Banff Sunshine Village is gearing up for a unique summer ski season thanks to an abundance of snowfall this winter. With the regular winter ski season concluding on May 18, the resort plans to reopen for a 16-day summer skiing period from June 20 to July 5.
Kendra Scurfield, a spokesperson for Sunshine Village, expressed confidence in the summer plans due to the substantial snow accumulation on the mountain throughout the season. Describing it as a “fairytale season,” Scurfield highlighted the continuous snowfall that made the decision possible.
During the summer ski season, the resort intends to operate the Strawberry Express chairlift along with several ski runs, with further details set to be announced in the upcoming weeks. Scurfield emphasized the resort’s exceptional position for offering summer skiing, attributing it to the high elevation and unique snow preservation abilities compared to other resorts.
Professor John Pomeroy from the University of Saskatchewan, an expert in Rocky Mountain precipitation, supported Sunshine’s snow preservation capabilities, noting the significantly higher precipitation levels at higher elevations like Sunshine compared to valley communities like Banff and Canmore.
This upcoming summer ski season marks the second time in almost 35 years that Sunshine Village has been able to offer skiing during the summer months. Following a successful trial in 2022 over the Canada Day weekend, Scurfield mentioned the positive reception from visitors, some of whom even skied in shorts, describing the experience as uniquely Canadian.
Looking ahead, Scurfield confirmed the resort’s intention to continue offering summer skiing whenever conditions permit, building on the momentum from the previous season. Despite the current abundant snow levels around Sunshine, Pomeroy cautioned that warmer temperatures forecasted for May could pose challenges in maintaining sufficient snow for the summer operations.