Every once in a while, a resort surprises us. Banff Sunshine, outside of the town of Banff, is once of those places. There’s no snow-making here—Sunshine relies on Mother Nature’s good graces, which typically supplies the resort with 360 inches of fluff annually.

The terrain is expansive: three mountains, offering 3,358 acres, in a horseshoe around a central base and single hotel. The base area is a gondola ride from the parking lot, so guests at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge get the resort to themselves—and first tracks when the lift start spinning in the morning. A high elevation means it can get pretty chilly here, but if that’s the price of a relatively snow-sure season, we’ll pack our extra layers. Experts: Consider testing your mettle on Delirium Dive. Pack your avy gear and sign in at the patrol shack first.

Resort Guide 2022—Banff Sunshine, Alb.

Banff Sunshine Mountain Stats

Banff Sunshine Pass Info

Banff Sunshine is on the Ikon Pass and the Mountain Collective pass. Ikon Pass holders get 7 days (shared between Lake Louise, Mt. Norquay, and Banff Sunshine). Ikon Base Pass holders get 5 blackout-restricted days, also shared between Lake Louse, Mt. Norquay, and Banff Sunshine). Mountain Collective Pass holders get 2 days at the resort.

Trip Planning

From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Banff Sunshine, Alb.

Bragging Rights

Delirium Dive is a coveted feather in any skier’s cap. Don’t have a partner? Book the ski school’s “Day in the Dive” to get a guide and avy gear.

Après Spot

Locals crowd into Creekside (at the base) to chug bargain-priced drinks while they wait to board buses back to Banff, Canmore, and Calgary.

Best Value

The resort’s only hotel, Sunshine Mountain Lodge, is a killer deal in ski-in/ski-out lodging, with rates from $150 per night.

Banff Sunshine’s Website