What's Included:
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Tour #6: Golfing Mania…Greens, Tees
and Vines Come have a ball! Golf 8 challenging courses in and around the
majesty of the Rocky Mountains. From rolling foothills, through
the mountains, to the desert and over azure lakes this journey takes
you to four distinct regions in Western Canada. Enjoy a hearty western breakfast before your journey begins. Then, rolling south with the ‘lay’ of the land, the Rocky Mountains appear as jagged spires in the distance. Turning west, you’ll pass the ‘ruins’ of Turtle Mountain and the navy blue, ice-cold Crowsnest Lakes. This historic highway takes you across the continental divide to the ‘Best Little Town in BC’, Fernie. Situated in the beautiful Elk Valley, Fernie’s birth came with the discovery of coal. Many local residents still earn a living working in the regional mines; however, Fernie is quickly becoming a popular destination for tourists from around the globe. They come with a variety of interests like golfing, skiing, mountain biking, hiking… Here you are invited to explore this lovely town with a curator
of the District Historical Society. He will highlight the stories
of Fernie’s heritage and perhaps he’ll even let you
in on a few, even the ‘locals’ don’t know. DAY 2 Golfing in Fernie Wake up at the foot of the striking limestone peaks of the Lizard
Range. Enjoy a leisurely morning before teeing off at 10:00 AM.
After a great game on a great course let a guide from the Ktunaxa Nation take you around the area and reveal the significance of this powerful place. DAY 4 Fernie to Nelson Once you’ve finished ‘fuelling-up’, the Crowsnest highway will take you to the other side of Tunnel Mountain, along the meandering Elk River and into the Rocky Mountain Trench. Journey past mountainsides thick with coniferous forests, grasslands dappled with Ponderosa Pine, turquoise rivers and sapphire lakes. Rising up over the Summit of Kootenay Pass, you will be traveling
on the highest paved section of highway in Canada. Down the mountain and it’s almost time for ‘a cold
one’. Nelson Brewing Co. serves up some thirst quenching varieties
and a tour of their historic facility. Rising by the lake you look forward to more challenging rounds and breathtaking views. Granite Pointe sits on 150 acres of bench land overlooking Kootenay Lake. Founded in 1920, a new layout designed by respected architect Bill Newis of Calgary, opened to rave reviews in 1993. The bluegrass fairways and bent grass greens create an interesting course. You’ll use every club in your bag before it’s over!
As the sun sinks behind the mountains, take time to luxuriate in warm soothing waters, that spring from a mystic cave. The view from your restorative pool is enrapturing. DAY 6 Nelson to Vernon You’re on the way to 3 glorious days of golf in ‘the desert’. Motoring along the ‘scenic route to the coast’ you will witness nature’s wonder. Like a quick change artist the landscape switches from a garment of bright green into rusty reds woven with sandy golds. You’ll reach the pub in time for lunch. They serve up a great selection of food and photos, be sure to check them out! Your journey continues west then north. You’ll stay where
the Osprey, Red Tail and Peregrine meet. It is here that Nicklaus
Design and a masterful group of architects created an outstanding
championship golf resort. Stay and play amidst 1,200 acres of undulating
fairways, pine green ridges and straw colored meadows. Play Predator Ridge Golf Resort, a place of international distinction. Twenty-seven holes of championship golf on 3 distinct 9 hole courses, all ranging in length from 2,600 to 3,600 yards. Combine any two of these unique courses for an unsurpassable golf experience.
