Banff, Alberta, Canada
Sunshine Village sits high on the Continental Divide in the heart of Banff National Park, yet just 15 minutes' drive from the cozy mountain town of Banff. Three sprawling mountains provide breathtaking sitelines, uninterrupted by any signs of civilization beyond the resort's leasehold. It is possible to ski in two provinces - Alberta and British Columbia - in one run. Sunshine Village's seven-month season stretches from early November until late May - the longest non-glacial season in Canada. The Village's altitude of 7,082 feet ensures the snow stays dry. Sunshine can receive up to nine metres (30 feet) of snow in a season, and it stays all year.
People have been skiing at Sunshine Meadows since 1928 with the first lift being installed in 1942.
It's truly Canada’s Best Snow. The resort features more than 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, ranging from gentle, inviting beginner runs all the way up to the most extreme big mountain runs. Delirium Dive has been named one of the 10 top off-piste destinations in the world. The resort also features the massive 12-acre Rogers Terrain Park with more than 50 features once fully operational.
The resort also features 12 lifts, including nine superlifts and a high-speed gondola.
Surrounded by National and Provincial Parks, the resort communities of Banff and Canmore, Alberta are truly unique. The Town of Banff is located in Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. With one of the longest ski seasons in North America, the three resorts in Banff National Park offer world class skiing from early November to late May. As the three resorts of Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Norquay are all located in the National Park all three offer unmatched beauty and wilderness; do not be surprised to see elk, bighorn sheep, cougars, and even grizzly bears in and around the ski resorts. With minimal development around each resort, you have a truly unspoilt skiing experience. With over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, 26 lifts, 274 runs, and known for their light champagne powder, the Big Three offer terrain for all levels of riders. Lake Louise hosts the early season men and women’s world cup in late November. All three resorts host everything from junior racers, big mountain competitions, ski randonee races, celebrity ski days, to rail jams and park competitions. Both Banff and Canmore offer easy access to the three ski areas along with other local ski resorts such as Nakiska and Fortress Mountain Cat Skiing in Kananaskis Provincial Park and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden BC.
Nestled in the heart of the 6,641 square kilometer Banff National Park, the town of Banff has been drawing visitors for over 100 years. The famous Banff Hot Springs were discovered in 1883 during the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway and have drawn visitors from all over the world since. Located in the eastern Canadian Rockies, only 126 km from Calgary, Banff and Canmore have easy access to the Calgary International Airport. With a bustling nightlife and arts scene, the town of Banff is home to 8,000 residents. The Banff Centre for the Arts hosts the Banff Mountain Festival every fall just in time for you to start dreaming about the ski season.
Canmore is located 22 km southeast of Banff along the Trans-Canada Highway on the way to Calgary. Most second homeowners choose Canmore for the wide variety of properties available and easy access to the mountains and Calgary. This community of 18,000 residents was host to the 1988 winter Olympics and the Canmore Nordic Centre is located right in town. With over 65 km of groomed trail, the Nordic Centre is home to the both the National Cross-Country and Biathlon teams. Canmore is also home to world-class mountain biking, fly fishing, and climbing. Located along the eastern border of Banff National Park, Canmore is nestled in the Bow Valley with the soaring peaks of the Three Sisters a prominent landmark. To the south lies Kananaskis Provincial Park and to the east and north the Bow Valley Wildlands.
For the more adventurous, both Banff and Kananaskis parks offer incredible backcountry skiing with everything from glades to glaciers. For cross-country skiers, the area has many groomed trails including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
Both towns are located along the Trans-Canada highway, are about an hour’s drive from Calgary, and are easily accessed via automobile or bus. The closest international airport is Calgary, while Sprinbank services smaller aircraft. There is a regional transport system called ROAM between the two towns and a paved bike path. The ski areas are accessed via car or ski shuttle.
www.skibanff.com
Sunshine Village Resort
1 Sunshine Village Access Road
P.O. Box 1510
Banff, AB
T1L 1J5
Phone Toll Free: (1-877)-542-2633
Phone Local: 1-403-705-4000
Email: comments@skibanff.com
Dates of Season: Early November to May Long Weekend*
*weather dependent
FACTS:
Trails & Terrain:
Terrain: 3358 acres
107 runs + glades and offshoots
Terrain Difficulty: 20% Beginner, 55% Intermediate, 25% Advanced
Longest Run: 8 km
Terrain Parks: Rogers Terrain Park
Snowfall & Temperatures:
Average Snowfall: up to 900 cm annually
Average High Temperature: December -5ºC, February -1ºC, April 8ºC
Elevation:
Summit Elevation: 2730 metres (8954 feet)
Base Elevation: 1660 metres (5440 feet)
Vertical Drop: 1070 metres (3514 feet)
Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort statistics:
Season Length November-May
Hours of Operation 9:00am – 4:00pm
Gondola Hours 8:00am – 5:30pm Mon-Thurs (weekends extended)
Vertical 1070 meters (3514 feet)
Base Elevation 1660 meters (5440 feet)
Peak Elevation 2730 meters (8954 feet)
Acreage 3358 acres
Annual Snowfall Up to 9 metres (30 feet)
Trails 107 runs
Terrain 20% Beginner, 55% Intermediate, 25% Advanced
Longest Run 8 kms (5 miles)
Cumulative Length of Runs Approximately 82 kms (52 miles)
Lifts 1 High speed 8 Passenger Gondola, 6 High speed Quad Chairlifts, 2 Quad Chairlifts, 1 Double Chairlift, 2 Surface Lifts
HOW TO GET THERE:
Planes:
Calgary International Airport – 160 km
Automobiles:
The Sunshine Village access road is 8 km west of the town of Banff. The gondola base is at the end of the 9 km access road. Parking is in a surface lot that fills quickly on weekends and holidays. The main runs are accessed via the gondola.
Calgary to Canmore 103 km (64 miles)
Canmore to Banff 24 km (15 miles)
Calgary to Banff 126 km (78 miles)
Banff to Lake Louise 59 km (37 miles)
Calgary Airport Car Rental Companies
Avis Rent-A-Car
Budget Rent-A-Car
Dollar Rent-A-Car / Thrifty Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Hertz Rent-A-Car
National Rent-A-Car /Alamo Rent-A-Car
Banff Car Rental Companies
Avis Rent-A-Car
Budget Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Hertz Rent-A-Car
SNOWBus:
Sunshine Coach
The Sunshine Coash offers a convenient trip from Calgary and Canmore to Sunshine Village. With daily departures from several locations during the ski season, the Sunshine Coach provides you a comfortable and convenient way to get to the resort. Combined bus and lift ticket rates are available, as well as discounted bus rates for season passholders and Sunshine Marmot card holders.
CALGARY AIRPORT BUS SERVICE
Banff Airporter offers multiple daily transfers from Calgary Int. Airport to Banff and Canmore.
BANFF HOTELS TO Sunshine Village
Daily bus service is available between Banff Hotels and Sunshine Village. For more information, see the Ski Bus Express schedule and rates.