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Banff Sunshine Village Ski Resort (formally Sunshine Village) is one of 34 ski resorts in the province of Alberta and one of over 250 spread throughout Canada. This ski resort is nestled near the picturesque town of Banff, deep in the rugged Canadian Rockies. Banff Sunshine Village is known for its variety of terrain spread over three separate mountain peaks. It has a vertical drop of 3,514 ft (1,070 m), 60 mi (100 km) of ski runs, and extensive alpine terrain. Moreover, prices here are in Canadian dollars; US dollars, euros, pounds, and other Western currencies are subject to a favorable exchange rate (as of April 2023, the exchange rate is 75 US cents per Canadian dollar).
Banff Sunshine Village is a ski resort only 5 mi (8 km) from the legendary mountain town of Banff, Alberta, and 89 mi (143 km) from Calgary. Banff Sunshine Village is one of three ski resorts in the area, with Lake Louise and Norquay comprising the other two. The ski resort spans three neighboring peaks: Goat’s Eye Mountain, Lookout Mountain, and Mount Standish. This ski resort straddles the Continental Divide of the Americas, a hydrological divide where water systems (eventually) drain towards the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans.
On a larger scale, the ski resort is located in the Canadian Rockies, known for being one of the most impressive mountain ranges in North America. The ski resort sits within both Alberta and British Columbia.
Banff Sunshine Village is located within Banff National Park, one of Canada’s most stunning and oldest national parks. The park attracts over four million visitors annually due to its rugged natural beauty, pristine glacier-fed lakes, and towering Rocky Mountains. It’s also located in the smaller Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in British Columbia.
Banff Sunshine Village is relatively easy to get to, given its proximity to an international airport.
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the nearest Banff Sunshine Village airport. It’s 89 mi (143 km) away and takes about 90 minutes to drive to Banff. Rental cars and plenty of shuttle options are available to get you to the resort.
There are several rental companies at YYC, and it’s relatively affordable. You’re looking at about $50 a day for a standard car. After leaving the airport, get on Hwy 2 N/AB-2 N and follow the Trans-Canada Why/AB-1. This will take you directly to the town of Banff.
The drive to Banff Sunshine Village is one of the most scenic drives in the world. After leaving Calgary, you wind your way through the picturesque Canadian Rockies. If the landscape looks like a screensaver, that’s because it is. With that said, the road can get quite dangerous when it snows. Snow tires are required.
Important: If you drive to Banff or Banff Sunshine Village, you must purchase a Canada Discovery Park Pass at $80 or $8 per person in your vehicle.
The Banff Airporter operates year-round and offers standard bus shuttles as well as private sedan services. It’s $80 one way for the bus or $500 for the private sedan. Brewster Express offers the same service as the above and is cheaper if you book a round trip at $145. The most affordable option is RTB Tours, which is only $44 one way or $88 round trip.
There is one large parking lot at Banff Sunshine Village, and it can get swamped. On weekends, it can fill up; getting there early is essential, or you’ll have to take a shuttle from Banff. Parking at the ski resort is free, though, and there are even a few spots for charging electric vehicles.
The town of Banff has lots of overnight parking as well. Hotels have secure underground parking for around $20 a night.
It is straightforward to get around the town of Banff. Roam Public Transit offers public transit around town and to the hotels in town. Routes 1, 2, 4, and 6 are free for hotel guests. Taxis are available, too. You can also travel from Banff to the ski resort by taking the free Sunshine-Banff Shuttle, or it’s a 20-minute drive.
Moving around the actual ski resort is easy, but getting to the ski slopes on busy mornings can take some time. Lines could delay you 30 minutes at most when uploading on the busiest of days. A 15-minute gondola ride whisks you from the base to the ski village, where you can spread out across the resort.
The ski season at Banff Sunshine is the longest in Canada. The Banff Sunshine Ski Resort opening dates are usually from early November until the last week of May. Nearly seven months of skiing offers ample opportunity to visit, depending on what sort of conditions and experiences you’re looking for.
