Mountain Review: Castle Mountain
MOUNTAIN SCORE
CATEGORY BREAKDOWN
See our criteria
9
Snow:
6
Resiliency:
7
Size:
6
Terrain Diversity:
8
Challenge:
2
Lifts:
6
Crowd Flow:
3
Facilities:
7
Navigation:
9
Mountain Aesthetic:
GOOD TO KNOW
1-Day Ticket: $82-$103 USD ($112-$140 CAD)
Pass Affiliation: Indy Pass, Powder Alliance
On-site Lodging: Yes
Après-Ski: Limited
Nearest Cities: Calgary (2.5 hrs)
Recommended Ability Level:
+ Pros
Stunning, remote footprint
Snow quality
Demanding, consistently-pitched advanced and expert terrain
– Cons
Slow lifts
Long lines on powder days
Wind holds in upper-mountain areas
Smaller lift-served footprint than many competitors
MOUNTAIN STATS
Lifts: 6
Trails: 95
Beginner: 11%
Intermediate: 20%
Advanced/Expert: 69%
Mountain Review
When most people plan a ski trip in Alberta, Castle Mountain often gets overlooked. But for those who’ve been, it’s easily one of the most beloved mountains, especially for its frequent powder days, unique terrain, and (generally) low crowds, making it a hidden gem of the Rockies. However, Castle isn’t without its drawbacks, and the resort has a number of circumstances that may not make it the best choice for everyone.
Castle Mountain is a bit smaller than the best-known Western Canada destinations, though it still offers a diverse selection of terrain.
Size and Terrain Layout
With about 1,800 skiable acres in-bounds, Castle offers a decent amount of terrain for a Western Canadian ski resort, at least on paper. Guests will not run short of new runs to check out even on a multi-day trip, but this acreage number does come with a few caveats.
The resort is divided into two primary areas, Gravenstafel and Mount Haig, with one main lodge at the base of the resort. Gravenstafel, which is the main mountain area, is primarily served by two lifts; the Sundance Triple Chair services the bottom half of the mountain and the Tamarack Chair services the top half. Once you’re at the top of Gravenstafel Peak, there are plenty of runs to choose from by taking the Skyline Traverse north or south, which also offers some of the most beautiful views of the area. At the far ends of this traverse, many of the runs end in another traverse or cat track that eventually return to the base area.
The Mount Haig area at Castle is split into two sections: one with lift service, and one without. The lift-serviced area is held down by the Huckleberry Chair and will be seeing some expansion in a future season. Runs from this area all end at the Round-Up Traverse, which also leads back to the base area.
The upper part of Mount Haig, which comprises approximately one-third of Castle’s terrain, sees no lift service and is reserved for cat skiing operations. Occasionally, the resort will open this area up for touring as well.
TRAIL MAP
Beginner Terrain
Castle Mountain is not the most ideal resort in the world for beginners, although easier runs can be found in a few areas around the resort. Runs off the lower-mountain, learning-oriented Green Chair are fairly short and are a natural progression for those starting out on the nearby magic carpet. For those ready to tackle longer distances, the Huckleberry Chair on Mount Haig provides more extended beginner-friendly options. The resort's longest green trail, North Road, offers a scenic, gentle route from the top of the Sundance Triple Chair back to the base.
Intermediate Terrain
Castle Mountain offers a decent number of intermediate runs around the resort. The best intermediate terrain is located on Mount Haig, accessible via the Huckleberry Chair. Runs like Lone Ranger and Pony Express are regularly groomed and offer enjoyable descents, with adjacent gladed areas suitable for family-friendly tree skiing.
On the main mountain, there are a few intermediate runs off the Sundance Chair, and even some off the Tamarack Chair, though some of these skew towards being advanced terrain from the steepness, as well as from moguls that can sometimes accumulate later in the day.
The Sundance Chair provides access to several intermediate runs on Castle's Gravenstafel area.
Advanced Terrain
Advanced and expert terrain are where Castle Mountain really shines. What really sticks out is that so many of the advanced and expert runs on the main mountain feature consistent fall lines, with these runs often accessible via top or bottom traverses. Instead of having the longest vertical only on small portions of the mountain, the main Gravenstafel area at Castle boasts extensive runs of up to about 2,500 feet (750 meters) of vertical, making for some of the longest, steepest fall line runs in Canada.
