Overview
Escape to the breathtaking Rocky Mountains for an immersive coffee sensory experience like no other. Sensory in Sundance combines world-class coffee education with the adventure of an upscale glamping retreat, offering the perfect blend of learning, nature, and relaxation. Designed for both coffee professionals and enthusiasts, this camp takes you beyond the basics, sharpening your ability to identify, articulate, and evaluate coffee’s aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel with confidence. Through guided tastings, hands-on sensory exercises, and expert-led workshops, you’ll deepen your understanding of specialty coffee while surrounded by stunning mountain views. Unwind in cozy, upscale tents, enjoy fireside discussions, and connect with a community of passionate coffee lovers. Whether you’re here to refine your palate, expand your coffee knowledge, or simply savor great coffee in an unforgettable setting, Sensory in Sundance offers a unique opportunity to elevate your sensory skills while embracing the beauty of the outdoors.
Highlights
All Inclusive & Stress Free
Your coffee education journey should be as fun and stress free as possible. You just get yourself here and we'll handle the rest.
Skills Development, Connection, & Exploration
A schedule that blends and balances skill development with time for yourself and to connect with others.
Accredited Courses with World Class Educators
Get certified in foundation and intermediate level sensory by the Specialty Coffee Association.
Schedule
Previous
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Day 1 - Welcome to the Wilderness
Check-In & Settle In
Arrive at the beautiful Sundance Resort and get cozy in your glamping retreat—your home for the next four nights. Unpack, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and get ready for an unforgettable coffee experience.
Welcome Cocktails & Charcuterie Social
Kick things off with a warm welcome at the main campsite, where you’ll sip on handcrafted cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) and indulge in a thoughtfully curated charcuterie spread. This is your chance to connect with fellow campers and start building friendships.
Sense the Rainbow Workshop
Begin your sensory journey with Sense the Rainbow, a palate development workshop designed to help you refine your ability to identify, catalog, and recall flavors. Through a guided tasting of foods spanning the color spectrum, you’ll gain key sensory insights that will enhance your coffee-tasting skills.
Campfire Feast
Gather around for a hearty camp dinner prepared by our team, where delicious food and great conversation set the tone for the nights ahead.
Evening Unwind & Campfire Conversations
Relax under the stars, swap stories with fellow campers around the fire, or take a peaceful walk through the resort grounds. Whether you choose quiet reflection or lively discussion, this is your time to ease into the camp experience.
Rest Under the Stars
Drift off to sleep to the calming sounds of nature, recharging for the exciting days ahead.
Day 2 - Tuning into Your Senses
Rise & Dine: Mountain Breakfast
Start your morning with a comforting camp skillet breakfast, accompanied by fresh fruit, pastries, and of course, delicious brewed coffee.
SCA Sensory Skills Foundation (Part 1)
Immerse yourself in the fundamentals of sensory analysis. This session introduces core concepts such as basic tastes, aromas, and mouthfeel—essential building blocks for any coffee professional or enthusiast.
Gather & Graze: Community Lunch
Take a midday break to enjoy a shared meal with fellow campers. Bond over good food, coffee, and lively conversation as we come together at the communal dining area.
Leisure & Exploration
Enjoy some well-deserved downtime to soak in the beauty of the surroundings. Lounge in a Muskoka chair by the river with a good book, join an optional social activity hosted by our team, or venture out for a scenic hike.
SCA Sensory Foundation (Part 2)
The afternoon session shifts to hands-on learning. You’ll be introduced to cupping protocols and conduct a guided cupping session, applying the sensory skills developed earlier in the day.
Evening Campfire Cookout
Savor a fireside meal as we wind down from a full day of learning and exploration.
Game Night & Fireside Social
Choose how you’d like to spend the evening—relax by the fire, play a board game, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the camp. Retire early if you need, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself deep in coffee conversation late into the night!
Day 3 – Sensory & Beyond
Sunrise Breakfast Spread
Wake up to the aroma of a freshly made breakfast, featuring a camp skillet special, fresh fruit, and pastries.
SCA Sensory Intermediate (Part 1)
Dive deeper into sensory perception and calibration. Explore how environment, expectations, and bias influence taste, and refine your ability to evaluate intensity, balance, and complexity in coffee.
Midday Meal & Connection
Step away from learning for a bit and enjoy a community-style lunch, prepared together as a group.
