From Calgary to Kimberley | How to Plan the Perfect Golf Weekend
A great golf trip doesn’t start on the first tee; it starts with the packing, the planning and the prep. As the group chat begins buzzing and pinging, and tee times are discussed, someone usually volunteers to drive while someone else starts talking about the courses they’ve heard so much about. Then, before you know it, you’re counting down the days until you’re finally trading bustling city streets for mountain views and spending a weekend surrounded by fresh fairways, clean air, and great company.
So, if you’re planning a Golf Weekend in Kimberley from Calgary, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated, because with a little preparation and the right itinerary, your getaway can be as relaxing as it is memorable.
Here’s how to plan your trip like a pro!
Step One | Choose the Right Weekend
The first step is simple: when do you want to go? Kimberley’s desirable golf season typically shines from late spring through to the early fall months, with each one offering something unique:
Early Summer
Long days, comfortable temperatures, sunny days, and courses in beautiful condition.
Mid-Summer
Peak golf season with vibrant mountain scenery, lively patios, hot weather and endless daylight.
Early Autumn
Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, stunning orange and gold landscapes.
No matter when you visit, booking early is always recommended, especially if you’re considering one of Northstar’s popular golf packages in Kimberley that visitors return for year after year after year.
Step Two | Let the Drive Become Part of the Adventure
One of the best parts of a Golf Weekend in Kimberley is getting there! The drive from Calgary takes approximately four and a half to five hours (depending on traffic), winding through some of Western Canada’s most beautiful scenery, filled with mountain passes, rolling valleys, towering peaks, and quaint mountain communities. Instead of treating the drive like a commute or a race to the finish line, treat it like the beginning of the vacation and take your time to enjoy the journey here. Leave Calgary early, stop for coffee and a bite, spot a moose or two along the way, enjoy the views, and aim to arrive in Kimberley by mid-afternoon so you can settle in and start enjoying your getaway right away. If you’re planning a summer weekend away, you’ll have plenty of daylight left in the day to enjoy after you arrive.
Step Three | Book Your Tee Times First
If golf is the reason you’re coming, golf should be the first thing you plan. Kimberley is home to two exceptional courses that consistently draw golfers from all across Western Canada.
Trickle Creek Golf Resort
Designed by Les Furber and often recognized as one of Canada’s top resort courses, Trickle Creek offers some dramatic elevation changes, pristine white silica bunkers, and truly unforgettable mountain views. It’s truly the kind of course you’ll still be talking about on the drive home.
Bootleg Gap Golf Course
Located along the winding St. Mary’s River, Bootleg Gap features wide fairways, beautiful scenery, and 27 holes that create a welcoming experience for golfers of all skill and experience levels.
Together, these courses form the foundation of many of Northstar’s curated golf packages in Kimberley that golfers love most. If you can, make sure to secure your tee times a few weeks in advance, particularly during peak summer weekends, to ensure your tee time is your time.
Step Four | Choose Accommodations That Match Your Group
As we all know, every golf trip feels a little different depending on who you’re travelling with:
- Are you planning a couple’s getaway?
- A fun golf weekend with friends?
- A memorable family vacation that happens to include golf?
Whatever the trip looks like, Northstar offers accommodations designed to suit every type of experience.
For Couples
The Couples Golf Retreat 2-night stay combines 2 rounds of golf with a cozy one-bedroom stay at Mountain Spirit Resort – allowing for the perfect stay for connection, relaxation, and a little mountain romance.
For Friends & Quick Weekend Escapes
The Quick Golf Escape offers 2 nights of comfortable accommodations with 2 rounds of golf, making it ideal for golfers looking to get on the green sooner rather than later and make the most of their weekend.
For Large Groups & Families
The Premium Golf & Leisure Experience provides 3 nights in spacious and comfortable accommodations at Northstar Mountain Village, complete with an equipped kitchen, room to gather and unwind, and space to enjoy the mountains together.
All of our curated packages include access to all resort amenities, hot tubs, heated pools, and more!
Step Five | Pack Smart for Mountain Golf
Mountain weather can have a personality of its own. A warm and glowing afternoon can follow a cool, dewy morning, and conditions can shift throughout the day. A few essentials you’ll be glad you packed include:
- Golf attire for varying temperatures
- A light jacket, rain jacket, or pullover
- Comfortable walking shoes/golf shoes
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- A reusable water bottle
- Casual clothes for evenings around town or relaxing at the resort
Simply remember to be ready for everything from sunny fairways to cool mountain evenings.
Step Six | Customize a Relaxed Itinerary
One of the biggest missteps golfers can make is trying to fit way too much into a short trip. The best weekends always leave room to breathe, so here’s a quick glance at what your weekend itinerary could look like:
Day One | Arrival & Settle In
Scenic drive from Calgary, check into your accommodations, and explore Kimberley’s charming downtown or enjoy a relaxed dinner with your group.
Day Two | Signature Golf Day
Start your morning on the Trickle Creek golf course, spend the afternoon enjoying resort amenities, relaxing on a patio, or exploring the community, and end the evening with good food, good company, and fun (or embarrassing) stories from the course.
Day Three | One More Round Before Home
Head on over to the Bootleg Gap golf course for your second round, take in the scenery, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and then begin the drive home refreshed, recharged, and already talking about your next visit.
Your itinerary is completely customizable to your desired weekend – and we’ll help you curate it.
Step Seven | Leave Time for Kimberley
Golf may bring you here, but Kimberley has a way of making you want to stay a little longer.
Between rounds, you’ll find:
- Scenic walking and hiking trails
- Local shops and boutiques
- Great restaurants and patios
- Stunning mountain viewpoints
- Opportunities to simply slow down and enjoy the surroundings
Sometimes the most memorable moments of a golf trip happen away from the course.
Start Planning Your Kimberley Golf Getaway with Northstar Today!
Whether you’re travelling with dear friends, a large family group, or your favourite golfing partner, Northstar makes it easy to create a mountain escape that feels completely effortless from start to finish, from packing to arrival, and from tee time to departure.
Explore our curated golf packages in Kimberley, choose the stay that fits your ideal trip, and get ready for a memorable golf weekend you’ll be talking about long after that final putt.