Much of the advanced terrain can be found over on the main mountain, which ranges from wide open bowls to intense tree skiing. One of the most well-known areas is the North Trees, which includes runs like North Star and Ugly Face. Other gladed areas can be found throughout this part of the resort and range from wide open to dense trees. The main mountain also has some great mogul runs, many of which can be found in the lower half off the Sundance Chair, such as Wolverine or Mouse Trap. The variety of advanced runs continues with an impressive selection from the top of the Tamarack Chair. A short traverse along the top leads to a wide array of fall-line runs including wide open areas like Sheriff or Tamarack Bowl, lightly-gladed mogul fields like Huckleberry Ridge (not to be confused with Huckleberry Chair), and classic steep tree skiing in the North Trees area.
While not quite as standout as the main mountain, off the Huckleberry Chair on Mount Haig, there are a wide variety of glades ranging from somewhat open to very dense. There are also a few open runs with moguls in this area of the resort, such as Quick Draw.
Castle's Tamarack Chair provides access to a wide array of advanced terrain.
Expert Terrain
On a good day, Castle Mountain’s expert slopes are home to some of the most incredible steep skiing and riding in Canada. Combined with a good dump, the expert terrain is described by some locals as lift-serviced heli-skiing since there are few lifts servicing a vast amount of fall line terrain without moguls.
Possibly the most sought-after area at Castle is The Chutes, which mostly consists of steep expert runs. Many of these runs have a consistent pitch that follows the fall line, making for extremely fun runs, especially on powder days. The good news is, even when it’s busy, there are lots of chutes to choose from. Most of the northern chutes, like Gambler and Lone Star, are nice and long, and require the least amount of traversing, but they tend to get tracked out first. More options open up further along the Skyline Traverse, and there are usually some fresh tracks to be found if there has been recent snowfall.
Visitors looking for a challenge can even find a few cliffs around Castle, mostly off the top of the main mountain. In some of The Chutes there are small to medium cliffs, but the main cliff area on Gravenstafel offers medium to large drops, and they can be fun to watch on pow days as crowds wait to get on the Tamarack Chair.
Castle's most coveted expert terrain is found in The Chutes, which consists of long, steep, consistent runs.
Backcountry
Other than the lift-serviced and cat skiing terrain, Castle also offers a designated uphill route for $10 CAD. The cat skiing terrain is also open for touring on designated days, but this terrain will be changing within the next season or two.
For more experienced backcountry riders, there are areas outside the resort that aren’t patrolled that are worth checking out. There are a few steep chutes off the back side of the cat skiing area on Mount Haig, and other runs off the back side of the main mountain for “slackcountry” riders. Backcountry riders looking for more uphill can also check out some amazing slopes in the Syncline Valley just north of the resort. All these areas are outside the resort boundary, and those looking to venture into these areas are encouraged to check with ski patrol for the latest avalanche conditions.
Terrain Parks
Back within resort boundaries, there is one main terrain park located midway up the Huckleberry chair, which offers a variety of jumps, jibs, rails, and boxes. There is another, smaller terrain park located on the main mountain near the north end of the resort, just off the North Road cat track, which is designed specifically for beginners. Compared to larger resorts, the terrain parks at Castle don’t include any extra-large features for experts, but it can be a good place for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders to progress.
RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR CASTLE MOUNTAIN
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate ski
Recommended advanced ski
Recommended high-alpine ski
Recommended powder ski
Snow and Resiliency
On average, Castle Mountain gets over 200 inches (500 cm) of snowfall every season, putting it up there with the top resorts in Alberta. Most of the snowfall is very dry, light accumulation, making for fantastic powder days after a big dump.
Snowstorms come fairly often throughout the season at Castle, with quite a few storms bringing 15 inches (40 cm) or more. On days following these storms, visitors can experience what feels like bottomless dry powder, especially in upper mountain areas, though these days can bring significant crowds.
Sometimes there can be noticeably different weather and conditions between the base area and the top of the mountain. Typically, more snow falls mid-to-upper mountain, and these areas can get fairly windy as well.
