Are you planning a trip to Sunshine Gondola during summer months? Get ready to witness nature at its brilliant most form while you hike through the alpine valley lined with vibrant wildflowers and offering stellar mountain views. Once you take the Sunshine Gondola ride, you can pass through the Sunshine Village. Over here you will find numerous restaurants, a comfortable lodge and hiking trails for the adventure lovers.
Where is Sunshine Gondola?
This is a gondola that can accommodate eight passengers and transport them to the Sunshine Village Terminal. It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete the ride and you might encounter wildlife along the way. The Sunshine Meadows is located at the border of British Columbia and Alberta. You can reach Sunshine Gondola in just 21 minutes from Downtown Banff. If you are travelling without a car, then you can avail of the daily shuttle services for free between Sunshine and Banff.
Parking
You won’t have any difficulty in getting parking spots at Sunshine Gondola during summer months. The parking is for free and offers easy access to the main building.
Hiking cost at Sunshine Meadows
Toddlers’ up to 5 years can enter for free. Children between age 5 to 12 needs to pay $19, adolescents between 13 and 17 have to shell out $37. Adults over 16 years are charged $68 and a $63 fee is charged for seniors exceeding 65 years of age.
Elevation with the Sunshine Gondola Ride
You can reach a height of 2159m from 1659m with the Sunshine Gondola. With the Standish Chairlift, you can reach up to an elevation of 2385m for additional 8 minutes. It is recommended to reach the Sunshine Village terminal within 3:30 p.m. to make the most of your Sunshine Gondola experience.
Best time to visit
The Sunshine Village offers excellent snowboarding and skiing opportunities during winter months. However, the gondola ride is available only during the summer season. You will come to know about the operational days for the Sunshine Gondola during spring months. For 2025, you can access the Sunshine Gondola between 27th June and 21st September. It remains operational between 8 am to 6 pm. Moreover, the Standish Chairlift is operational from 8 am to 5 pm.
Is advance booking required?
No, advance booking isn’t required for visiting Sunshine Gondola. However, it tends to attract a lot of footfall during summer months. Hence, if you have a specific date in mind, it’s always advisable to get an advance booking done. On making an online booking, you will get a direct access ticket alongside a QR code that can help you skip the queue.
Is Sunshine Gondola Family Friendly?
Yes, travellers of all ages can visit Sunshine Gondola. The gondola cabins are pretty large and you can enjoy an excellent view of the mountains. You won’t come across any difficult scrambles while hiking through the Sunshine Meadows.
Can you access Sunshine Gondola on a Wheelchair?
No you cannot. Moreover, the rugged mountain terrain of Sunshine Gondola prevents wheelchair access. If you travel with friends or family who use a wheelchair, you can choose the Banff Gondola instead.
Can you take your pets along?
You can only bring service animals to Sunshine Gondola. This Gondola ride does not allow any other pet. You will have to leave your pets at home when visiting the Sunshine Gondola.
Is swimming allowed at the Lakes?
Visitors will notice that three alpine lakes—Rock Isle Lake, Laryx Lake, and Grizzly Lake from the Standish Viewing Platform. We get that that it may be tempting to take a swim after spending time on the hiking trails. However, swimming is not permitted in any of these lakes. Please do not walk off trail in this pristine environment. Authorities advise visitors to stay on the prescribed trail.
Restaurants
There are several restaurant options with various offerings in Sunshine Village once you reach the top of the gondola ride. These restaurants are found in the Sunshine Village area before embarking on the Standish Chairlift. You can relax with snack and drinks before or after completing the hiking trails. These are the restaurants: First Tracks Cafe, Mad Trappers Grill, Java Lift, Mad Trappers Grill.
Tips for visiting
- Don’t ever leave the trail. Going astray can harm the fragile wildflowers lining the trail.
- The mountain weather can be highly unpredictable. You should dress accordingly with a windproof or waterproof layer. It’s advisable to slather some generous amount of sunscreen and wear a hat for further protection.
- It is always advisable to carry bear spray when traveling and hiking within Banff National Park.
