Castle Mountain Resort (Castle) is embarking on a transformative chairlift project, to enhance the skiing and riding experience of its guests, through the installation of a high-speed quad chairlift into its existing cat skiing terrain, on Mt. Haig. This new lift will provide access to more terrain, alleviate base area congestion, and capitalize on a deeper snowpack. The new lift will give access to a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, showcasing amazing views of Rainy Ridge, Mount Haig, and the West Castle Valley, as well as lots of great skiing / snowboarding.

The lift project, currently called Haig 1, will see Sunshine Village’s former Angel Express Quad Chairlift upgraded and installed prior to the start of the 2025/2026 season. The Haig 1 Lift Project represents Castle’s single largest on-mountain infrastructure investment in the resorts near 60-year history. Additionally, the resort’s lift serviced, skiable area will increase by more than 25%, with Haig 1 representing the first lift installation at the resort, since the 2006/07 season (Huckleberry Chair). While the project is currently known as the Haig 1 Lift, Castle expects to seek the input of guests and stakeholders in determining a formal name for this new lift.

“The addition of a lift serving this phenomenal terrain will forever transform our guests’ experience”, said Dean Parkinson, General Manager. “The terrain that will soon be available to all has been well loved by our cat skiing guests for over a decade, primarily for its deep snow and great skiing. We are excited to finally be opening up this terrain for everyone to enjoy.”

Planning and design have been underway for several months, with preliminary on-mountain work having already begun. Refurbishment of lift components will occur throughout the winter season, with installation starting after cat skiing operations are completed, in the spring of 2025.

For the 2024/25 season, Castle’s Powder Stagecoach Cat Skiing operation will operate 5 days / week from late December to mid-March, as originally planned. While work on this project will not affect cat skiing operations this winter, this will mark the final season of operations for Castle’s Powder Stagecoach.

Castle Mountain Resort is proud to be taking on this project, utilizing its fantastic team, augmented with subject matter experts to ensure the success of the project. The lift will receive mechanical, electrical, and operational upgrades in order to be ready to go for December 2025.

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About Castle Mountain Resort

Located in the South Canadian Rockies region, adjacent to the Town of Pincher Creek and the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Castle Mountain Resort boasts 95 + trails, across two distinct mountains, and is one of Alberta’s largest ski / snowboard resorts. Known for its abundant snowfall and short lift lines, Castle Mountain Resort remains an independently owned, down-to-earth, and authentic Rocky Mountain winter experience.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Cole Fawcett
Sales & Marketing Manager
E: Cole.Fawcett@skicastle.ca
P: 403-627-5101 x 244

For additional project information, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s), click here.

Leg 1 of the Castle Alpine Trail Race has been re-routed to avoid the area. A revised course map can be found at here).

Monday – CLOSED

Tuesday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM (food service until 6 PM)

Wednesday & Thursday – CLOSED

Friday – 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM (food service until 9 PM)

Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM (food service until 9 PM)

Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (food service until 6 PM)

Our Guest Services / Admin office will be closed Friday – Sunday, as per usual.

A full list of hours of operation can be found here.

T-Bar Pub & Grub –

The T-Bar Pub is open for the weekend with extended hours. Those are:

Friday – 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM (food service until 9 PM)

Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM (food service until 9 PM)

Sunday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM (food service until 9 PM)

Monday (Heritage Day) – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

CMR Guest Services – 

Our Guest Services / Admin office will be closed Friday – Sunday, as per usual, in addition to the holiday Monday (Heritage Day).

A full list of hours of operation can be found here.

Female

• U10 – Yarra Murray
• U20 – Myla Mundell
• U30 – Aislinn Williston
• U40 – Calla Wright
• U50 – Jennifer Weeks
• 50+ – Rose Tarrant

Male

• U10 – Griffin Lovell
• U20 – Finn Quennelle
• U30 – Trent McCarthy
• U40 – Rob Greeno
• U50 – Jean Marc Martel
• 50+ – Dean Parkinson

A complete list of results can be found by clicking here (PDF).

Spring has sprung! With it, brings warm weather, fun spring conditions, and our spring passes! For less than the cost of 2 days of skiing or riding at our regular rates, our spring passes are the best bang for your buck for spring skiing or riding.

