Castle Mountain riding guide - World Snowboard Guide

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Freeriding

Castle has two main lifts which slowly take you to the Skyline Traverse; from here its up to you. Right or left as far as you fancy, then just drop into the powder. To the right you will find mostly steep tree areas with a few open easier descents like North Bowl. To the left is more of the same, although the trees are wider spaced. Keep going left as far as you can and you pass through a wooden gate adorned with a hangmans noose. Beyond the gate is an area of chutes with names like Desperado and Lone Star. All these chutes are steep and great for flying down at full speed - you have to take the Cinch Traverse back to the lifts, but the descent's worth every metre of the traverse.

Freestylers

There's no park here and nor should there be. This is a freeride resort with enough natural hits to keep even the most park-bound rider happy. In the chutes there are loads of rock drops and if you look in the trees you'll find plenty of logs to side on.

Pistes

Some of the pistes are groomed but Castle's not really about groomed runs. If you want to lay it over on hard-packed pistes, then head for Panorama and leave Castle to the powderhounds.

Beginners

Complete beginners will save money on an expensive pass but may find the resort a little short on easy slopes. Second and third weekers will love it here as the terrain will push their riding to the limit.

Watch you don't head too far into the trees or you may find yourself looking a little closer at the pines than you would have hoped.

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Dec to April

Lifts

Total Lifts: 5
Chair lifts: 2
Drag lifts: 3
Board Leashes required: Yes

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 61
Total ride area: 250acres
Longest run: 5km

Top lift: 2273m
Vertical drop: 863m
First lift: 1410m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 15%
Red runs: 40%
Black runs: 45%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
1/2 Day Pass - $40
Day Pass - $50
5 days pass $225
Season $674
Lift times:[No information]

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: Private lesson $45 per hour
Group lesson $30 2hrs
Full day inc rental, lift pass & 2hr lesson $91
Snowboard Hire: Board & Boots $35 per day
Night Riding: : No