Sunshine Village's Magical Visitor Gondola Experience Starts Canada Day

BANFF, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - June 21, 2016) - Starting Canada Day, visitors to Sunshine Village will be able to access unique hiking and awe-inspiring sightseeing at the world-famous above tree-line resort via the longest and most spectacular gondola experience in the Canadian Rockies.

As a special treat on Canada's birthday weekend - July 1-2-3 - a ride up Standish Chair will also be included in the gondola ticket, allowing visitors at no extra cost to enjoy the spectacular views of Mount Assiniboine and to cross into British Columbia for the majestic hiking in Sunshine Meadows.

The 4.5 kilometre (2.8 mile) gondola ride from Sunshine Village parking lot to an altitude of more than 7,400 feet will be available Friday through Sundays and long-weekend holiday Mondays until Labour Day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $39 for adults and $21 for children between 6 and 15 years old. Standish costs an additional $13 and $7 for the age groups with children under five free.

"Winter guests are awe struck by the beauty of Sunshine, especially the first time they step off the gondola after enjoying the magic of the gondola ride up from the bottom parking lot, "said Dave Riley, the resort's Chief Operating Officer. "Now, at least three days a week, visitors, especially younger families and older people, can more easily access our resort through a comfortable gondola ride."

Known as perhaps the most stunning alpine setting in the Canadian Rockies, and ranked the #1 day hike in Canada by Lonely Planet, Sunshine Meadows across the continental divide from Alberta offers visitors unparalleled views and a wide variety of hiking trails.

In summer the meadows are in full bloom and ablaze with colorful wildflowers, setting off jaw-dropping views of surrounding peaks, including Mount Assiniboine, a majestic peak regarded "the Matterhorn of the Canadian Rockies."

On weekdays when the gondola does not run, White Mountain Adventures will continue operating buses to take guests from the parking lot to the upper village in Banff National Park. Tickets are $29 and $16 respectively.

Trapper's, the historic restaurant in the Old Sunshine Lodge which first opened in 1928 will offer excellent food service when the gondola is operating for guests wanting to add lunch to their memories.

For more information please visit www.skibanff.com.