Sun path · Banff
Sunrise & sunset direction in Banff
See which way the sun rises and sets in Banff, with the full arc showing elevation against compass direction. Dashed curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice for comparison.
Drag the timeline to see where the sun will be in the sky.
Sun path in Banff on Wed, Sep 23
The sun rises at 89°, E and sets at 270°, W in Banff, reaching a peak elevation of 39° at solar noon. Day length is 12h 7m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
The chart above plots the full arc of the sun across the sky. The horizontal axis is compass direction, the vertical axis is elevation. Dashed reference curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice so you can see how the arc shifts through the year.
Use the scrubber to walk through the day and read the sun's compass bearing and elevation at any moment. For photography, check which direction light will come from at your planned shoot time and whether your subject will be front-lit, side-lit or backlit.
Sunrise and sunset direction in Banff
Bearings are measured clockwise from north and calculated from the sun path for this location.
| Date | Sun rises | Sun sets |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 89°, E | 270°, W |
| June solstice | 49°, NE | 311°, NW |
| Equinox | 89°, E | 271°, W |
| December solstice | 128°, SE | 232°, SW |
Shooting the light in Banff
Banff’s published sunrise and sunset bearings meet a mountain horizon, not a flat one. Peaks can block direct light well after geometric sunrise and take it away before geometric sunset, while high ridges continue to glow above a valley already in shade.
The useful move is often to face away from the sun. At dawn, western faces can catch the first warm light; near sunset, eastern faces may hold the final color. Snow extends that light by filling shaded valleys and reflecting color into foregrounds.
Where photographers go
Vermilion Lakes
Open water and marsh give a low western view toward Mount Rundle, strongest for dawn alpenglow and calm reflections.
Bow Falls
The river, falls and forested valley catch broken directional light close to town.
Surprise Corner
A raised view across the Bow River to the Banff Springs Hotel with Sulphur Mountain behind.
Lake Minnewanka
The long lake opens the horizon beyond the tighter town valley and carries mountain reflections in still weather.
Frequently asked
- Which way does the sun rise in Banff?
- On Wed, Sep 23, the sun rises in Banff at 89°, E (east).
- Which direction does the sun set in Banff in December?
- At the December solstice, the sun sets in Banff at 232°, SW (southwest).
- How high does the sun get in Banff?
- On Wed, Sep 23, the sun reaches about 39° above the horizon at its highest point in Banff.
