Ranked 67th of 155 Ski resorts
Castle Mountain reviews & ratings
Overall Rating
Value for Money
Après Ski
Off Piste
Eating Out
Accommodation Options
Overview
Castle Mountain is for those who love their skiing with a side of adventure. It's a bit more off the beaten path, but totally worth the trip. The slopes here are varied, offering a good challenge for more experienced skiers. The powder is often excellent, and the views are stunning. The atmosphere is laid-back, and the people are super chill. The lodge has a rustic feel, great for unwinding after a day in the snow. It's the kind of place where you can escape the crowds and just enjoy the mountain.
Resort Stats
Ski Terrain
9Beginner Runs
20Intermediate Runs
52Advanced Runs
13Expert Runs
4.3 milesLongest Run
3592 acresSkiable Terrain
300 hectaresSnow making
Elevation
7457 feetTop
4626 feetBottom
2831 feetVertical Drop
Lifts
4Chairlifts
2Surface Lifts
Lift Pass Costs
$CAD1324Season pass
$CAD129.951 day
Weather
230 cmAverage annual snowfall
Getting There
Castle Mountain Reviews & Ratings
Overall Rating: 4.4
Ranking: 67th of 155 resorts
Overall Rating
Snow Parks
Value for Money
Après Ski
Family Friendly
Off Piste
Eating Out
Tree Skiing
Groomed Runs
Mogul Fields
Powder Zones
Quiet Slopes
Lift Efficiency
Ski School Quality
Accommodation Options
Beginners
Intermediates
Advanced
Experts
Snowboarders
All Reviews
Allison - expert skier
Apr, 29 - 2024
Castle Mountain is for a real kind of ride. I saw that graffiti on hill years ago and it still holds up. They try to market that it's family and beginner friendly, and honestly if you learn to ride here, you can ride most anywhere, but this is an extreme hill. The jump from green to blue is massive and shouldn't be taken lightly. But once you're comfortable enough to ride the blacks? An amazing new world is opened up that I still haven't seen in any other resort. The terrain is spectacular and in a good snow year, the powder is to die for. If you want steep, straight fall lines, go to the Chutes. You want to jump off cliffs? Far Chutes is just a bit further down the traverse. Is the killer wind getting to you? Well if you can survive the traverse, Far North trees has you covered. Oh you're looking for a nice and long winding run with lots of options for side hits? Bandito to North Road is a dream. Prefer something a little easier with more options if you so want? Huckleberry is your place to shine.
Castle's infrastructure is definitely small and on the janky side. The daylodge needs upgrading, there's only one restaurant/bar on hill, unless you go to Airbnb the only lodging is across the parking lot (which the fact most of the hill is ski in, ski out is amazing) and I'm scared most days that I ride their main lift Blue/Sundance (if you know, you know) but the riding is absolutely phenomenal and the community really brings everything together in signature Castle charm. I can also appreciate the slow lifts because it gives your thighs enough time to rest after the intense steepness that Castle is know for but it also spreads riders out on hill that you honestly feel like one of few, that is until you get to bottom of Red and you see the pile up. And coming down after last lap and saddling up to T-Bar Pub is the perfect way to end the day.
The issues lie in that lift tickets prices are getting absolutely ridiculous. They're trying to compete with big name resorts without being in the same league in terms of what they're providing. I get it, running ski hills are expensive but for maybe tens of bucks more, you can just head over to Fernie which has way nicer lifts, nicer day and night lodging, more dining options, and it's a bigger hill (personal preference is still with Castle but they're driving away people who love it for numerous reasons)
You also have to be careful because Castle is a shareholder owned hill, which is great that is not some massive ski conglomerate that owns it but it's held it back in other ways. It's mainly owned by a bunch of old timers that for the longest time, didn't want to change anything because their hill was perfect as is. You can see how that's hurt them in the long run because they've only in recent years got on how important snowmaking is to keeping the hill functioning (the water use limitations are also a big hurdle that I can understand) and how terrible their terrain park is year after year. Like, there's bad, and then there's Castle bad. Opening up a mini park on North Road has helped, but if you've been riding anywhere where they take pride in how their jumps are set up and then you come to Castle?? I'm warning you, dial everything back at least 30% until your comfortable with how it shoots you out or how well the boxes and rails are maintained. It's sad to see how Castle has either directly or indirectly sabotaged their park because on bad snow days, that's where a lot of people are going to want to go. And it's also wise to give people a safe place to learn comfortably instead of them building booters up on hill.
Castle has definitely had its hey day, you can see that in how many great riders it's produced, and my love for the hill will never die (not so much for the people who run it *cough Cole cough cough*) but we're in a new era of skiing and riding. It will be interesting to see how Castle evolves with it. This is definitely a hill you need to check out at least once, it's too special to pass up on
Ryan - expert snowboarder
Apr, 23 - 2024
Castle Mountain Resort is the best hill for me and my family. I love how you can just buy a lift ticket for the green chair or the Huckleberry chair that includes the green chair or full mountain.
Kedric - advanced skier
Apr, 20 - 2024
The Castle Mountain Resort has trails for all ranges of experience from beginner to expert, it also has amazing powder (except for this year it was a dry winter) and is very family friendly they have a snack shack in the main lobby as well as a bar if you need refreshment after a great day of shredding pow.
Tony Curtis - expert skier
Apr, 12 - 2024
Best little resort in the Rockies !! Hidden gem for sure . Canadas friendliest lifty ! Very economical
Slow speed lifts and not much for accommodations .
Tim - expert skier
Mar, 28 - 2024
Steep and the snow can be deep. Quiet and laid back place. Can find some intense runs that make neck hair stand up.
Greg - expert skier
Mar, 25 - 2024
Castle is throwback destination. If you dont mind older, smaller, slower lifts then your only complaint here will be the wind on occasion. Terrain has lots of option's from the groomers off Hucleberrry chair to the steep and challenging south chutes. Although often quite windy near the top, the terrain has a unique ability of capturing the wind sifted snow in just the right places to give skiers and riders a fresh experience even during the dry spells. Castle is about the friendliest resort Ive skied. You feel at home here from the moment Marie scans your pass and gives you that big welcome hug. Yes Marie hugs everybody, Shes a legend. And those that have called Castle their mountain for years, are always happy to share their knowledge of the terrain and point you in the right direction.
Dan - expert skier
Mar, 25 - 2024
Amazing old school resort with great prices and low traffic. Snow quality and quantity is the best in Alberta too!!
Nathan - expert skier
Mar, 24 - 2024
Great mountain skied it all my life. Lots of terrain options and cool features. Wish there was more Cliff hits.
Katie-Lynn - intermediate skier
Mar, 24 - 2024
Its a really nice ski hill, steep but really fun and the ski lift is always fast enough and easy to get on and off of and in general you will have so much fun skiing this ski hill cuz its always a delight to ski it and its considered to me probably my favourite so far this year Ive skied on so definitely check it out
Tony curtis - expert skier
Mar, 24 - 2024
Some of the best powder around , long steep chutes for advanced skiers . Some of the best value for your doller . Plus Canadas friendliest lifty- true fact !