November to about mid-December is considered the slow season. It snows consistently during this time, and the resort is not busy. The terrain can be limited depending on the base depth; the snow hasn’t had as much time to accumulate. Therefore, skiing during this time can be hit or miss.
Christmas at the ski resort and in the town of Banff are extremely busy, especially driving to the resort in the mornings. The initial upload to the mountain during these mornings can have you waiting 20 minutes in line. Even on the busiest days, though, 20-minute lineups are about as bad as it gets. Over 80% of the resort's ski terrain is open by the holidays.
January and February are the core skiing months. The resort’s terrain is open, snow is plentiful, and many activities and festivals occur weekly. Visiting the ski resort during the weekdays provides the best opportunity for short lines and lots of skiing. It is also frigid during this time. Bring plenty of layers and your warmest clothing if you plan on skiing all day. Temperatures can often dip below -20℃ (-4℉), with -30℃ (-22℉) possible as well. The resort rarely breaches the freezing level; it’s another level of cold from what you are used to skiing down in America. Bring cold weather ski wax or prepare to suffer the grippy consequences.
March is often the best month at the resort. Historically, Banff Sunshine Village sees the most snowfall of the season in March, combined with a lower probability of severe cold. It’s my recommendation to visit the ski resort during this month.
Even in April, dry and light snow still falls, and winter holds on at the resort. Temperatures in the town of Banff hover above freezing. Visiting the ski resort in May provides good spring skiing and fantastic sightseeing opportunities as the valley melts and spring blooms. Hiking becomes possible at lower elevations, and wildlife surrounds the town.
The season concludes at the end of Canada’s Victoria Day long weekend, which signifies the start of the summer social calendar in Canada. The closing weekend usually features excellent weather and high energy, while the legendary 90-year-old Slush Cup makes it one of the most exciting in Canada.
The snow at Banff Sunshine Village has a reputation as some of the best in Canada. All resorts in Western Canada receive excellent snow, but the consistency of light and dry champagne power at Banff Sunshine is second to none.
The resort’s high elevation and proximity to the Continental Divide means consistent snow from the Pacific and the interior. It rarely, if ever, rains. The snow is nearly always low-density powder snow, which is rare in the vast majority of the world’s mountain ranges. One trade-off is that, because of the cold, dry air, it doesn’t tend to snow much at once. It’s uncommon to see more than 25 cm (10 in) fall in a 24-hour period. However, you’ll soon learn that low and slow is better than feast or famine. Snow conditions slowly build over days, and the lack of colossal snow reports keeps the crowds down.
The ski resort sees around 30 ft (9 m) of snow annually. They also rely on “snow farming,” where snow fences are placed around the resort to capture snow. Six-foot-high fences catch blowing snow until it accumulates, almost covering the fences. Groomers then plow snow onto ski runs where it’s needed. It’s a natural alternative to artificial snow; groomers are always hard-packed powder.
There’s no way to sugarcoat how cold skiing at Banff Sunshine Village can be. You’re deep in the Canadian Rockies at 51°N latitude. Fortunately, it’s a drier cold, but it still hits hard when skiing. December to February are the coldest months by far; daily temperatures range from -5 °C to -14 °C (23°F to 8°F), with cold snaps dropping base temperatures to -25 °C (- 13°F). Temperatures at the peak of the ski resort can drop to -22°F. If you’re susceptible to the cold, opt to visit Banff Sunshine Village from March to May, when temperatures range from 4 °C to -6 °C (20 °F to 40 °F). Cold snaps are still possible, though; at the time of writing (late April), peak temperatures are still around 7°F (-14°C).