Spring passes are now available with all spring pass holders gaining blackout free access and unlimited skiing / riding for the last 4 weeks of our season – March 11 to Closing Day (tentatively set as April 7). Spring passes also afford holders may of the same benefits as regular season pass holders (discounts on accommodations, cat skiing, lessons, etc.), including the ability to purchase 2024-25 season passes at our renewal rates – a savings of up to $190 dollars (based on an adult unrestricted pass)!

Special “Flash Sale” rates are in effect, to celebrate the launch of spring passes, with the following pricing in effect through to March 10:

Adult (18-64) – $229 (Regular $259)

Senior (65-74) – $169 (Regular $189)

Student (18-29) – $169 (Regular $189)

Junior (13-17) – $169 (Regular $189)

Child (6-12) – $99 (Regular $109)

Regular rates apply to all passes purchased March 11 onward. For more information, and/or to purchase a Castle Mountain Resort spring pass, please click here.

A new date will be posted when available! Thank you for your understanding!

This year we really wanted to step it up a notch. We wanted to provide our valuable pass holders – that’s you – with something meaningful, functional, and beautiful. What is there that every skier and snowboarder could use, we thought, and how could we tie that in with a piece of art – local art.

After landing on the idea that doing a customized Gogglesoc, a protective microfiber goggle cover / cleaner, might work, we reached out to the Pincher Creek Allied Arts Council. It was shortly after this that we became connected with Janifer Calvez, a southern Alberta based artist who grew up in our neck of the woods, and things took off from there. After a little bit of back and forth, and reviewing some of Janifer’s original, Castle oriented pieces of work, we decided we could and should feature one of them on a season pass exclusive, custom Gogglesoc.

While we wait for our coveted micro-fiber goggle covers to get arrive, we wanted to share a little bit about the artist behind them. Janifer was kind enough to indulge us in a little Q&A so please join us in learning a bit more about the person largely responsible for how rad this year’s season pass holder gift is going to be!

Photo Credit: Brent Calver

Q: Tell us about your connection to Castle and the South Rockies (Pincher – Castle – Crowsnest) region?

A: I was born & raised in Pincher Creek, so I skied at Castle (Westcastle) all of my life. We live half time in the area now, and we are grateful we can enjoy Castle and the South Rockies all year round, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing.

Q: What inspired you to paint this particular painting?

A: I’m forever noticing the amazing landscape around me so I stop to take photos all of the time. I was preparing for a solo art show called Earth, Wind, & Sky, where I wanted to capture many of the amazing views we see all around us. Castle Mountain Resort was definitely on my list, along with Waterton, the expansive vistas to the mountains, Lake Louise, and more. I try to capture the feeling of the moment through colour, movement, and line in my impressionistic style.

Q: What are your favourite things to paint?

A: I love to capture my impressions of the expansive landscapes around me, including prairie, mountains, sky and flowers. I hope people feel a sense of connection when they view my work.

Q: What did you think when we reached out about working together?

A: I was very excited to see the call out from Castle wanting to pair up with a local artist to create a great keepsake for all of the season’s pass holders. I was extremely excited when you reached out to me, as I have many paintings inspired by our time spent at Castle.

Photo Credit: Gordon Mackey

Q: How do you think our project turned out?

A: I’ve only seen the mock ups/proofs which look amazing, but am looking forward to seeing the Gogglesocs in person. I hope people will enjoy them.

Q: What is your favourite run at Castle?

A: It has changed over the years. When I was a kid, we only had the T-bar so it was the North Run, the Burn, Jelly Roll, tree skiing or Shot Gun. More recently I’ve enjoyed North Star, and last season I enjoyed the Tamarack Bowl and Sheriff so we could stay up top, and Drifter for the way down. Truth be told, I follow my family to see where they want to go.

Q: How many days on snow are you hoping to get this season?

A: As many as I can, crossing fingers for awesome snow.

Q: What’s the best way for people to learn more about you / your work?

A: You can follow me on IG or FB @janifercalvezart or visit my website at janifercalvez.com. I also have a studio space at the Lebel Mansion in Pincher Creek and show my art at in the gallery shop there, as well as at Lineham House Galleries in Okotoks, AB.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: Thank you for collaborating with a local artist (me) for this fantastic project and here’s to a fabulous ski season.

And thank you, Janifer! You’ve been a joy to work with on this project and we appreciate your love and enthusiasm you exude not only for your craft, but also for the South Canadian Rockies region!

Want to see how the Gogglesoc turned out? Check out the photo below!

