Banff Sunshine
Overview
- Canada’s highest elevated resort with stunning views
- 9m of snow annually
- 3,358 acres of terrain spread across 3 mountains
- Only ski-in/ski-out accommodation in Banff National Park
- Long opening season
About Banff & Lake Louise
Banff National Park is an untouched wilderness and a Unesco World Heritage site in the Canadian Rockies. The mountains here are so rugged, their jagged and twisted shapes tower into the sky. Glaciers plunge to the valley floor far below, while the lakes and rivers at their base lie frozen and still.
The spectacular Canadian Rockies is where you’ll experience three world-renowned ski resorts of Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay. Banff and Lake Louise enjoy over 9 metres of famously light, dry powder snow each year, and boast one of the longest ski seasons in North America (November to mid-May). These iconic resorts share 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, 2 gondolas, 28 chairlifts (including Canada’s only heated chairlift) and piles of silky snow every season. The best part is, it takes just one lift ticket and you can ski/board all three resorts for an amazing ski holiday!
Mountain Statistics
Statistics
| Top Elevation | 2,730 Metres |
| Base Elevation | 1,658 Metres |
| Vertical Drop | 1,070 Metres |
| Skiable Terrain | 3,358 Acres |
| Lifts | 12 lifts |
| Runs | 137 |
| Ave Annual Snowfall | 914 cms |
| Terrain Beginner | 20% |
| Terrain Intermediate | 55% |
| Terrain Advanced | 25% |
| Ski in / Ski out | Yes |
Trail Map
Other Activities
At Banff Sunshine there is more on offer than just world-class skiing and snowboarding with amazing adventures adding to your ski/board winter experience.
You can enjoy spectacular ice walks in frozen canyons, snowshoeing, dogsledding, horse sleigh rides, hot springs, ice fishing, tubing, snowmobile tours, fat biking, pond ice hockey, heli sight-seeing, ice skating and winter wildlife viewing. The options are endless in this winter wonderland.
Discover Banff & It’s Wildlife
Keep your eyes peeled for deer, elk, moose, and big-horned sheep! This three hour tour will include some of the most scenic and historically significant highlights of Banff, such as the Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, Hoodoos Lookout, and Lake Minnewanka.
Discover Lake Louise
Take the day to explore postcard-perfect Lake Louise! Travel by guided bus tour to Lake Louise, along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway. With 4 hours free time at Lake Louise you will have plenty of time to explore on your own, rent a pair of skates and glide along the lake, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride, or warm up with a hot drink at the elegant Chateau Lake Louise and soak up the views.
Snowshoe Tour to Marble Canyon
Crunch through the fresh powder as you hike on snowshoes through the Marble Canyon, a 40-metre deep gorge worn away over centuries by the rushing waters of Tokumn Creek. After your crisp winter walk through the canyon, enjoy a uniquely Canadian treat of hot maple taffy poured into snow to make a sweet frozen dessert.
Johnston Canyon Icewalk
Travel through prime wildlife habitat and admire the frozen waterfalls of Johnston Canyon. This popular ice walk will lead you along steel catwalks built into the canyon walls, past the lower falls and to the breathtaking upper icefalls. Learn the history and formation of the canyon before stopping for refreshments and the chance to take in the surrounding scenery.
Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk
Heighten your senses, appreciate the darkness and enjoy the silence of a night beneath the stars! Follow your guide to Johnston Canyon’s lower falls along suspended catwalks, through a natural tunnel onto the viewing platform beside the cascading falls. As you return take the opportunity to turn off your headlamp and let the light of the moon and stars guide you back through the pine forest.
Kicking Horse Day Trip
Take a day trip to one of the most thrilling ski resorts in Canada. The Powder Express Shuttle will arrive right as the gondola opens so you can get in as many runs as you like. With plenty of steep runs and deep fluffy powder, Kicking Horse offers adrenaline pumping vertical runs, tree runs, steep chutes and wide-open bowls.
Ice Hockey Game
Listen to the roar of the crowd and watch players glide across the ice. Your trip wouldn’t be complete without a fun filled evening at a Calgary Flames hockey game!
Dogsledding
Get to know friendly Canadian Huskies as you learn to harness and handle the dogs, before heading out on the snow-covered trails through the Canadian Wilderness.
Kicking Horse Snowmobiling
After being picked up from your Banff hotel you will head to Kicking Horse to experience the excitement and thrill of driving a snowmobile through the magnificent Rocky Mountains! You will be guided through the mountain trails on your own 600cc snowmobile, travel along the edge of an alpine valley and enjoy the panoramic views before stopping for a delicious mountainside BBQ lunch by the fire.
More Activities
- Banff Hot Springs
- Ice Skating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Tubing
- Tobogganing
- Full Wifi and Cell Coverage
Getting There
Getting to Banff Sunshine
Calgary International Airport is the closest airport to Banff Sunshine. This modern uncrowded facility handles airlines from all over the world with frequent non-stop and direct flights. Located only 143km and a 1.5 hour scenic drive from Banff and another short 20 minute drive southwest will have you arrive at Sunshine Village.
Accommodation
Banff Sunshine has a variety of accommodation options to choose from.
Contact our Active Travel Experts for insider tips on where to stay and tailor-made ski/board experiences.
Gallery
Photo Credits: Banff Sunshine | Dan Evans | Reuben Krabbe | John Entwistle | Grant Gunderson
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