Latest news with #KendraScurfield
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Coolest Party in the Canadian Rockies, Slush Cup Monday, May 19th, 2025!
BANFF, ALBERTA / / May 19, 2025 / For nearly a century, Banff Sunshine Village has celebrated the end of the ski season with a "water ski, or pond skim." The resort is credited to being the North American birthplace for pond skimming. It's believed the tradition was started by two friends, Cyril Paris and Peter White, back in 1928. The two were enjoying a spring ski, when they came upon the resorts infamous run, 'waterfall.' One supposedly dared the other to ski the water run and the rest is now history. Legend has it, the first pond skimmer on record at Sunshine Village dates back to 1928. At Banff Sunshine, what started as a friendly dare, has morphed and grown from a campy staff event, to a three-day festival that builds up to the Rockies coolest party, Slush Cup. This year's Slush Cup is happening Monday, May 19th at Banff Sunshine. "You know, winter is who we are. As the snow melts, we want to throw a proper goodbye party for our favorite season-winter," says Ralph Scurfield, CEO of Banff Sunshine Village. "Our goal is to each year throw a bigger and better Slush Cup party." This year marks the resort's 95thSlush Cup (it would be 97, but COVID happened.) For the 95thSlush Cup, the Canadian Resort has invited the University of Calgary Artistic Swim Team to perform the first splash of the event. Following the synchronized swimmers performance, the first contestant will attempt to hit the Slush Cup jump and skim across the 110 ft pool of snow cold melt water. Last year, 100 competitors competed for the crown of Mr. & Ms. Slush Cup. "If you love winter fun as much as we do, this is your invite to join us on for a fun-filled weekend at Banff Sunshine," Says Scurfield. The resort is encouraging guests to embrace the theme, Disco Snow Angel. For participants daring enough to attempt the legendary Slush Cup, the resort encourages all guest to arrive at the Village Sprung Tent early, as registration opens at 8 AM on May 19th, 2025. For guests hoping to partake in the festivities, access to the Slush Cup festivities is FREE with a Sunshine Season Pass, Spring Pass, lift ticket or sightseeing ticket. About Banff Sunshine: Banff Sunshine Village is home of Canada's Best Snow, Canada's Hottest Lifts, Banff's only ski-in, ski-out hotel Sunshine Mountain Lodge, and Canada's Best Spring Skiing. The resort is famous for its extra-long ski and snowboard season which spans from early November until late May. Located just 90 minutes west of Calgary's International Airport, and 15 minutes west of the town of Banff, Banff Sunshine Village is wide-open for skiing and snowboarding until May 19th, 2025. For more information about Slush Cup Long Weekend, contact Kendra Scurfield at media@ Contact Information Kendra Scurfield Director of Brand and Communicationskscurfield@ Buse Kayar busek@ SOURCE: Banff Sunshine Village Related Images View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Two More Weeks of Canada's Best Spring Skiing & Snowboarding at the World-Class Banff Sunshine Village in the Canadian Rockies!
Press Releases Two More Weeks of Canada's Best Spring Skiing & Snowboarding at the World-Class Banff Sunshine Village in the Canadian Rockies! Spring shines bright at Banff Sunshine, the iconic Canadian Rockies ski & snowboard resort. With a ski and snowboard season that stretches from early November to late May, Banff Sunshine Village is internationally renowned for being home to Canada's Best Spring Skiing and Snowboarding. This year, skiers and snowboarders can carve up the wide open slopes of Sunshine Village until Slush Cup Monday, May 19th, 2025. With two full weeks left to enjoy Canada's Best Spring Skiing, the Banff based resort is turning up the heat on their spring events. "Spring shines at Banff Sunshine," says Kendra Scurfield, VP Brand and Communications at Banff Sunshine Village. "Spring at Sunshine Village is my personal favorite time of year. The snow is superb, the weather is warm, and the village is a vibe. Each year, our goal is to make our spring events a little more extra as we lean into the fun of spring skiing at Banff Sunshine. This spring we're excited to introduce a couple new events, including the Sunshine Stampede, and the upcoming Leg Burner Banked Slalom." This upcoming Saturday, the Banff resort has teamed up with Snowboard Canada and double Beijing Paralympic snowboard medalist, Tyler Turner for the first ever 'Leg Burner Banked Slalom.' The all-ages charity event is open to snowboarders of all levels, with proceed raised going to support Canadian Paralympic Snowboard Athletes. Starting Saturday May 17th, the resort celebrates it's 95th Slush Cup Long Weekend. Over the years, the event has grown from a campy end-of-season celebration to a three-day festival that welcomes winter lovers from around the world as they say, "ski ya later winter." The three-day