The Snow School
Whether it’s your first day on snow or you’re looking to improve your skills, Sunshine’s Snow School has lessons for every level.
- Certified instructors
- Dedicated learning areas
- Small groups
- Progress faster and safer
Hello to Confidence on the Snow
Skiing and snowboarding is meant to be fun, and so are our lessons. Our team of enthusiastic instructors will teach you skills to build confidence, tackle new terrain, and make sure you're having fun while doing it.
We offer a variety of lesson options with everything from innovative beginner programs to workshops, multi-week options, accessibility adapted lessons, tailored private lessons, and more.
Our Snow Guarantee
If you are dissatisfied with your lesson, please come to any one of our sales desks and let us know as soon as your lesson is finished. We will arrange for another lesson free of charge; that's our snow guarantee.
Find the Lessons that Fit Your Needs
Group Lessons
Learn alongside others at your level with guidance from Sunshine’s certified instructors.
Available for:
Adults, teens and children
Multiweek Programs
Multiweek programs designed to help skiers and riders progress over time.
Available for:
Multi-week development courses for all ages.
Private Lessons
Get one-on-one attention and a lesson built around you. Private lessons are tailored to your goals and ability, with options from a quick one-hour tune-up to a full day on the mountain.
Ideal for:
Custom pacing, focused instruction and exploring the mountain with a guide.
Daycare & Tiny Tiger Lessons
Fun and supportive programs for young children combining childcare and on-snow learning.
Designed for:
Young skiers of all ability levels.
Adaptive Lessons
Adaptive lessons designed to make skiing and snowboarding accessible to everyone.
Designed for:
Specialized equipment and instructors available.
What's Your Ability Level?
Beginner Level 1: Never Ever
You have never Skied or Snowboarded before. You're a bit nervous but want to learn how it's done. You want to start at the very beginning with a user-friendly, step-by-step progression.
Beginner Level 2: Once or Twice
You have been out once or twice before but you still consider yourself to be a beginner and are still be a bit nervous. You might have trouble turning in both directions and controlling your speed, you may also need a refresher on how to get on the lift. You think it might be nice to start your lesson in the beginner area.
Beginner Level 3: Green Runner
You have been up the lift before and you are becoming comfortable making turns on runs designated with a Green Circle. You are happy to start the lesson going straight up a chair lift. You would like to be able to try some easy blue runs but want to improve your skill level first.
Intermediate Level 4: Blue Runner
You can usually make controlled turns on runs designated with a blue square but you avoid moguls. You need to learn the skills required to be able to challenge some of the black diamond runs and maybe learn a bit about moguls.
Expert Level 5: Black Diamond Runner
You look for runs designated with a black diamond but want to be able to do them with more style. You can get down the bumps and the steeps but need to learn how to keep your rhythm and speed under control.
Expert Level 6: Double Black Diamond Runner
You're very comfortable on your skis or snowboard and are looking for new ways to challenge yourself. You have room for some improvement in your technical skills but also need an introduction to some new lines on the mountain and some new tactics to help you "rip it up".
New to Snow? What to Know.
Develop skills and discover the best of winter at Sunshine. Here's what you need to know to make your first few times on snow unforgettable:
Equipment
It’s best to rent equipment before you purchase your own set up. We have an excellent line of entry-level Salomon skis, snowboards, poles, and boots. You can also be fitted by a number of rental shops in Banff, Canmore and Calgary. Beginner skis tend to be flexible, putting the emphasis on ease rather than performance. Choose boots that provide a relaxed, comfortable fit.
The Snow School
The quickest and safest way to get comfortable on the slopes is with Sunshine’s award-winning, certified instructors. Group lessons are the least expensive, and you’ll be grouped with skiers and snowboarders, just like you.
Start on Gentle Runs
Green runs are a gentle way to build confidence and skill. If you are brand new, it’s best to take a few practice runs on the Mighty Might carpet lift. Ride the Strawberry Express chair and try out our most popular beginner runs, Dell Valley and Rock Isle Road. When you’re ready for longer green runs, head to nearby Standish, WaWa or Angel chairs, which are all accessible from the heart of the Village. The beginner (green) runs off of the JackRabbit and Wolverine chairs are other favorite confidence-builders. Remember to take it easy and stop for the occasional rest as you go. Most injuries occur near the end of the day, when skiers and boarders become fatigued.
Be Safe
A few common-sense rules to ensure you have a great time during your visit to Banff Sunshine:
- Go at your own pace. Don’t try challenging runs until you are ready
- Always wear a helmet and other protective gear
- If you’re tired, take a break
- Take a lesson to learn faster and get the most out of your visit
- Always follow the Alpine Responsibility Code
Where to Meet
Group & Private Lessons
All of our group and private lessons (excluding Tiny Tigers) meet out front of Mad Trappers Bar & Grill. You’ll see signs directing you to your group and an instructor will confirm that you’re in the right spot. From there, you’ll be off to the part of the mountain that is right for your skill level and learning objectives. This is also where you’ll return to at the end of your lesson, so parents and friends can plan to meet up with you there. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of your lesson so that we can get underway and make the most of your time on the mountain.
Tiny Tigers
Tiny Tigers lessons meet inside the Tiny Tigers Daycare. It’s a special area that is designed with the enjoyment and safety of our smallest guests in mind. Parents should allow a bit of extra time to get from the Snow School office to the Tiny Tigers area. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of your lesson.
Snow School Office
The main office for the Snow School is located at the entrance of Mad Trappers Bar & Grill. Registration and payment, as well as questions, comments and special requests, can be made in-person at this location.
Who Can Teach at Sunshine?
Ski & Snowboard Clubs and Teams
Banff Sunshine works with many authorized alpine and freestyle clubs and teams. We provide access to our world-class facilities for amateur and high-performance training along with hosting sanctioned races and events throughout our Winter Season.
Permission for these activities must be consented to by the Resort in writing and are subject to a list of operating requirements reviewed on an annual basis.
Ski & Snowboard Lessons
All ski and snowboard lessons taking place at the Resort must be authorized by Snow School and provided by either Banff Sunshine Village instructors or SkiBig3 Instructors.
Teaching and receiving payment for unauthorized lessons at Banff Sunshine Village is prohibited. Failure to abide by this policy will result in consequences for all parties involved, including loss of ticket and pass privileges, and may result in further liability.
Questions or inquiries about clubs, race teams, and sanctioned on-snow activities should be sent to skischool@skibanff.com, well in advance of any use of the Resort.
Want to Become an Instructor?
Learn from the very best. Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard School offers one of the strongest and most recognized programs in North America. The resort's highly qualified instructors, who are also examiners, offer industry leading programs, designed to empower you with the training to become a certified instructor. Through the school's most successful 11 and 12-week intensive training programs, you can obtain the high-level skills required to work in the ski/snowboard industry as a teaching pro.
The program provides the training necessary to achieve your Level 2 instructor certification. Sunshine Ski & Snowboard School have been running these industry respected and renowned programs for more than a decade, with an impressive 90 percent pass rate. Further certifications include terrain park instructor and race coach training.
Check out our programs at the following links:
Interested in just an instructor course? Use the following links to find out what is involved in the level 1/entry level course/ costs and dates.