Sunshine Village

Not only can a person ski or snowboard in more than one Province in the Banff National Park, but they can also do it on a single run down the slopes of the Banff Sunshine Village ski area in Alberta. Located on the Continental Divide within the Canadian Rockies, this winter venue receives plenty of snow and offers plenty for guests to do while they are here.

Driving to the ski area is simple, as the Trans-Candian Highway 1 passes north of the resort, which sits east of Banff, Alberta. Banff has a local airfield, but the closest International Airport is Calgary.

One of Banff's Big Three

The Banff Sunshine Village is one of the National Park's three major ski resorts (the other two being Lake Louise and Norquay), all of which are near one another. Lodging accommodations include the Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Banff's only ski-in/ski-out hotel. Those booking rooms at the lodge will enjoy the gondola ride from the base area to the front door. Other locations off-site offer rooms also.

Two eateries sit in the base area, eight in the village, and one in Goat's Eye Meadows. Several retail centers are found on-site or down in Banff. These can provide the guests of the Sunshine Village ski resort anything they will need on or off of the slopes. Guest amenities at the lodge include the Verde Day Spa, a gym, and a hot tub area.

Tuning and repair services get everyone's equipment ready for a day on the snow, with packages covering things from sharpening to waxing. Knowledgeable staff will adjust boots, skis, and snowboards so that bindings are working correctly. The Sunshine Rental Shop has ski and snowboard items for those lacking them, including clothes rentals to stay extra warm on the slopes of the Sunshine Village ski area.

Ski and Ride in Style

The Banff Sunshine Village ski resort covers the slopes of three mountains (Goat's Eye Mountain, Lookout Mountain, and Mount Standish). Between November and May, visitors access the slopes using an extensive system of a dozen lifts. That includes TeePee Town LX, Canada's only heated chair lift. Being on the Continental Divide provides more than a great view, as the average annual snowfall around here is 360 inches.

The Banff Sunshine Village ski area is also home to four terrain parks. Each caters to various skills levels and interests, providing features that challenge skiers and riders as they perfect their freestyle form. Another popular activity besides downhill skiing and riding is snowshoeing the Sunshine Meadows. Gondola tours give a scenic overview of the Banff Sunshine Village ski resort and surrounding area.

A base elevation of 5,440 feet and a summit of 8,954 feet contribute to the 3,514-foot vertical drop snow hounds love. Guests at the Banff Sunshine Village ski area have 3,358 acres of terrain to play down, covered by 137 runs. Over half of the slopes (55-percent) rate as blue for intermediate skiers and riders with some experience. Beginners have 20-percent of the alpine trails rated as green for newbies, and the remaining 25-percent of the runs are for advanced (black diamond) or expert (double black diamond) skiers or riders.