A Meadow Mission with the UNLTD Crew
SUNSHINE VILLAGE IN THE SUMMER
UNLTD staffies take a summer stroll through Sunshine Village’s alpine meadows. Just outside Banff, this iconic winter resort transforms into wildflower-covered meadows—and the gondola still runs.
When you spend most of the year riding lifts and stacking pow turns, it’s easy to forget what your favourite winter playground looks like without the snow. That’s exactly why a few of us from the UNLTD crew swapped our snowboard boots for hikers and hit up Sunshine Village for a mid-summer mountain day.
Summer Gondola
Just 20 minutes outside of Banff, Sunshine isn't only for skiers. During the summer months, the sightseeing gondola and Standish Chairlift run for hikers, photographers, and anyone wanting to trade in street noise for marmot whistles. The ride itself is worth the price of admission—gliding over green slopes, tree-lined valleys, and the occasional bear
Come winter, Sunshine is buried under meters of snow. But in July, it’s an explosion of wildflowers, exposed ridgelines, and wildlife. We walked through Sunshine Meadows, a protected alpine area that stretches across the Continental Divide, giving views into both Alberta and British Columbia at once.
Some highlights:
- Western anemone, alpine paintbrush, and glacier lilies blooming in every direction.
- Mount Assiniboine, sometimes called the “Matterhorn of the Rockies.”
It’s wild to think we were riding pow over this same terrain just a few months ago.
Known for its stunning turquoise waters, surrounding wildflower meadows, and the unique "rock isle" feature, a rocky peak left behind by a glacier.
ROCK ISLE LAKE
View from the Standish Lift Viewing Deck
These quirky Dr. Suess looking little flowers are called
Western Anemone
A Bit of History
Sunshine Village has been around since the 1920s, starting as a humble lodge for ski-tourers. The gondola wasn’t added until the '90s—before that, guests had to get up by bus. In summer, the area becomes one of the best places in Banff National Park to access alpine terrain without needing to slog up 1,000 vertical meters first.
It’s a reminder that these mountains have stories beyond our own, whether it’s Indigenous use of the land, early tourism, or the natural rhythms of flowers that bloom and fade with the season.
Whether you're a tourist in town or a local looking for a mellow day off the board, Sunshine’s summer operations offer a fresh way to experience a place we already love. Bring your camera, take a hike and reward yourself with a hot lunch from Trappers.
See you on the trail (or the chairlift).
– UNLTD Crew