I spent a week in the Banff area snowboarding both Sunshine and Lake Louise. I found sunshine to be a bit smaller overall with more flat areas on the green runs. It had been described by others as confusing because of the numbering of every section of a run. I tend to just sort of look at the map and see how I can stretch out a run as long as possible. The problem with this method at Sunshine is that every place where runs meet up, it is flat and wide open. However, given that this was my first time this season, I probably needed those breaks to rest before moving on. Later in the season, I could see this getting on my nerves. Overall, I enjoyed it. A fairly nice small mountain with lots of snow. It snowed there every day I was in Banff and when they got snow, they typically got more than Lake Louise. I stayed in Banff and got the SkiBig3 ticket 4/5 days. This got me free rides on the bus up to the ski areas. This was easy and convenient. The bus was nice and given that I saw people slip-sliding all over the roads, I'm glad I did not rent a car. It's only about 20 minutes from Banff to Sunshine. Food prices were a little high, but everything in Banff is a little expensive.

Skiied here for 5 days over the opening long weekend. The snow conditions were very good for such early season riding. It looks as if there is a large a variety of terrain to suit all skill levels, from gentle greens to cliff lined double blacks. There are also a number of short easy hikes to access some very nice backcountry terrain. It did get a very windy and foggy at times, but there are plenty of tree-lined runs to retreat to once conditions turn bad. One big issue is that the runs get VERY flat at points, sometimes even going uphill. The place is an absolute nightmare for snowboarders as they have to remove their boots and skate/walk a lot, on many of the runs.

While the snow is great for mid-november, the staff at the resort are what makes this such a great place to ski. Probably the most friendliest anywhere!

Stayed in Banff so caught the shuttle each day, drops you right outside, short walk to the gondola and 20min ride to the top, the first lift is about 20 metres from there and your off. My partner is a beginner but found plenty of runs for her and had we found the runs from the top down to goats eye sooner we'd have had even more fun. No flat spots there and a lovely section of Banff Avenue ideal for a beginner. Anyway fantastic snow, 11 metres, had a day in knee deep powder, totally new experience for us. Just an enjoyable place. Mostly took our own food but that's just because you can stop and eat where you like. Did stop for occasional lattes in the mountain cafe. We took shoes and kept them in a locker so you had that lovely comfy feeling on the journey home. One thing I did trip up on was dressing by the weather in Banff and finding it was a lot colder on the Mountain. Only made that mistake once.