You could literally own a piece of the Rockies in this year’s Lifestyles Home Lottery. And that’s not even first prize! Nope, the big winner will walk away with a $1.8 million estate home in The Ravines from Thomson Luxury Living — accounting for more than half the total $3,416,747.16 in total prizes up for grabs.

But the name of this magazine is Condo Living, so it’s actually prize number two that we’re a little more interested in here. For a review of the grand prize show home, read our sister publication, New Home Living, available starting November 1st at the same place you got this magazine.

Meanwhile, about an hour west of Calgary, at Spring Creek Mountain Village in Canmore, a spectacular live/work/play community at the base of the landmark Three Sisters mountain peaks, a condo awaits. Valued at $560,000, the 995-square-foot, one-bedroom plus den suite offered as part of the lottery prize package (unfurnished but with an extra $5,000 in cash) is on the first level of the four-storey Morraine Ridge Lodge. Talk about getting in on the ground floor!

And they’re going fast. In fact, the grand prize condo is one of just two still available in the 45-suite (plus three live/work studios) building, the other being a two-bedroom, 1,087-square-foot home.

Morraine Ridge Lodge itself features the same rustic styling inside and out that’s part of the entire community development by Spring Creek Mountain Village Inc. Amenities include a beautiful outdoor courtyard, a group barbecue area along Policeman’s Creek, and a large homeowner’s lounge with big screen TV, fireplace, billiard table and dart boards. On the more pragmatic end of things, it also boasts underground parking and geothermal heating. Officially, it’s designated a 40+ building, with children being allowed for up to 60 days a year.

The surrounding community sits on 70 acres within walking distance to downtown Canmore, and promises a good blend of housing options and businesses, not to mention ample green space, with approximately 14 apartment style condo buildings and numerous townhomes bordering both Spring Creek and Police Creek, which each twist their way through the community. At time of press, homes were still available for purchase in Creekstone Mountain Lodge and at Cambrian Streamside Villas.

Three hotels, plus various boutiques and galleries not only lend a subtle business presence — and some of life’s necessities — but also add to the community’s ‘mountain village’ flavour.

Since beginning in the year 2000, the Calgary Health Trust’s Lifestyles Lottery has raised more than $14 million to support programs and services at Rockyview General Hospital and Peter Lougheed Centre. This year will support the Southern Alberta Institue of Urology (SAIU) at the Rockyview. At the Peter Lougheed, funds will help purchase high definition video equipment and other specialized instruments.

The last day to buy tickets is November 25, with the final draw taking place December 8.

For more information on the condo or lottery visit http://www.lifestyleslottery.org or http://www.springcreekmv.com CL