Banff Gondola vs Sunshine Meadows Gondola • Which To Choose?
We love to recommend both the Sunshine Meadows Summer Gondola and the Banff Gondola to visitors looking to take a gondola ride in Banff National Park. While you could take both gondola rides, most visitors choose to pick one for their trip to the Canadian Rockies. As the two offer different experiences, it’s generally an easy decision to make for most with some guidance.
The Banff Gondola is a highlight for many visitors’ trips to Banff, and the historic gondola operates as a scenic attraction year-round. It’s a more developed experience, ideal for those with limited time, families, or mobility issues.
While the Sunshine Meadows Gondola is ideal for those seeking a more natural experience. It has some wonderful hiking trails through alpine meadows renowned for wildflowers. It’s the best option for those after a longer experience in nature.
Comparison Table
| Scenery | Facilities | Dining | Hiking | Activities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banff Gondola | **** | ***** | ***** | ** | *** |
| Sunshine Village | ***** | *** | ** | ***** | ** |
The Banff Gondola
The Banff Gondola is Rocky’s most popular gondola and is what we recommend to most visitors. It rises from Banff to the top of Sulphur Mountain, a historic mountain that serves as the park’s central point and the first area protected by the federal government. It is the only gondola in the Canadian Rockies that is fully accessible, featuring gondola cabins, platform viewing decks, bathrooms, and elevators capable of accommodating wheelchair users.
This gondola ride ascends 2,292 feet in elevation and lasts 8 minutes. Sometimes, you can enjoy a few extra minutes taking in the views from inside your gondola cabin when it stops to accommodate other guests. On your journey up, you will experience breathtaking views of the surrounding valley, building anticipation for what is yet to come.
A modern facility sits at the top of the Gondola, with multiple restaurants, a cafe, a gift shop, an interactive museum, and a small theatre. It’s impressive and holds several events throughout the year. Across the various floors of the facility are viewpoints, including a rooftop panoramic deck.
An expansive boardwalk stretches from the Banff Gondola to the historic cosmic weather station. Visitors can enjoy views of the surrounding mountain range along the elevated walking platform. The boardwalk has a series of steps that go up and down the ridge to reach the former cosmic weather station.
It ends at Sanson’s Peak, named after a man named Norman Sanson. Sanson hiked up Sulphur Mountain every day for approximately 30 years to check the weather. He did this until 1945, when he was 84 years old!
Banff Gondola Location
The Banff Gondola is at 100 Mountain Ave in Banff. It is a 10-minute drive from the town center, but the parking lot fills up quickly in the summer, so keep that in mind when planning your trip! Taking the bus is the most strategic, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option.
Route 1 on the Roam Transit Bus will take you from the town center to the Banff Gondola. The bus schedule changes depending on the season and the time of day, so be sure to plan your schedule in advance! Due to the hills on the way to the base of the Banff Gondola, we don’t recommend biking or walking unless you are looking for a workout.
Dining at the Banff Gondola
The Banff Gondola features several restaurants. Visitors to the top can choose from the Sky Bistro, Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen, Peak Patio, and Castle Mountain Coffee Co.
The Sky Bistro
For couples or those seeking a special experience, we highly recommend booking a table at the Sky Bistro. It’s an elevated restaurant with phenomenal views and a modern Canadian menu focusing on local ingredients. You can reserve a table here. The restaurant’s prices are higher than average, but we feel it is a memorable experience with some of the best views in Banff.
Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen
The Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen is a buffet-style restaurant that offers a range of food from hearty options to alpine cuisine. This is our favorite spot for lunch as they have quick and easy options. We believe it is the best option for families needing a quick bite. It’s also more economical as the Sky Bistro is pretty pricey.
Peak Patio
The Peak Patio is an excellent summer experience. It is a great spot to grab some light bites and enjoy a patio drink. We love this spot because you are in a super relaxing atmosphere, surrounded by the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The patio is closed during winter but will reopen in the summer
Pricing
| Adult | Approximately $65-$79 (dynamic pricing) |
| Youth (6-17) | $25 and up |
| 5 and under | Free (must carry a ticket) |
The prices and operating hours of the Banff Gondola fluctuate throughout the year. Because ticket pricing is dynamic, tickets are more expensive during summer and on the weekends. Tickets are also more expensive when purchased on-site than in advance online.
