Banff Sunshine (formerly known as Sunshine Village) has a 3,514 foot (1,070 meters) vertical drop, 12 lifts (one is an 8 passenger high speed gondola), over 3,500 of skiable acres, and 30 ft of average annual snowfall.  There are 137 designated runs, plus several large alpine bowls, chutes, and glades to keep every ability level happy for years to come!

Mountain Areas

Goat’s Eye

This is the first stop on the Sunshine gondola and terrain for ability levels is accessible.  The Goat’s Eye Express lift offers adrenaline-pumping runs for expert level skiers in search of the steep and deep, as well as a handful of long intermediate runs.  The Wolverine Express and Jackrabbit lifts service perfect terrain for those interested in learning how to ski and snowboard.

Lookout

Lookout Mountain is home to the TeePee Town LX, which is Canada’s first and only heated chairlift. Lookout is ideal for enjoying turns in the open bowls and above tree-line runs that abound.

Lookout may very well have the most interesting lift in Canada, the Great Divide, as it starts out in Alberta and passes through British Columbia en route to its 8,900 ft./2,712 meter summit.  This lift also services the very steep off-piste freeride area, Delirium Dive.  This is located off the top of Lookout Mountain and is only accessible via an entry gate.  Enjoy this backcounty-like terrain, but partner-up and be careful, as there are no fall zones.

Mount Standish

Here you will find terrain suitable for all ability levels, serviced by three chairlifts and three magic carpets.  The runs here are fun and flowy, from long cruisers to moderately-pitched powder bowls.  There are also some great natural terrain features here that are wind-loaded to perfection, making for soft landings while carving your way through velvety powder.

Lake Louise Resort has a 3,250 ft vertical drop (991 meters), 145 designated runs, 10 lifts, over 4,200 skiable acres, and the longest run is 5 miles (8 kms). Lake Louise has incredible terrain for all ability levels, from the first time novice to the seasoned expert.  No matter whether you prefer long cruisers, pristine powder in the glades, wide-open bowls in the high alpine, or never-ending bump runs in between, Lake Louise serves it all!

Mountain Areas

Front Side

The Front Side of Lake Louise has terrain suitable for all ability levels.  The lower mountain is best for beginners wanting to take a lesson to learn how to ski and snowboard.  The Glacier Express lift is perfect for intermediates who enjoy long groomed and bump runs.  There is also some nice glade skiing on powder days in this area.

Larch

The Larch area is quite scenic and offers good terrain for beginners up to hardcore experts.  Just to the right of the Larch Express lift are very steep tree runs that are perfect for powder hounds in search of the white gold!

West Bowl

The West Bowl is home to some of the best powder shots on the mountain and if you’re willing to traverse a bit, you will be kindly rewarded!  To access this area, take the Top of the World Express lift and ski down to the Summit Chair.  The rest is up to you, as the ski options are endless.

Back Bowls

This is home to some of the best terrain at Lake Louise and also the deepest powder.  As luck would have it, the north-westerly prevailing winds deposit a considerable amount of snow in the bowls and after ski patrol has done their avalanche control work, the goods are for the taking!

Mt. Norquay has a 1,650 ft. (503 meters) vertical drop, 5 lifts, 60 runs, 190 skiable acres, snowmaking on 85% of the skiable terrain, picturesque night skiing, and when it is snowing hard, the tree skiing is sublime!

The Cascade and Spirit lifts mostly cater to beginner level skiers and snowboarders.  These are the ideal spots on the mountain to learn how to carve or to fine tune skills you just learned.

The Mystic Express lift is geared towards intermediate and expert level skiers.  Here, you will find long groomed runs, bumps, and some excellent tree skiing!

The North American lift is the place to go for expert level riders looking to push their limits and those in search of deep powder. This area is home to the steepest runs on the mountain.