This Alberta ski resort is a true Canadian hidden gem

We’re always talking about uncovering the city, but this time around we’re going to explore the province a little bit. Say hello to Castle Mountain Resort, a true Albertan hidden gem and one of the best ski resorts in Canada.

That’s a pretty big claim, so we’re going to back it up. From the moment you arrive to your last apres-ski beer, Castle makes sure you’re having the best day possible every step of the way. And of course, the terrain is the foundation of that.

You’ll find every kind of skiing imaginable here. Want to scream down groomers? They’ve got them. Some relaxed tree runs with pockets of powder? Of course. And for the truly devoted, we can’t forget their wonderful selection of chutes and bowls.

But it doesn’t stop there, oh no. Actually, Castle is one of only a handful of resort-based cat skiing operations in North America. And because of that, they get to keep their prices lower than practically every other operation in the country!

Even if you’re not ready to shell out the big bucks for cat skiing, you can still access the area easily. Yeah, in a crazy twist, Castle opens their cat skiing terrain to anyone comfortable with ski touring twice a week. Not bad at all!

Not an avid skier? Not a problem! Come down with your family or friends, enjoy the pub and maybe go snowshoeing, then treat yourself to their unique evening Cat Tours, which will show you the most scenic parts of the area in an absolutely gorgeous twilight setting.

That’s not even the coolest part of Castle, though. Nope, in fact, the real draw you probably wouldn’t ever encounter from a day trip. You might be surprised to learn that Castle Mountain is completely community-owned, so every member of the community is also invested in the resort.

And basically, that turns an already above-average ski resort into one that’s truly memorable. From post-ski beers in the pub to the etiquette on the hill and even the local potluck dinners, it’s clear that everyone who comes to Castle, whether for the day or the season, wants it to thrive.

It’s not often that your lift buddy is an owner of the resort you’re skiing at, but that’s exactly what you can expect here. If you’re trying to get the inside track of the best runs of the day, just say that all you want to do is beat Norm to them.

Trust us, it will work.

Castle Mountain Resort

Where: HWY-774, Pincher Creek No. 9