Alberta, Canada — One of the best chairlift upgrades this offseason is happening at one of the most famous ski resorts in Canada.
This offseason, the thirty-five-year-old Angel Express chairlift at Banff Sunshine Village is being replaced by a new bubble chairlift. According to Banff Sunshine Village’s press release, it will be the EVO six-passenger, heated, luxury chairlift in North America. This Leitner Poma Evo chairlift uses a direct drive, which replaces the typical gearbox on a chairlift. This gives the chairlift a less bumpy and quieter ride. It will be Banff Sunshine Village’s second bubble chairlift.
Here’s what Kendra Scurfield, VP of Brand & Communications for Banff Sunshine Village, said the following in the press release about the upgrade:
“At Banff Sunshine, it’s our wish to be worthy of our location in Canada’s first National Park. As such, we believe in reinvesting into our guest experience. The new Super Angel will enhance the experience for all who visit our mountain resort. The lift itself is a state-of-the-art, luxury experience equipped with direct drive technology, featuring a six-passenger, high-speed chair with heated bucket seats, footrests, and a yellow bubble cover.”
Work began last year on the project, but the actual replacement process commenced on May 14th, 2024. The latest construction update came from a couple of weeks ago. Helicopters were brought in to pour concrete into the foundations that will hold onto their lift towers.
The new chairlift is expected to open during the 2024-25 season. If you’d like to ride the old Angel Express chairlift, it will begin operating at Castle Mountain Resort during the 2025-26 season.
Image/Video Credits: Banff Sunshine Village
