Banff Sunshine is a mountain that offers something to everyone, from professionals to beginners. You can easily find yourself smack dab in freeride terrain that would be considered out-of-bounds in other resorts or cruising down a mellow green to the Trappers Pub. Jagged peaks loom high above alpine trees, and the views of untouched alpine are unparalleled.

To reach the actual resort base, guests must take a 15-minute gondola that delivers them into a sprawling resort that looks like it belongs in the Alps, not North America. At the central resort center there are several restaurants, shops, and a hotel. It serves as an excellent meeting point for groups of varying riding abilities. From the center, several lifts go out to the area's mountains and ridges. Since the resort base is high in elevation, most runs are relatively short and there are several flat spots around the resort.

The terrain is varied and has something for every level of skier. The resort has something for everyone, and the base area makes for a perfect central point to meet after skiing the surrounding peaks. The downside to Banff Sunshine Village is the shorter runs, various flat sections connecting the mountain, and the weather. As the resort sits in the alpine, there are many days with very flat light and cloud coverage. On a frigid day when the wind blows, it can be bone-chillingly cold.

Similar to Lake Louise, Sunshine Village lacks much on-mountain accommodation. However, it is 20 minutes closer to the town of Banff and has one mountain lodge that offers a unique experience. The resort's marketing team claims they have the "best snow in Canada " almost daily, which is a bit of a stretch. That said, the cold temperatures in Banff National Park can indeed preserve the snow well, but it can also get icy and windswept very easily at the resort.