A Meadow Mission with the UNLTD Crew
SUMMER WHIMSY AT SUNSHINE VILLAGE
Just days after Sunshine Village wrapped up its special two-week summer snowboard operation, a few of the UNLTD crew headed back up the mountain—this time without our boards. While the lifts had just stopped spinning for summer riding, the gondola was still carrying hikers into the alpine, where the slopes had traded snow for vibrant wildflower meadows.
We spend so much of the year chasing powder and lapping lifts that it's easy to forget how different the mountain feels in July. Swapping snowboard boots for hiking shoes gave us a whole new perspective on one of our favourite places, with open alpine trails, incredible views, and a chance to experience Sunshine Village in a completely different season.
Summer Gondola
Just 20 minutes outside of Banff, Sunshine isn't only for snowboarders. 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 sighting too!
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.
Epic views of the valley at the Standish viewing deck
The path on the left will take you all the way to Mount Assiniboine
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 away from the crowds, 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