DAY 8 Golfing in Kelowna Another day of jam-packed fun dawns. For another exceptional golf
experience you’ll play a course designed by Graham Cooke,
featuring testing elevation changes in a spectacular orchard setting. After an exciting round of golf, you’ll want to make it a mission to visit this hill of vines. Have a taste and take a tour. Buy some wine with your ‘free coupon’. You might even hear bells ring, reminding you that it’s almost dinner time. On the way back to your cottage, you’ll stop for a BBQ! A sweet experience you’re sure to remember!! DAY 9 Golfing in Vernon Site of the Export ‘A’ Skins Game 2000 and rated among the top 6 Canadian courses by Score Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards, you’ll be looking forward to golfing another round here. Soar with the Osprey, Red Tail or Peregrine! Tonight, in a place where nature speaks for its’ self, you’ll wine, dine and uncover the secret of the ‘Great Pyramid’ at Canada’s most visited winery. DAY 10 Vernon to Crawford Bay Get your camera out today! There will be many photo opportunities
along the way. After witnessing innumerable jaw-dropping mountainscapes
and a couple of ferry rides you’ll come to a golf resort where
giant cedar trees and colorful flowers abound. Known as an exciting
and legendary course in Western Canada it is also charmingly unpretentious. The course at Kokanee Spring Golf Resort where you will play today was originally the site of many pioneer homesteads. Renowned architect Norman Woods, carefully incorporated the lovely beech, chestnut, maple and hawthorn trees that were planted here by these initial inhabitants.
‘Just around the corner’ artisans are nimbly working on looms weaving a myriad of brightly colored articles. See red-hot iron hammered into graceful shapes or molten glass blown into delicate curios of liquid and light. Watch an antique machine create novel woven brooms. You might just be tempted to buy something! DAY 12 Crawford Bay to Fernie Following the east shore of Kootenay Lake, the feeling is reminiscent of the small hills and curves of a child’s roller coaster. When you aren’t paying attention, a quick sparkle will catch your right eye. A glass house! A guide will be delighted to show you around this unique abode. Has all those bottles made you thirsty? The next stop will be at a local brewery, where you’ll enjoy a tour and tasting. It’s the beer out here!!! Back on the highway, you’ll pass orchards, fruit stands and
forests dressed in hues of green. Glimmering in the distance, a
jewel-like lake entices you to stop. Maybe you’ll jump in
for a refreshing swim. The highway will take you as far as Fernie
tonight, where you will find yourself back in familiar and welcoming
surroundings. Leaving the spectacular beauty of the Elk Valley you’ll head east through the Crowsnest Pass. Ascending and descending with the foothills, the mountainous vistas open on to expansive horizons. Just when you think you left the mountains… more impressive
landscapes are in-store. There is time to play a round this afternoon,
but you’ll probably want to wander around and take photos
of the exquisite scenery instead! Golf with a panoramic view of Waterton Lakes ringed by rugged taupe colored peaks. Besides the distracting scenery, other hazards on course include ‘abundant wildlife’.
Eighteen entertaining holes later, head down to the docks. Gaze out at the magnificence, while cruising on the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies. En route you will cross into the USA. Can you find the border? When you have disembarked, you have reservations for a farewell
feast at an award winning dinning room. Bon Appetit! Driving the Great Plains back to Calgary, memories of gorgeous golf courses, outstanding scenery, towns rich with heritage and savoury cuisine, dance across your thoughts. It is now time to say goodbye to new friends and to ponder a return engagement. Next...Tour #7: Spruce Meadows Master Special
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[Includes golf carts, green fees]
Established
in 1918, 
A
short scenic drive down the road, in the pristine setting of the
Ktunaxa Nation lays 327 lush acres in the St. Mary’s Valley.
This
afternoon’s walking tour chronicles the beginnings of Nelson.
Strolling the nooks and crannies of the city, notice the attractive
facades of brick, stone and granite. Some of these heritage buildings
replaced original wooden structures that were destroyed by fires
in the early 1900’s. See the grand chateau-style civic buildings
designed by noted architect Francis Rattenbury. 
Just
like the awesome views of Kokanee Glacier, just remember one thing
today as you play – everything is further away than it looks!
Make sure you look closely in the trees for some very unusual critters
on course. Fore.
It’s
hard to keep your eye on the ball.