Golfing in the Canadian Rockies
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Canadian Rockies, Canada.
Golf has been a tradition in the Canadian Rockies for a very long time. In this part of the world the sport of golf is very much revered. In the months from spring through to the end of fall, golf is a major draw for visitors from all over, just as much as skiing is in winter. The splendid backdrop of gargantuan mountains, the pure unsullied air, the lush, green grass framed by sky-scraping evergreens and the seemingly endless, deep-blue skies all lend to making a visit to the Canadian Rockies any golfer’s trip to paradise. Whether the choice is the Alberta Rockies, the British Columbia Rockies or ideally both, the Canadian Rockies are guaranteed to delight.
WHEN TO VISIT
Depending on what part of the region being visited—the season on the British Columbia side of the range is slightly longer—the golf season in the Canadian Rockies generally lasts from May until mid to late October, depending on the last and first snowfall.
CLIMATE
Being mountain terrain, the climate can be unpredictable. The bad news is that snow in the Rockies at high altitudes is technically possible during any month of the year. The good news is that summer snow is rare and if it does occur, will not last long. Rain is much more likely than snow, helping to keep the courses in excellent condition. This said, very long and pleasantly warm summer days are the rule rather than the exception. Temperatures range from average highs of 12°C in May to 23°C in July. Fall is a great time to visit as crowds are much less, the weather is still good, and the fall colours make the scenery even more beautiful. The average high in September is 17°C.
ALTITUDE
It is interesting and worthwhile to note that in the thin mountain air thousands of feet above sea level, golf balls travel up to 10 to 15 per cent further. This all adds to the challenge of Rocky Mountain golfing.
EQUIPMENT & RENTALS
Most airlines are generous in allowing passengers to carry their golf equipment on vacation. However, for those who need to travel ‘light’ or for those who may just want to dabble in a quick game during their vacation, it is very easy to rent golf clubs and shoes. Many of the courses here have rental shops, and the larger towns such as Banff, Jasper or Kimberley also have specialty rental stores that rent clubs and shoes at a lower price than the courses.
Some of the courses have fairly strict dress codes. It is always advisable to wear dress shorts and avoid tee shirts, sweat pants, anything in denim, athletic or sweat shorts. Many courses have footwear restrictions as well—soft-soled shoes are always advisable and some courses require soft spikes.
GOLF TOURS
For many devoted golfers, an organized golf tour of the Rockies is the perfect way to enjoy the best courses. Tours usually take in several premier courses across the region. These tours are very popular and sell out quickly. For one fixed price, accommodations, transportation and green fees are all taken care of. Usually organized tours have options for equipment rentals, and sometimes certain meals are included.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The many accommodations in the Canadian Rockies are very used to catering to the needs of golfers. Many of the lodgings in the area offer golf packages that include accommodation and golfing at their own course or one near to their property.
WORLDWEB.COM’S TOP 5 MOUNTAIN RESORTS
Banff Springs Golf Course
There has been a hotel on the site of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for over a hundred years. The current chateau-like structure dates from the 1920s. With the construction of the present hotel came today’s golf course, which was designed by the famous course architect Stanley Thompson. His 18-hole Banff Springs Golf Course opened for the first round in 1928 and was the first golf course in the world that cost more than $1 million to build.
As with all the courses in the Canadian Rockies, it is the sheer beauty of the panoramic views that can be seen by players that make this course so special. The course follows the path of the Bow River, and Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle soar above. The 7083-yard par 71 course is challenging and part of this challenge is the distraction for golfers to be playing amongst such scenic splendour.
Kananaskis Country Golf Course
Situated at an altitude of almost 5,000 ft, the Kananaskis Country Golf Course consists of two courses. The Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette courses (named for the mountains that tower over them) cover 16 acres between them and follow the wild meandering of the Kananaskis River. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., who described the area as, "the best natural setting I've ever been given to work with." The courses first opened in 1983 and in less than twenty years have acquired legendary status.
Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course
In golfing and show business circles the very name Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course brings back memories of one of the world’s great golfers and perhaps its greatest crooner, Bing Crosby. Decades ago, Crosby’s fondness for this glorious place helped put Jasper on the golfing map. But even without Crosby, this Stanley Thompson designed course would still have earned its legendary status. Located at the world-famous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, this course is a giant in mountain resort golfing, both in terms of its remarkable facilities and its tradition and history.
The course first opened in 1925 and was unique for the way the bunkers were shaped like the snow patterns on the surrounding mountains, the wide fairways were carved out of the forest and the holes purposely aligned with one of the many stunning vistas that can be seen from the course. The course at Jasper actually seems to be a part of the natural terrain—it is rugged and at one with nature.
Greywolf at Panorama
Across the Rockies in British Columbia, a new resort is making a great impression in golf circles. Located at the multi-purpose all season Panorama Resort is another wonderful golfers’ paradise evocatively known as Greywolf. Its designer Doug Carrick was inspired by Thompson’s courses at Banff and Jasper. Like these places, a golfer’s paradise has been carved out of the wilderness. The elevation variation is remarkable—one hole drops 200 ft from tee to green. Renowned for its bent grass and water flowing through 14 of the 18 holes, Greywolf carries on the tradition of Canadian Rockies Golf admirably.
Trickle Creek Golf Resort
Trickle Creek in Kimberley is among BC’s highest rated golf courses and considered one of North America’s best in terms of quality and value. Designed by Les Furber, each of the 18 holes here are unique. Trickle Creek is set on the slopes of North Star Mountain and is very close to Kimberley and the new Kimberley Alpine Village.