SCA Sensory Intermediate (Part 2)
Strengthen your sensory discrimination skills through guided tasting, difference testing (triangulation), and flavor profiling exercises, enhancing your ability to assess coffee with precision.
Canmore Coffee, Dinner & Shopping Escape
Switch up the scenery with a trip to Canmore, a charming mountain town about 30 minutes away. Stop by Eclipse Coffee Roasters, one of the region’s most renowned specialty coffee spots, for a late-afternoon coffee. Then, enjoy an evening at a local restaurant, followed by free time to browse Canmore’s unique shops.
Day 4 – Putting It All Together
Morning Fuel-Up
Enjoy another fresh and delicious breakfast, paired with the stunning views of the wilderness.
SCA Sensory Intermediate (Part 3)
This session will explore advanced sensory concepts, including how to set up a sensory panel and activities like a triangulation cuppings.
Midday Break & Shared Meal
Refuel with a relaxing lunch and take time to reflect on the knowledge and skills you’ve been building throughout the week.
SCA Sensory Intermediate Practical Exams
It’s time to put your learning to the test! The practical exams will challenge you to apply everything you’ve learned, reinforcing your new sensory expertise.
Final Fireside Feast
Celebrate your hard work with a well-earned, fireside-cooked dinner, prepared by our team with care.
Evening Relaxation
Enjoy the evening sunshine relaxing by the river soaking in those stunning mountain views or going for a nearby hike.
Day 5 - Morning Brew Session & Farewells
“Until Next Time” Breakfast
Savor a final meal together as a group, exchanging contact details and making plans to keep in touch.
Final Brews & Reflection
Gather one last time for a morning brew session, applying all that you’ve learned throughout the week as you enjoy the sensory experience of the coffees.
Morning at Leisure
Enjoy a slow morning—breathe in the mountain air, take one last walk around the resort, and soak in the peaceful surroundings before departure.
Farewells & Departure
Say your goodbyes (or “see you laters”) as we part ways, inspired and excited for our next coffee adventure together.
Gallery
Included Courses
Sense the Rainbow
A palate development workshop where participants explore and identify a spectrum of flavors through curated tasting exercises, enhancing their sensory skills for coffee evaluation.
SCA Sensory Skills Foundation
An introductory course that builds essential sensory skills for coffee evaluation, covering taste, aroma, and basic sensory analysis techniques used in the coffee industry.
SCA Sensory Skills Intermediate
A deeper exploration of sensory analysis in coffee, focusing on refined taste and aroma identification, sensory skills calibration, and applying sensory science to coffee evaluation and quality assessment.
What's included
What's Included
4 Nights at Sundance by Basecamp Resort
Sense the Rainbow Palette Development Course
Personalized Sensory Skills Feedback From Our Educators
All Required Course Supplies and Equipment
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Cooked By Our Team or Sourced Locally
Cooking Equipment
Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Snacks
Use of Camp Chairs
Beverages (Coffee, A Selection of Tea, Soft Drinks, Sparkling Water (Flavored & Unflavored), Bottled Water)
Plenty of Brewed Coffee to Enjoy
Connection Campfires
One Dinner Out in Canmore
Evening Session at Kananaskis Nordic Spa
Local Transportation
All Course Supplies
A Timberline Apron & Skills Patches
A Goodie Bag
Transport from Calgary to Sundance at Designated Times
What's Not Included
SCA Certificates (Optional Add-On)
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic Drinks (With Exception of the Welcome Cocktail)
Travel to and from Calgary
Transport from Calgary to Sundance Outside of Designated Times
Additional Nights at the Resort
Added Massage Treatments at Kananaskis Nordic Spa
Accommodation
Glamping Tent (Single Occupancy)
Includes camp fees and course certifications
FROM$2,463.01/pp
Glamping Tent (Double Occupancy)
Includes camp fees and course certifications
FROM$2,165.88/pp
Queen Bed in Women’s Shared Teepee
Includes camp fees and course certifications
FROM$2,089.26/pp
Queen Bed in Men’s Shared Teepee
Includes camp fees and course certifications
FROM$2,089.26/pp
Single Bed in Women’s Shared Teepee
Includes camp fees and course certifications
FROM$1,939.76/pp
Single Bed in Men's Shared Teepee
Includes camp fees and course certifications
FROM$1,939.76/pp
Hosts
World Class Educators
Trent Rollings
Accredited SCA Trainer, World Coffee Championships Representative & Certified Judge
We Know You'll Love Kananaskis
Adventures in the Breathtaking Canadian Rockies
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking peaks, pristine lakes, and lush forests. Renowned for its outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and thriving culinary and coffee scenes.
