Skier carving down a snowy slope, mountains in the background.

Mountain Safety

The safety of guests and team members is our first priority. We ask that all users of our terrain be respectful and follow safety policies and all posted signs. Here, safety is everyone's responsibility.

Instructor helps child snowboard on snowy slope, sunny day.

Safety and Responsibility

Mountain safety is a part of our core mission and everyday operating culture. Our goal is to keep you as safe as possible so you can enjoy our mountains all winter long. Below you will find more information and tips to keep you and your loved ones safe on our mountain. Please direct any safety inquiries to skipatrol@skibanff.com

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Lift Operations

Lift Safety

While riding our chairlifts, we ask that you follow our lift safety policies for loading, riding and unloading all ski lifts at Banff Sunshine. These policies help us to provide a safe mountain experience for all guests. It's important to remember that our lifts are heavy machinery. If you are unfamiliar with the lift, please ask the lift attendant for assistance.

Loading the Chair

  • Prepare! Remove your pole straps and hold your ski poles in one hand. Check for loose clothing and equipment. Remove backpacks.
  • Group up with your crew and move together through the lift line. Line up at the "Wait Here" sign and follow the chair in front of you to the loading board. If you need the chair slowed for loading, let the lift attendant know.
  • Line up with the "Load Here" signs. Remember to keep your skis straight and look behind you for the oncoming chair.
  • Grab the side or back of the chair and scooch yourself to the back of the seat. If you're skiing with kids, you may need to help pull them up onto the chair.
  • Sit back, lower the restraining device, and enjoy the ride. Please let the other riders on the chair know that you're lowering the bar to avoid any head collisions.

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, gloves, poles and other items on skiers and riders below.

Unloading from the Chair

  • When coming into the terminal, keep your ski tips up and lift the restraining device 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.
  • When aligned with the "Unload Here" sign, stand up and slide down the ramp.
  • Do not hold onto the chair!
  • Move out of the way and to the side quickly so the next chair has plenty of room to unload.
  • If you happen to fall or leave something behind, clear out of the way as soon as you are able. Our lift attendants will assist you.

Exclusion of Liability

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 and snowboarding, 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.