Slush Cup festival kicks off on Saturday, May 17th, with the SlushShine Rail Jam, followed by Watergate Banked Slalom on Sunday, May 18th, and the marque event, Slush Cup, on May 19th, 2025. Banff Sunshine's Slush Cup is the longest running end-of-season pond-skimming event in North America. One hundred hopefuls will attempt to ski across the 110-foot pool of melt water, as they compete for the crown of Mr. and Ms. Slush Cup. Participants will be judged based on execution, completion, style, costume, and attitude. This year's event will be judged by a panel of Canadian Winter Olympians including Mikaël Kingsbury, Rachael Karker, Tyler Turner and Brendan Mackay. "Slush Cup is my favorite day of the year," says Jenna Lee. "I've been skiing at Sunshine for over 20 years and have not missed a Slush Cup yet. It's just so much fun. Whether you plan ski, watch the event, or compete, Slush Cup is the absolute most fun you can have in ski boots!" A full list of events, including Banff Sunshine's Untracked Concert Series and Mom's Ski Free Mother's Day can be found on Access to all Sunshine events is free with a lift ticker or Sunshine Season Pass. About Banff Sunshine: Banff Sunshine Village is home of Canada's Best Snow, Canada's Hottest Lifts, Banff's only ski-in, ski-out hotel Sunshine Mountain Lodge, and Canada's Best Spring Skiing. The resort is famous for its extra-long ski and snowboard season which spans from early November until late May. Located just 90 minutes west of Calgary's International Airport, and 15 minutes west of the town of Banff, Banff Sunshine Village is wide-open for skiing and snowboarding until May 19th, 2025. For more information about Spring at Sunshine Village, contact Kendra Scurfield at media@ Contact Information Kendra Scurfield Director of Brand and Communications kscurfield@ +1-403-830-7946 Buse Kayar busek@ This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM.
Miami Herald
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Canada's Best Spring Skiing and Riding Season, The Rockies' Banff Sunshine Village Kicks Off the Untracked Concert Series!
BANFF, ALBERTA / ACCESS Newswire / April 5, 2025 / Are you ready to ROCK out in the Canadian Rockies? April 5th & 6th mark the return of Banff Sunshine Village's highly anticipated Untracked Concert Series presented by Coors Light. Banff Sunshine's Untracked Concert Series runs weekly, from now until May 19th, Slush Cup Long Weekend. "Spring is when we truly shine," says Kendra Scurfield, VP Brand & Communications at the iconic Banff resort. "As other resorts close up for the season, we at Banff Sunshine carve into our fun and sunny season, the Spring Ski Season. Thanks to our location high on the Continental Divide, guests from around the world flock to Banff Sunshine to enjoy Canada's Best Spring Skiing and Snowboarding." Starting the weekend of April 5th, 2025, skiers, snowboarders, and people who just want to come up to enjoy live music in the mountains can head to Banff Sunshine Village for their free (with lift ticket) spring concert series. This year's lineup features exclusively Canadian talent. To kick-start the concert series, Edmonton's Scenic Route to Alaska will take to the stage set up in the Trapper's Snow Garden. Performance times for the Untracked Concert Series are 1:00 PM & 2:15 PM every Saturday and Sunday, now until Banff Sunshine's closing weekend. Each concert will be paired with a theme, encouraging guests to get into character. April 5th & 6th kick off seven weekends of spring concerts, themes and events. Discounts on lift tickets will be offered to spring skiers and snowboarders dressed up in the weekend theme. Spring skiing at Sunshine Village offers the best of both worlds, from carving up Canada's Best Snow on the pristine slopes of Canada's highest ski and snowboard resort, to lively après ski family-friendly festivities in the luxurious Canadian Rockies. Click here for a full list of spring events & weekend themes! "At Banff Sunshine, we're wide-open for skiing and snowboarding until May 19th, 2025. There's lots of time left to hit the slopes and make incredible spring skiing memories," says Scurfield. About Banff Sunshine: Banff Sunshine Village is home of Canada's Best Snow, Canada's Hottest Lifts, Banff's only ski-in, ski-out hotel Sunshine Mountain Lodge, and Canada's Best Spring Skiing. The resort is celebrated for its extra-long ski and snowboard season which spans from early November until late May. Located just 90 minutes west of Calgary International Airport, and 15 minutes west of the town of Banff, Banff Sunshine Village is wide-open for skiing and snowboarding until May 19th, 2025. For more information about Spring at Sunshine Village, contact Kendra Scurfield at kscurfield@ or call 403-830-7946. Contact Information Kendra Scurfield Director of Brand and Communicationskscurfield@ Buse Kayar busek@
Miami Herald
21-03-2025
- Miami Herald
Banff Sunshine Village Extends its Lift Hours for Canada's Best Spring Skiing and Riding!
