The Kootenay Rockies region offers a superb selection of more than 25 championship golf courses, including many award winners. It is marked by a spectacular alpine landscape with dramatic elevation changes, thick forests, abundant wildlife and rugged peaks.
Between rounds, check out the region’s many hiking trails, river rafting trips and mountain biking routes, or sit back and admire the mountain scenery. Muscles aching after playing 18 holes? Go for a soak in one of the natural hot spring pools in this region post-game.
Visit Kootenay Rockies golf trip ideas to learn more about golfing in this region, along with suggestions for places to stay and where to dine.
Golf and Hot Springs in the Columbia Valley
Greywolf Golf Course at Panorama Mountain Village was ranked #2 in SCOREGolf magazine’s list of British Columbia’s Best Public Golf Courses in 2009, and was awarded 4.5 stars by the prestigious Golf Digest. Greywolf’s signature hole, the aptly named “Cliffhanger,” involves an island-like green with rocky vertical drops on three sides.
Also on SCOREGolf's list of BC’s top public courses are Invermere's Eagle Ranch Golf Resort and The Springs Course at Radium Resort. Both wind alongside the mighty Columbia River and showcase gorgeous mountain views.
Fairmont Hot Springs and Copper Point Golf Club in Windermere each boast two beautiful championship courses. At Fairmont Hot Springs, don’t miss the signature hole at Riverside Golf Course – it crosses the headwaters of the Columbia River twice!
Golf Courses With Mountain Views
Cranbrook and Kimberley are home to some incredibly scenic golf courses, with the Purcell Mountains visible to the east and the Rockies to the west.
Cranbrook’s Shadow Mountain was named one of 2010's Best New Courses in Canada by SCOREGolf. It features 19 holes and has one of the longest layouts in BC (7,405 yards).
Also in Cranbrook is the new Wildstone Golf Course, opened in 2011, which stretches 7,127 yards against a Rocky Mountain backdrop, and St. Eugene Golf Resort, which celebrates local Aboriginal culture at the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre and throughout the resort.
Kimberley’s Trickle Creek and Bootleg Gap Golf take full advantage of their natural scenery. Trickle Creek received an honorary mention in SCOREGolf's list of BC’s Best Public Courses (2009) and was also named Best View of the Rockies.
Kootenay Golf Trail
Among the eight golf courses that make up the Kootenay Golf Trail are Redstone Resort, a Les Furber Signature Course in Rossland that was named one of the Best New Courses in 2010 by SCOREGolf, and Castlegar Golf Club in Castlegar, which hosted the 2010 BC Amateur Championship.
Along the peaceful shores of Kootenay Lake, discover Balfour Golf Course, located 15 minutes south of Ainsworth Hot Springs. And across the lake in Crawford Bay is Kokanee Springs Golf Resort with panoramic views of the Kokanee Glacier.
Practical Points
- The golf season runs approximately from March to November.
- Tee times should be booked in advance of arrival, especially in July and August.
- Many courses have a dress code in effect, so check ahead with the course or resort.
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