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Banff Nationwide Park tops the bucket record for a lot of adventurous households—and it’s simple to grasp why. From turquoise lakes to wildflower-filled meadows to postcard-worthy mountain vistas, the park is a pure treasure. However all that magnificence comes with many awe-inspired guests. That’s the place Banff Sunshine Village gives one thing particular: a quiet and accessible high-alpine escape for households to discover the park at their very own tempo. Ben Atherton, summer season interpretive heart supervisor and longtime Sunshine workforce member, has spent greater than a decade guiding visitors throughout powdery slopes and sunlit meadows. “Summer time at Banff Sunshine Village is unbelievable,” he says. “Plus, visiting Sunshine Meadows is likely one of the few actions in Banff Nationwide Park that doesn’t require a reservation.” Whether or not you’re planning a day hike along with your children or a weekend keep at Banff’s solely alpine lodge, Sunshine gives one thing for each explorer.
Outdoors: What makes Banff Sunshine Village particular in summer season?
Ben Atherton: Ski season is tough to beat, however the trails come alive in summer season at Banff Sunshine Village, providing simple, crowd-free entry to alpine hikes and Banff views.
Upon arrival at Sunshine’s base space, you may take a scenic gondola trip as much as our island within the sky, a.ok.a. the village. From there, a trip on Standish Categorical Chairlift and a five-minute stroll take you to breathtaking views of Sunshine Meadows and the Rocky Mountains, a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Website. Sunshine Meadows is technically seen within the winter, however it’s deep beneath powder, and also you simply can’t think about the wonder that comes when the snow melts. The expertise is accessible for all and gives a uncommon immersion into pure nature.
The resort gives ample on-site parking, together with a complimentary shuttle from the city of Banff. And with our intensive path community, visitors can unfold out and revel in solitude within the meadows.
Why is Banff Sunshine Village a very good vacation spot for households?
As a family-owned enterprise, we take delight in being a spot the place households can expertise the outside collectively. Our gondola and chairlift can accommodate visitors of all ages, so everybody has an opportunity to expertise a high-alpine journey. These requiring additional help can entry the village through the gondola. We even have an interpretive heart with interactive shows the place guests can be taught in regards to the space’s historical past, flora, and fauna. Youthful guests may even get pleasure from our self-guided scavenger hunt, that includes playful duties like listening for the sound a Columbian floor squirrel makes.
What hikes do you advocate?
We have now 4 important summer season trails in Sunshine Meadows, and we advocate starting all of them on the high of the Standish Chairlift.
The Standish Viewing Deck Loop is our best path—a brief 15-to-30-minute loop providing awe-inspiring views of three excessive alpine lakes: Rock Isle Lake, Grizzly Lake, and Laryx Lake. It’s good for households of all ages. And the trip down on the chairlift is a scenic expertise by itself.
Rock Isle Highway continues for 1.1 miles from the viewing deck towards the village, passing close to Rock Isle Lake. It’s an open, scenic path the place children can roam at their very own tempo.
Twin Cairns–Meadow Park Path is a extra superior and lesser-known choice that takes about two hours to finish. It begins on the high of the chairlift and winds throughout alpine meadows towards the Wawa Chairlift, ultimately descending by means of the forest with lovely views of the village and surrounding peaks.
The Grizzly/Laryx Loop is our most difficult path. It additionally begins on the chairlift and results in the three lakes you could see from the Standish Viewing Deck Loop. Alongside the four-mile route, you’ll go wildflower-filled meadows, flowing streams, and crystal-clear alpine lakes whereas having fun with spectacular views of Simpson Valley. You possibly can typically see hovering birds of prey. The second half of the hike consists of 479 ft of elevation achieve. We advocate being ready with snacks, water, and different day-hiking necessities.
How can guests be taught extra in regards to the space earlier than exploring on their very own?
Our interpretive heart is a good place to begin. Our educated workforce gives one- or two-hour guided walks on choose trails, so you may be taught as you go. Guests may also try our social media pages, view reside webcams on our web site, or contact us for planning help.
How can guests full the eat, keep, and play trifecta at Banff Sunshine Village?
Begin your day by arriving on the mountain by automobile or shuttle and using the gondola to the village. Then, hop on the chairlift and hike the path that most closely fits your consolation stage—our employees are on the paths and blissful to make suggestions. Afterward, get pleasure from a meal at Mad Trappers—I like to recommend the Trappers Burger. Lastly, examine in at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, the one true alpine lodge in Banff Nationwide Park. The lodge additionally options an out of doors scorching tub, which is the right place to unwind after a day on the paths.
Staying in a single day gives a singular expertise: no visitors, no crowds—simply peace and nature. At night time, the village is extremely quiet, and the darkish skies provide among the finest stargazing and northern lights viewing round.
Plan your summer season go to to Banff Sunshine Village and Sunshine Meadows!
Be taught Extra
Situated within the coronary heart of Banff Nationwide Park, Banff Sunshine Meadows is likely one of the Canadian Rockies’ most spectacular summer season locations. Simply 90 minutes from Calgary, guests can trip the gondola and chairlift to a view above the treeline, the place they’ll discover breathtaking alpine trails, crystal-clear lakes, and vibrant wildflower meadows. Whether or not you’re right here to hike alongside the Continental Divide, spot wildlife, or just absorb panoramic views of two provinces directly, Sunshine Meadows is your gateway to high-alpine journey.
