Southwestern British Columbia is the only region in Canada that offers year-round golf. Period. Full stop. End of story. And on Vancouver Island, you’ll find a whopping 250 km of year-round golfing paradise, complete with incredible apres-golf options.
While most of the rest of the country is shovelling driveways and defrosting windshields, the most you may face on Vancouver Island is the occasional frost delay. If you plan your visit to primarily play afternoon rounds, you’ll be golden. Most Vancouver Island golf courses are open 12 months of the year, and ready for your winter visit. So where should you book your winter golf vacation?
Victoria Winter Golf Vacation
As the most temperate region of Canada, it’s no surprise that the area surrounding Victoria is a winter golfer’s paradise. Here you will find not only four incredible golf courses, but also a variety of activities to keep busy through the winter months. Museums, whale watching, Butchart Gardens, food and beer tours, wine tours, spas, shopping, bars, hiking and biking trails, the possibilities are nearly endless. Ensure you’re close to the action with a stay at one of several downtown accommodations .
Just minutes outside of downtown Victoria, you’ll find the first golf course for winter play, Highland Pacific is carved into the highland wilderness – offering golfers lush fairways threading through a majestic landscape of West Coast forest, rock, fescue and natural water features. Warm-up at the two-tiered tee line of 44 covered and heated stalls that comprise their award-winning practice facility, and then move on to the 6,600-yard course that will challenge and thrill all levels of golfer. For sustenance, head to the clubhouse for casual eats, daily specials, and an extensive selection of beverages.
Olympic View is another top Victoria golf course that offers views in spades, as well as a naturally-accented golf course and picturesque, 40ft waterfall on the 17th hole. The tranquillity of the golf course only serves to help you find your golfing zen this winter.
Two golf courses that should be at the top of anyone’s winter golfing list can be found at Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort Community, or Bear Mountain Resort for short. With both the Valley and Mountain courses consistently ranking on lists of Canada’s top golf courses, it’s not hard to see why golfers flock here. Start on the Nicklaus Design Valley Course , meandering through forests, along lakes and rolling terrain where it’s a challenge to choose a signature. Next, tee off on the Mountain Course , designed by father-son team Jack & Steve Nicklaus. This masterpiece of challenging terrain and spectacular natural beauty has been host to multiple tournaments and it’s not hard to see why! Panoramic views, undulating fairways and lush coastal forests, discover both the challenge and the beauty of Victoria golf here.
Fast Facts for Golfing Victoria this Winter
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Winter Golf & Wine in Cowichan
Less than an hour north of Victoria lies the fertile Cowichan Valley, home to lush green golf courses and quickly-growing wine industry . With 13 vineyards and wineries to date, if you’d like to pair your winter golf getaway with a wine excursion, you’re all set here. In fact, you can book a golf and wine getaway right here .
Two Cowichan area golf courses make an ideal spot for a winter golf escape. Arbutus Ridge Golf Course offers exceptional course conditions combined with a dedication to sustainable tourism. Take your time playing the front nine, which weaves alongside the seaside community of Cobble Hill and then enjoy the back nine as it climbs to overlook the Satellite Channel. As an added incentive, the golf course is surrounded by nine wineries, so you don’t have to go far after your round of golf for a tasting!
Featuring idyllic scenery, challenging holes, and a great clubhouse for recouping after your round, Cowichan G&CC has everything you need for a fantastic day of golf. Located halfway between Victoria and Nanaimo, it’s an ideal stop if you’re taking a tour of the Vancouver Island Golf Trail.
Fast Facts for Golfing Cowichan this Winter
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Parksville & Qualicum Beach Winter Golf
Who says you can’t hit the beach in Canada this winter? Not us, and certainly not the fine people of Parksville & Qualicum Beach! This idyllic oceanside region offers a magnificent marine environment, complete with absolute miles of beaches and pathways to soak in the sea air, regardless of the time of year. If you adore small-town charm, but with all the amenities of a luxury winter golf vacation, this is the place. And if you’d really like to slow down and unwind, then we highly recommend a stay at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre – where you can not only stay right on the water, but also partake of many restorative, relaxing treatments at their Grotto Spa .
Nearby Morningstar Golf Club complements the year-round Canadian golf experience with unparalleled service and an interesting mix of holes ensuring an experience that will leave golfers looking forward to a return visit.
Fairwinds completes your Parksville and Qualicum Beach winter golf trip with a golf course steeped in natural beauty. Fairwinds is also a terrific option for golfers looking to hone their golf game over the winter months, with a driving range complete with 18 hitting stalls open through winter, a green-side bunker, and knowledgeable instructors offering private and semi-private lesson options.
Fast Facts for Golfing Parksville & Qualicum Beach this Winter
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Winter Golf in Campbell River & Courtenay
Striving for a relaxed golf getaway, surrounded by nature? The north-central region of Vancouver Island has just what you need to let go and reconnect. Whales, eagles, and bears are all regular residents here – so keep your eyes peeled for wild wonder! Explore nearly endless hiking and biking trails to find waterfalls, rivers, and emerald green old-growth forests, or satiate your wanderlust at a seaside cafe or craft brewery.
Don’t forget to leave yourself time to hit the links on your winter golf getaway! Head to BC’s newest golf course, Campbell River Golf Club – dedicated to golf “fore” everyone with an innovative, modern and fun approach to golf. Plan a stay in Campbell River at the nearby Crown Isle for a convenient locale that will have you early for your tee time in the morning as you take in the glorious Comox Glacier towering above.
Storey Creek is truly a course in nature, where you might need to plan your drive around a herd of local deer as they cross the fairways to weave through the surrounding old-growth and second-growth forest.
Fast Facts for Golfing Campbell River & Courtenay this Winter
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Ready to plan your Canadian winter golf getaway? Discover the perfect golf package or contact our golf travel experts and they’ll work with you to create a custom golf itinerary to play Vancouver Island this winter!
October 15, 2022, by: Golf Vancouver Island