Sanson Peak

Elevation: 2310 m
Elevation Gain: 800 m
Sanson Peak is the official name of a high point on the northern end of Sulphur Mountain. The Peak was named for Norman Bethune Sanson in 1948. Sanson served as meteorologist, zookeeper and museum curator for Banff National Park. In 1903, he proposed that a weather station be built atop the (then nameless) northern summit of Sulphur Mountain. In his capacity as Park Meteorologist, Sanson ascended his namesake peak over 1,000 times publishing weather reports under the pseudonym “Seer Altudinus.” In addition to Sanson’s weather station, the peak was also home to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station which operated from 1957 until 1978 and was disassembled in 1981. Thanks to the popular “Sulphur Mountain” hike and gondola which provide access to it, Sanson Peak is often (and incorrectly) claimed as the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Indeed, the true summit of Sulphur Mountain is 140 m higher, located about 4 km to the south and sees far fewer visitors.
My Ascents:
July 17 2021, April 19 2019, May 29 2011
Trailhead: Banff Gondola Parking
GPS Track: Sanson Peak

Having secured adjacent campsites at the Village I campground in Banff, we invited Chris and Jenn to join our family for a weekend in the mountains. Evidently, they’d forgotten about the kid-related chaos and masochistic hiking that accompanies a Hobbs family camping trip because they, surprisingly, agreed to come! 🤣 Thrilled to have our best friends along for a couple days, I began to plan the requisite hike suffer-fest (delegating the responsibility of wreaking havoc to our kids). Having focused too much on canyon hikes and bike rides recently, I decided that a summit was overdue and proposed nearby Sanson Peak. Brianne and I have been up Sanson a whack of times and figured that it was high time to share its pretty (but busy) summit with Chris, Jenn and our littles. Again, somewhat surprisingly, Chris and Jenn agreed. 🤣

Setting off from the trailhead, Penny quickly latched on to “Auntie” Jenn’s hand as we made our way up the wide trail’s non-descript switchbacks.

LEFT: Despite the trail’s forested surroundings, mountain views appeared (from time to time) between the trees. Better still, those views were, surprisingly, clear given the smoke that blanketed us on our Bow Valley bike-and-hike the day prior.
RIGHT: Jenn appears to have acquired another cling-on as Chris smiles (despite his recent consumption of lactose).

LEFT: After about 3 km of hiking on her own, 3-year-old Penny managed to secure a sweet deal that involved being carried and then hiking up alternating switchbacks.
RIGHT: While Brianne made herself useful as Penny’s trusty steed, I did likewise by fetching things that our kids dropped over the trail’s steep lip (photo courtesy Penny’s steed).

LEFT: After a couple of hours of leisurely hiking, we reached tree line and were reminded that we could have spared ourselves any and all exertion by “cheating” and taking the gondola up. While the trail had been busy by hiking standards, it paled in comparison to the crowds surrounding the upper gondola terminal. Clearly, Sanson is a peak full of “cheaters!” Fortunately, the masses clustered most densely around the gondola station and many didn’t venture far from it.
RIGHT: 5-year-old Mera and 3-year-old sister Penny pose, proud of their (mostly) unassisted ascent, near the gondola terminal.

Banff landmark Mount Rundle rises impressively to the east.

Much to a tired Jenn’s chagrin, the gondola terminal wasn’t our final destination for the day. A short distance to the north, Sanson’s peak rose, ever so slightly, above the gondola terminal at the end of a popular boardwalk.

LEFT: Eager to bag the peak, Mera and Penny set a torrid pace along the boardwalk… 🚀
RIGHT: …Stopping only to pose for photos (like this one with the Sundance Range). Cheese! 📷

LEFT: Mera treated the boardwalk like her own personal “jungle gym” (Exhibit A).
RIGHT: Exhibit B.

Bow Valley views unfold to the west as Penny leads Chris and Jenn up the final few steps to Sanson’s weather station-sporting summit.

LEFT: Penny scrambles up to the summit while Mom and Mera capture a glimpse of “Seer Altitudinus’” historic domain.
RIGHT: “Auntie” Jenn, “Uncle” Chris and our climbing monkeys. 🙉

Even without the gondola traffic, Sanson is a popular peak (and for good reason)! The panorama that it offers over the town of Banff is unmatched! Click to see larger.

Mount Brett (left) and Pilot Mountain (center) highlight the view west up the Bow Valley.

Mount Cory (center right) and Mount Edith (right) to the northwest (what mountain boy?). Between them, popular Cory Pass is obvious while Lake Louise giant Mount Temple (center left) is even visible thanks to, surprisingly, clear skies!

A cloud shades Mount Norquay’s summit and its entertaining south ridge route. Further north, Mount Brewster presides over the Cascade River Valley.

Postcard-worthy views over the town of Banff (nestled between massive Cascade Mountain and diminutive Tunnel Mountain).

A closer look at the colorful tourist town.

The Bow River plunges down its namesake falls behind the world-famous Banff Springs Hotel.

Mount Aylmer is the most prominent peak to the northeast beyond Lake Minnewanka.

Looking east towards the Fairholme Range (from left to right: Mount Inglismaldie, Mount Girouard and Mount Peechee).

There’s nothing like a scenic family summit!

LEFT: After jockeying for the best photo positions with the crowd atop Sanson, we took a moment to enjoy the views from an open area (that was much less busy) just below the summit.
RIGHT: Before we could rest for long, however, Mera had already started to run back along the boardwalk towards the gondola station! Cheetah speed! 🐆

Back at the gondola station, we explored the recently updated interpretive displays. The kids were especially fond of the “Excrements” display! 💩

LEFT: Yo Bear! 🐻
RIGHT: After exploring the interpretive displays, we decided to “half-cheat” and paid to take the gondola down. The girls, obviously, enjoyed the ride down much more than they would have the hike! Sadly, unlike in years past, the ride down wasn’t free…

Brianne and her girls take in the wonderful views of Mount Rundle and the valley below as the gondola floats effortlessly down the mountainside.

Having worked up a sweat 🥵 hiking up Sanson on a hot summer day, we discovered the quickest way to cool off: a dip in the, glacial-cold, Cascade Ponds. Chris’ face 🥶 says it all!

LEFT: After a summit and a swim, we capped our day with an evening on the town! Thanks to Roam transit, getting from our campsite to Banff Avenue was effortless (and air-conditioned ❄️)!
RIGHT: Penny watches the mountains roll by from the windows of the “Wolf Bus.”

LEFT: The girls, once again, found “Auntie” Jenn’s hands as we strolled down Banff Avenue in search of the perfect patio.
RIGHT: An Instagram-worthy end to a perfect day in the mountains: suds in the sun following a scenic summit and shivery swim! Hey, wasn’t this supposed to be a suffer-fest? Guess I’ll have to pick a bigger mountain next time… 🙃 😉