Golf in the summer, ski in the winter

Edmonton nurse Erin Adams, 33, and brother Craig, 31, bought a two-bedroom penthouse condo for $425,000 at Mountain Spirit Resort & Spa in Kimberley, B.C., while it was still in the pre-construction phase in 2007.

Similar penthouse condos are currently selling from $574,900.

Erin is pleased from both an investment and recreation standpoint.

Since completion last fall, she has taken friends and her retriever Sprout there on many a mountain getaway. It’s a seven-hour drive from Edmonton — a manageable trip whenever she has more than a couple of days off work.

Full article here

Kimberley and area offers 5 great golf courses within a 20 minutes drive for your playing enjoyment.

Bootleg Gap is my favourite course for value in Kimberley. This Les Furber design offers the 18 hole championship course and a 9 hole course that you can play after your 18 for only $19. The rates for 18 holes are $49 plus cart during the week and $59 on weekends. This course offers some stunning holes with mountain and valley views and is a definite must play on your next vacation. I like to play it twice on my trips and usually book one round twilight for $49 on the weekends and a second round for $39 during the week.  This is definitely a tough course to walk so you will most likely want to get a power cart which will cost you an extra $32 for 18 holes and $16 for 9. The course also offers a great practice range to hit some balls before the game (practice range is not included in your green fees). Bootleg gap is now accepting tee times and is scheduled to open April 16th. Book your tee time here.

Kimberley Golf Club is the oldest course in the area and has been around since 1924. It offers 18 holes of golf and is another great value course that I put on my list to play every year.  9 holes will cost you $26 and 18 is $50. This course is manageable to walk but if you are like me and love to be on a cart, the cart is $19 for 9 holes and $32 for 18. They do not offer a great practice range but it is good enough to get in a few strikes before the round (practice range balls are not included in green fees). Twilight golf is after 4:30pm and costs $36 for 18. The course winds through the towering (and I mean large trees!!) ponersoa pines high above the St. Mary’s river and presents some great birdie opportunities in the opening holes. Scenes of the Rockies and Purcell mountain ranges continually come into view creating magnificent backdrops. Although the course is not as well manicured as some of the other courses in the region, this a great golf course and well laid out to offer a challenge every round. Book your tee times here.

Trickle Creek Golf Course has been named one of Canada’s top ten courses and you can see why with the magnificent views and challenging fairways that keeps golfers coming back year after year. What better place to stay than where you can see the course from your hot tub and rear deck!!  I can only say my favourite hobby in the summer is smoking a cigar while sitting the hot tub or barbecuing on the deck while looking out through the tall pine trees that line the 16th fairway. 18 holes of golf will cost you $109.00 (all green fees include the golf cart as well as unlimited balls on the range). Afternoons after 2:30 offer you great value for only $89.00 so Trickle Creek is also a great course to play for your second round of the day. A new feature this year is Monday social night where you can play for $59.00 anytime after 2:00 pm. There are many feature holes on this course but the one that always draws the most attention is the 11th par 3 that offers magnificent mountain views and a challenging green. Pick up your clubs and walk to the clubhouse which is only steps from the condo. Book your tee times by phoning 250-427-5171.

St Eugene golf resort more than matches the tradition of great golf in the Kootenay Rockies. Designed by acclaimed architect Les Furber, it is indeed a masterpiece in an incredible setting. Winding its way through open links land and rolling woodlands, this golf course carries spectacular views of the St. Mary River and the powerful Fisher Peak amidst the Rocky Mountains to the east. I always love to play this course and spend a bit of time at the casino or having dinner at the resort. It is a much different round than the other course as it offers traditional links golf as well as some mountain views along the St Mary’s river. The wind really can come into play out here and challenges the beginner or scratch golfer on every round. Weekend rates are $85.00 per person (not including carts but unlimited balls on the range) and twilight is $55.00. To play St Eugene during the week offers considerable saving as the weekday rate is $65.00  per person and twilight is $45.00. Golf carts are and additional $17.00 per person. You can book a shuttle to pick you up at the condo and bring you home. Contact me for more information if you are looking at this alternative. St Eugene is about a 20 minute drive from the Legends at Tall Pines. Book your tee times here.

Shadow Mountain Golf Course is the newest addition to the area. Architect Wayne Carleton spared no expenses when building this golf course. Shadow Mountain has its own character and personality, meandering through mature forests and featuring large contoured greens, rolling Bentgrass fairways and rugged classic bunkering that will define each and every hole. This course is definitely a challenge off the fairway and has some unbelievable views. Weekend rates are $115.00 per person and weekday rates are $99.00. Weekend twighlight is $85.00 and weekday twighlight is $75.00. One interesting addition to their rates is that you can replay the same day for twighlight rates. Also, groups of 16 or more receive discounted green fees. If you are heading to play St. Eugene, this course is about 5 minutes away and makes a great start to the day. Book your tee times here.

If you are planning to stay more than a weekend, you can always head out towards Fairmont where you can play Eagle Ranch, Copperpoint, Greywolf, and Radium Hot springs making the perfect golf getaway. Fairmont is about a 45 minute drive from the Legends at Tall Pines.

I hope you enjoy your next vacation to the area and make The Legends at Tall Pines your preferred accommodation for your next golf trip. If you have any questions regarding any of the courses, just send me an email and I will be glad to help out. Ensure to book early as we are already filling up. Happy Golfing!!

Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - Friday, February 12, 2010:

IPC Para Speed NorAm

Saturday, February 13, 2010 - Sunday, February 14, 2010:

Family Festival (2nd Annual)

Kimberley Alpine Resort is celebrating FAMILY! Don’t miss out on Kimberley’s 2nd Annual Family Festival that will include all kinds of family fun!

Sunday, February 14, 2010:

2nd Annual Boardstiff Rail Jam

Presented by Boardstiff in Kimberley! Come out and cheer on local riders! Keep checking out our website for more details to come!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - Thursday, February 18, 2010 :

Alpine Snowboard NorAm Races

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - Sunday, February 21, 2010 :

Bootleg Sled Dog Races

Enjoy the excitement of watching the Bootleg Sled Dog Races. Kimberley Alpine Resort is a major sponsor for this event! www.bootlegsleddograces.com

Saturday, February 27, 2010 - Sunday, February 28, 2010 :

GREASY Rail Jam (4th Annual)

Skiers and snowboarders will get down and dirty at the Greasy Rail Jam. Our annual rail competition will be set in a jam format allowing each rider ample opportunities to show their moves on a variety of rail features.

Kimberley, B.C., is often overshadowed by Fernie in the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies ownership group, but has its own dedicated group of repeat visitors who love the cruising slopes

Full article here

Community Day is this Sunday Dec. 20th – Locals ski for free – you need proof of residency to get a free lift ticket. BBQ for Charity goes to the local Kimberley Food Bank. $2 burgers and residents get a free burger voucher.Ski School is giving free beginner lessons for both ski and snowboarding so call Guest Services to pre-register as spaces are limited. Call 250-427-4881.