Resort Safety

Know Before You Go

Being prepared is essential to having a safe and enjoyable day in the mountains.

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Three people joyfully running on a snowy field, surrounded by fog.

Weather & Surroundings

Plan ahead for variations in weather. Dress appropriately, wearing layers. Warmth and visibility are key safety components. Even in summer, full length-clothing and proper closed-toe footwear with good traction provides important protection.
Always wear sunscreen and eye protection, even on cloudy days.
In summer, be aware of heat exhaustion. Proper hydration and wearing moisture-wicking clothing will help keep heat exhaustion at bay.
Be mindful of where you stop on the trails, for your safety and others.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
Watch for heavy equipment and vehicles of all sizes, which may be encountered during, and after regular operating hours. Give these vehicles plenty of space.

Two skiers on a snowy mountain, cloudy sky above.

Communicate Your Plan

Make a trip plan. Be sure someone knows where you have gone and when you expect to return.
Identify meeting points with your group in case you become separated.
Carry a radio or cell phone (be aware not all areas on the trail network will have reception).

Skiers in bright jackets navigating snowy mountain terrain under a clear blue sky.

Emergencies & First Aid

You may not be able to anticipate an accident, but you can at least be prepared for one.
Don't overdo it. Be aware of fatigue.
Warm up in the morning and stretch, then tone it down in the afternoon.
Carry snacks to keep you fueled up, and stay hydrated.
Know who to contact in case of an emergency.
If you are involved in an incident involving someone else, share your contact information with each other and a Resort employee.

Brown bear standing on rocky ground, looking to the side.

Be Aware of Wildlife

The mountains are home to many animals freely roaming in their natural habitat. While visiting Banff Sunshine Meadows, you may encounter animals such as bears, wolves, or cougars.

Take the necessary steps to avoid an encounter.
Do not approach wildlife to take photos.
Travel in groups, there is safety in numbers.
Pack bear spray, know how to use it, and talk and sign to alert animals to your presence.

Riding Our Lifts Safely

While riding our chairlifts, we ask you to follow our lift safety policies. These policies help us to provide a safe sightseeing experience for all guests. It’s important to remember that our lifts are heavy machinery. For your safety, we ask you to follow our tips for loading, riding and unloading all lifts at Banff Sunshine.

When Loading the Chair

Get prepared and be ready! Check for loose clothing and equipment. Remove backpacks.
Group up with your crew and communicate with the lift attendant. Line up with your group where the lift attendant shows you. If you need help loading, let the lift attendant know.
Wait for the chair, and sit down.
Grab onto the side or back of the chair and scooch yourself towards the back.
Sit back, lower the safety bar, lift your feet, and enjoy the ride. Please let the other riders on the chair know that you're lowering the bar to avoid any head collisions.

While Riding the Chair

For your safety and the safety of others do not horse around, throw things off the chair, or swing/bounce the chair.
If you're getting things out of your pocket use caution. It is easy to drop your phone, and other items.

When Unloading from the Chair

When coming into the terminal, keep your feet up, and lift the safety bar once everyone is ready. We like to say "BAR."
Check for loose equipment and clothing, and ensure that none of your gear is caught in the chair.
Once above the unloading ramp you may stand up and walk forwards
Move out of the way and off the loading/unloading deck so the next chair has plenty of room to unload/load.
If you happen to fall or leave something behind, clear out of the way as soon as you are able. Our lift attendants are able to assist you.

Drone Policy

Recreation and commercial use of UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – drones, remote control aircraft, powered model planes, etc.) is banned in Banff National Park under the National Park Aircraft Access Regulation. Exceptions are in place for law enforcement, public safety, and Parks Management. Unauthorized use may subject the operator to further discipline under the Criminal Code and the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

Out of overarching safety concerns for our employees, patrons and our resort property, we prohibit all operation of UAVs by the general public. This prohibition includes drones and UAVs used for filming or videotaping, uses by media operating above or within Banff Sunshine Village, and any and all use during or outside of operating hours.

Anyone found operating one at the resort without prior authorization or in such a manner that contradicts any prior authorization will be requested to cease all operations and asked to leave the premises.

If you have any questions pertaining to our drone policy, please contact a resort representative. Obtaining permission for drone use in the national park starts with a written proposal submitted to Banff.superintendent@pc.gc.ca, and comprises a series of follow-up approvals and requirements.

Exclusion of Liability

Red safety notice poster warning users to read operating instructions before use

Assumption of Risk

The use of ski area premises and facilities and participation in activities at ski areas involves various risks, dangers and hazards.
It is a condition of your use of the premises and facilities and your participation in these activities that you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever, including negligence, breach of contract, or breach of any duty of care on the part of the ski area operator.
Your legal responsibility as a user of the premises and facilities, or as participant in activities anywhere at Banff Sunshine Village is explained in the following notice, which you will see posted throughout the ski area.
Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and sightseeing at a ski area involves various risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to the following:
Boarding, riding and disembarking ski lifts; changing weather conditions; avalanches; trees, tree wells, tree stumps and forest deadfall; the condition of snow or ice on or beneath the surface; variations in the terrain which may create blind spots or areas of reduced visibility; variations in the surface or sub-surface, including changes due to man-made or artificial snow; variable and difficult conditions; streams, creeks, and exposed holes in the snow pack above streams or creeks; cliffs; crevasses; snowcat roads, road-banks or cut-banks; exposed rock, earth, ice, and other natural objects; collision with lift towers, fences, snow making equipment, snow grooming equipment, snowcats, snowmobiles or other vehicles, equipment or structures; encounters with domestic and wild animals including dogs and bears; collision with other persons; loss of balance or control; slips, trips and falls; accidents during snow school lessons; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; negligent first aid; failure to act safely or within one's own ability or to stay within designated areas; negligence of other persons; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE OPERATOR and its directors, officers, employees, instructors, agents, representatives, volunteers, independent contractors, subcontractors, sponsors, successors and assigns.