Kootenay Rockies Golf Trail: A Golfer's Guide to BC's Mountain Courses

Nestled between glacier-carved peaks and the broad Columbia River valley, the Kootenay Rockies Golf Trail delivers mountain golf at its most scenic — from the championship fairways of Copper Point Golf Club- Point in Invermere to the storied parkland layout of Purcell Golf Course in Kimberley.

• Copper Point Golf Club- Point: An 18-hole championship test in Invermere, designed by Gary Browning and Wade Horrocks, with a dramatic par-4 closing hole over water.
• Copper Point The Ridge: A par-62 companion course on the same Invermere property — ideal for a swift morning round or a family session before heading out to explore the valley.
• Purcell Golf Course: One of BC's oldest mountain layouts, established in 1924, offering elevated fairways and sweeping views of the St. Mary River valley from the signature 12th hole.

A logical starting point for any Kootenay Rockies golf trip is Invermere, where the Columbia River broadens into Lake Windermere and the Purcell and Rocky Mountains frame every tee shot. Copper Point Golf Club- Point is the trail's flagship experience — an 18-hole, par-71 layout stretching 6,807 yards, designed by Gary Browning and Wade Horrocks and opened in 2004. The course builds steadily to its strategic finish, where the 18th, a par-4 played over water, rewards precise shot-making and punishes anything loose. Mountain views are present throughout, making even a bogey feel scenic.

Sharing the same property in Invermere, Copper Point The Ridge offers a different kind of challenge. At par 62 and just over 5,000 yards, Gary Browning's 2008 design packs full-length par-3 and par-4 holes into a compact but thoroughly engaging round. It suits golfers who want a quicker outing without sacrificing elevation changes or mountain backdrops, and it pairs naturally with The Point for an ambitious two-round day.

From Invermere, the trail continues east toward Kimberley, a former mining town turned alpine resort community. Purcell Golf Course anchors this stretch of the trail, its roots reaching back to 1924, making it one of the oldest continuously operating courses in the province. Redesigned over the decades and shaped by Les Furber Design, the 6,413-yard, par-71 parkland layout rewards local knowledge and patience. The 12th hole, a par-4 with an elevated fairway, opens up a panorama over the St. Mary River valley that justifies the trip to Kimberley on its own.

Day 1 — Arrive in Invermere, play The Ridge: After settling in at Copper Point Resort, warm up with an afternoon round at Copper Point The Ridge. The par-62 layout is an ideal introduction to Kootenay Rockies elevation and scenery without overwhelming first-day legs. In the evening, head into town for dinner at Birchwood Restaurant on 13th Street, where the summer patio and daily specials reward those who book ahead.

Day 2 — Copper Point Point Course, lakeside evening: The main event in Invermere. Tee off at Copper Point Golf Club- Point and work through 18 holes of championship terrain, saving focus for the water-carry par-4 finale. After the round, The Station Pub overlooking Lake Windermere and James Chabot Beach makes a comfortable spot for a post-round meal and a look at the water.

Day 3 — Drive to Kimberley, play Purcell: The scenic drive from Invermere to Kimberley takes roughly an hour through Columbia Valley ranch land. Check into Mountain Spirit Resort and head straight to Purcell Golf Course. The century-old layout rewards a relaxed pace — take time on the 12th tee to appreciate the St. Mary River valley view before committing to the approach. Dinner at Black Forest Restaurant in Invermere on the return route is worth a reservation.

Day 4 — Explore and depart: Use a final morning for a leisurely breakfast in Kimberley's Platzl pedestrian village before heading home, or loop back through Invermere for a stop at Traders Lounge at Eagle Ranch Resort, where the wrap-around patio and Lake Windermere views offer one last look at the landscape that defines this trail.

Invermere offers the widest range of accommodation options on the trail. Copper Point Resort sits steps from The Ridge course, making it the natural choice for golfers who want to roll out of bed and onto the first tee. For something with a more boutique character, Headwaters Lodge at Eagle Ranch Resort perches above the Columbia River with its own golf access nearby. Travellers who prefer a central downtown base will find Best Western Invermere Inn convenient for both the lake and the region's dining options.

In Kimberley, the alpine village setting adds a distinct character to the overnight experience. Mountain Spirit Resort is a full-service all-suite property at the base of Kimberley Alpine Resort, a short drive from Purcell Golf Course, while Trickle Creek Lodge in Kimberley Alpine Village offers a ski-in/golf-out setup that suits golfers who want maximum convenience.

The Kootenay Rockies Golf Trail combines some of British Columbia's most storied mountain terrain with courses that range from century-old classics to modern championship designs — a combination that rewards both first-time visitors and those returning for another look. Start planning the route and let the Columbia Valley do the rest.