Banff Sunshine Village, Alberta, 1 Storm Away From Historic Snowfall Record

While the Western U.S., and Colorado have struggled with a dismal snowpack this season, the Canadian Rockies are having a winter for the ages. Banff Sunshine Village in particular has officially eclipsed its highest snowfall totals in over a decade.

Banff Sunshine Village, the Island in the Sky, is located high on the Continental Divide in the aforementioned Canadian Rockies. Due to this advantageous location, the resort receives an average of 242 inches of snowfall each year, extending the ski season for our northern brethren. This year, the resort has reported over 389 inches of snow. For perspective, that is over 32 feet of snow, taller than 3 snowcat groomers stacked on top of each other.

The grooming crew may have had their work cut out for them this season, but this season may not be over yet. With one more decent snowfall, Banff Sunshine Village’s Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) Station will have a new high record to adjust its Period of Record (POR). This is not just good news for skiers, but for everyone who depends on that snowmelt for fresh water. 

The momentum began with a historic December that saw the resort nearly hit the 100 inches of snowfall mark, and hasn’t let up. As one of the few resorts in North America that still has its lifts spinning, the mountain is on the verge of becoming legendary. If this late April/early May delivers even a small portion of its usual precipitation, the 2025-26 winter will forever be the new gold standard at Banff Sunshine Village.