After three weeks skiing Banff in January 2026, one thing became clear: Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort deliver two completely different ski experiences.
Having grown up skiing in Banff, with every weekend in winter spent on the slopes since age five, and now returning from Brisbane where skiing is more of an occasional thing, this trip was a proper reset. I spent enough time at both resorts to properly understand what each mountain does well for an intermediate-advanced level skier like myself.
Sunshine Village, Banff: Flow, variety, and a perfect ski-out
Sunshine might not be as big as Lake Louise, but it skis incredibly well. The biggest standout for me was the flow of the mountain, featuring shorter runs, more variety, and constant movement between zones, which limits repetition..
A big bonus of this resort is the Ski Out. A long, smooth run all the way back down to the carpark, green or blue depending on your mood. It was a great run to end a big day of skiing to cruise down at your own pace, with a final opportunity to test your skills right at the end. It’s one of those small things that genuinely improves the whole experience at the resort.
Beginner friendliness (a big differentiator)
I was skiing with a complete beginner, and Sunshine was noticeably more approachable. They found the green runs to be easier and more forgiving than Lake Louise, and the blues feeling like a natural progression rather than a jump into the deep end.
More variety within easier terrain
That said, it’s not just a beginner hill. There was plenty of strong intermediate and advanced terrain. Lots of black and blue run options as well as many opportunities to test your skills on the moguls. The resort included some genuinely fun black runs that felt enjoyable, not stressful for my level of skiing ability, although there were a couple definitely suited to very advanced skiers.
On-mountain experience
Goat’s Eye is a great mid-lap reset spot for a drink. It’s also great for après, with music pumping and vibes high. Watch people speed down the slopes as you take in the beautiful scenery. The main lodge has a large variety of food, but gets pretty busy and loud inside. Nikko Ramen looked to be a popular option if you’re looking for more restaurant service.
Sunshine offers a wide range of lesson packages for skiers and snowboarders of all ages, plus a day-care and baby skiing lessons.
Lake Louise, Banff: Scale, terrain, and classic big-mountain skiing
Lake Louise feels big, because it is. It’s noticeably larger than Sunshine, with more vertical, longer runs, and a more “alpine” feel overall. Where Sunshine flows, Lake Louise impresses.
Lake Louise standout areas
Front side:
Juniper lift was one of the most fun lifts on the front side in my opinion. Lapable, playful, and addictive.
Summit Chair is the highest point of the resort, and has one of the best views on the mountain. You can see the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the entire resort below. Proper wow factor. You can take the Pipestone or Top of the World Express to experience the best views in Banff and access the summit chair. These chairs are covered and are great to get out of any wind or snow on your way up!
Grizzly Gondola is the gateway to the resort. The gondola takes you up where you can ski down the front and access the Larch section of the resort.
Larch:
One of my favourite areas, and definitely a highlight of the resort, with excellent runs and Temple lodge acting as a key base and great place to relax between runs and grab something to eat. This area has a great outdoor area to sit and relax in the sun while watching others ride past.
Back Bowls:
This section of the resort is its own zone that you can settle into for a few hours, or even the whole day, you won’t get sick of it. The back bowls is the major hub for expert skiers with plenty of black diamond runs.
Sunshine vs Lake Louise: Terrain & difficulty
Sunshine Village
– Easier greens and blues (beginner friendly)
– Better progression between levels
– Strong mix of advanced runs + trees
– Blacks are fun and challenging without being overwhelming
Lake Louise
– Larger, longer runs
– Greens/blues – more of a challenge
– More exposure at the top
– Terrain feels more “serious” overall
Beginner to intermediate → Sunshine
Intermediate to advanced seeking scale → Lake Louise
Sunshine vs Lake Louise: Parks, Lifts & Overall Vibe
I didn’t use the terrain parks heavily, however Lake Louise appeared to have larger jumps and features. That being said, both resorts had good park usage and progression options.
Sunshine vs Lake Louise: Food & Facilities
Sunshine Village
– Best food variety
– Crowded main lodge
– Great mid-mountain stops like Goat’s Eye
– Ski-in/ski-out accommodation available
Lake Louise
– Good variety of food options
– Temple lodge on the Larch side is a major plus
What both resorts did well
Lift staff were consistently friendly and helpful, retail stores were solid at both resorts and as you’d expect the overall service level was high.
Our verdict
After skiing both, they’re not competitors, they actually complement each other. Sunshine Village is where you go to ski all day without overthinking it. Lake Louise is where you go for big runs, big views, and standout moments.
If you’re planning a Banff trip, the best move is simple: Ski both, and let each mountain do what it does best.
