Summer FAQs
Summer
Can I hike up to the Village on foot?
Please review Parks Canada's closures and regulations before proceeding to the Village on foot.
Can I bring my snowboard/skis?
During the summer season, skis or snowboards cannot be loaded on the Gondola or the Standish Sightseeing Chairlift.
Can I fish the lakes?
Fishing is NOT ALLOWED in the Sunshine Meadows. Please stay on the trails and refrain from trampling shoreline and pond bottom habitats. Fishing is allowed in other Banff National Park areas.
Can I swim the lakes?
Swimming is NOT ALLOWED in the Sunshine Meadows’ lakes. Due to the shallow and sensitive nature of these pristine alpine lakes and the surrounding, please stay on the trails and refrain from trampling shoreline and pond bottom habitats.
There are swimming facilities in the Town of Banff and swimming is allowed in other Banff National Park areas.
Can I bike the access road to the village/can I bike the Sunshine Meadows trails?
The Access Road is a private road to facilitate transportation of persons and goods to the Village and back. Biking is not recommended due to the presence of pedestrians and vehicles on the road.
Biking is NOT ALLOWED in the Village and Sunshine Meadows. We endeavor to protect the unique high-alpine meadows eco-system at Sunshine Meadows by limiting access to walking guest along marked trails. This allows us to minimize erosion. Please help us protect the Sunshine Meadows by staying in the walking trails.
What is the recommended latest time to arrive at the gondola?
The recommended latest time to arrive at the base of the gondola is 3:30pm. This ensures that you have enough time to enjoy the full experience, including the gondola ride, which takes about 25 minutes. If you arrive after 3:30pm, you can take the gondola, however you many not have time to get the full experience.
Is Sunshine Meadows wheelchair accessible?
It is our goal to assist individuals with disabilities to access and enjoy all features, facilities, and services at Sunshine Village. As we are a mountain with alpine terrain, we are not 100% wheelchair accessible.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on the gondola, bus, or Standish Chairlift with the exception of registered service dogs.
Dogs are not allowed at Banff Sunshine Village. Exceptions for access to some, but not all facilities, apply to qualified and registered service dogs, in accordance with the Service Dogs Act, SA 2007, c S-7.5. Emotional support animals are not permitted under any circumstances.
I have an electric car, can I charge it at Sunshine?
For Summer Operations at Banff Sunshine, we have 2 spaces for electric vehicles to charge, consisting of 1 Tesla charger and 1 regular wall outlet, both are located inside the Reserved Parking Lot. No charging is permitted in the Bus Parking area.
If you wish to use the wall outlet, you must provide your own charge adapter and extension cord should you require a longer reach.
All our charging locations work on a first come, first served basis. If they are occupied, please proceed to the regular parking lots.
Please note that the alternate location for charging during Winter Operations (1 Tesla charger and 2 wall outlets) is not available due to area maintenance requirements.
Can I drive my vehicle up to Sunshine Mountain Lodge?
The Upper Access Road is restricted to registered Banff Sunshine and contractor vehicles only.
Where do I park?
At Banff Sunshine Meadows, we have a large parking lot for guests. You can park in the Town of Banff and ride our Shuttle Buses to the Village for FREE.
What do I need to wear for a day in Sunshine Meadows?
We recommend that all guests check the weather conditions prior to visiting Banff Sunshine Meadows. In the Canadian Rockies, the weather can change quickly and it is advised that all guests dress in layers and ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN. If you are missing gear or clothing, check out our Retail Stores.
Can I buy a Standish chairlift ticket only?
The Standish Chairlift ticket is included with our Gondola sightseeing tickets. It cannot be purchased separately.
Can I buy a one-way gondola ticket?
If you are hiking in the area, you can purchase a one-way Gondola ticket on mountain from Guest Services (2nd Floor Creekside Lodge, at the gondola base area) or the Interpretive Centre (at the Village). One-way Gondola tickets are sold at the discretion of the administration.
Where can I purchase gondola tickets?
You can purchase and print your direct-to-lift tickets online or purchase on mountain at Guest Services (2nd Floor Creekside Lodge, at the gondola base area) and the Interpretative Center (Day Lodge in the Village) . Gondola tickets include the Standish Chairlift ride.