Sunshine Skiing at a Glance
Summit Elevation 8,954′
Vertical 3,514′
Acres 3,358
107 marked trails plus chutes, bowls and glades, longest run 5 miles
12 Lifts: 1 Gondola from the base
Birth 1942
Sunshine Village Ski Resort is in the heart of Banff National Park, and its beautiful. Ski Sunshine boasts amazing views, sunshine and over 3,300-acres of skiing on three mountains. Its also home to the Sunshine Mountain Lodge, one of the Top Ski Hotels in Canada.
Sunshine is very European, you take a gondola to the ski area base – Sunshine Village at 7,000’ where the skiing begins.
Sunshine has spectacular scenery and snowy mountains in all directions, encompasses skiing on both sides of the Continental Divide – Alberta and British Columbia. The view of towering Mt Assiniboine – Canada’s Matterhorn – is particualry dramatic.
Sunshine Village, also known as Ski Banff Sunshine, is huge, high elevation and mostly above tree-line skiing on four peaks, with big bowls and snowfields, gorgeous groomed cruisers, glades, to gentle sun soaked runs on the Wawa quad, even terrain parks.
Sunshine has Canada’s steepest chutes on Goat’s Eye and Delirium Dive – Sunshine’s double black diamond gated terrain. Hire a guide to ski Delirium Dive, you get a knowledgeable guide, avalanche transceivers and shovels, and most importantly – safe guidance down Delirium’s crazy staircase and cliffs.
The Continental Divide Chair serves great wide-open groomers on Lookout Mountain with sensational panoramas. The Teepee Luxury Express is Canada’s only bubble-covered heated quad serving mellow ego-pleasing terrain, one of seven high speed quads at Sunshine. Let’s say, we’ve not encountered a lift line here.
For a great on mountain table service lunch, go to Eagle’s Nest or Chimney Corner in the Sunshine Mountain Lodge, casual regional fare is served with incredible views of Goat’s Eye and the gorgeous Rockies.
For Lodging, stay at Sunshine’s on-mountain ski in ski out hotel, the only one in Banff National Park is Sunshine Mountain Lodge. We highly recommend this stunning setting, its such a treat to stay overnight as all the others skiers depart the resort. The 70’s vintage lodge was completely redecorated and redesigned with an eco-friendly vibe, classy art-deco alpine vibe.
Ask for the West Wing, the perfect floor plan for a family with huge windows featuring slope views of Goat’ Eye. By 5pm, all the other skiers head down Banff Ave ski trail to the base, and you are left with the friendly Sunshine Mountain Lodge staff, other fortunate guests and gorgeous alpen glow to yourself. The best view at apres ski is from the outdoor hot tub or Eagle’s Nest. You have no excuse not to make first tracks, since you already mid mountain, others must take the gondola from the base to catch up.
You must ski Banff’s Sunshine and also visit nearby Lake Louise Ski Resort, part of the Big 3 of skiing in Banff National Park, including Norquay in the heart of Banff.
“Life is short, and Canada is large!”