BANFF, ALBERTA / ACCESS Newswire / March 21, 2025 / Viva la Sushine! Ski Season is still going strong at Canada's highest ski and snowboard resort, Banff Sunshine Village. With a ski and snowboard season that stretches from early November to late May, Banff Sunshine is renowned for Canada's Best Spring Skiing and Riding. With the arrival of spring, Banff Sunshine Village extends its chairlift times to 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm for Jackrabbit to allow guests to enjoy an extra couple of spring time runs. "Spring is the best time to ski Sunshine," exclaims Kendra Scurfield, VP brand and communications at Banff Sunshine Village. "Our resort really comes to life in the spring. Spring at Sunshine is about fun in the snow and sun. Traditionally, March and April are our snowiest months. To help our guest make the most of their spring ski day, we have extended our lift times to allow skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the longer hours of sunshine at Sunshine." In true March fashion, the month has been Banff Sunshine's snowiest of the season so far, with 91cm (over 2 feet) of Canada's Best Snow accumulating in the first half of the month. This year, the iconic Canadian Rocky Mountain resort, located just 90 minutes west of Calgary's International Airport is wide open daily for skiing and snowboarding until May 19th, 2025. Skiers and snowboarders of Banff Sunshine Village save with a Sunshine Spring Pass. An Adult Spring Pass skis off in just 4 visits, offering pass holders access to the resorts entire spring events line. Canada's Best Spring Skiing and Riding at Banff Sunshine is all about fun in the Sunshine and family-friendly weekend events. Starting in April, the Untracked Concert Series presented by Coors Light takes over the Mad Trappers Beer Garden every Saturday & Sunday with live music from local DJs and artists for ultimate spring après vibes in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. "I'll say it again, spring at Banff Sunshine is the BEST time to enjoy our mountain resort! As the days get longer and warmer, we welcome skiers and snowboarders of all levels to our Rocky Mountain resort. For those new to snow sports, spring is a great time to sign up for a lesson with the Sunshine Ski and Snowboard School," said Scurfield. With longer ski days and a longer ski season, it's easy to ski why Spring Shines at Banff Sunshine. The resort urges riders to make the most of the spring ski and snowboard season with a Banff Sunshine Village 2025 Spring Season Pass. Adult Spring Passes are $660 + GST. About Banff Sunshine Village: Located 7,200 feet above sea level (2,133 meters), high on the continental divide in the Canadian Rockies, you'll find Banff Sunshine Village. The world-class mountain resort offers skiers and snowboarders over 3,580 acres of skiable terrain across three mountains. The resort is home to Banff National Park's only ski-in, ski-out hotel, Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Voted Ski Magazine's Best Canadian Resort for 2024, Banff Sunshine Village is famous for being home to Canada's Best Snow, Canada's hottest lifts, and Canada's longest non-glacial ski and snowboard season. Guests of the resort marvel at the immersive mountain scenery and family-friendly atmosphere. The Banff resort is now open daily until May 19, 2025, for the 2024/25 ski and snowboard season. For more information about Spring at Sunshine Village, contact Kendra Scurfield at kscurfield@ or call 403-830-7946. Contact Information Kendra Scurfield Director of Brand and Communicationskscurfield@ Buse Kayar busek@
CBC
16-03-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Snow farming might help the ski industry survive global warming
Social Sharing Following last winter, one of the warmest on record, some ski hills and nordic centres may want to look into snow farming — the practice of stockpiling snow to extend the season. Canada was one of the pioneers in a technique now used around the world, which actually has nothing to do with crops or livestock. Snow farming can mean a few different things, from redirecting snow in the winter to stockpiling it over the summer. But unlike artificial snowmaking, these techniques work even if there isn't a water source or freezing temperatures. Banff Sunshine in Alberta, which doesn't have access to a major water source, has been snow farming since the 70s. "Because of our unique location, we had to get creative with how we ran our resort and collected our snow," said Kendra Scurfield, whose family has owned and operated the resort since 1981. Scurfield, who is the company's vice-president of brand and communications, says that snow farming started as a necessity and is especially important in seasons with less snow. The mountain operations team uses fences made of bamboo and plastic to take advantage of the