CARVE INTO LATE SPRING AT BANFF’S SUNSHINE MOUNTAIN LODGE
Punxsutawney Phil might have predicted an early spring this year, but that doesn’t apply to the ski season in the Canadian Rockies at Banff Sunshine, in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Banff Sunshine is wide open for skiing and snowboarding until May 20th, 2024 – which is also when they hold their legendary end of ski season party, The Slush Cup.
Before you put away your winter gear, say yes to a spring skication, and head north (and west) to Sunshine Mountain Lodge, located slopeside at Banff Sunshine Village.
The iconic ski destination, Banff Sunshine, is part of the Ikon and Mountain Collective Passes and is located just 90 minutes west of Calgary International Airport. A new international terminal has made travel from the States easier, too. With nonstop flights from Newark, LAX, O’Hare, DFW, MSP, SLC, SEA and SFO, you can maximize your time in the Canadian Rockies.
SUNSHINE MOUNTAIN LODGE & BANFF SUNSHINE VILLAGE SKI RESORT
Sunshine Mountain Lodge is the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in Canada’s famous Banff National Park. Think of the hotel as an upscale luxury basecamp, located high in the picturesque Canadian Rocky Mountains. When we say ski-in, ski-out, we say so literally. The boutique mountaintop lodge is located mere feet away from the chairlifts. When staying at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, enjoy mountaintop comfort. Whether you’re looking for a suite or something cozy, the lodge has you covered. Choose the Deluxe Waterfall Guest Room for serenity in the mountains, the West Wing Premiere Guest Rooms for comfort and elegance, or the Main Lodge Suites with breathtaking views and heated floors.
Now, onto the ski terrain. Originally founded in 1928, Banff Sunshine can boast about its incredible terrain, all of which was hand picked for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Regardless of your level, beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert, at Banff Sunshine there is something for everyone to ski and enjoy. At Banff Sunshine, outdoor lovers have more than 3,500 acres to explore spanning across three mountains. There’s an old saying in Banff, “If we can’t export the scenery, we’ll import the tourists.” While at Banff Sunshine, you’ll enjoy picture-perfect views of the Canadian Rockies on your heated chairlift up the mountain and as you make your way back down – without a car or road in sight.
Banff Sunshine Village is known for its incredible “Canada’s Best” spring skiing. With bright blues skies, and blankets of white fluffy snow, spring at Banff Sunshine will have you crooning along to the music of their festival-like spring concert series. Fancy yourself a park skier? Banff Sunshine is home to five terrain parks for enthusiasts to practice their freestyle skills: from Strawberry Park with boxes, tubes and rails, to Great Park Divide for slope-style skiing, to Grizzly Park with jibs, jumps and hips. If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, you can still explore the mountains on a snowshoe adventure, or simply soak in the beauty in Sunshine Mountain Lodge’s heated outdoor pool.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
When it’s time to take a break from the slopes, you can shop at one of the many stores – where the US dollar will go a lot further!
Bourgeau Sports is a boutique sports store with brand-name designer winter sportswear in Sunshine Village. This upscale retail experience should not be missed. Sunshine Sports carries all the brand-name ski and snowboard gear you could need with the largest selection of Sunshine Village logo apparel. New to skiing? Check out Banff Avenue Sports for all the rental equipment and accessories in a one-stop shopping experience.
No vacation is complete without food. Banff Sunshine Mountain is chock full of restaurants and coffee shops both in the village and at the base of the trails. Warm up at Nikko Ramen, a new restaurant this year with four original Sunshine flavors. Or experience history firsthand at Mad Trappers, which dates back to 1928 and is covered with pictures from the last 90 years. Of course, regardless of where you dine, don’t forget to apres-ski with a Caesar, Canada’s famous spin on a Bloody Mary!
What are you waiting for? While the snow is still on the ground get a few more runs in at SkiBanff and Banff Sunshine Village. sunshinemountainlodge.com