For most Canadians, the arrival of summer means trading skis for hiking boots and mountain bikes. At Banff Sunshine Village, however, exceptional winters can blur the seasons. This year, thanks to one of the snowiest winters in recent memory, skiers and snowboarders will once again have the rare opportunity to carve turns beneath the warm June sunshine.
Beginning last week (June 20, to be exact) Banff Sunshine Village reopened to skiiers and snowboards and they will remain open for 16 consecutive days, ultimately closing on July 5. It’s a remarkable extension to an already historic season and a reminder of why Sunshine has long been known for having some of the most dependable late-season snow in North America.
Summer skiing at Banff Sunshine isn’t an annual event. Instead, it’s reserved for those extraordinary years when Mother Nature delivers an exceptionally deep snowpack capable of surviving weeks after the regular season ends. In fact, 2026 is just the second time in 25 years that the resort has opened for summer turns. The last time was in 2022, when favourable snow conditions allowed lifts to spin for 6 days in late June and early July. Before that, summer operations have only occurred a handful of times over the resort’s history, making each reopening a memorable event for visitors eager to experience one of Canada’s most unique mountain traditions.
Unlike glaciers that offer predictable summer skiing elsewhere in the world, Sunshine’s extended season depends entirely on natural snowfall. Resort officials evaluate the spring snowpack, base depth, terrain coverage and long-range weather before deciding whether enough snow remains to safely operate the lifts. There is no minimum snowfall requirement; every summer opening is earned by an exceptional winter.
The 2025-26 season delivered over 1,000 centimetres of snowfall across Banff Sunshine Village, the second snowiest season the resort has experienced in their recorded history. Instead of allowing late-season skiers to gradually wear away the remaining snow, the resort closed regular winter operations at the conclusion of the May long weekend before preserving the snowpack for a special summer reopening. The result is a 16-day bonus season that will carry skiing through Canada Day and into the July long weekend.
While conditions can change daily, Banff Sunshine has already opened both the Strawberry Express and Standish Express chairlifts, as well as 7 runs and 3 different terrain parks. I was fortunate to spend the day up there on June 21, and they reportedly opened another 3 runs the next day, for a total of 10! Skiers and riders can expect a true spring-skiing atmosphere: soft snow, warm temperatures, bright sunshine, and panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies. Please be aware that terrain offerings may change throughout the 16-day season as conditions evolve.
Summer skiing isn’t about powder. It’s about novelty. Morning laps often provide the best snow conditions before the afternoon sun softens the surface. Many visitors embrace the festive atmosphere by skiing in Hawaiian shirts, retro one-pieces or shorts, celebrating the unlikely combination of snow-covered slopes and warm summer temperatures.
Banff Sunshine has also made the bonus season especially attractive for returning guests. Summer skiing is included with 2026-27 Sunshine Season Passes, SkiBig3 Season Passes, Rocky Mountain Passports and overnight stays at Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Holders of 2025-26 season passes receive discounted lift tickets, making the unexpected extension even more rewarding for loyal skiers and riders.
In an era when shorter winters have become increasingly common across many mountain regions, Banff Sunshine Village continues to prove why its high elevation and abundant snowfall make it one of Canada’s premier late-season destinations. Summer skiing remains a rarity, but that’s exactly what makes it special. When the stars align, and 10 metres of snowfall pile up during the winter, the opportunity to make turns beneath blue summer skies becomes one of the most memorable experiences in the Canadian Rockies. For 16 days in 2026, winter gets one final encore. Surf’s up!
For all the details about summer skiing and riding, please visit the Banff Sunshine Village website.
