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).
Click the graphic to learn more about BC golf courses via a visual story, or keep scrolling for more information.Golf in BC Visual Story
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 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!
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 2023 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 and Osoyoos Golf Club, - Desert Golf Course typically open in early March (weather dependant), a sure sign that the area’s golf courses are getting ready for the 2023 golf season.
Over in the Kamloops golf region, it looks like Bighorn Golf & CC leads with a confirmed March 17th opening day. Rivershore Estates & Golf Links is aiming for a March 23rd opening day for eager golfers. Eaglepoint Golf Resort opens March 24th and The Dunes at Kamloops is looking at the end of March while Kamloops Golf & CC is confirmed for March 31st. Fan favourite (and Canada’s Top Golf Course 2020, 2021 & 2022) Tobiano Golf Course is opening April 1st, weather permitting. Finally, The Golf Course at Sun Peaks Resort is aiming for May 19th and onwards for the ultimate mountain golf.
Slightly Later Start for the Interior 2023 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 and Two Eagles Golf Course & Academy the next day. Kelowna Springs Golf Club is close behind aiming for roughly March 17th and Michaelbrook Golf Course the following day with Mission Creek and Harvest Golf Club March 24th. Most area courses are still waiting on a few days of warmer weather to melt away winter's mantle, but we should see mid-March opening days for the majority of Kelowna golf courses including Shannon Lake and Kelowna Golf & CC somewhere around the same time.
Shadow Ridge Golf Club is looking at a mid-March opening as well as Tower Ranch Golf & CC. Sunset Ranch Golf & CC is March 24th most likely, while March 31st seems to be the preferred target for The Bear and The Quail courses at Okanagan Golf Club. Black Mountain Golf Club has indicated the first week of April, most likely, and Gallagher's Canyon Golf & CC & Pinnacle Course at Gallagher's Canyon have indicated April 1st as their open date.
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 opens March 22nd and Vernon Golf & CC typically open the last week of March but are waiting a few more days to gauge the weather. Predator Course and Ridge Course are opening April 8th, and The Rise follows on April 14th.
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!
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 Shuswap Lake Golf Course at Blind Bay starting early April, while nearby Salmon Arm Golf Club - Champions Course and Shuswap National await more spring weather to decide on a date but typically aim for mid-April openings. Speaking of lake views and incredible golf, Talking Rock Golf Resort enters the fray Easter Weekend in Chase and MaraHills has yet to firm up its open date - stay tuned.
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 late March. Along the Columbia Valley Golf Trail, Copper Point - Ridge Course has a Mar 31st open date to end the month.
April is a key month for Kootenay Rockies golf course openings, starting in the Columbia Valley. Fairmont Hot Springs - Riverside Course and Radium Resort - Springs Course start off on April 1st, with Copper Point - Point Course, Spur Valley, Eagle Ranch Resort and Radium Course all on April 7th. Fairmont Hot Springs - Mountainside Course open April 15th. We're still waiting on open dates for Windermere but fan favourite Greywolf should be open May 1st.
Further south into the Kimberley Cranbrook region, look in mid to late April for these mountain courses.
Cranbrook Golf Club, Purcell Golf, and Wildstone are looking at April 14th, with St. Eugene and Bootleg Gap has April 21st marked on their calendar, and Shadow Mountain is aiming for April 28th. Meanwhile, Trickle Creek Golf Resort brings up the rear with a May 12th opening for their higher-elevation golf course.
To the west, Kokanee Springs Golf Resort is aiming for April 21st, while perched on the north and south ends of the Kootenay Rockies Golf Trail, Revelstoke Golf Club is looking for April 10th, Golden Golf Club is possibly April 28th and Fernie Golf & CC has yet to decide. That’s a lot of mountain golf! Stay tuned for concrete open dates as they become available.
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 starting March 27th. Further north along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Pemberton’s Big Sky will open on April 21st, while the mountain-hugging courses near Whistler are slated a bit later. Whistler Golf Club and Fairmont Chateau Whistler while neighbouring Nicklaus North follows May 8th
Please note: This is a March 2023 update on an article originally posted March 5, 2015.