This is the first in our series entitled, “Five Things,” where we ask our Canadian Rockies Golf professionals and fans five great questions about the destination. Have a question or topic you wish us to explore? Post here or on our Canadian Rockies Golf Facebook page.
As The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is slated to open this weekend, Director of Golf, Alan Carter is giving us insight into all things Jasper:
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
1) What are some tips golfers need to know to play The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course?
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge course is very forgiving off the tee, but the key to the course is in the approach shots and putting. At Jasper, it’s important
to take advantage of the par 5’s and hang in there on the par 3’s. Three of the par 5’s are 500 yards or shorter, but Jasper has five of the best par 3’s anywhere ranging from 138 yards all the way up to 240 yards.
The golf course has the same elevation as the city of Calgary, roughly 3,200 feet. Only look for about half a club of difference compared with most courses near lower altitudes.
What you need to know about Jasper is that it is all about fun! It’s not easy, but hit some good shots and decent scores will be rewarded. This course is one of the most enjoyable golf experiences that anyone can ever have.
Marilyn Monroe Golfing The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
2) Please give us a brief history of The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and the golf course.
The course was designed by Canada’s foremost golf architect, Stanley Thompson, and opened in 1925. It has hosted such celebrities as Bing Crosby, Marilyn Monroe, Bill Gates and many more. The resort, which opened in 1922, is a unique hotel experience with numerous small cabins surrounding a beautiful glacier fed lake.
3) What are the best resort features and amenities at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge?
The resort has 441 Rooms and six dining outlets. It is also home to a full service award-winning spa, heated outdoor pool, health club, tennis courts and conference space. While there are lodge rooms, the majority of guests stay in cabin accommodations, giving guests a truly rustic, natural experience.
New in 2013: The Stanley Thompson Cabin is scheduled to reopen for the golf season this year. The cabin is situated just off the first fairway of the golf course and has four bedrooms, plus a kitchen and central living room. Be sure to check it out – it’s perfect for a golf buddies’ trip. This is a brand new luxury cabin, replacing the original destroyed by fire several years ago.
4) What do guests need to know about the surrounding Jasper area?
Jasper is a four season region. Summer activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, canoeing, fishing, golf, camping and backcountry camping. It is also close access to heli-hiking. Winter activities include downhill skiing, cross country skiing and skating. It is close access to heli-skiing, dog sledding and alpine snowmobiling.
Lac Beauvert is one of several beautiful glacier-fed lakes on the property, great for canoeing, kayaking, fishing and swimming.
Among the Canadian Rockies Golf courses, Jasper is the northernmost golf course. Many travelers drive the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, noted one of the world’s most beautiful and scenic highways.
5) What are some interesting facts about the course, resort and surrounding area?
The Fairmont Jasper Park is the No. 1 Golf Resort in Canada, the No. 4 Golf Course in Canada and the No. 1 Public Golf Course in Canada, as rated by ScoreGolf, Golf Digest and other well-known golf publications. Jasper is also the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wildlife sightings are the norm here – and several holes on the course touch or are bisected by natural wildlife corridors. We’re in a National Park, so animals roam free. Bring your camera to see Elk, but don’t get too close.
Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/canadianrockiesgolf and tell us your favorite memory of Jasper.
