Big Sky - British Columbia - Canada

If you speak to anyone that has played this course before, the overwhelming amount of golfers will tell you that this course does not live up to the hype. Having played a number of great courses throughout the years that are highly rated, this course is good/average at best. The course is not too challenging and aside from Mt. Currie in the distance, doesn't have many other great views. I would play one of the Whistler courses instead of making the trip to here if possible.

Big Sky Whistler Golf Resort is located in the shadow of the imposing Mt Currie in Pemberton, British Columbia. The golf course was designed by Bob Cupp and opened for play in 1994.

The course occupies relatively flat marshy land surrounded by snow capped mountains, and Cupp has used this to his advantage with water hazards and mountain vistas dominating the Big Sky experience. The views are truly 'out of this world'.

As you would expect from a resort course the greens are decent sized targets without a lot of movement. But the course is no pushover. It is well bunkered and water hazards are in play on 16 holes, so you need to bring your 'A' game to post a decent score.

Notable holes include:

- hole 1 (Mount Currie), a long par 4 where your eye is immediately drawn to the mountain backdrop
- hole 2 (Morning Mist), a mid- length dog leg par 4 with water in play on the approach
- hole 7 (Lone Tree), a short par 4 with water in play the length of the hole
- hole 11 (Cat Tail), a pretty water carry par 3
- hole 14 (Hang Time), a longer par 4 where the drive into the mountain backdrop could become an addictive experience!
- hole 16 (Deep Breath), a challenging par 4 which arcs left to right around the water
- hole 18 (Final Approach), a real three shotter to finish where you must carry the water to get home.

Big Sky is fun to play and is a good course in a spectacular setting.

Peter Wood is the founder of The Travelling Golfer – click the link to read his full review.

My favourite golf Course in Canada is in Pemberton with the iconic name of Big Sky. The course is dominated by Mount Currie, all 8200 feet of it, and yet the course is a flat and demanding championship layout which tests every aspect of your game.

The course beat me up, because although it's layout and condition was excellent and the greens true, I didn't play well. The place is just so beautiful and in the autumn sunshine gave you a 'great to be alive' feeling. I will be back and hopefully next time there will more pars and birdies! I

The best thing Big Sky has going for it is the view. Enjoyable track, but won't really push your game IMO. Layout is a bit flat with easy to hit resort sized greens. Not much character on some of the holes, but man does the scenery make up for it! Nothing says big sky more than crushing a drive towards an imposingly beautiful mountain backdrop. I gave it a Birdie mostly based on that.

Beautiful conditioned course in a very nice setting. That being said i believe it to be a very overrated, overpriced course. Victoria Golf, Royal Colwood, both Predator Ridge Courses and Tobiano are FAR better BC courses! I enjoyed the Falls, Quail Ridge and Furry Creek more then the very flat Big Sky.

Best views in the Whistler area, good maintenance, some strong par 3s but not as good as Chateau Whistler, though i prefer it to Nicklaus North, overall a nice course, more of a links style then the other Whistler area courses.

Big Sky Golf Club is located in the Pemberton Valley about 25km north of Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The course is in a valley making the temperature, on average, 5 degrees warmer than its neighbour. The club consists of an executive 9-hole course and practice facility at the base of Mt. Curry. You are also able to take a helicopter ride to the peak of the mountain (approximately 8,500 feet) and hit a golf ball. The course has a links style feel with fescue grass in play on most of the holes. It has a wonderful balance of playability and fairness while still challenging your shot making ability. The greens are above average in size and have subtle undulations. One of the features of the course are the run-off areas that are well placed around most greens. They provide a variety of shot options and collect many wayward approach shots. Many good tee-shots look even better against the fantastic backgrounds of the surrounding mountain ranges. The absence of housing around the course provides a natural feel and a very enjoyable walk. You may also get an opportunity to see some wildlife in the form of a black bear that will amaze and raise your heart rate. Big Sky is a wonderful golf club with a public play laid-back feel. The course can challenge the more experience of golfer while providing the average player an opportunity to play. Mike Stefan