British Columbia boasts Canada’s only year-round golf destinations with golf courses in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island available for play virtually 365 days a year (bar the occasional, and uncommon, cold/snow days).
While the remainder of the BC golf courses close over winter, golfers can expect to see them start to reopen as early as February – if Mother Nature cooperates, that is! Late snow and cold can mean that the early openers will be looking slightly later in March for a solid open date to give time for the snow to melt and greens to bounce back - so stay tuned or keep reading for a rough idea of when courses will open. Watch this space and our Instagram, and Facebook pages for real-time updates.
If you need a refresher, or are wondering where all the golf courses are located in British Columbia, view the BC golf map.
Mild Coastal Year-Round Playing Conditions
Vancouver and the surrounding Lower Mainland, plus Vancouver Island are the envy of the country with their sub-Mediterranean climates, making them the home of the year-round local golfer (ordinarily!). After a few errant snowfalls, these are back in play, giving you a variety of courses to explore. If you’re looking for a unique golf experience, British Columbia is one of the few areas where you could ski, golf and kayak all in one day - how’s that for a multi-sport experience!
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Pocket Desert Areas First to Open as Usual
British Columbia’s two pocket desert areas in the South Okanagan and Kamloops, complete with cactus and sagebrush, are typically the first of the seasonal golf courses to open – with golfers flocking to Penticton and Osoyoos to get an early start to 2024 golf. Skaha Meadows Golf Course opened first on February 8th for those itching to get their golf fix early in the season. Penticton Golf & CC opened at the end of February, and Osoyoos Golf Club is slated for March 8th - a sure sign that the area’s golf courses are getting ready for the 2024 golf season.
Over in the Kamloops golf region, Bighorn Golf & CC opens March 12th, Kamloops Golf & CC March 15th, plus Eaglepoint Golf Resort, The Dunes at Kamloops & Rivershore Estates & Golf Links March 16th. Fan favourite (and Canada’s Top Golf Course 2020, 2021 & 2022) Tobiano Golf Course is confirmed for March 29th. Finally, The Golf Course at Sun Peaks Resort is aiming for May 17th and onwards for the ultimate mountain golf.
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Slightly Later Start for the Interior 2024 Golf Season
British Columbia’s Interior golf courses in Kelowna, Vernon, and the Shuswap are next on the BC golf course opening tee. Kelowna golf courses are making an early appearance this year, with Kelowna Springs Golf Club and Shadow Ridge Golf Club up first on March 8th and Two Eagles Golf Course & Academy the next day. Michaelbrook Golf Course is March 12th and Sunset Ranch Golf & CC is March 14th, Shannon Lake, Mission Creek & Pinnacle Course at Gallagher's Canyon March 15th. Kelowna Golf & CC opens March 16th, Harvest Golf Club & Black Mountain Golf Club open March 22nd.
Later openings for Okanagan golf include Gallagher's Canyon Golf & CC and The Bear and The Quail courses at Okanagan Golf Club March 29th, while it looks like Tower Ranch Golf & CC opens April 5th.
It's safe to say that by late March/early April, you'll have your choice of fantastic Kelowna tracks to play!
Golf course opening dates in nearby Vernon follow a similar pattern, albeit slightly later, as they are still waiting for a bit of snow to melt. Spallumcheen Golf & CC is first on deck with March 13th, while Vernon Golf & CC is targeting March 21st. The Rise has indicated April 12th while the Predator Course and Ridge Course at Predator Ridge are open starting April 10th.
Of course, this is all weather-dependent, and golf course managers are understandably hesitant to give an exact opening date this early in the year – the occasional late winter squall has occurred before, causing havoc…and some serious golf fever! One way or another, by mid-April, nearly all the golf courses in the Thompson and Okanagan will be ready to play. Rest assured: spring golf season is almost upon us!
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Enjoy the Serenity of the Shuswap
Just east of Kamloops begins the picturesque Shuswap golf region and several memorable golf courses. Enjoy lakeside golf at Salmon Arm Golf Club - Champions Course starting March 29th, while MaraHills and Shuswap Lake Golf Course at Blind Bay opens April 5th. Shuswap National opens April 13th. Speaking of lake views and incredible golf, Talking Rock Golf Resort is open April 17th.
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Bring on the Mountain Golf in the Kootenay Rockies!
Meanwhile, over in the Kootenay Rockies region, easily accessible through the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook or Calgary International Airport, opening dates are always earlier than one might expect from snowy mountainous regions! Surrounding this area lies a plethora of top-rated golf courses, which start to open in late March.
Along the Columbia Valley Golf Trail, Windermere, Fairmont Hot Springs - Riverside Course, Mountainside & Creekside as well as Copper Point - Ridge Course open March 29th. April 5th is the opening day for a selection of golf courses, including Copper Point - Point Course & Spur Valley the next day. The Radium Resort - Springs Course & Radium Course follow April 12th. Eagle Ranch Resort has indicated May 1st, and fan favourite Greywolf is looking at May 17th.
Further south into the Kimberley Cranbrook region, look in mid to late April for these mountain courses.
Cranbrook Golf Club, Wildstone, Purcell Golf, and St. Eugene have April 12th marked on their calendars. Bootleg Gap is aiming for April 26th as well as Shadow Mountain. Meanwhile, Trickle Creek Golf Resort brings up the rear with a tentative May 10th opening for their higher-elevation golf course.
To the west, Kokanee Springs Golf Resort is aiming for April 26th, while perched on the north and south ends of the Kootenay Rockies Golf Trail, Revelstoke Golf Club has firmed up for April 12th. Golden Golf Club is also a possibility for April 26th and Fernie Golf & CC has yet to decide but will likely be early May. That’s a lot of mountain golf! Stay tuned for concrete open dates as they become available.
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Coastal Mountain Golf Mecca
The Sea-to-Sky golf courses are some of BC's most popular, and their opening dates are always eagerly anticipated.
Waiting for the snow to melt in these areas is typically hard to do, but this year you can expect to get your golf on at Squamish Valley Golf Club with their front 9 opening March 16th, depending on weather. Further north along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Pemberton’s Big Sky is leading with April 26th, Nicklaus North and Fairmont Chateau Whistler are slated for May 10th, while neighbouring Whistler Golf Club follows on May 13th.
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Please note: This is an April 2024 update on an article originally posted March 5, 2015.