Golf – Canadian Rockies
British Columbia and Alberta; a journey through the Canadian Rockies, golf edition…
Western Canada is home to some of the most striking mountain scenery in the World. It is also holds the bragging rights to some of Canada’s top golf courses. The Rocky Mountaineer tour is one of the most famous trips you can experience in all of the Americas. This luxury golf getaway will be overflowing with spectacular scenery, top Canadian golf, 5-star resorts. A golf trip of a lifetime and one that will not be soon forgotten. Beginning in Vancouver and ending in the beautiful town of Banff in the Canadian Rockies, this bucket list vacation is designed not to disappoint. Read below for the full itinerary.
Sometimes travelling around BC and Alberta can be a scenery overload but how can one complain about that? Key sites and attractions you just shouldn’t miss, are in fact, seemingly endless, but here are a few to consider..
Vancouver – famous for sushi, considered an official food of Vancouver! For all palates and budgets! Apart from sushi you might also like to explore Lynn Canyon National Park, which has hiking trails, swimming holes and a suspension bridge. If you enjoy ‘suspense’, you must see the Capilano Suspension Bridge, built in 1889. It’s a 137m long, 70m high treetop bridge offering scenic views of the forest below. Stanley Park is Vancouver’s oldest and largest and most popular park for locals and visitors alike. The park is North America’s third-largest urban park and draws around eight million visitors a year!
Calgary, Jasper and Banff National Park – highlights being the Jasper icefields and Lake Louise in. The Rockies will impress you to no end with majestic mountains, mystical rainforests, quaint towns and mountain villages and overall absolute ‘wow factor’. Each season offers a new experience!
Whistler – consider taking the world record-breaking Peak 2 Peak gondola ride that links the mountain peaks of Whistler to Blackcomb. The ride offers 360-degree views of alpine and volcanic peaks, rainforests, glaciers and the activities of busy hikers and bikers and towns below.
For wine lovers the Thomson Okanagan is a must! Wine sippers and drinkers can roam amongst 120-odd wineries scattered throughout the region and enjoy plenty of delightful dining options as well.
For those brisker starts or ends to Fall days, Harrison Hot Springs in Fraser Valley is worth a visit, just 90 minutes east of Vancouver. Apart from the hot springs, in Fall it’s a popular fishing attraction as millions of salmon return to spawn in Harrison Lake, attracting not only fans of fishing but also plenty of hungry bald eagles and photographers capturing nature at its best.
You might also like to check out Nelson, nestled in the Selkirk Mountains. Nelson has a population under 10k, but has a unique, friendly and adventurous energy and personality that visitors quickly learn to love. The town is busy with artisan shops, cafes and dining options, art galleries and has access to more nature-based activities year-round, in the surrounding Selkirk Mountains than you can know what to do with!
Vancouver Island – there are many ways to enjoy it. Consider hiking the 75km long West Coast Trail for a scenic and remote experience, recommended for experienced hikers. Alternatively, go whale watching, where orca’s, dolphins and grey whales are commonly seen. In Spring, around March, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates the 20,000-odd grey whales that pass through the region on their 13,000-km journey from the waters of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula to the Bering Sea.
This is only a suggested itinerary and can be fully customized to create your very own golf experience. This itinerary is best suited for 12 travellers or less.
Day 1: Home – Vancouver – Whistler
Arrive Vancouver airport and retrieve your vehicle rental. Drive to Whistler via the Sea-to-Sky Highway and check in to your AAA 5 Diamond rated hotel. Overnight at the Fairmont Château Whistler Golf Resort and Spa (3 nights)
Day 2: Whistler
Golf Nicklaus North (Canada Top 100 Course, and host to events such as the Skins Game and the Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf).
Day 3: Whistler
Golf Fairmont Château Whistler (Canada Top 100 Course, GOLF Digest 41/2-star Award Winner, and Places to Play).
Day 4: Whistler – Vancouver
Drive back to Vancouver and check in to your hotel. Fairmont Pacific Rim boasts stunning harbor and mountain views. Relax and enjoy your evening at your leisure.Overnight at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Vancouver (1 night)
Day 5: Vancouver – Kamloops via Rocky Mountaineer
Transfer to Rocky Mountaineer Rail Station for your tour from Vancouver to Jasper with overnight accommodations in Kamloops. Includes GoldLeaf Deluxe Service. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of your trip through the Rockies from the bi-level glass domed coach. Includes 5-star cuisine, complimentary beverages and snacks.
Day 6: Kamloops – Jasper via Rocky Mountaineer
Your rail tour ends as you arrive in Jasper. Check in to the iconic Fairmont asper Park Lodge Resort, magnificent Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Overnight at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Resort (2 nights)
Day 7: Jasper
Play Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club (Canada Top 5 Course, rated #5 Best You Can Play – Canadian Golf Magazine). Enjoy the rest of your day at your leisure.
Day 8: Jasper – Banff
Private coach transfer from Jasper to Banff, stopping at the famous Columbia Icefields to see one of Canada’s largest glacial icefields before arriving in the historic town of Banff. Check in to the world-famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in the heart of Banff National Park. Overnight at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (4 nights)
Day 9: Banff
Play Banff Springs Golf Club (Canada Top 5 Course, Ranked #4 Canada’s Best Public Golf Courses by SCOREGolf). One of Canada’s top ranked golf courses. Enjoy the rest of your day at your leisure exploring the town of Banff. Includes a complimentary return shuttle to the golf course.
Day 10: Banff
Play Stewart Creek Golf Club (Canada Top 100 Course). Enjoy the rest of your day at your leisure. Includes a complimentary return shuttle to the golf course.
Day 11: Banff
Play Silvertip Golf Club. Remainder of the day is at your leisure. Includes a complimentary return shuttle to the golf course.
Day 12: Banff – Calgary – Home
Depart hotel and transfer to Calgary Airport for flight home.Please contact us for the latest pricing. We’ll match you with your best option.
If you’re looking for different ideas on how to make the most of this beautiful destination, check out our blog post, The Rockies – British Columbia and Alberta for some inspiration.
Canada’s western provinces of Alberta and British Colombia are must visit destinations for all ages. Why not consider visiting this beautiful part of Canada on your next holiday? Contact Merit Travel for ideas, inspiration and to arrange your next adventure, not too far from home, here in Canada.
May 1, 2018