You can save a few bucks by buying the tickets in advance, but we find buying them a few days in advance is worth it. Another option to consider is purchasing Pursuit’s Ultimate Explorer Combo Ticket, which includes tickets to the Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Columbia Icefield Adventure, and the Icefields Skywalk.
Online tickets can be modified up to 48 hours before your timeslot, so if you booked your tickets and Mother Nature isn’t playing nice, we suggest calling them to try and modify (a fee may apply).
If you want to enjoy the amenities at the top of the Banff Gondola but don’t want to pay the ticket price, consider hiking Sulphur Mountain. Once you’re at the top, you’ll be able to enjoy all the facilities offered. The hike is 10.1 kilometers, gaining 698 m of elevation. We consider it a moderate hike in Banff.
Winter on the Banff Gondola
If you are visiting in the winter, the Banff Gondola provides the best experience of all the gondolas. This is especially true around Christmas when they transform to their Mountaintop Christmas events.
While you can still go up the Banff Sunshine Gondola in the winter, the Banff Gondola has the best activities and attractions, including Nightrise. The Sulphur Mountain hike is also a fun winter hike, and a free option for those looking to save some money.
Banff Gondola Hours
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| April 1 – May 15 | 9 AM – 9 PM (Last ride up 7:30 PM) |
| May 16 – June 27 | 8 AM – 9 PM (Last ride up 7:30 PM) |
| June 28 – September 2 | 8 AM – 10 PM (Last ride up 8:30 PM) |
| September 3 – October 14 | 8 AM – 9 PM (Last ride up 7:30 PM) |
Sunshine Village Gondola
The Sunshine Gondola offers exceptional lift-assisted hiking in Banff National Park. The scenic gondola delivers hikers to a high alpine landscape known for its excellent mountain views, alpine lakes, and abundant wildflowers. We love the gondola because it provides hikers access to a difficult-to-reach alpine environment.
The scenic gondola ride takes visitors through a picturesque valley before delivering them to the resort village. The resort village features an alpine hotel, restaurant, café, and a small interpretive center. However, the facilities are nowhere near as expansive as those of the Banff Gondola.
Visitors hop on the Standish Chairlift from the village base for the final elevation gain. A network of trails spread out from the chairlift. The classic option is to pass the three lakes of Rock Isle, Grizzly, and Laryx. It’s around an 8 km loop and has some exceptional views.
With its fresh mountain air, guests can enjoy views of majestic peaks, vibrant wildflowers, and surrounding alpine lakes. It’s a popular starting point for hikers heading to the famed Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in British Columbia. Those seeking a gondola with a gorgeous natural setting and some wonderful hiking trails will love the Sunshine Gondola.
Sunshine Village Gondola Location
The Sunshine Village Gondola is in Banff National Park at 1 Sunshine Access Rd. It is a 21-minute drive from Downtown Banff (18.3 km), 35 minutes from Canmore (40.7 km), and 1 hour and 45 minutes from Calgary (144 km).
There is ample parking available in the summer and it is a beautiful drive up to Sunshine Village. There is a free shuttle from Banff to Sunshine Village, and there is also the option of renting a car if you do not have access to your own. Rental car services are very popular in the town of Banff in the summer months. Try and book ahead when you can!
Dining At Sunshine Village
Once you reach the top of the gondola ride, there are several restaurant options with various offerings in Sunshine Village. Chimney Corner mostly serves guests at the On Mountain Lodge.
