Golfing the Sea to Sky: Vancouver to Pemberton

Whether you’re flying into Vancouver International Airport from across the world or driving up the Sea to Sky, golfing in Whistler is an experience you won’t soon forget. Experience five different Whistler golf courses that are each world-class, and well-maintained with top customer service to boot.

Golf might not be your first thought when you think of Whistler, but with impeccable value for money and prestigious accolades (Chateau Fairmont Golf Course was named the 2019 North American Golf Course of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators) it’s the perfect jumping point to host a corporate tournament, couple’s weekend, or enjoy a round with friends.

Here are five golf courses between Vancouver and Pemberton that are designer-made, championship courses that are sure to please the recreational golfer to professional athletes (and everyone in between!):

Chateau Fairmont Whistler Golf Club

Carved out of the slope of the mountain, the Chateau Fairmont Whistler Golf Club offers a true mountain golf experience and challenge to even the most avid golfer. The mountain course traverses creeks, ponds, ancient forests and granite rock. Elevation changes of more than 400 feet overall create an impressive golf opportunity and a naturally spectacular BC golf experience.

With an extensive list of awards and accolades including the award for the ‘#1 Golf Course in North America’ from IAGTO in 2019, the Chateau Fairmont Whistler Golf Club is a must play for golfers travelling in the area. Incredible customer service, flawless greens, and quality of play stand true to the Fairmont name and guarantee the golf experience of a lifetime.

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Practice & Learning Centre is home to Canada’s only David Leadbetter Golf Academy. The Practice and Learning Centre is a double-ended, 350-yard long facility with combination grass and artificial turf teeing areas and featuring a Short Game Area with a 10,000 square foot putting green, practice bunkers and chipping and putting zones.

Book a Fairmont Golfing Experience Here

• Location: minutes from Whistler Village along Blackcomb Way next to Lost Lake Park.
• Dates of Operation: May 23 to October 7
• Course Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
• Par: 72
• Yardage: 6635
• Restaurants: The Clubhouse
• Price: from $119 per person

Furry Creek Golf & Country Club 

Happy Gilmore was here!

Wedged between Howe Sound, towering old growth trees, and steep mountains, Furry Creek is the ultimate BC golf experience. Whether you’re travelling from afar and look to experience the beauty of the province, or a local resident looking to play world-class golf in their backyard – Furry Creek has something to offer you.

With their signature 14th hole located at the shore of Howe Sound to the 1st tee where you hit your tee shot 165 feet down to the fairway, to the 7th hole placed over 300 feet above sea level.

Furry Creek twists and turns through the rainforest and ravines to offer you an amazing golf experience. Undulating greens, blind tee shots, lush fairways, and abundant wildlife from eagles, black bears, and deer make Furry Creek undoubtedly one of the most beautiful golf courses you’ve ever played.

Fun fact: Happy Gilmore was partially filmed at Furry Creek for the ‘Pepsi Pro-Am Tournament’ with Bob Barker.

• Location: Furry Creek is located along the Sea to Sky highway thirty minutes North of Horseshoe Bay or fifteen minutes South of Squamish. It is easily accessible right off the highway.
• Dates of Operation: June 1 to October (weather dependent)
• Course Designer: Robert Muir Graves
• Par: 72
• Yardage: 6025
• Restaurants: Sea to Sky Restaurant & Treetops Lounge
• Price: from $79 per player ($69 for twilight times)

Whistler Golf Club 

Green, blue and beautiful all over

Whistler Golf Club is golf legend Arnold Palmer’s first Canadian design and Whistler’s most played course year after year. While the magnificent mountain views, designer-made greens, and uncompromising course conditions are standard fare, it is the friendly, helpful, professional golf course staff that make a Whistler Golf Club a uniquely ‘Whistler’ experience

The Whistler Golf Club offers five sets of tees with a number of them upgraded and expanded to increase the overall experience regardless of skill level. The greens at the Whistler Golf Club are known for their firmness and undulations making it a fast and challenging course.

Warm up before your round, take a lesson or simply stop by to rent a club and some balls at Whistler Golf Club’s practice facility – ‘The Range’. The Range is home to the Whistler Golf Academy which offers a complete series of lesson programs including private and couples lessons, mixed and ladies group clinics and junior golf schools.

After your round, enjoy beverages on the patio while watching golfers play the 18th hole. Daily drink and food specials, fire pits, and late afternoon sun make Palmer’s the perfect place to relax whether you’ve played a round of golf or not.

• Location: Where is whistler golf course? Whistler Golf Club is located steps from the main Whistler Village across the street and under the bridge from the Whistler Conference Centre.
• Dates of Operation: May 10 to October 12
• Course Designer: Arnold Palmer
• Par: 72
• Yardage: 6676
• Restaurants: Palmer’s Gallery Bar & Grill
• Price: from $99 per player

Nicklaus North Golf Course 

Another perfect day, Nicklaus North Golf Course

Nicklaus North Golf Course is a semi-private course nestled at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and along the shores of Green Lake. An environmentally-conscious project, completed with awareness and sensitivity towards the area’s natural habitat, this course was built to the highest specifications using premium golf course construction technology.

This designer course offers five sets of tees combining challenge and enjoyment for golfers of all abilities with generous fairways and greens that are receptive and impeccably manicured. Nicklaus North also has their GBC Golf Academy with driving range, practice green and chipping bunker with private, semi-private and group lessons by Canadian PGA professionals.

Table Nineteen Lakeside Eatery is the perfect place to start or end a round of golf, with panoramic views of Green Lake. Watch floatplanes come and go as you relax on the sunny patio and reminisce about your solid game while enjoying their casual and delicious menu.

• Location: Where is this whistler golf course? Nicklaus North Golf Course is located three kilometres North of Whistler Village on the shores of Green Lake.
• Dates of Operation: May to mid-October (weather dependent)
• Course Designer: Jack Nicklaus
• Par: 71
• Yardage: 6961
• Restaurants: Table Nineteen Lakeside Eatery
• Price: from $89 per player

Big Sky Golf Club 

Big Sky in Pemberton is breathtaking

For those looking to pack away the skis and dust off the clubs, Big Sky opens earlier than the previously mentioned golf courses thanks to the warm Pemberton climate.  

Big Sky is famous for its gentle rolling links in an untamed mountain setting with bent grass fairways, tees, greens and Ravensdale sand bunkers to provide the finest in golf course conditioning. Big Sky offers an incredible dramatic natural setting as it is situated at the base of the towering Mount Currie in the Pemberton Valley, surrounded by lakes & rivers.

The Big Sky Golf Academy is dedicated to growing the game of golf and helping individuals meeting their golf game goals thanks to experienced PGA of Canada Instructors and programs. The practice facilities feature a 350-yard, double-ended driving range, two practice bunkers, three practice putting greens and a five-hole par three course.

• Location: 25 minutes North of Whistler in the town of Pemberton.
• Dates of Operation: April 27 to October
• Course Designer: Robert Cupp
• Par: 72
• Yardage: 7001
• Restaurants: Fescues
• Price: from $79 per person

With championship designer courses nestled into a beautiful landscape, whistler’s golf courses have a little more going for them then something in the city..

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From seaside tees to Whistler’s golf courses cut into in the mountainside, a scenic and unique golf experience awaits for recreational players to professional athletes. Whether you’re looking to make the trip based around golf, or if you’re looking to mix it in with activities such as hiking or zip lining, offers the perfect basecamp for your holiday.