Weather conditions can impact lift operations at Castle. On occasion, the upper-mountain Tamarack Chair will close due to high winds. Usually, this lift is only temporarily closed for a total of a few hours per week, but sometimes, the lift may remain closed for an entire day. Still, areas closer to the base of the mountain, where most groomed runs are, remain pretty consistent throughout the season.
Castle experiences fairly frequent snowstorms, which often bring impressive amounts of light, dry powder.
During the typical season, the snow usually gets good around late December, which is when The Chutes are typically first opened. The good conditions usually last all the way until temperatures warm up around mid-March. Since the majority of the mountain faces east, spring conditions make for fun, slushy snow during the day, though it often freezes overnight, making for some icy mornings.
One of the most unique aspects of Castle is the naturally occurring wind sift, which especially benefits The Chutes and other upper mountain areas. After a large snowfall, the mountain can experience a fair amount of wind for a few days. This can at times limit access to the top of the mountain, but overall greatly improves the quality of the skiing by redistributing the snow into amazing wind sifted runs with no moguls to be found. Occasionally, when the wind is just right, you can get fresh tracks down a run and by the time you make it back up to the top, the snow is refreshed and you can get fresh tracks down the exact same line!
Much like other resorts in the area, there is the occasional extreme cold snap and dry spell, but conditions are quite often some of the best in the area. After a snowstorm, fresh tracks can still be found days after, especially midweek. In between snowstorms, conditions can sometimes leave you wanting more, especially if the highly sought-after Chutes area is closed, but for those who know the mountain well enough, you can still find decent snow somewhere.
Despite a traverse-heavy footprint, Castle Mountain is still fairly easy to get around.
Navigation
Castle Mountain may have a number of traverses to get to and from the trails in its upper-mountain Gravenstafel area, but the resort is relatively easy to get around overall. While the aforementioned traverses can get repetitive over time, they are graded enough to allow skiers and riders to keep their speed, and the singular base area means that guests will have a hard time ending up in the wrong place at the end of the day.
Lifts
Historically, Castle Mountain's lift network has been somewhat outdated, characterized by slow, fixed-grip double and triple chairs with limited capacity to transport skiers uphill.
The main mountain, Gravenstafel, is accessed by two key lifts: the Sundance Chair (locally known as the Blue Chair), a triple, and the Tamarack Chair (locally known as the Red Chair), a double. Adjacent to the Sundance Chair is the T-rex T-bar, which typically operates on busy days to assist with mid-mountain access, while a magic carpet near the base caters to beginners on the bunny hill. The beginner area is also served by the fairly-short, aptly-named Green Chair.
Over on Mount Haig, the fixed-grip triple chair known as Huckleberry serves both the main terrain park and a broad range of beginner and intermediate slopes.
Looking forward, Castle Mountain is poised for significant upgrades. Within the next few seasons, the resort is expected to introduce its first high-speed lift on Mount Haig. This lift will enhance access to what was formerly a cat skiing area, now earmarked for intermediate-to-expert terrain. Concurrently, the cat skiing operations will be relocated to another nearby mountain. As of October 2024, the opening date of the new high-speed quad and the specific new location for cat skiing remain undisclosed.
Crowds are rare at Castle Mountain, but lines at the Tamarack (pictured) and Sundance Chairs can start to stack up on weekends or holidays following a snowstorm.
Crowds
Crowds at Castle Mountain only really appear on holidays and weekends, especially after getting a foot or more of fresh snow. But in those cases, lineups on the Sundance and Tamarack Chairs can each be nearly an hour or sometimes more. Once The Chutes open up, you’ll usually find a longer lineup for the Tamarack Chair on weekends when conditions are good.
However, other than under the above circumstances, crowds are virtually non-existent at Castle. Even after a big dump, if you can visit mid-week, you can have some epic powder days with relatively short lift lines.
On-Mountain Facilities
Compared to other larger and busier resorts, Castle doesn’t have a ton of on-mountain facilities, but what it does have seems to suit its cozy atmosphere. Even on busy days, you can usually find space in the day lodge, where it has a cafeteria that serves breakfast, lunch, as well as drinks. On weekdays, you’ll find plenty of space to spread out, with lots of room between tables. Once the weather is a bit warmer, the resorts sometimes opens up an extra BBQ area just outside the main lodge, offering up a few grab and go options on busier weekends.
