Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station

Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station is a research facility at 2,283 meters elevation, built with concrete structures and scientific equipment designed to detect radiation from space. The remnants show how instruments were positioned to measure cosmic particles traveling from distant galaxies.

The National Research Council built the station in 1956 to prepare Canada for the International Geophysical Year, a worldwide research effort. This scientific campaign collected measurements from high-altitude locations across the globe.

The station was part of a global network studying cosmic rays, allowing Canada to share important findings with scientists around the world. For visitors today, the site shows how vital this mountain was to international research efforts.

The site is reachable by the Sulphur Mountain Trail or Banff Gondola, though the gondola reduces much of the elevation gain. Sturdy footwear and weather protection are wise choices, as altitude and changing conditions require careful preparation.

The station was one of only nine such monitoring points across Canada and helped identify patterns in cosmic activity. This data contributed to our understanding of energy sources across the universe.

Location: Improvement District No. 09 (Banff National Park)

Inception: 1902

GPS coordinates: 51.14667,-115.57778

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02