North America
Canada
Banff Sunshine
Natural snow at mid-mountain (2,195 m) is reliably skiable from 16 Dec to 30 Apr. At the peak of the season the village at 1,660 m is usually skiable (85% of days) and the summit averages 20 cm of fresh snow per fortnight.
Month by month
October
Natural snow at mid-mountain reached 30 cm on fewer than 5% of days.
November
Unreliable for natural snow. Mid-mountain reached 30 cm on 28% of days.
December
Usually skiable. Mid-mountain had 30 cm or more on 82% of days, typically 42 cm deep. In the worst of the eleven seasons there was none. The village is usually bare. The summit averages 35 cm of new snow in the month.
January
Snow-sure. Mid-mountain (2,195 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days, with a typical depth of 54 cm. The worst of the eleven seasons managed 100%. The summit averages 22 cm of new snow in the month.
February
Snow-sure. Mid-mountain (2,195 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days, with a typical depth of 68 cm. The worst of the eleven seasons managed 100%. Snow usually reaches the village too (80% of days). The summit averages 31 cm of new snow in the month.
March
Snow-sure. Mid-mountain (2,195 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days, with a typical depth of 83 cm. The worst of the eleven seasons managed 100%. Snow usually reaches the village too (82% of days). The summit averages 35 cm of new snow in the month.
April
Snow-sure. Mid-mountain (2,195 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days, with a typical depth of 92 cm. The worst of the eleven seasons managed 100%. The summit averages 32 cm of new snow in the month.
May
Usually skiable. Mid-mountain had 30 cm or more on 62% of days, typically 56 cm deep. In the worst of the eleven seasons there was none. The village is usually bare. The summit averages 27 cm of new snow in the month.
June
Unreliable for natural snow. Mid-mountain reached 30 cm on 8% of days.
July to September
Natural snow at mid-mountain reached 30 cm on fewer than 5% of days.
Questions
When is the best time to ski Banff Sunshine?
For natural snow, 16 Dec to 30 Apr. In that window mid-mountain (2,195 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on at least 90% of days across eleven seasons. April is the most reliable month.
Is there snow at Banff Sunshine in December?
In December, mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 82% of days over eleven seasons, typically 42 cm deep. One or more seasons had none at all.
Does the snow reach the village at Banff Sunshine?
At its most reliable, in April, the village at 1,660 m had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 56% of days. Expect to ride a lift down at the end of the day.
How high is Banff Sunshine?
The modelled village is at 1,660 m, mid-mountain at 2,195 m and the summit at 2,730 m. The ski area itself spans 1,661 m to 2,686 m.
Is snow at Banff Sunshine getting more or less reliable?
Over the eleven seasons modelled, snow-sure days have gone down by about 17 per decade. Eleven seasons is too short to separate a climate trend from year-to-year swings.
What is the nearest airport to Banff Sunshine?
Calgary (YYC) is about 122 km away in a straight line. Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies (YXC) is 167 km away. Road distances are longer.