Castle mountain resort riding areas

[thecheyner]

Was thinking about riding down that way just to see what it offers, what is the riding like in carbondale and around the resort? Is it open still?

 

[SnowJunkie82]

The area is still open although somewhat restricted. There was a map on the Alberta Environment website of designated riding areas and trails. That said the only enforcement we have seen is at the staging areas making sure the sleds are registered and insured.

 

[Jorg Jorgenson]

2 February’s ago me and the gf doubled our way into Castle (I believe that’s what it’s called) the riding area where you stage on the left hand side and the parking for castle mountain ski resort is in the right hand side. Has some cool scenery although it was quite wind blown when we went in and was my first time so didn’t venture too far off the beaten path. Was a nice way to kill a few hours while others in our group ski’d.

The other area I was considering riding was farther back down the road on the north side of the highway (if you can call it a highway..) where there’s a plane wreck you can sled to??

These are the pics from castle area

 

[JMCX]

I believe the plane wreck is south of Blairmore.

 

[busted2x]

Good riding over middle kootenay, have to stay on trail until you get to the “free riding areas”. And the area is enforced.

 

[SnowJunkie82]

2 February’s ago me and the gf doubled our way into Castle (I believe that’s what it’s called) the riding area where you stage on the left hand side and the parking for castle mountain ski resort is in the right hand side. Has some cool scenery although it was quite wind blown when we went in and was my first time so didn’t venture too far off the beaten path. Was a nice way to kill a few hours while others in our group ski’d.

The other area I was considering riding was farther back down the road on the north side of the highway (if you can call it a highway..) where there’s a plane wreck you can sled to??

These are the pics from castle area

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You are not quite into B.C. in these pics. The ridge behind you is the border. Once over the pass if you had stayed on the trail (I use trail loosely) and continued west you would connect to the Flathead. The plane wreck you are talking about is best accessed by staging at York Creek.

 

[Jorg Jorgenson]

You are not quite into B.C. in these pics. The ridge behind you is the border. Once over the pass if you had stayed on the trail (I use trail loosely) and continued west you would connect to the Flathead. The plane wreck you are talking about is best accessed by staging at York Creek.

Yes you are correct, I was wrong about the place crash being closer to castle than I thought. Thank you for clarifying.

Yes I did not cross into the bc side I stayed on the NE side of the ridge, there was a second trail that y’d and went up to the left, this prob would bring you to some more riding. It hasn’t been travelled since a new snowfall so we stayed clear of here.

 

[thecheyner]

Thanks all

 

[MP Kid]

I grew up riding in the Sw AB area. Spent quite a bit of time in the castle area a number of years back. It’s definitely nice, and I have many great memories from there, but it generally has lower snow compared to BC (and castle is especially susceptible to wind blown conditions). Even the locals tend to ride into BC. The flathead or elk valley have better riding for a slightly longer drive. If your driving from Calgary, going west vs south usually translates into better snow conditions. A rule of thumb I’ve always used is... there’s better snow the further west you go, but the sun usually shines better the further south you go....!