Add Ons
Dates
June 2025
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FAQs
What can I expect to gain from this camp?
This camp is all about building your coffee tasting skills while having an unforgettable experience in the mountains. Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
- Better coffee-tasting skills – Learn how to pick out different flavors, aromas, and textures in coffee and describe them with confidence.
- SCA Certifications – You’ll complete both Foundation and Intermediate Sensory Skills courses, earning official certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
- Hands-on experience – Through guided tastings and cuppings, you’ll train your palate and sharpen your ability to analyze coffee like a pro.
- A fresh perspective on coffee – Whether you’re a barista, competitor, coffee business owner, or just love coffee, you’ll gain new insights that you can use every day.
- A unique, immersive experience – Instead of learning in a classroom, you’ll be tasting and training in a beautiful mountain setting, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.
- A great community – Connect with like-minded coffee people, share experiences, and build relationships that could last a lifetime.
- Time to relax and reset – Enjoy campfire nights, fresh mountain air, and outdoor activities that make learning feel more like an adventure than a class.
No matter your experience level, you’ll leave with new skills, new friends, and a deeper appreciation for coffee—all while soaking up the incredible atmosphere of Sundance.
What sensory level do I need to be at to join this camp?
This camp is for everyone regardless of sensory level. We will teach starting from the very basics, so even if you are just to develop your coffee sensory skills, this camp is for you.
Is there downtime scheduled in?
Yes! We’ve built in plenty of downtime so you can relax and enjoy the resort. Whether you want to unwind with a book, play some board games, or just enjoy the scenery, there’s time to recharge between sessions. Plus, we’ve got snacks on hand to keep you fueled while you kick back!
What time should I plan to check-in and check-out?
Check in is at 12:00pm on day one and check-out is at 11:00am on the last day. Rooms may not be ready until later in the afternoon, however we will start the camp with welcome drinks and the Sense the Rainbow workshop shortly after arriving on site.
I will be flying into the Calgary Airport. How can I get to the camp?
We can provide transport for you from Calgary to Canmore at $100 round-trip ($50 one-way). You will need to be at the designated meeting places in Calgary for transport to the camp. This will give sufficient time to get to the camp. The meeting points and times are:
- Calgary International Airport - 10:15am
- Calgary Central Library - 10:45am
Due to limited cargo space, each camper will be limited to 1 larger suitcase and 1 personal item.
For the return trip, this is the estimated arrival time back in Calgary on June 6.
- Calgary International Airport - 4:00pm
- Calgary Central Library - 3:30pm
Are meals included?
Yes, all meals are provided, including camp skillet breakfasts, community lunches, and campfire dinners.
How will dietary restrictions and allergies be considered during the camp?
We will collect your dietary restrictions in advance of the camp and will work to source foods that are suitable for you.
Will I receive a certification upon completion?
Participants who have add-on SCA certificates to their camp and have successfully completed and passed all practical and written exams will receive SCA certifications for the sensory skills courses completed during the camp.
Do I need to bring my own bedding?
No. Glamping tents come with luxury bedding, so no need to bring your own. However, shared teepees do not have bedding on arrival, but campers will be provided with a bedding kit.
Are there showers available at the resort?
Yes, there are on-site shared heated shower facilities and bathrooms available for campers.
What is the toilet situation at the camp?
Sundance by Basecamp has well-maintained washrooms, including flush toilets at the centrally located shared bathrooms.
What is the expected weather during the camp?
Weather in Kananaskis during early June is mild but variable. Expect daytime temperatures between 10-20°C (50-68°F) and cooler nights around 0-5°C (32-41°F). It’s recommended to bring layers, including a warm jacket for evenings. Also be prepared inclement weather such as rain or snow.
Can I arrive at the camp using my own car?
Yes, driving to the camp is allowed. There is parking available at Sundance Resort for campers who wish to bring their own vehicles. Campers in glamping tents can parking directly at their camp site. Campers in teepees may need to park in the public parking area.
Where will the courses take place in the resort?
All courses will take place inside a tented course area.