The resort’s most unique aspect is chairlift access to what Sunshine Valley has dubbed “freeride zones.” These areas allow expert skiers with avalanche gear and training to access and ski backcountry terrain. Banff Sunshine also boasts the most extended ski season in Canada and always ends the season with the legendary Slush Cup. The season stretches from early November to late May, weather permitting. Due to the ski resort’s high base elevation of 5,440 ft (1,658 m), the snow quality is some of the best in Canada.
The resort features three separate areas on three peaks: Goat’s Eye, Lookout Mountain, and Mt. Standish. Moving between the different zones takes time, so making a plan for the day is advised to minimize time spent traversing. Indecisiveness will kill your day, so ski and explore with purpose. You can view the multiple trail maps here.
Your day will start by taking the Sunshine Village Gondola, which takes you to the Village (you can also get off early to access Goat’s Eye). If you’re lucky enough to stay at the official Banff Sunshine Ski Resort Lodge mid-mountain, you’ll have free reign of where to start.
The actual resort village is about 1,640 ft (500 m) above the base of the gondola and is relatively small. It’s easy to walk around and access the few shops, restaurants, lodges, and Lookout Mountain and Mt. Standish ski lifts.
The Mt. Standish zone is on the resort’s far right. You can access it by taking one of three quad chairs: Wawa, Mt Standish, or Strawberry Express. Mt. Standish offers the easiest terrain on the mountain, with ski runs close to 15 degrees. There are also a few black runs for good measure. The slopes are on the shorter side, aren’t too steep, and the lifts are fast. Wawa is this zone's only fixed grip chair; the others take less than 5 minutes. The Strawberry Express gives you access to the easiest green runs, while the Standish Express takes you to the black runs in this zone.
Lookout Mountain is a popular area for advanced terrain and alpine ski terrain and is the entrance into one of two freeride zones. To access the mountain from the village, you have two options: the Angel Express or the Strawberry Express. Both options take you to the Great Divide Express, which will take you to this peak.
Lookout Mountain boasts excellent terrain and is the easiest to move through due to ample chair lifts. Most runs are above the treeline, so groomers are wide and fast. It can get icy at the peak as snow blows off during storms. The black runs are also more on the mellow side in this zone.
Delirium Dive is one of two freeride zones at Banff Sunshine Village. It’s arguably one of the most extreme zones at the resort and features steep chutes, large drops, and ski runs with slopes over 45 degrees, not to mention 2500 ft (762 m) of vertical. You will need avalanche gear and training to enter this zone. Ride the Great Divide Express and hike less than 5 minutes to access this area.
You will need avalanche gear to enter this zone. A beacon, shovel, and probe are required; you must scan your beacon to open the gate. An introductory avalanche course is recommended for anyone in backcountry terrain.
Goat’s Eye Mountain is named after a natural arch, or window, along the Northeast Ridge. The mountain is also denoted as Eagle Mountain on many maps, including PeakVisor’s. Goat’s Eye Mountain is home to most of the resort's inbound black and double black ski trails. There are only three blue trails and over twenty black runs. Prepare for steep chutes over 40 degrees.
Goat’s Eye is the first zone you can access after uploading from the base. Get off the gondola at the mid-station and take Goat’s Eye Express. Given the shorter lift lines and fast chairlift ride (less than 10 minutes), this is a great area to lap. You can also enter The Wild West, the second freeride zone.
The Wild West is the resort's most extreme area. The runs in this area are over 45 degrees; you’re met with long, steep chutes, severely challenging exposure, and steep glades. If you plan on skiing here, make sure you are comfortable in Delirium Dive first.
To ski in this area, ride the Goat’s Eye Express and take Sunshine Coast to the entrance gate. Again, you will need your avalanche gear to enter this zone. Although this area is shorter than Delirium Dive, it’s more extreme.
With over 130 runs and 3300 acres of skiable terrain, variety is plentiful at Banff Sunshine Village. The high-quality snow and extensive alpine terrain mean the resort caters to the advanced skier but also leaves lots to explore for beginner and novice skiers.
