Whistler, B.C. FAIRMONT CHATEAU GOLF CLUB
Nothing beats being first out in the morning on a great golf course. I had good memories of playing Chateau Whistler from more than a decade ago, but I had forgotten how truly challenging this rugged Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed mountain layout is. There’s very little opportunity to recover from a missed shot and the greens on this rollercoaster ride, which can’t be walked, are among the toughest to read that I have encountered. It’s also home to the only Cana- dian David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Peak green fees are $159 plus tax. For more information
visitwww.fairmontgolf.com.
I don’t ski very well, but if I did I can only imagine the rush people enjoy on the slopes of Blackcomb and Whistler. The great part about visiting in the summer is that land lovers – hikers and bikers – can tour around both mountain tops with ease thanks to the Peak to Peak Gondola. The 4.4 km, 11-minute journey is breathtaking and something you’ll definitely want to try – and the glass floor gondolas are worth the wait for the daredevils in your group – it’s not re- ally that scary. An adult day-pass is $45 plus
tax.www.whistlerblackcomb.com
We came to golf, so the next reason to visit Whistler is an- other golf course. But it could have easily been zip-lining, mountain biking, glacier ski- ing, white water rafting or any of the other outdoor adventures Whistler has to offer. Staying focused on the task at hand, we teed it up for a memorable round at the Arnold Palmer-de- signed Whistler Golf Club. The great part about this course was the junior tees at 150 yards on each hole, so we could enjoy it as a family. While my little guy wanted to tee it up on the blue tees with dad, he realized he could ride in the cart more from the for- ward tees. Adult green fees are $129 plus tax and they have a deal where you can play five holes after 5 pm for $15!
www.whistlergolf.com
23 | HERALD - FALL 2011
I last visited Whistler in 1998 and the only one of the four “Big Name” courses I didn’t get to play was Big Sky G&CC. It was a decision I re- gretted many times over the years, so when we returned last August, Big Sky was first on the list. While the other three courses are right in town, it’s a 25-minute drive north to Pem- berton to find this Bob Cupp design – I love his work at Beacon Hall and Mad River in Ontario. It was definitely worth the wait and the drive, although you can take a helicopter from Whistler and throw in a warm-up on a nearby glacier with biodegradable golf balls for a one-of-a-kind adventure. Built right at the base of magnificent 8,000 foot Mount Currie in a former wetland, the course is essentially flat and I’d walk it every time. Peak green fees are $145 plus
tax.www.bigskygolf.com
CHATEAU WHISTLER
Whistler’s landmark Fairmont hotel is nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain and offers about 550 guest rooms including the Suites on the 11th and 12th floors, which aren’t even marked on the eleva- tors. It simply surpassed every expectation from the Vida Spa to the recreational area and swimming pool. The hotel is located at the north end of the vil- lage with easy access to underground parking and you can walk to the lifts in less than three minutes!
www.fairmont.com
GOLF
TRAVEL
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