Sunshine Village Summer Gondola: 7,875ft Alpine Views
Ascend to Banff’s highest lookout, then stroll lakeside trails with mountain views
You ride a gondola up through the Rockies, take a chairlift or hike to the highest sightseeing point in the Banff area, and walk among three alpine lakes with unobstructed mountain views. Free shuttle transport from town is included, and you choose your own pace once you're at the top. Arrive by mid-afternoon to make the most of daylight.
Step-by-step itinerary
Gondola ride and mountain sightseeing
- Drive 15 minutes from Banff
- Visit gift shop and cafe
- Ride 22-minute 8-passenger gondola
- Take Mount Standish Chairlift or hike
- Enjoy views from Standish viewpoint
- Explore Sunshine Meadows hiking trails
- See three high-alpine lakes
- Relax at Mad Trapper's Grill & BBQ
What’s included
The 22-minute sightseeing gondola to Sunshine Village, the Mount Standish Chairlift to the 7,875-foot viewpoint platform, access to the Sunshine Meadows hiking trails and three high-alpine lakes, and free shuttle transport from multiple pickup locations in Banff town with six daily departures and returns.
Times
Next departure: 6 Jul 2027
6 departing soon ›Before you book
Operated by Sunshine Village Corporation
Prices and times updated 17 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
So you're standing in Banff with a free afternoon and someone mentions you can be at 7,875 feet looking at the Matterhorn of the Canadian Rockies in less than an hour. The free shuttle picks you up from town (six departures starting at 7am, last return at 5:45pm), and fifteen minutes later you're at the base of Sunshine Village. The 8-passenger gondola takes twenty-two minutes to climb through the peaks, and yeah, the views start before you even leave the ground.
At the top, you've got options. Take the Mount Standish Chairlift another stretch up to the viewpoint platform. That's where the 360-degree thing actually lands, and you can see why they call Mount Assiniboine the Matterhorn of the Rockies. Or skip the chairlift and walk the Sunshine Meadows trails at your own pace. The three high-alpine lakes (Larynx, Grizzly, Rock Isle) are all up there, and the paths are straightforward enough that you're not scrambling. The whole thing operates in any weather, so bring layers. Summer runs daily from early July through late September.
The gift shop and café are at the village, so you can grab coffee before heading up or a drink after. Mad Trapper's Grill is there too if you want something more substantial, though that's on you. The real constraint is timing. They ask you to arrive by 3:30pm so you've got enough daylight to ride up and actually see what you came for. Plan for the gondola, the chairlift or the hike, and the views themselves. That's the day.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Banff who want high-elevation views without a car or hiking commitment: the free shuttle and self-paced format mean you just show up and ride. Plan to arrive by mid-afternoon so daylight covers both the gondola and the viewpoint.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.
How long is the gondola ride?
Twenty-two minutes from the base to Sunshine Village.
What's the highest elevation you reach?
7,875 feet (2,400 meters) at the Standish Viewpoint Platform via chairlift.
Is the shuttle bus really free?
Yes. Six daily pickups from Banff town starting at 7am, with returns throughout the day until 5:45pm.
Can I hike instead of taking the chairlift?
Yes. You can hike up to the viewpoint or explore the Sunshine Meadows trails at your own pace.
How far is Sunshine Village from Banff town?
About fifteen minutes by car.
What if the weather is bad?
The gondola and chairlift operate in all weather. Dress appropriately for the season and conditions.
When is this open?
Daily from July 6 through September 20, 2026.
Can I bring my dog?
No pets are allowed except service animals.
What time should I arrive?
Plan to arrive by 3:30pm to have enough daylight for the gondola ride and viewpoint.
Is there food at the top?
There's a café at the village and Mad Trapper's Grill & BBQ at the top, though meals aren't included in the ticket.
Sunshine Village Summer Gondola: 7,875ft Alpine Views
1h–4h · EN
from CA$ 84 per person
≈ US$ 61 in your currency
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