Castle Mountain marks 60th season
Stagecoach Express launches with more than 21 new runs in major terrain expansion
Castle Mountain Resort has opened for its 60th ski season, launching winter operations with a new high speed chairlift on the way and more terrain than ever before.
The independently owned resort in the South Canadian Rockies is now open daily with Green Chair and the Buckaroo Carpet operating. Snowmaking is underway to bring Huckleberry Chair online as conditions allow, and officials say they hope to have additional lifts and terrain open soon.
This winter marks a major step in a long term upgrade plan that has been unfolding over the past several years. Off season work in 2019 and 2021 improved snowmaking coverage and expanded accessible terrain. That groundwork paved the way for the resort latest investment, the Stagecoach Express.
The Stagecoach Express is a refurbished quad chairlift that originally operated at Sunshine Village as the Angel Express. It arrived at Castle at the end of summer 2024 and has since undergone a full retrofit. The new lift is in the final stages of installation in the area that previously hosted Castle cat skiing operations.
Cat skiing has now been paused indefinitely so those high alpine powder stashes can be opened to all guests once the lift is commissioned early in the new year.
The expansion will add more than 21 runs to the existing network of 94. When the new terrain opens, Castle will offer more than 115 runs spread across nearly 3600 acres, making it one of the largest ski areas in Alberta by acreage.
“We are incredibly proud to be celebrating 60 years of Castle Mountain Resort,” said Cole Fawcett, sales and marketing manager. “Castle has always been a place built by skiers, for skiers; a community grounded in authenticity and passion for downhill recreation. The addition of our first high speed lift will not only open up incredible new terrain to all of our guests but also mark the start of a new era for the resort. It is an investment in our future that we hope will reinforce Castle legacy of delivering uncrowded slopes, deep snow, big terrain and a friendly, down to earth atmosphere.”
Resort officials say the high speed lift is a cornerstone project aimed at improving access, moving more people efficiently and strengthening the guest experience. By increasing capacity and opening new terrain, they hope to build the steady revenue needed for future upgrades to older lifts across the mountain.
Located near Pincher Creek and the Crowsnest Pass, Castle is known for its deep natural snowfall, short lift lines and laid back atmosphere that draws both local skiers and destination visitors.
For current lift status, tickets and snow conditions, visit skicastle.ca.