Created by Skiers, for Skiers
Castle Mountain Resort isn’t run by accountants working for some mega-corporation. Since its reincarnation (back in ’96) it has been owned and operated by skiers who are driven by adrenaline, not profit. We believe in dry powder snow. We believe in challenging terrain. And we believe that the right combination of these elements will provide experiences of a lifetime for those who, like us, live to ski.
OUR MISSION
To break down the barriers between downhill fanatics and some of Canada’s most natural and challenging terrain.
We will be the Holy Grail for people whose real passion in life is downhill.
HOW WE GOT HERE…
In the beginning, there was snow. Next there were mountains, and then came the frantic powder hounds, anxious to get first tracks.
1965
The first T-Bar lifts were installed in the summer of 1965 and climbed approximately 2500 vertical feet. A beautiful Swiss style base lodge was also built that summer. Castle Mountain opened to the public in December 1965 and quickly attracted strong skiers and athletic families from all over Southern Alberta.
1975
The area hosted the Canada Winter Games alpine events. Despite a record snowfall that triggered dangerous avalanches and a temporary evacuation of the area, the Games were deemed a success.The resort was sold to the Town and Municipal District of Pincher Creek at the end of the year.
1994
The Municipal District of Pincher Creek became disenchanted with the ski area and wanted to walk away from the operation. Fortunately, the Westcastle Supporters Association [WSA] a group of avid Castlemen and women created a trust fund to ensure the solvency of the hill. They took over operations, and by 1995, the hill’s success demonstrated the possibility of greater things to come.
1996
A core group named “Castle Mountain Resort Inc.” purchased the resort and its assets from the Municipal District of Pincher Creek. An initial share offering raised enough money to install a triple chair at the base, buy a second snowcat and, most importantly, purchase a double chair from Sunshine Ski Resort in Banff, Alberta. Plans were also made to open the top of the mountain and quadruple the ski terrain.
1998
The double chair was installed and the resort began to take shape. The resulting terrain improvements put Castle on the map of great places to recreate with some of the best fall-line steeps in North America.
2006/2007
The winter of change. A completely NEW mountain, Mount Haig, opened for all to enjoy in December of 2006. The new terrain is the perfect addition of intermediate and novice runs to the already exciting terrain many have enjoyed for more than forty years. But Castle still has the steep continuous fall-line runs and deep, light powder snow (910cms annually ~ That’s 30 feet!) that it is famous for. With the opening of Mount Haig, Castle Mountain can now offer more options to a wider range of skiers.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Castle Mountain Resort’s sole purpose is to maintain a viable regional winter recreation for Southern Alberta. Acting with great environmental sensitivity, Castle Mountain Resort plans to operate within these necessary restrictions of its Area Structure Plan and Business Model for now into the foreseeable future.