So, the only enticing option for a meal is Mad Trappers Grill, a BBQ restaurant. It’s a classic stop for skiers in the mountains, but we find it less enticing than the Banff Gondola, Lake Louise Gondola, and Mt. Norquay restaurants.
| Mad Trappers Grill | Pub & BBQ classics |
| Chimney Corner Fireside Dining | Full service breakfast & dinner |
| Java Lift | Fresh fare & coffee |
| First Tracks Cafe | Quick bites & coffee |
Sunshine Meadows Hikes
The Sunshine Meadows hike is a great option for those looking to explore further by hiking. Once you’ve ridden the gondola, head up the Standish Chair lift. Once at the top, find the Standish Viewing Deck and down the stairs to the right.
There will often be Sunshine Village employees around to help answer any questions you may have. You can branch off from the Sunshine Meadows hike to enjoy the view of various other lakes. This includes Rock Isle Lake, Grizzly Lake, and Larix Lake.
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Duration | 2-2.5h |
| Distance | 7.6 km |
| Elevation | 175 m |
Hours of Operation and Pricing
The summer 2025 prices for the Sunshine Gondola & Chairlift are listed below. The ticket prices include both the Sunshine Gondola and Standish Sightseeing Chairlift and the hours are 8:00am – 6:00pm, but these are subject to change. Tickets can be purchased online in advance from the Banff Sunshine Meadows website, or on Viator (for a more hassle free web experience), or in person at Guest Services on the second floor of the Sunshine Gondola base building.
- Gondola Hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm
- Standish Chairlift Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
| Adult (16+) | $68.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $63.00 |
| Youth/Child (13-17) | $35.00 |
| Child (6-12) | $19 |
| Toddler (0-5) | FREE |
Sunshine Gondola Season & Times
| Dates | Tour Times |
|---|---|
| June 22nd – October 26th | 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Banff Gondola | Sunshine Village | |
|---|---|---|
| Is it super busy in the summer? | Yes | No |
| Should you bring bear spray? | No | Yes |
| Are there hikes available from the top? | Boardwalk | Yes |
| Are there dining options? | Yes | Yes |
| Is it open in winter for sightseeing purposes? | Yes | Snowshoeing |
| Should you dress in layers? | Yes | Yes |
| Do you need a Park Pass? | Yes | Yes |
| Is it costly compared to the others? | Yes | Yes |
| Is it dog-friendly? | No | No |
If you’re heading to Western Canada soon make sure to check out our interactive map with over 350 spots to help you plan!
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Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- We now have an interactive map! With over 350 stops and pre built itineraries around the Canadian Rockies, our personal map and guide is your one stop shop to an epic trip here.
- Recommended Winter Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies in the winter, but our top recommendation is to up the Banff Gondola – a must do experience. Other great experiences are the Johnston Canyon icewalk, or go snowshoeing on top of the world!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Save money this summer: Get to Moraine Lake easily! Moraine Lake Bus is offering 25% off using the code PRELAUNCH2026 at checkout.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Discover Car. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy. Don’t forget the Guide Along Audio App for driving the Icefields Parkway (Use our link for 25% off!)
- We can help you plan your 2026 trip to Western Canada! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning we can assist! We’ll hop on a 1 on 1 phone call, and PERSONALLY go over your plans and itinerary (or help you craft an itinerary), and will save you time and money with our personal recommendations. Calls are followed up with detailed trip notes afterward that I write myself. See our services here.
Nice overview, thanks — helpful comparison. Quick question: for someone who wants good views but limited walking, is Banff Gondola worth it over Sunshine Meadows even in peak wildflower season? Also, is parking usually impossible in summer or just tight? Thanks.
Both would be good if you want to limit your walking, as there is just a short walk you can do to the main viewpoint at the Sunshine Gondola Parking is tugh at the Banff gondola in peak summer, but there is plenty at the Sunshine Gondola.
I love your website- great information! We are hoping to get a few weeks in the summer to enjoy the beauty. We are coming in for a short trip in December. If we do not rent a car but want to ski at Sunrise or Lake Louise, are there shuttles to both? Do we need a park pass to ski?
Thank you
Hi Kim,
Both Lake Louise and Sunshine run ski shuttles from the town of Banff (not Canmore). You will need a park pass to recreate anywhere within the national parks.
Have a great trip!