CASTLE MOUNTAIN RESORT
from ski hill to all-season resort
Client
Travel Alberta
Project Type
Destination Development, Tourism and Resort Planning
Location
South Canadian Rockies
Status
Report completed December 2024, implementation 2025
Scope
Research, engagement, visioning, strategy, action plan
A Premier Destination for Skiing and Beyond
Set in a beautiful alpine valley flanked by parkland, Castle Mountain Resort is famous for its superb skiing, snowboarding, and powder snow. Strategically located near major tourism corridors, it is well-positioned to help attract and grow tourism and strengthen the region’s visitor economy.
Established in 1966, the resort has been owned and operated by Castle Mountain Resort Inc. since 1996. A master development plan for the 2,300+ acre site was prepared by Brent Harley and Associates in 2017. Past provincial plans have identified the potential for year-round tourism in the Castle area, resulting in significant private and public investment.
A Provincial Vision for All-Season Destinations
In February 2024, the Province released its Higher Ground tourism strategy: “a bold, visionary approach to create new provincial mountain destinations,” followed by the All Seasons Resort Act to “incentivize the responsible, sustainable development of all-seasons, year-round resorts in Alberta.”
In September 2024, EDG Principal Doug Leighton was asked by Travel Alberta to help generate a long-term vision and action plan for Castle to evolve from a ski hill into a major all-season resort. This effort built upon EDG’s previous visioning workshops for the South Canadian Rockies tourism development zone.
Collaboration to Shape the Future
A visioning workshop with participants from Castle Mountain Resort Inc., Castle Community Association, Alberta Parks & Forests, and Travel Alberta identified a high degree of consensus. Together, they developed a common vision, principles, priorities, and proposed next steps. Participants expressed strong support for more tourism partnerships and a sustainable development approach to becoming a year-round resort.
The workshop highlighted several priorities, including updating the Master Development Plan, creating a high-quality Village Plan, improving infrastructure, and expanding accommodations and amenities to support year-round tourism.
The workshop results and EDG’s proposed action plan were presented to Travel Alberta and well received by participants. The final report was completed on time and on budget in December 2024 and will guide actions and investments by the Province, Travel Alberta, and Castle Mountain Resort Inc. in 2025 and beyond.
