This Ski Event at Sunshine Village Is Raising $50K for a Bigger Cause

The 11th annual ShredAbility fundraiser returns to Banff Sunshine Village this weekend, with organizers aiming to raise $50,000 to support adaptive mountain sport programming in the Bow Valley.

Hosted by Rocky Mountain Adaptive, a Canmore-based nonprofit that provides individuals with physical, neurodivergent, and sensory disabilities opportunities to participate in adaptive mountain sports and outdoor recreation, the April 11 event combines skiing and snowboarding with an all-mountain scavenger hunt, where teams raise funds while completing challenges across the resort.

Team registration for the scavenger hunt is now closed, but organizers say there are still ways for the public to participate, including a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and the opportunity to visit the gondola base or head up the mountain to connect with Rocky Mountain Adaptive staff and volunteers at the RMA Shed.

“ShredAbility is more than a fundraiser,” said Annie Vlahiotis, communications and outreach coordinator for Rocky Mountain Adaptive. “The day is really about connection, adventure, and creating a space where people can come together and try something new.”

Participants form teams of two to four people and raise money in advance of the event by creating personalized fundraising pages and reaching out to their networks for support. On event day, teams complete a mix of challenges across the mountain, including clue-based activities and adaptive sport experiences that highlight how skiing and snowboarding can be made accessible to people of all abilities, while building awareness around accessibility in outdoor recreation.

Prizes are awarded for top fundraising totals as well as performance-based categories such as fastest and slowest completion times and best costume. The top fundraising team will receive a three-day heli-hiking trip for two.

ShredAbility was first launched more than a decade ago as the organization sought to expand its fundraising efforts and strengthen connections with the local community, Vlahiotis said. The concept of a mountain-wide scavenger hunt was designed to reflect the organization’s mission while showcasing the terrain of Sunshine Village.

“Events like ShredAbility are essential in helping expand impact and reduce barriers to participation,” Vlahiotis said. “The support generated helps ensure that individuals of all abilities can participate, learn, and thrive in mountain environments.”

According to Rocky Mountain Adaptive, the event continues to grow. The highest amount raised in a single year is approximately $44,000, and organizers aim to surpass that total in 2026 with a $50,000 fundraising goal. As of publication, the campaign is roughly halfway to that target.

Funds raised through the event go directly toward programs that support access to mountain sports for individuals with disabilities, including adaptive skiing and snowboarding, and other mountain-based recreation in the Canadian Rockies.

The online auction and 50/50 raffle will remain open until April 12.