Banff 
Overview
About Sunshine Meadows Banff National Park
Situated at an elevation of 2200m in Banff National Park, Sunshine meadows straddle the Continental Divide and the boundary between Alberta and British Columbia.
Sunshine Meadows, better known as home to Sunshine Village, is famous for its beautiful setting with alpine meadows covered with a carpet of fireweed and glacier lilies with the snow-capped Canadian Rockies as a backdrop. Accessible via road or through the Gondola, Sunshine Meadows is a hiker’s paradise.
What to do at Sunshine Meadows Banff ?
Things to do at Sunshine Meadows Banff
1. Hike your own or take guided hikes along one of the many trails with ratings varying from easy to difficult, above the tree line, soaking in the extraordinary scenery presented by the Rockies with alpine lakes, meadows carpeted with wild flowers and viewing wildlife like grizzlies, elk in the distance.
2. Ride the Standish quad chairlift (Sunshine Village Ski Lift) to over 2,400 m (7,875 ft) – the highest Gondola / Chairlift access sightseeing elevation in the Banff and Lake Louise area – and experience 360-degree views of the Rocky Mountains that surround you. From there, catch even more breathtaking scenery from the Standish viewpoint platform and take in the view of the three high-alpine lakes: Larynx, Grizzly and Rock Isle.
3. Take part in one of the many events held in Sunshine Meadows, like photography workshops and a Wildflower hunt.
4. Join guided yoga sessions.
5. Join an Interpretive guided hiking tour.
6. Stay 7,000 feet above ordinary in a luxury wilderness resort at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge.
Sunshine Meadows Trails Sunshine Meadows Trail Map)
1. Rock Isle Lake
An easy hike of 3.2 km round trip, with 90 minutes round trip, which takes one to the scenic Rock Isle Lake viewpoint.
To do the most popular hike in Sunshine Meadows, from the Sunshine Village Nature Centre, take a left and walk around 1.2 km through the alpine meadows to reach a fork in the road. Take the right (left goes to Citadel Pass) and go downhill. After about 400 m, one will reach the scenic Rock Isle lake viewpoint. Enjoy walking along the trail for another few meters, enjoying the serene atmosphere. Return the same way.
2. Grizzly-Larix Lakes Loop
An easy hike of approx. 8 km round trip with a 3.5-hour duration.
From the Rock Isle Lake viewpoint, continue the trail for another 200 m to reach a junction. Take the left trail till the path forks again. Go either way (a 2.8 km loop) to walk past the Grizzly Lake and the Larix Lake.If going clockwise, one will reach the Larix Lake first. Walk halfway along the shoreline to reach a left trail that goes to the Simpson viewpoint, which overlooks the Simpson River valley. Continue along the loop to reach the Grizzly Lake. Walk the shoreline trail to reach where you started the loop. Return the same way.
3. Twin Cairns-Meadow Park / Sunshine Meadows Loop
The best hike to experience the Sunshine Meadows in all its glory.
6.6 km with 2 hours and 40 minutes duration.
If including the 1 km (round trip) Standish viewpoint and Grizzly-Larix Lakes Loop (2.8 km) – Half a day (around 4 – 4.5 hours hike with a total round trip distance of approx. 10.3 km. Ideal for a day trip.
Take the right from the trail junction where the Grizzly-Larix Lakes Loop starts, and continue for 500m to reach the trail that forks right, which goes to Standish viewpoint. Take this half-kilometre trail to reach the Standish View point structure. Enjoy looking down the valley. Return and continue the Twin-Cairns Meadow Park trail for another 2.8 km, hiking along log bridges and boardwalks enjoying the wildflowers-filled meadow to reach Monarch Viewpoint atop Wawa ridge. Take right at the viewpoint and walk another 1.6 km to reach the Sunshine village.
4. Citadel Pass
Moderate Hike with 18 km round trip of 6-7 hours duration.
From the Sunshine Village Nature Centre, take a left and walk through the alpine meadows to reach a fork in the road. Take the left and walk along the continental divide for approximately 4 km to reach the Quartz ridge. Continue for another 4.3 km the beautiful Canadian Rockies to reach the Citadel Pass. GPS coordinates: 51.01931,-115.7104. Sunshine Meadows – Citadel Pass – Assiniboine Park is a very popular trail with hikers backpacking into Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park.
5. Healy Pass
Approximately 22 km with 7-8 hours duration with rest & replenishment stops.
From the Sunshine Village nature centre, take the right Simpson Pass Trail and walk around 1.6 km to reach the Monarch Viewpoint. Continue right at the junction and walk past the open meadows and down through the trees lined trail to reach the junction where the Simpson trail meets with the Healy Creek trail which starts from the Sunshine Village Parking lot. Continue along to reach the Healy Pass. Return the same way. If you miss the last gondola down, you can continue to the parking lot via Healy Creek trail.
Sunshine Meadows Banff in winter
See Sunshine Village
How much to see Sunshine Meadows Banff?
Admission/Fees Sunshine Meadows Banff
Free if walking from the parking lot.
Banff Sunshine Summer Gondola & Standish Chairlift
Gondola/ Photo Credit: Banff Sunshine Meadows
Summer 2025 Prices
GONDOLA & CHAIRLIFT PACKAGE
Adult (18+): $70 + GST
Senior (65+): $65 + GST
Youth (13-17): $36 + GST
Child (6-12): $20 + GST
Toddler (0-5): FREE
Family: $180 + GST
The Sunshine Village Access Road is only 8 km (5 miles) west of Banff on the Trans-Canada #1 Highway. There is plenty of parking with easy access to the meadows via the gondola.
How to get tickets?
For Reservations, call: 1-87-SKI-BANFF (1-877-542-2633)
Front Desk, call: 1-403-762-6500
Outside North America: 1-403-705-4000
When to visit Sunshine Meadows Banff ?
Gondola gets you to the village where the Standish Chairlift runs 7 days a week during the operating season and takes you up the viewing deck and trail heads.
Sunshine Meadows Banff Hours / Time – 2025 Hours
Standish Chairlift/ Photo Credit: Banff Sunshine Meadows
You can hike up and down any time you want from late spring to fall, when the road is snow free. (~ 1.5 hours to hike up).
Banff Sunshine Summer Gondola & Standish Chairlift:
June 27th, 2025 – September 21st, 2025, 8 AM – 5 PM
Who all can go to Sunshine Meadows Banff ?
All those who enjoy hiking. Young kids can easily do the Rock Isle Lake Hike.
How to get to Sunshine Meadows Banff ?
Sunshine Meadows Banff Locations/directions
From there, hike 6 km (500m elevation gain) or take the Gondola to reach the Sunshine Village Nature Centre, which is the trailhead for all hikes.
Sunshine village Trail Head: GPS : 51.080058,-115.781652
FREE BUS SERVICE – NO RESERVATION REQUIRED
Sunshine Village operates a daily shuttle service to and from the Town of Banff.
How long will it take to see Sunshine Meadows Banff ?
Depending on interest, 2 hours to full day
Gondola ride is 4.5 km (2.8 miles) long. – 22 mins
What about Amenities, Accessibility?
Gift shops, Deli – Mad Trapper’s Smokehouse and retail shop
Dining – Quite a few dining options are available – Java Lift, Mad Trapper’s Smokehouse, Chimney Corner or Eagle’s Nest located in the Sunshine Mountain Lodge.
Lodging: Sunshine Mountain Lodge
The Gondola is wheelchair accessible, but the Chairlift is not.
Strollers are allowed, but just not up the chairlift.
Strollers can be used onthe Rock Isle Lake trail.
Parking at Sunshine Village parking lot.
Washrooms available.