The wait is over for eager skiers and snowboarders as Banff Sunshine Village announces it will throw open its gates this Sunday, becoming the first major Canadian ski resort to welcome winter sports enthusiasts for the 2023-24 season.
Early Winter Blessing for Powder Hounds
Thanks to favorable early-season snow conditions and around-the-clock snowmaking efforts, Sunshine Village will open nearly two weeks ahead of its originally scheduled date of November 9th. This early opening comes as welcome news to winter sports fans who have been anxiously watching the weather forecasts.
"We are thrilled to be the first major resort in Canada to open for ski season," said Kendra Scurfield, brand and communications manager for Banff Sunshine. "Our team has been working tirelessly with snowmaking and grooming to ensure we can offer the best possible early-season experience."
What to Expect Opening Weekend
While the full mountain won't be accessible immediately, visitors this Sunday can look forward to:
- Limited terrain accessed by the Strawberry and Wolverine chairlifts
- Early-season conditions with natural and man-made snow
- Special opening weekend celebrations and atmosphere
- Operating hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Snow Conditions Building Momentum
The resort has reported approximately 40 centimetres of natural snowfall in recent weeks, supplemented by extensive snowmaking operations. This combination has created sufficient base conditions to allow for limited skiing and snowboarding operations.
"We know our guests are excited to get back on the slopes," Scurfield added. "While terrain will be limited initially, we're confident the snow will continue to build throughout November."
Looking Ahead to Full Operations
As snow conditions improve throughout the coming weeks, Sunshine Village plans to gradually open more terrain. The resort's iconic Standish Chairlift and the Gondola are expected to begin operations once sufficient snow coverage is established.
This early opening marks an exciting start to what many hope will be another spectacular ski season in the Canadian Rockies, with Sunshine Village leading the charge in welcoming winter sports enthusiasts back to the mountains.
