Sunshine Village Ski Area in Banff, AB, Reports First Snowfall of the Season

Gregg Frantz |
The first snowfall of the year on Banff Sunshine Village’s Great Divide webcam was on the afternoon of August 21, 2024. It’s the resort’s first reported snowfall of the season. Photo Credit: Banff Sunshine Village

We are still in August, and summer is rapidly ending in some parts of North America. It has been a very active year for Mother Nature this year, with extreme weather affecting people worldwide, ranging from flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, and record amounts of snowfall. We are getting closer to opening day every day, and summer is still trying to hold on, but Old Man Winter is reminding us that he is on his way. Last year, Banff Sunshine Village was the first to record snowfall in North America, and this year is no different.

Banff Sunshine Village reported its first snowfall of the 2024-25 season yesterday. It was just a dusting and was gone within 24 hours, but it was a sign that winter was coming. Banff is home to three world-class resorts, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, andย Mount Norquay, which together are known as the โ€œBig Three.โ€ Lake Louise is the largest of the three resorts, with 4,200 acres of skiable terrain, and is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Banff is known for the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, friendly locals, and a long ski season, making it a destination spot for skiers and riders worldwide.

Two hours west of Calgary in Banff, Sunshine Village Ski Area is known for attracting snowboarders worldwide. This is due to the plentiful amounts of natural snow that falls throughout the season, which starts in early November and usually lasts through late May. On average, Sunshine Village receives about 244 inches of snowfall a season, providing great coverage for the 3,300 acres of skiable terrain. Although snowfall was reported in August, opening day at the Big Three usually happens sometime in November. Skiers and snowboarders are less than 100 days away from hitting the slopes at Banffโ€™s mountains.

mt. Norquay Banff, opening day, Canada, Alberta
Strawberry Express Quad opens for the 23/24 winter season at Banff Sunshine. Photo by Dan Evans.

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