Sunshine Village has reopened for summer skiing, giving skiers and snowboarders another chance to hit the slopes in Banff National Park. Thanks to an extraordinary 2025-26 winter that delivered more than 10 metres (1,049 cm) of snowfall, the resort is operating from June 20 through July 5, 2026. With 10 runs, three terrain parks and surprisingly good snow conditions, it may be one of the best summer skiing opportunities in North America this year.
Need to Know
- Dates: June 20 – July 5, 2026
- Location: Sunshine Village, Banff National Park, Alberta
- Open Lifts: Strawberry Express and Standish Chairlift
- Terrain: 10 runs and three terrain parks
- Snowfall: 1,049 cm during the 2025-26 season
- Best For: Skiers and snowboarders looking to squeeze in a few more days of skiing
Summer Ski Conditions
Summer skiing is in remarkably good shape. Sunshine Village currently has 10 runs open with continuous snow coverage and virtually no exposed grass. Two lifts – the Strawberry Express and Standish Chairlift, are spinning, while three terrain parks feature more than 20 jibs.
The base area is in full summer après ski mode, with music, food and drinks at Trappers Pub creating a great vibe.
SBC SKIER Editor-in-Chief Chris Dane German and skier/photographer Kelly McGillivray travelled to the Alberta Rockies to experience Sunshine Village’s rare summer reopening firsthand.
“I’d heard all winter that the Rockies were having a banger snow year, but I am really surprised by how good the skiing is for late June,” said German. “The snow is far better than I expected, there are plenty of jibs to hit and… It’s the Canadian Rocky Mountains – you are surrounded by stunning beauty in every direction.”
The warm weather made for an unforgettable milestone for Kelly McGillivray.
“I’ve always wanted to ski in a bikini, but I’ve never had weather warm enough to actually do it. At 25°C with blue skies and no wind, Sunshine Village finally made it happen. It was the perfect day to cross that one off my bucket list.” – Kelly McGilivary
Why Is Sunshine Village Still Open?
Many skiers assumed a summer reopening would be impossible after hearing about poor snow conditions across much of western North America. Sunshine Village was the exception.
The resort received an incredible 1,049 cm (10.49 metres) of snowfall during the 2025-26 season, making it one of the snowiest winters in its recorded history. That’s roughly 400 cm more snow than the resort’s 10-year average of approximately 650 cm.
Combined with a cool spring that slowed the melt, the massive snowpack created the perfect conditions for extending the season well into summer.
The Numbers Behind the Summer Reopening
- 1,049 cm (10.49 m) of total snowfall
- 268 cm fell in December alone, making it the fifth snowiest month in resort history
- 208 cm fell during March
- A cool and snowy spring dramatically slowed snowmelt
- Approximately 25 cm of fresh snow fell just before the June 20 reopening
It’s Not Just Mother Nature
Record snowfall alone doesn’t create summer skiing. It also requires an enormous amount of planning and mountain operations.
Sunshine Village relies on extensive snow farming, a process that captures, stores and redistributes snow to preserve coverage long after the regular ski season ends.
Throughout the winter, strategically placed snow fences trap windblown snow across the mountain. After the resort closed on May 18, grooming crews spent weeks pushing and stockpiling snow onto key trails, building up deep bases where the summer sun has the greatest impact.
Rather than attempting to reopen the entire mountain, Sunshine concentrated its efforts on the Strawberry Express and Standish Chairlift, allowing crews to maintain excellent conditions across 10 runs and three terrain parks.
The result is skiing that feels surprisingly good for this time of year.
More Than Just an Extended Season
In an era when many North American ski resorts are owned by large corporations, Sunshine Village continues to operate as an independent, family-owned resort. That independence is reflected in the effort put into extending the ski season.
Opening for summer skiing requires far more than simply having enough snow. It demands significant investment in grooming, snow farming, lift operations and staffing, all to provide skiers with an experience that few resorts are willing, or able, to offer.
The attention to detail is evident everywhere. Two chairlifts help spread skiers across the mountain, reducing congestion, while three terrain parks give freestyle riders plenty to explore. Grooming crews have done a good job preserving snow quality, resulting in conditions that exceed expectations for late June.
For anyone who thought winter was already over, Sunshine Village proves there’s still time for one more lap.
Whether you’re chasing turns in shorts and a T-shirt, ticking “ski in a bikini” off your bucket list, or looking for a fun and unique way to spend your Canada day or 4th of July, Sunshine Village has created the best skiing experiences of the summer.
Ski season lives on in Canada, at Sunshine Village Ski Resort, you should definitely go check it out for yourself.
