Pincher Creek, Alberta — While Banff Sunshine Village has made many headlines for replacing its Angel Express chairlift with the Super Angel LX, the old chairlift also has a new home. It was acquired by Castle Mountain Resort, who has big plans for the old Angel Express.
Yesterday, Castle Mountain Resort announced that the old Angel Express will become its first chairlift addition since the 2006-07 season. It will service Haig Ridge, which is currently home to the ski resort’s cat-skiing terrain. The new-to-them Poma detachable high-speed quad chairlift will have a length of 4757 feet, a vertical rise of 1805 feet, and a ride time of around six minutes. The new terrain pod will grow Castle’s lift-serviced skiable acreage by greater than 25%. Castle plans to have options available for beginners, intermediates, and experts in this new area. Skiers will reach this terrain from a new trail via the top of the Huckleberry chair.
Haig 1 is the temporary name of the new lift, as that’s what it’s referred to in Castle Mountain Resort’s Master Development Plan. The new lift name has yet to be officially announced.
This terrain expansion means that Castle Mountain Resort will be retiring the Powder Stagecoach Cat Skiing program after this ski season.
The chairlift parts will be refurbished this winter, and Castle plans on installing it next spring and summer. Castle anticipates opening the chairlift in December 2025.
Image Credits: Castle Mountain Resort
