Golfing in Alberta/BC
 

We are travelling in Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Whilster and Vancouver this summer. Can you please suggest 1 or 2 places to play golf - where it is worth it? We don't midn paying the money, but obviously would like the best bang for our buck.

Thanks.

i've heard (haven't experienced) that the kananaskis golf course which is outside of the banff one of the best in alberta. it's in a beautiful provincial park and i am guessing that it would be about 1 hour from banff.

Susan:
I have heard the same thing about the Kananaskis course as ltt. I am not a golfer and have not experienced it myself either, but my mother is an avid golfer and that is one of her favourite courses.

I'm not a golfer either, but I too have heard great things about Kananaskis Country Golf Course.

If you'll be driving from Lake Louise to Whistler and overnighting in Kelowna or Kamloops, you might make enquiries about golf facilities there. Those towns are far away from national parks, so I would expect them to have fewer restrictions on development than exist in Jasper and Banff. Just a hunch.

Kananaskis is great. The Banff Springs Hotel golf course is also v. nice. wonderful mountain backdrops on both of these courses.
There's a nice course called Shuswap Lake Estates, just off the Transcanada at Shuswap Lake.
Predator Ridge - Kelowna area - excellent.
The Falls in Chilliwack (west of Vancouver) is a good one.
Furry Creek between Vancouver and Whistler is excellent. Right on the Sea to Sky highway - ocean and mountain views.
Most of the good courses in the city of Vancouver are private. There are lots of good suburban ones you could try but they might be a bit hard to get to for you.
In Whistler there are some wonderful spots - Nicklaus North, the Chateau Whistler and the Whistler Golf Club (designed by Arnold Palmer). Golf is a very popular activity in Whistler.

Try checking on golfcanada.com for more.

Hi Susan,
Here are my choices, based on many years of golfing (in Banff area for 10 years and 20 years in Whistler) Kananaskis outside of Banff. The Jasper Park Lodge course( a must play) Golden,BC Golf course, ( the best kept secret in BC) In Whistler , The Chateau Whistler Course( for best views and bear sightings) definitely not Furry Creek( too hokey) Big Sky In Pemberton, near Whistler. And in Vancouver, Northview, and Westwood Plateau. If you stop over in Kamloops, play the Dunes, and if you are in Kelowna, Predator Ridge, or The Harvest Course or Gallagher's Canyon. Cheers, Al

I am a certified golf nut. Kananaskis is fantastic but you must book well in advance.The weather there can be iffy as well ( I have teed off in hot sunny weather and finished off in a snow storm there- Not likely in summer, and if you get a nice day there is no finer golf anywhere).
Golden is truly an gem.Highly recommended.
If you can swing it, the area between Radium. B.C. and Kimberly, B.C. is golf heaven. ALl highly recommended:
The Springs at Radium
Eagle Ranch at Invermere.
Copper Point (between Invermere and Kimberly)
Trickle Creek at Kimberly
St. Eugene Mission at Kimberly.
Bootleg Gap at Kimberly.
These courses are a little out of the way if you are going directly from Banff to Vancouver, but if golf is your goal, I highly recommend them. You will be amazed. Average green fees for all these couses is about 70-90 bucks Canadian.
There are tons of accomadations available on the way for all of them.
Avoid golf in Canmore. Niced courses but very overpriced.
I have also heard the course at the Jasper Park Lodge is great, but have not played it personally.

On your way to Vancouver, I highly recommend Hyde Mountain at Sicamous. It's a spectacular new course built on the side of the mountain overlooking Mara Lake.

laverendrye, Mara Lake is one of my favourite places in the whole world. I haven't been there for about 6 years. Have you ever been to the private campground across the highway from the lake? It has a restaurant on-site with fantastic food and hospitality. I highly recommend it.

You must play at Silvertip golf course in Canamore which is app 20 min south of Baniff. It is one of the most spectacular courses that we have played. did enjoy kananaskis golf course but cannot compare to senery and quality by no means.