The lift system is straightforward, and ascending the mountain is easy. There are also a lot of flat spots around the resort, so you have to know where to hold speed. Otherwise, you’ll be skating, which can get very annoying.
Meanwhile, the short intermediate and advanced runs are one of the resort's downfalls. Green runs tend to be longer as they meander down the slope.
Slopes
Ski lifts
Other features and services
Although there is no dedicated Nordic skiing at the resort, you can access some world-class Nordic skiing trails around Banff. There are over 55 mi (90 km) of Nordic ski trails ranging from easy to intermediate, with stunning views as your backdrop. Parks Canada Banff is invaluable for a breakdown of all Nordic ski trails in the area.
Rentals are available at ski shops within Banff. You must rely on a vehicle or taxi to access most Nordic ski trails, as public transportation options are unavailable. However, these trails are all free to access with your National Park Pass. Some of the honorable mentions are listed below.
Snowshoeing the Sunshine Meadows is a stunning resort activity that takes you into the backcountry to experience breathtaking views, continental divide crossing, and deep powder. The guided experience runs for 4 hours and costs $130 per person. The hike is about 2 mi (3km), but hiking through deep snow will make it feel more like 4 mi (6km).
Leaving the confines of the resort and the crowds of people can be extremely rewarding around Banff. It is here, deep in the Canadian Rockies, where you can find some of the most scenic tours in the world. The area also has several backcountry huts you can string together to make epic several-day touring adventures.
The Wapta Traverse is an advanced two to three-day, 45 km (27 mi) trek with huts and overnight accommodation in the backcountry. It starts on the Icefields Parkway and ascends towards Peyto Hut. Your day concludes skiing south towards Bow Hut. The 2nd day sends you up the south side of Mount Saint Nicholas. You are in deep crevasse country, so experience and the right mountaineering equipment are required. You’ll cross the Wapita Glacier in search of the Scott Duncan Hut.
Finally, the last leg involves a long ski run down to the highway. It’s one of the most scenic and epic tours you can experience in Canada.
Alpine Air Adventures offers several ski touring and backcountry experiences for beginners and seasoned explorers. Private guiding experiences start at $650 a day, while the Wapta Traverse runs at $1350.
Day tickets at Banff Sunshine cost $165 plus tax. The Sunshine Super Card is a fantastic value option that can give you the 1st, 4th, and 7th day of skiing for free and is the best option for tourists looking for a few days of skiing. You can also access other savings for weekend tickets, spring skiing days, and early-season riding. Purchasing multiple tickets in advance will also open you up to more discounts depending on your needs.
Banff Sunshine is also part of the Ikon Pass, which costs USD 1080 and offers seven days of access. It’s not worth buying the Ikon Pass for just Banff, but it’s worth it if you travel to several different resorts.
Finally, the season pass will set you back about $1500 and allow you to enjoy almost seven months of fun on the slopes.
The actual resort of Banff Sunshine has some minor services and amenities to make your stay more comfortable and enjoyable. The rest can be found in the nearby town of Banff.
Banff Sunshine Snow School is the resort’s only dedicated snow school and guiding experience. Need to hone your skills or be taken to Banff’s extreme terrain? These guys have you covered.
Sunshine SnowHosts offers guests free tours of the ski resort. The tours run at 11:45 am daily and are intermediate/advanced in skill level.
The Teepee Town LX Lift is Canada’s only heated chairlift, a warm touch to one of Canada’s coldest ski resorts.
Tiny Tigers Daycare is the official on-resort daycare for kids aged 1.5 - 6 years old and offers fun and exciting indoor and outdoor activities in the heart of the village.
