Just for the record: We were truly impressed by this ski area which is located in the Canadian middle of nowhere in the Banff National Park. Far away from the hustle and bustle, visitors of Sunshine Village can enjoy Canadian hospitality to the fullest. Numerous options to hit the resort's powder, freestyle and freeride skiing opportunities as well as plenty of slopes for all levels – from powder newbies to seasoned experts - and quite a number of terrain parks will make your heart beat faster.
Almost 140 slopes promise great variety and wide open trails leave you with the need to push yourself. In 2015, Sunshine Village inaugurated Canada's first heated lift called Teepee Town, which moves 1,200 people per hour uphill and still is Canada's only (!) heated chairlift. However, Sunshine Village's lifts are in need of improvement when compared to European standards.
Due to snow farming, a long season with great snow coverage is guaranteed, as natural snow is harvested with the aid of plastic snow fences that protect snow from alpine gusts that would otherwise blow it off the peak. In spite of great snow coverage and a ski resort rich in variety, guests will have to make larger cuts when it comes to nightlife and après-ski – both are simply less important in US and Canadian ski resorts and especially compared to ski areas in Austria or Germany. Après-ski at Sunshine Village pretty much comes down to hanging out with friends in a hot tub enjoying a cold beer or a nice glas of wine. The focus here is more on skiing itself, which comes with an impressive panorama and the beauty of nature.