high wind. "We'll string a fence up, and as the snow falls and the wind blows, the fences kind of act as a net to catch all the snow," said Scurfield. "Our team does study the wind patterns to know which will be the best zone for catching it." WATCH | How snow fences are installed: Unique snow farming technique reduces artificial snowmaking at Sunshine Village 8 years ago Duration 0:42 Once a fenced off zone is full, they'll move that snow where it's needed most. Like spreading icing on a cake, she said. While Scurfield says that snow farming has been done in the Alps in some capacity since the middle ages, it's been needed more across North America in recent years, and she says they will continue to do it as the climate changes. Although still an uncommon practice in North America, snow farming is now used in various ski locations, including B.C.'s Baldy Mountain Resort, Vermont's Craftsbury Outdoor Centre and Alberta's Canmore Nordic Centre. Using snow storage to help the early season Jamie Temple works as snowmaking supervisor for the Canmore Nordic Centre. They've done some other kinds of snow farming in the past, but now focus mostly on what Temple refers to as snow storage — saving snow in piles covered with insulating materials. "Snow storage is used to get a course in the early season when we don't have snow," he said. In 2009, Canmore Nordic Centre first started the practice of making big snow piles in mid-December or early January, and covering them in a thick layer of sawdust over the summer. Then, the stored snow is excavated in the fall, around Thanksgiving, to make a track called Frozen Thunder. This year, Frozen Thunder will be the longest ever — six or seven kilometres, compared to the original 2.2 km. Its capacity has also been extended from a practice space for high-performance athletes to an early recreational ski course. "Last year, we got -15 C in October, and this year was pretty opposite — we didn't get much snowmaking temperature and the precipitation was near nil," he said. "It seems to be very different year to year, rather than on a gradient … we are doing these processes to make sure that we can still bring quality product to people, even if climate change becomes much worse." Snow farming to manage weather unpredictability The U.S. has also been suffering, with a study from the University of Waterloo estimating that the U.S. ski industry has lost more than $5 billion US over the past two decades because of human-caused climate change. When Judy Geer and her husband Dick Dreissigacker bought Vermont-based Craftsbury Outdoor Centre in 2008, they turned it into a non-profit focused on lifelong sports, sustainable practices and being good stewards of the land. "The climate's changing — there's no doubt about that — and as skiers, we're especially aware of it," she said. "Last year, everything thawed just a little bit too fast … and unfortunately it looks like it's about to do the same this year. We had almost [15.6 C] yesterday, which is crazy, and we lost a lot [of snow]." While Craftsbury has a few snowblowers that can make snow, they were looking for other solutions because it wasn't getting cold enough by U.S. Thanksgiving in late November to be able to do so. That's where University of Vermont School of the Environment and Natural Resources professor Paul Bierman came in — approaching Craftsbury in 2018 to propose an experiment in snow farming. They began with small test piles and eventually figured out that a thick layer of woodchips would allow them to keep 65 to 70 per cent of the snow. Soon after, they'd scaled up to a pile with almost 6,000 cubic metres of snow in an old pond. As far as Geer and Bierman know, Craftsbury is the only place in the U.S. that engages in snow farming, but that it's crucial to their ski season now, given the unpredictability of weather. "It's pretty amazing, there's snow out there under those wood chips all summer," said Geer. "And it means that when [U.S.] Thanksgiving comes for us, even if we don't have cold enough temperatures to make fresh snow, we can spread out that snow and get between one and two kilometers of skiing." WATCH | A time lapse of the snow pile excavation: To reduce the environmental impact, many of the wood chips come from trees that fall on the trails, and the snow guns used to make the pile are powered by generators with a heat recovery unit that's used to power their housing. Aside from economic stability for Craftsbury and the surrounding local businesses, snow farming has also allowed them to do fun things with the snow, such as bring out a small track for the 4th of July for the town party. "People doing flips and jumps and turns and having a blast on this little hill covered in snow in the middle of July," said Bierman. "It was, that was probably the single most fun thing I've ever seen the stuff being used for."
