i wish it was possible to grow outdoor cacti up here. I like looking at these photos.
Discussion
You might be able to grow some varieties of opuntia.
I'll post a pic later of one that seems nearly unphased to nearly any condition.
There's also an opuntia that I bought from the produce section of a grocery store. It was in a cooler, spent last winter in a tent, and is now showing a new paddle.
there's one that grows in and around Drumheller (east of here). I had one in the yard and it lasted about 2 years then melted into sludge because the weather spanked it hard. 😇🤣
I've had to cover mine in winter due to the exposed land I'm on. Years ago, they were under some tree cover, and didn't need any assistance through winter.
Even when they had tree cover, I watched the winter temps to see if I needed to take additional measures.
At the same time, I've seen some here growing in a swampy ditch! (which I got samples of).