BANFF, Alberta – The luxurious and spectacular Sunshine Mountain Lodge has received a Heritage Tourism Award for showcasing the unique attributes of Canada’s first and most famous national park.
More than 175 community leaders gathered in Banff on Tuesday to celebrate organizations that demonstrate commitment to the special values that create memorable experiences and make Banff a special place to visit.
The Sunshine Mountain Lodge, part of world-famous Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort, opened its spectacular new West Wing in on Dec. 3, 2009, replacing a previous structure on the site. The hotel is the only ski-in, ski out lodging in the Canadian Rockies.
“It is indeed a pleasure for Sunshine Village to be honoured for our efforts to make a visit to Banff National Park a very memorable experience,” said John Scurfield, part owner of the resort.
“Sunshine Mountain Lodge is our family’s latest commitment to excellence. It showcases our passion for skiing and for Banff National Park.
“As a child, long before we owned Sunshine, our family came to the (then) Sunshine Inn for vacations. Those were special times, and that is what we have attempted to create with the renovated Sunshine Mountain Lodge.”
It is the second Heritage Tourism Award for the resort in three years.
The Sunshine Mountain Lodge demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship, reducing water and energy consumption, while raising the bar on luxury. Much of the old structure was recycled, and the stone cladding was salvaged from rock uncovered during the basement excavation. The site around the lodge was rehabilitated with natural vegetation captured from the site.
The lodge also offers numerous opportunities for guests to explore and appreciate the natural surroundings, through tours and interpretive programs. It offers interpretive programs around an outdoor fire pit. There are also weekly snowshoe outings that tell the story of Sunshine.
More than 100 paintings by well-known artists line the walls. Commissioned by John’s late father, Ralph Scurfield Sr., they tell the story of our protected mountain landscape, through different seasons and from different views. Private tours for guests are conducted by innkeeper Bill Cutt.
The stunning Sunshine Mountain Lodge is an 84-room luxury, boutique hotel located at 7,200 in the heart of Sunshine Village. Guests can enjoy early morning fresh tracks. Sunshine’s environmental initiatives have received numerous honours. The resort recently received a Silver Eagle award for its efforts to reduce water consumption.
