One weekend I skied two of the three downhill ski resorts in Banff National Park – Lake Louise one day and Sunshine Village the next. It had been over 30 years since I’d last skied at either of them – so it felt like the first time all over again.
Temperatures both days in the morning were in the -17°C range (1°F) – and that was at the base without the wind-chill factored in. I have to say that I was less than enthusiastic about skiing either day. But with my son visiting from Toronto with the express intention of skiing, I persevered.
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you very much for your support.
Lake Louise or Sunshine Village for skiing??
I’d ski Lake Louise again in a heartbeat. I’m a bit biased because the sun came out and I stayed reasonably warm. There are a lot more trees at Lake Louise, so it’s easier to get in the shelter of the wind.
All three of us liked the layout of the mountain better than Sunshine and found that the terrain was more interesting too. There are long mogul runs and back bowls for the expert skier. The novice and intermediate skier can choose the other 70% of the terrain, including a long 8 kilometre run.
Sunshine Village Ski Resort
The Sunshine Village ski area requires a long gondola ride from the parking lot before you can even begin to ski. You have the choice of getting off at Goat’s Eye Mountain or continuing to the main base area and Sunshine Village.
Goat’s Eye Mountain offers a mixture of intermediate and expert terrain – much of which is above treeline. It’s beautiful when the sun is shining and the wind isn’t blowing, but on the day we were there it was really windy and making your way down the upper slopes in flat light was a challenge.
The reality at Sunshine Village was that the only lift that offered some respite from the wind was the Wawa Quad chair – a lift that was slow, repeatedly stopped and offered uninteresting terrain.
The Continental Divide Express would offer fantastic views and lovely open skiing on a clear day but on the day we were there it was more a matter of surviving the ride to the top – one of those experiences when you think only of hot showers and hot tubs the whole way up.
Skiing in British Columbia is actually something you can do on the way down from this lift. I need to look at a map because it never makes sense to me – but you do pass for a very short time through BC.
A beautiful hotel on the mountain at Sunshine Village
Sunshine Village does have a beautiful lodge – Sunshine Mountain Lodge, with a fantastic outdoor hot tub. In December they often offer really good rates. I do love the lodge – and have stayed here twice.
You canbook it right heretoo.
Snowshoeing from the top of the Standish Chair
From the lodge it’s possible to take a half day off from skiing and go on a truly beautiful guided snowshoe trip. The snowshoeing gets you into terrain most people never see in the winter.
The day lodges at Lake Louise and Sunshine Village
The day lodges at Lake Louise are much nicer than at Sunshine though they both pale compare to those at Whistler – where I’m used to skiing. Seating at the lodges at Sunshine Village will take you back to middle school and high school cafeteria days. Very uncomfortable!!!
And the lodge at Goat’s Eye Express at Sunshine looked like it had been the scene of a food fight battle by the end of the day. Not quite the Rocky Mountain experience I was looking for.
Both resorts offer limited menu selections compared to just about anything I’ve skied in Colorado and definitely compared to Whistler. I find this surprising since they are trying to lure domestic and international skiers.
It isn’t entirely a fair comparison since it was a sunnier day at Lake Louise but overall I still preferred the layout of the hill, the length of the runs (longer) and the setting of Lake Louise over Sunshine Village.
Sunshine Village seems to cater to the Calgary crowd and plenty of families were up enjoying (enduring) the day. From all of one day’s experience I’d say that Lake Louise has an older, more international clientele.
Lodging is nearby for both ski resorts. Banff is only about a 20 minute drive from Sunshine Village.
There are several places with a 5-15 minute drive that you can stay at in Lake Louise, including the Post Hotel. The drive from Calgary to the Lake Louise ski hill is about 20 minutes longer than the drive to Sunshine – though once you’re at the base you can immediately begin skiing.
Both resorts have practically the same lift ticket prices. You can buy a Lake Louise Plus Card that gives you three free ski days or a Ski Big 3 card which gives you deals at Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay – along with savings of 50% at Mountain Collective resorts like Mt. Revelstoke.
There is also the option to buy an IKON pass that gives you up to 7 days of skiing at Ski Big 3 – along with 55 other iconic ski destinations around the world.
Options on where to stay in Banff in Lake Louise
Banff
In Banff, I can personally recommend stays in the following hotels. All are located within walking distance of the main strip save for the lovelyBuffalo Mountain Lodge.
TheMoose Hotel, TheFox Hotel and Suitesand theMount Royal Hotelare all solid choices. For the castle experience check out theFairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Lake Louise
In the Lake Louise area, check outBaker Creek by Basecamp.
Up at the lake, you can splurge at theFairmont Chateau Lake Louise. In the village check out theLake Louise Inn.
TheHI Lake Louise Alpine Centrewould also be a great choice if you’re after a hostel.
Further reading on cross country and downhill skiing in western Canada
- Castle Mountain Ski Resort, Alberta – A Skiers Paradise
- 7 Amazing Alberta Ski Resorts You’ll Want to Visit
- Sun Peaks – A Kamloops Ski Resort in 21 Photos
- Fabulous Fernie: One of the Best Ski Resorts in Canada
- 5 Easy Cross Country Ski Trails in Banff National Park
