Parks Canada announces approved Site Guidelines for Sunshine Ski Village

January 25, 2019                  Banff, Alberta                              Parks Canada Agency

Parks Canada places represent the very best that Canada has to offer, from coast to coast to coast. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting our national parks and providing Canadians with meaningful ways to experience nature and connect with our heritage.

Today, Parks Canada announced that new Site Guidelines have been approved for Sunshine Ski Village in Banff National Park. Downhill skiing is a cornerstone of winter tourism, providing iconic Canadian experiences, and contributing to local economies. Parks Canada is committed to fostering downhill skiing operations within the mountain national parks.

The Site Guidelines prioritize ecological integrity in decision making, while also enhancing the visitor experiences at one of the most popular ski destinations in Canada, ensuring a sustainable operation for years to come. In addition, the new Site Guidelines will give the operator long-term certainty. 

Key benefits in the Site Guidelines include:

-        Increased protection for wildlife and aquatic ecosystems, including measures to protect Healy Creek and the sensitive Sunshine  
         Meadows region.

-        Recognition and inclusion of Indigenous peoples and perspectives in documenting and presenting Indigenous culture and relationship
         to the landscape; and to facilitate their use of the land for traditional purposes.

-        61 hectares of land with high ecological value to be returned to Parks Canada to be protected from future development.

-        Ecological considerations to guide all future use and development proposals within the ski area lease hold.

-        Increased potential for commercial development within the ski area lease hold, including the development of up to eight new ski lifts,
         and 80 hectares of new ski terrain and facilities.

-        Increased skier capacity from a maximum of 6,500 to 8,500 at one time.

The approved Site Guidelines, as well as a summary of public comments received during consultation are available at talkwithparks.ca.

Carefully planned and managed ski areas provide meaningful visitor and learning experiences and complement the conservation objectives of Parks Canada. Parks Canada has worked successfully with other ski areas within the mountain national parks to achieve ecological gains and meet the evolving expectations of visitors.

Sunshine Village was the only ski area in Canada’s national parks that did not have Site Guidelines completed. Today’s announcement is a major step forward in managing the development and use of the Sunshine Ski Village ski area in ways that respect the national park setting. The Site Guidelines provide the foundation of a sustainable ski operation that will benefit skiers and the operator alike and will be the framework for a long-range plan that describes the operator’s plans for the future.