🌟 5-Star Google Review for Sunshine Village Sunshine Village is hands down one of the best ski and snowboarding resorts in the world — and we feel so lucky to call it our home mountain this season. The conditions are consistently incredible, the terrain is diverse and challenging, and the season is long — giving us time to grow from timid Green Runners all the way to conquering Double Blacks!
For beginners and kids, Strawberry Express is perfect — mellow slopes and space to work on your switch. Mt. Standish offers a fun variety of terrain: blues, blacks, drops, tree runs, and even small kickers. It’s the place to experiment and progress. And then there’s Goat’s Eye — where the magic really happens. Once we learned how to ride terrain and make small, tight turns, trails like Wolverine, Eagle Creek, and Roller Coaster became pure joy — challenging, playful, and addictive.
Sunshine truly has something for every level, and for us, it’s been transformational. Every day here feels like a gift — the views, the snow, the vibe — it’s all just so good.
🧡 Shout-out to the Incredible Instructors The real heart of Sunshine Village is its instructor team. We’ve had the privilege of taking lessons with some of the most passionate, talented, and generous people in the sport. There are four CASI Level 4 instructors on the team — that’s rare, and it shows in the quality of the teaching.
We’ve learned so much this season, and we want to especially thank:
Franco, who introduced us to freestyle, taught us how to jump, and led us to our very first drop. So many unforgettable firsts with him — we’ll be forever grateful.
Idean, who worked with our kids so patiently and lovingly. He brought them from “just trying” to confidently cruising Greens, and even helped us realize our daughter is Goofy — not Regular. Idean brings his whole heart to the job, and it shows.
Pieter, newly minted Level 4, whose attention to detail and calm precision helped us dial in technique in a way we didn’t think possible.
Nicholas Henss — Mr. Henss — with whom we had the most exhilarating and terrifying ride of our season: our first Double Black, South Side Chute. That day, with our new friends from England, was a core memory in the making.
Darroyl (definitely misspelled), whose lessons are always full of surprises. With over 15 years of experience on this mountain, he knows every hidden pass and secret corner. He leads and trains the instructor team, and you can feel the respect everyone has for his skill and depth of knowledge. We can’t wait to see what he’ll show us next.
Knowing that many of these instructors are returning next season makes us incredibly excited. We can’t wait to ride and grow with them again!
🏔️ Sunshine Mountain Lodge — Christmas Magic We also stayed at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge for some time over the Christmas break, and it was truly wonderful. Waking up on the mountain with early access to the lifts was such a special experience. The hot tub with mountain views was the perfect way to relax after a long day riding, and the food at their restaurant was genuinely fantastic. We met people from all over the world — some working there, some visiting — and the whole experience was warm, welcoming, and full of joy. It’s a magical place to be, especially during the holidays.
👶 A Huge Thank-You to the Little Tiger Club We also want to express our deepest appreciation to the amazing staff at the Little Tiger Club daycare, who took such wonderful care of our kids throughout the season. Our children absolutely loved their time there and formed beautiful bonds with many of the staff, including Erica, Maria, and instructors like Gemma and Idean from the ski and snowboard team.
Thank you for providing this service — it gave us, as parents, the peace of mind to go out and enjoy the mountain, knowing our kids were in safe, loving, and incredibly capable hands.
If you’re looking for a world-class mountain that’s both humbling and joyful — Sunshine Village is it. Already looking forward to the...
Read moreTitle: A Journey of Peaks and Valleys: Hiking at Sunshine Village, Banff
Sunshine Village, nestled in the heart of Banff, offers an exhilarating blend of natural beauty and challenging terrain for hikers. Our adventure today started with a hint of confusion but unfolded into a journey that tested our endurance, rewarded us with breathtaking views, and left us in awe of the majesty of the mountains.
Setting the Course
Our day at Sunshine Village began with a sense of uncertainty. With myriad trails crisscrossing the landscape, choosing our path was no small feat. Eventually, we opted for a hike along the gravel road, anticipating the ruggedness and raw beauty that lay ahead. The decision marked the beginning of an unforgettable journey through the ever-changing terrains of Banff.
Challenge in Elevation
The hike was a testament to the challenging nature of Sunshine Village's trails. The abrupt elevation changes tested our stamina and resolve, pushing us to navigate steep inclines and rugged paths. Every step was a dance between effort and exhilaration, as we ascended higher, leaving the valley floor behind.
Breathtaking Rewards
At 2100 meters of altitude and after three hours of continuous walking, the fruits of our labor became abundantly clear. The panoramic views of the surrounding mountains were nothing short of breathtaking. The vast expanse of rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and azure skies painted a picture of nature’s grandeur, making every challenging step worth the effort.
A Moment of Reflection
While I didn’t complete the entire hike, pausing to rest and absorb the beauty around me was a moment of profound reflection. The serene landscape, with its towering mountains and tranquil ambiance, provided the perfect backdrop for contemplation. The journey, although challenging, had brought me to a place of peace and awe, showcasing the wonders of Sunshine Village.
Conclusion: A Memorable Mountain Adventure
Our hiking adventure at Sunshine Village was a journey of contrasts – challenging yet rewarding, confusing yet enlightening. The gravel road, with its steep elevations and rugged terrain, provided a path of discovery and wonder. The breathtaking views at 2100 meters were a reminder of nature’s beauty and the rewards that await those who venture into the mountains. Whether resting and admiring the view or pushing forward to new heights, Sunshine Village in Banff offers a hiking experience that leaves a lasting imprint...
Read moreWe went to the chimney corner 2 times once for breakfast and once for dinner. To make this brief for breakfast there were 3 tables there, two with two people and us with 5 when sat down to order our food. We ordered almost immediately so that we could catch the first lift-up. Around 10:30 or 2 hours later half out group left because we still had no food. Nothing ordered would have taken long to make and over two hours is just insanity. On top of that later when talking to the people who did stay the two reviews I received were the portions were small and they forgot some things. I think the potatoes for example were forgotten. Such a disappointment and a terrible way to start the day. I would be curious what the excuse is considering it wasn't busy, the orders were easy, it was a Sunday so a weekend where you should be staffed. Just a joke.
Leading into dinner ill be short again Food was cold Waitress messed up orders Wait was over an hour and a half.
The food and beverage service is overpriced for what is it. Honestly, it was horrible all around, which is disappointing because if you are staying on the mountain there are limited options. For this alone I would recommend people bring there own food, or not stay on the mountain
During check in there was 0 mention of having to keep your Costco ski pass. During check out if you happen to have thrown this out they are gracious enough to inform you that you have to buy another pass without proof. This is not a big deal if you warn people when they check in...
On the first night, we stayed in the hotel around midnight our room was awoken by two security guards informing us that we were being "horrendously loud" we were asleep in bed and they had gotten the wrong room. There show of force and intimidation was just disrespectful and unprofessional. The next night when coming home from the pub we were barred entry into the hotel. Two different security guards warned us if we made any noise there would be an additional $1000 charge to our room. They were very confrontational and trying to bully us. Almost seemed like they were trying to charge us more money for no reason. There reasoning for the big show of strength was again that we were being loud the night before. We were in fact asleep at the time of the noise complaint.
That being said. The skiing was amazing. I would just avoid anything to do with the resort at all costs. If it wasnt for how beautiful the mountian is I would give...
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