96th Sunshine Slush Cup Takes Place with Excellent Late Season Conditions in the Canadian Resort
15th May 2026
Last modified on May 19th, 2026
The Slush Cup, North America’s longest-running end-of-season pond skimming event, kicked off in Banff Sunshine Village last weekend. Check out the videos. UPDATED
For nearly a century, what started as a dare between friends on a slushy spring day in 1928 has grown into the Canadian Rockies’ coolest party.
Skiers and snowboarders from across the world head to Sunshine Village to skim, or sometimes swim, across a 110-foot pool of melted water in creative costumes.
Over 100 costumed skiers and snowboarders competed for the title of “Mr. & Ms. Slush Cup” – a title that comes with $1000 cash, a season pass for next winter, and lifelong bragging rights.
View this post on Instagram
“Slush Cup is one of Sunshine’s most iconic traditions, it marks the final day of the ski and snowboard season in Canada,” said the Vice President Marketing Brand & Communications, Kendra Scurfield, ahead of the event.
“The event has grown to be the official end of ski season party for Canadians.
“Every Slush Cup skier and snowboarder flocks to Sunshine in bright costumes to say ‘hasta luego’ to winter.
“Season to date Sunshine has received 980 cm, nearly 1000 cm-the most snow we’ve seen since 1956.
“This year’s slush cup will be in one of the best ski season we have had in over 70 years!”
And so it proved to be…
Over the years, Slush Cup has grown from a campy year-end party to the must attend end of season festival.
View this post on Instagram
The three-day festival took place during the May long weekend with the Slushshine Rail Jam on May 16th, followed by the Water Gate Banked Slalom on May 17th.
All leading up to the grand finale-the legendary Slush Cup on Monday, May 18th.
Conditions on the eve of the festivities looked good.
Access to the event was free with a Sunshine Season Pass, Spring Pass, lift ticket or sightseeing ticket.
View this post on Instagram
PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news
Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, sport, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more.
