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Sunshine Village


Ikon Pass

Sunshine Village


Ikon Pass
Sunshine Village Lodging Map M
Sunshine Village Snow Totals
THE
LOW
DOWN
Sunshine Village Key Knowledge: Situated in a unique spot in the world, Sunshine Village brings rustic charm and elegance to the sheer and soaring faces of the Canadian Rockies. The Banff area beckons to adventure seekers all year, but it's the winter when the this range shows its true muscle, with white-clad flinty peaks that evoke the Himalayas. The lodging here runs the gamut, but the top end is among the best. Early season is often good, as there are glaciers and the northerly latitude helps preserve snow.
Sunshine Village skiing by month:
Sunshine Village
By Month

Core Strengths

Sunshine Village
Overall
72.0
Snow Quality
68.3
Snow Volume
52.8
Overall
Overall PAF Score

Overall
Rank

47

Rank in
Region

5

Rank in
State

1

This resort is often compared with:

Lake Louise
Kicking Horse
Revelstoke
Sunshine Village Snow Quality Across Full Winter
Click ON/OFF:
Sunshine Village Snowfall Last 10 Days (inches)

Powder
Forecast

Powder Forecast
ZRANKINGS EXCLUSIVE
Sunday
Day
0"
Night
0"
Monday
Day
0"
Night
0"
Tuesday
Day
0"
Night
0"
Wednesday
Day
0"
Night
0"
Thursday
Day
0"
Night
0"
True Snow: 258" per year
Snow Quality Rank

39

Accounts for resorts' snow quantity, moisture content, latitude, elevation, and slope aspects.

Dump Potential Rank

92

Sunshine Village is ranked No. 92 in North America for its total snowfall during an average season.

Historical Powder Odds
Daily Lottery

% of days with more than 6" of snow

9.4%

Extended Stay

% of months with more than 90" of snow

3.6%

Drought Threat

% of months with less than 30" of snow

26.5%

*Special thanks to Tony Crocker and Bestsnow.net.

Dump Potential Rank

92

Sunshine Village is ranked No. 92 in North America for its total snowfall during an average season.

Snow
Quality
Rank

39

Accounts for resorts' snow quantity, moisture content, latitude, elevation, and slope aspects.

Total Snow Score

This score accounts for total snow quantity, its moisture content, the resort's latitude, elevation, and its slope aspects, which affect total snow preservation.

Comparables

Sunshine Village

Trail Breakdown

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Vertical Drop

3514 ft

8954 ft
Base Elevation: 5440 ft

Slope Aspects

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A few words on the Snow at Sunshine Village

Sunshine Village is the highest ski area in western Canada. 9.6% of winter days with 6 inches or more of snow and 28% of winter months with 30 inches or less are middle of the pack for western destinations, while 4% of months with 90 inches or more is on the low side. Snow density in Alberta is as light as it gets. Powder skiing can excellent though much of the above timberline terrain faces west into prevailing winds

Accumulation and Preservation

Sunshine's snowfall is consistent, so it averages 80+% open at Christmas and is less than half open at Christmas in 10-15% of seasons. Nonetheless Sunshine is liberal with opening terrain on a thin base and the best skiing is usually in the mid and late season. Sunshine is a high and cold mountain, which is a plus for preserving winter packed powder surfaces well into the spring. For snow stability reasons, expert sectors like Delirium Dive are most likely to be open in March and April. Sunshine stays open through the 3rd weekend in May.