BEAVER MINES LAKE – BEGINNER

Distance: 4.2 KM (return)  Elevation Gain: 92 M

With Table Mountain looming over the lake, enjoy this scenic hike around Beaver Mines Lake. This hike is easily accessible from the Beaver Mines Lake Campground and the popular day-use area. This trail is perfect for families with young children just getting their legs under them.

HAIG LAKE LOOP – INTERMEDIATE

Distance: 8.4 KM (return)    Elevation Gain: 466 M

Right in our backyard, this stunning trail makes use of a combination of narrow, winding ski trails, historical, exploration cut-lines, and single track to ultimately arrive at Haig Lake. Hiking to Haig Lake is best done by using a combination of the Haig Lake South and North trails.

We recommended to start with the Haig Lake South trail as your “up route” due to a slightly more gradual incline, out of the base area. This is thanks, in large part, to the abundance of switchbacks found on the lower third of the trail, as you follow our summer maintenance road under the Huckleberry Chairlift. If you can endure the lower third of this trail then you will make it to the lake!

Once you reach the lake, and have an opportunity to take it all in, make your way back to the base area via the Haig Lake North trail. Winter enthusiasts will note that much of this trail follows the winter trail known as “Cinch Traverse” and offers stunning views of Barnaby Ridge / Southfork Mountain as you return back to the base area. Keep your eyes peeled for bear grass earlier in the summer and huckleberries in the late summer period!

SOUTHFORK LAKES – INTERMEDIATE / DIFFICULT

Distance: 12.2 KM (return)     Elevation Gain: 697 M

One of the more well-maintained and well trafficked hikes in Castle Provincial Park, Southfork Lakes trail offers breathtaking views of Castle Mountain Resort, Mount Haig, and Syncline Mountain almost the whole way up to the lakes. For those that are willing / able to endure the reasonably abrupt elevation gain, this one is a gooder!

The highlight of the journey are undoubtedly the Southfork Lakes themselves, a chain of 3 small shimmering gems nestled just east of Barnaby Ridge / Southfork Mountain. Allegedly there are golden trout in here, much to the delight of those looking to fish. The lakes also offer a popular overnight camping destination for those willing to hike with the extra weight. Don’t forget, if you pack it in, pack it out.

YORK CREEK PLANE CRASH – INTERMEDIATE / DIFFICULT

Distance: 20.3 KM (return)     Elevation Gain: 684 M

The York Creek Plane Crash trail is a captivating and adventurous trail that combines nature’s beauty with a historical touch. The highlight of the trail is the wreckage of a vintage aircraft, a 1946 Royal Canadian Air Force Dakota, scattered among the rugged terrain at the base of Mount Coulthard. Great views of Mount Coulthard, and it’s hanging valley, are also worth the trek.

This trail is a shared-use path with off highway vehicles (quads and side-by-sides) so be sure to be on the look out for other trail users.

TABLE MOUNTAIN – DIFFICULT

Distance: 10 KM (return)     Elevation Gain: 832 M

While the hike is on the shorter side, the Table Mountain trail ascends steeply, leading you through rocky terrain and plenty of elevation gain. As you ascend higher, the landscape unveils, revealing sweeping vistas of rolling hills, lush valleys, and distant mountain ranges. Reaching the summit, you’ll be greeted by a vast plateau, providing a perfect vantage point to soak in the sheer magnificence of the surrounding Rocky Mountains to the north and the west, and the foothills / prairies to the east.

Don’t stop at the plateau though! The true summit of Table Mountain passes through a stunning larch-filled grove which shines golden in the fall months.

We wish to remind all visitors that hiking at Castle Provincial Park is a wilderness experience. Wildlife, including bears, frequent the area. Be bear aware, leave no trace, leave a detailed trip plan with someone you love, and prepare yourself for backcountry emergencies. 

For more information on Castle Provincial Park, click here (Alberta Parks website).

For complete details on summer hiking trails at Castle Mountain Resort, click here.

Our resort is now closed to all traffic. All terrain at our resort is now no longer being patrolled or controlled – mountain rescue is NOT AVAILABLE. Please give our mountain operations teams the space that they require, to safely and successfully close our resort for the season.

For existing pass or card holders, we wish to remind you that special renewal rates on season passes are available until end of day on Sunday, April 16. Visit our season passes page to renew your pass now or give our Guest Services team a call at 403-627-5101.