Although popular, Trickle Creek is somewhat away from the normal tourist trail and provides a great contrast to the busier and more well-known Rocky Mountain courses. Like all of our Top 5, the proximity of nature is an essential ingredient, and this is particularly true of Trickle Creek. The ambience here is fresh, unspoiled and remarkably tranquil.
WHEN TO VISIT
Depending on what part of the region being visited—the season on the British Columbia side of the range is slightly longer—the golf season in the Canadian Rockies generally lasts from May until mid to late October, depending on the last and first snowfall.
CLIMATE
Being mountain terrain, the climate can be unpredictable. The bad news is that snow in the Rockies at high altitudes is technically possible during any month of the year. The good news is that summer snow is rare and if it does occur, will not last long. Rain is much more likely than snow, helping to keep the courses in excellent condition. This said, very long and pleasantly warm summer days are the rule rather than the exception. Temperatures range from average highs of 12°C in May to 23°C in July. Fall is a great time to visit as crowds are much less, the weather is still good, and the fall colours make the scenery even more beautiful. The average high in September is 17°C.
ALTITUDE
It is interesting and worthwhile to note that in the thin mountain air thousands of feet above sea level, golf balls travel up to 10 to 15 per cent further. This all adds to the challenge of Rocky Mountain golfing.
EQUIPMENT & RENTALS
Most airlines are generous in allowing passengers to carry their golf equipment on vacation. However, for those who need to travel ‘light’ or for those who may just want to dabble in a quick game during their vacation, it is very easy to rent golf clubs and shoes. Many of the courses here have rental shops, and the larger towns such as Banff, Jasper or Kimberley also have specialty rental stores that rent clubs and shoes at a lower price than the courses.
Some of the courses have fairly strict dress codes. It is always advisable to wear dress shorts and avoid tee shirts, sweat pants, anything in denim, athletic or sweat shorts. Many courses have footwear restrictions as well—soft-soled shoes are always advisable and some courses require soft spikes.
GOLF TOURS
For many devoted golfers, an organized golf tour of the Rockies is the perfect way to enjoy the best courses. Tours usually take in several premier courses across the region. These tours are very popular and sell out quickly. For one fixed price, accommodations, transportation and green fees are all taken care of. Usually organized tours have options for equipment rentals, and sometimes certain meals are included.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The many accommodations in the Canadian Rockies are very used to catering to the needs of golfers. Many of the lodgings in the area offer golf packages that include accommodation and golfing at their own course or one near to their property.
WORLDWEB.COM’S TOP 5 MOUNTAIN RESORTS
Banff Springs Golf Course
There has been a hotel on the site of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for over a hundred years. The current chateau-like structure dates from the 1920s. With the construction of the present hotel came today’s golf course, which was designed by the famous course architect Stanley Thompson. His 18-hole Banff Springs Golf Course opened for the first round in 1928 and was the first golf course in the world that cost more than $1 million to build.
As with all the courses in the Canadian Rockies, it is the sheer beauty of the panoramic views that can be seen by players that make this course so special. The course follows the path of the Bow River, and Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle soar above. The 7083-yard par 71 course is challenging and part of this challenge is the distraction for golfers to be playing amongst such scenic splendour.
Kananaskis Country Golf Course
Situated at an altitude of almost 5,000 ft, the Kananaskis Country Golf Course consists of two courses. The Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette courses (named for the mountains that tower over them) cover 16 acres between them and follow the wild meandering of the Kananaskis River. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., who described the area as, "the best natural setting I've ever been given to work with." The courses first opened in 1983 and in less than twenty years have acquired legendary status.
Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course
In golfing and show business circles the very name Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course brings back memories of one of the world’s great golfers and perhaps its greatest crooner, Bing Crosby. Decades ago, Crosby’s fondness for this glorious place helped put Jasper on the golfing map. But even without Crosby, this Stanley Thompson designed course would still have earned its legendary status. Located at the world-famous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, this course is a giant in mountain resort golfing, both in terms of its remarkable facilities and its tradition and history.
The course first opened in 1925 and was unique for the way the bunkers were shaped like the snow patterns on the surrounding mountains, the wide fairways were carved out of the forest and the holes purposely aligned with one of the many stunning vistas that can be seen from the course. The course at Jasper actually seems to be a part of the natural terrain—it is rugged and at one with nature.
Greywolf at Panorama
Across the Rockies in British Columbia, a new resort is making a great impression in golf circles. Located at the multi-purpose all season Panorama Resort is another wonderful golfers’ paradise evocatively known as Greywolf. Its designer Doug Carrick was inspired by Thompson’s courses at Banff and Jasper. Like these places, a golfer’s paradise has been carved out of the wilderness. The elevation variation is remarkable—one hole drops 200 ft from tee to green. Renowned for its bent grass and water flowing through 14 of the 18 holes, Greywolf carries on the tradition of Canadian Rockies Golf admirably.
Trickle Creek Golf Resort
Trickle Creek in Kimberley is among BC’s highest rated golf courses and considered one of North America’s best in terms of quality and value. Designed by Les Furber, each of the 18 holes here are unique. Trickle Creek is set on the slopes of North Star Mountain and is very close to Kimberley and the new Kimberley Alpine Village.
Although popular, Trickle Creek is somewhat away from the normal tourist trail and provides a great contrast to the busier and more well-known Rocky Mountain courses. Like all of our Top 5, the proximity of nature is an essential ingredient, and this is particularly true of Trickle Creek. The ambience here is fresh, unspoiled and remarkably tranquil.
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