First Resort in Canada Opens
1st November 2025
Last modified on November 4th, 2025
Sunshine Village near Banff in Alberta fired up some lifts on Sunday 2nd November. It is the earliest the resort has opened. UPDATED
The resort was able to do so due to some recent natural snowfall, and cold temperatures.
The Strawberry Express opened and the terrain park had seven features available.
Seven runs were open:
- Dell Valley
- The Rock Ilse Road
- Boutry’s Bowl
- Strawberry Surprise
- Strawberry Face
- Snowsnake
- The Mitey Mite Learning Area
Sunshine Village Opening Day, Sunday 2nd November. Image c/o SkiBig3 / Jill Scarpato.
“Eager skiers and snowboarders arrived bright and early in Halloween costumes and Blue Jays jerseys,” said the resort on Sunday.
“The Banff Sunshine Gondola started spinning at 8:.00am.
“You could hear the excitement in the crowd as people anticipated the first chair.
“By 9.00am the Strawberry Express Quad and Mitey Mike Conveyer Lift opened up.
“With fresh powder underfoot and dreamy cotton candy skies above, it was the perfect start to the 2025/26 ski season.”
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“When it was time to refuel, skiers and riders gathered at Mad Trappers for a cozy après-ski break, with warm comfort food, local brews, and good vibes all around,” added the resort.
“Down at the base, Creekside Bar + Grill offered its classic menu of hearty favourites, keeping the energy high after a day on the hill.”
Sunshine Village Opening Day, Sunday 2nd November. Image c/o SkiBig3 / Jill Scarpato.
Sunshine Village Opening Day, Sunday 2nd November. Image c/o SkiBig3 / Jill Scarpato.
Last weekend the first resorts in the USA opened:
In Europe, Verbier in Switzerland is the latest one to open some terrain as the Lac des Vaux area opened on Saturday 1st November.
Sunshine Village is often one of the first resorts to open in Canada, and one of the last to close – normally in late May.
Here at PlanetSKI we are paying particular attention to the opening and the developing snow conditions at Sunshine and it neighbouring resorts.
Why?
We are going to based in the nearby town of Canmore for two months next winter, starting in mid-December.
The resorts of Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay will be our local ski hills.
Lake Louise Ski Resort: Opens Friday, November 7, 2025
Mt. Norquay (soft opening): Opens Saturday, November 8, 2025
* Norquay will be open on the 8th and 9th, and then reopen for daily operations starting November 15.
Update:
We’ll also be visiting other resorts in Alberta and heading into British Columbia on a few Canadian road trips.
Last winter PlanetSKI hit Japan for an extended stay:
Hakuba Valley, Japan. Image © PlanetSKI
This coming season it’s going to be Canada.
Bring it on!
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