre this season as well. I personally think we are really lucky as even on the busiest days, around Christmas and Spring Break, the line-ups at the lift are not that long. The atmosphere is always happy and positive in my experience. People on their holidays are happy to be here, and the locals are happy to have them.
Do you and your family see yourself staying at Big White long-term? What would keep you on the mountain, or what could make you leave?
I did not come to Canada expecting to live on a mountain, in a ski-resort, at high altitude. But, I want to stay for many more years yet! Honestly, the biggest challenge we face in the next year is that the school is only to grade 9 and our son is currently in grade 7, and options after that with the school district are pretty non-existent and commuting to Kelowna is not really a great option.
The Big White Mountain Early Learning Centre is a non-profit operating on low fees, fundraising, and donations from the community. If you’re interested in learning more about their programs or how you can contribute please email: bwmelc@gmail.com.