There’s also the T-bar Pub that offers beer on-tap, a good variety of pub food, and awesome skier-esque decor, but it often fills up fast on weekends. On warmer days, however, they do open a patio area for extra seating.
RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR CASTLE MOUNTAIN
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate board
Recommended advanced board
Recommended high-alpine board
Recommended powder board
Mountain Aesthetic
Because of the weather patterns and frequent snowstorms in the area, it’s common to have at least some cloud cover when visiting Castle. However, when you’re able to catch a bluebird day (which happens more often closer to spring), Castle Mountain turns into one of the most beautiful ski resorts out there. When they are visible, it’s hard not to appreciate the absolutely stunning views of Mount Haig on one side, and views of the valley on the other.
Getting There
Castle is about two and a half hours from Calgary using either Highway 2 or 22, the latter of which provides a beautiful view of the edge of the Rockies. But while less scenic, after heavy snowfall, Highway 2 is usually the way to go as it is typically cleared first.
The closest city to Castle is Lethbridge, which is around an hour and a half from the resort. Generally there’s not much traffic to worry about, though the last part of the drive is on a two-lane highway and can sometimes get congested on a busy weekend. While visitors coming from Alberta don’t have to drive through any mountain passes, those coming from British Columbia on the Crowsnest Highway sometimes have to deal with road closures after a big storm.
If you’re ever searching for directions to Castle, make sure you specify Castle Mountain Resort, as there is also a “Castle Mountain” a few hours north between Banff and Lake Louise, which has nothing to do with the resort.
Parking
There is plenty of free parking at Castle, and spots are usually available in the South or North parking lots, even during weekends. On the busiest days, there is also an overflow parking lot.
There are several lodging options near Castle Mountain's base area.
Lodging
If you plan to come for a few days, Castle Mountain has a variety of accommodations on the mountain to choose from that are either ski-in/ski-out or a short walk to the lifts. Depending on group size, there are hostel and hotel-style accommodations at the Castle Mountain Ski Lodge, but most options come from the many cabins and suites near the base area. Most accommodations can be booked through Castle’s website, although there are a few Airbnbs on the mountain as well. Quite a few of the lodges get booked up mid-season, especially the ones with hot hubs, so make sure to plan ahead!
As an added note, the mountain offers long term RV camping lots, but there is a 5+ year waitlist for winter RV sites. Visitors looking to stay for a night in their RV can just check in with the main office when they arrive.
Après-Ski
While Castle Mountain may be smaller in scale, its après-ski scene, though limited, is far from entirely lacking. The T-Bar Pub stands out as a local favorite, offering great food and an excellent selection of beers. On Fridays, the pub takes it up a notch by opening up a dance floor and bandstand, providing lively entertainment to cap off a day on the slopes.
Despite slow lifts, Castle is a worthwhile destination for those looking for good snow and diverse terrain.
Verdict
Castle may not have many facilities or high-speed lifts—and lift lines can actually be a serious issue on powder days. However, fantastic snow conditions and unique terrain make it a must-visit destination for advanced and expert skiers and riders looking for an off-the-beaten path Western Canadian ski destination.
Pricing
With some of the cheapest lift ticket prices in the area, it’s well worth the drive, especially after a storm. The standard rate for adult day tickets is $139.95 CAD ($103 USD), though guests who purchase tickets online in advance can bring that down to as low as $111.95 CAD ($82 USD). Season passes are also some of the cheapest, with an early bird adult pass going for $1,189 CAD (or $1,399 CAD after the early bird season ends October 15). Locals who don’t go quite enough to justify a season pass often purchase Castle’s WOW card, which, for about the price of one day ticket, gets you 50% off full day tickets for the whole season.
If you get a season pass at Castle, you also get the benefits of the Powder Alliance, which gets you three free days at each of the 22 partner resorts. However, if you don’t plan on skiing at Castle often, it’s also part of the Lake Louise Plus Card, which gets you the first, fourth, and seventh days free at any of the partner resorts, along with a 20% discount on days in between.
Castle is also part of the Indy Pass, where you get two days at each partner resort and an additional third day at 25% off. Unfortunately, the Indy Pass is currently sold out for the 2024-25 season.
