BUCKETS OF FUN AWAIT AT HUCKLEBERRY FEST
Annual event at Castle Mountain features berry picking, barbecues, music and more
They’re small, round and blue but the berries growing wild in the hills near Pincher Creek are definitely not blueberries.
Huckleberries are ripe for the picking in the bushes dotting Gravenstafel Mountain and Mount Haig. The berries thrive at high elevations in acidic soil so it usually requires a steep hike up a peak to savour their goodness. But an annual festival held at Castle Mountain eliminates some of the work by ferrying people up the glades on the Huckleberry Chairlift.
Run for 23 years now, the Castle Mountain Resort’s Huckleberry Festival is back Aug. 24-26 and makes for a fun family weekend. In addition to berry picking, the event features live music, barbecues, a beer garden, a community supper, vendors, games and activities.
The chairlift, which is open for scenic tours and to give access to the huckleberries, will also be used for the resort’s Full Moon Hike and Fine Dining Experience that weekend. Adapted from a winter event, with hiking taking the place of snowshoeing, the hikers will be whisked up the mountain where they will begin their trek to Haig Lake. Along the way you’ll hear about the history of Castle Mountain Resort and the Westcastle region, in addition to learning about some of the important environmental significance of our area. After a snack and a stop at the lake, hikers will be guided back to the resort lodge for a six-course, paired wine meal that includes chilled summer soup with sweet Taber corn, ahi tuna, and braised elk osso buco.
The Full Moon hike and leisurely dinner, $119, is capped at 36 guests to ensure personal attention. Call(403) 627-5101 to reserve a spot.
For those looking to take in the Huckleberry Festival, you can buy an All-Access Pass for $79, $49 for ages 6-12 but they are only available until Aug. 22. The pass includes access to the festival grounds, unlimited chairlift rides both days, buffet breakfast both Saturday & Sunday, a commemorative Huckleberry Festival pass, a pig roast/roast beef dinner on Saturday and one barbecue lunch for either Saturday or Sunday. For those just wanting to ride the chairlift, it is $19 for adults, $14 for children and free for those under 5.