By June, most Northern Hemisphere resorts have gone quiet for the season. Sunshine Village went the other way.
A season that wouldn’t quit
The 2025/26 winter at Sunshine Village wasn’t just good, it was historic. Close to 1,000cm of snow fell on the upper mountain, smashing the resort’s usual average of around 600cm and making it the snowiest season there in more than ten years. Sunshine also opened first in Canada for the season, welcoming skiers on November 2, nearly a week ahead of schedule.
By the time the regular season wrapped on May 18, the mountain was still holding a serious base, roughly 242cm up top and 186cm at mid-mountain. Then on May 30, another 25cm of fresh snow landed on top of it.
Banff Sunshine Village summer skiing. Photo by Banff Sunshine Village
Sixteen more days
Rather than let that snowpack melt out unused, Sunshine reopened. The Strawberry Express and Standish Express ran for 16 days from June 20 through July 5, taking riders through the Canada Day long weekend.
It’s a rare call. Summer skiing used to be more common across North America before warmer seasons made it harder to justify. Sunshine’s high elevation on the Continental Divide and terrain that naturally holds snow are why this one worked when it wouldn’t in most places.
What was actually open
Terrain was conditions dependent, with the Summer Strawberry Terrain Park and a handful of groomed runs taking priority over full mountain access. Sunshine Mountain Lodge reopened June 19 for the summer stretch, and lift access was free for 2026/27 season pass holders, SkiBig3 and Rocky Mountain Passport holders, and anyone staying on the mountain. Kids five and under skied free, as always. The resort wasn’t open for hiking or sightseeing during this window. It was strictly a ski operation.
Sixteen extra days in July, when most people had already written off the season. Slushy groomers, bluebird skies, T-shirts and base layers. For anyone who made it up there, it was an awesome bonus and the perfect way to finish off an amazing ski season in the Rockies.
Summer skiing at Sunshine Village. Photo via Instagram @sunshinevillage