The dedicated contact information for Banff Sunshine is below:
+1 403.705.4000
1037 11th Ave S.W, Calgary, Alberta (AB), TR2 0G1
https://www.skibanff.com/contact
The town of Banff’s official tourist information center:
110 Bear Street, Banff, Alberta (AB), T1L 1A1
+1403.762.1200
https://banff.ca/
The resort offers several on-mountain options ranging from cheap and easy cafeteria food to extravagant sit-down upscale dining. All food options except two are located in the village, which is mid-mountain. Curries, pho, pizza, and more can be found at the most affordable location, dubbed the Alpine Grill. At the upload base, Java Station and Creekside Bar + Grill cater to those fueling up for the day or grabbing a snack to hit the road. They also host a fun Apres-ski experience with great live music and an impressive happy hour.
A notable mention for a superb on-mountain dining experience once the sun goes down is at the Eagle's Nest, Canadian modern cuisine in a beautiful chalet-inspired lodge. This upscale experience is for those looking to indulge and splurge.
You will find almost 150 food and drink venues in town to satisfy your hunger. Some of the most highly-rated restaurants in the country can be found here. Canadian, Italian, Asian, Mexican, steak, seafood, pizza, coffee shops, and bakeries line the streets, offering some of the best choices of any ski town in Canada.
The Vermillion Room is a high-end culinary experience to celebrate a special occasion. The best-rated steakhouse is the Bluebird Wood-Fired Steakhouse. Whitebark Cafe is one of the best in town for fueling up in the morning. Their coffee is roasted in arguably the most hipster part of Canada, North Vancouver, so you can expect a decent cuppa.
Finding accommodation for Banff Sunshine can also be split into two categories. You can stay on the mountain for the most unique and best ski-in-ski-out experiences in Canada. Banff welcomes you with excellent options if you prefer more nightlife and don’t want to be too isolated.
Staying at the Resort
Staying at the resort puts you mid-mountain, secluded from the town. The Sunshine Mountain Lodge is the only accommodation you can access. They offer rooms, lofts, and suites with incredible views of the Rockies, waterfalls, and nature. There’s also a spa, a massive hot tub, a sauna, and additional activities.
Staying in the town of Banff
Five miles (8 km) down the road lies Banff. Accommodation choices are plentiful as the town hosts four million visitors annually. You can find standard hotels, lodges, Airbnbs, and chalets.
The iconic Fairmont Banff Springs creates memorable luxury experiences in the town’s most prominent hotel. Every detail of your stay is looked after as you stay here. There’s even a complimentary shuttle to whisk you between the hotel, town, and ski resort.
The Samesun Hostel offers young and more adventurous travelers affordable and fun accommodations on a budget. The Best Western Plus can also be another decently affordable option with a pool and hot tub for less than $100 a night.
Banff Sunshine is known for some incredible après-ski events, as well as the closing weekend Slush Cup.
Mad Trapper's Saloon / Chimney Corner Lounge is your traditional après-ski venue in a rustic mid-mountain cabin. In springtime, this place comes alive with an impressive patio. If you find the altitude magnifying your buzz, download rather than be that après-hero that yard sales on the way down.
In the town of Banff, there are dozens of great pubs, bars, and restaurants to start your night. Melissa’s Missteak, or “Mel’s,” is a fun atmosphere with live music, pub food, and a more chill vibe, while St. James Gate is the town's Irish-themed pub.
The Dancing Sasquatch is where you can dance your night away to Canadian DJs. It’s a small venue but a wild experience. Just be mindful; the tiny size and weekend crowds can make it a bit savage.
The town of Banff is located between the picturesque towns of Lake Louise (to the West) and Canmore (to the East). The area is arguably the most beautiful in Canada, drawing in over four million guests annually.
Canmore, Alberta, is home to Canada's top Nordic training facility, world-class biking, and Canada’s finest ice climbing. It’s a popular recreation site for citizens of Calgary and even Edmonton. Lake Louise is only a 40-minute drive from Banff and is known for some of the country's most stunning hikes, bike rides, and vistas. Although the town of Lake Louise has a population of less than 700, it is said to be one of the busiest tourist spots in Canada.
