Even if your game’s not on, it’s difficult not to enjoy walking the fairways of The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course (780/852-6090), consistently ranked as one of the top 10 courses in Canada. Designed by renowned golf-course architect Stanley Thompson, the course opened in 1925 after 200 workers had spent an entire year clearing trees and laying out the holes to Thompson’s design.
The 18-hole, 6,670-yard course takes in the contours of the Athabasca River Valley and hugs the banks of turquoise-colored Lac Beauvert for a memorable three-hole stretch. It’s a true test of accuracy; and with holes named The Maze, The Bad Baby, and The Bay, you’ll need lots of balls.
Greens fees for 18 holes vary with the season: $225 mid-June–September, $160 mid-May–mid-June, and $125 in early May and from October 1 through closing (usually mid-October). A power cart is $40 per round. Golfing after 5 p.m. is $110 with a cart — a great deal during the long days of June and July. Other amenities include a driving range, club rentals ($50–60), a café, a restaurant, and a well-stocked pro shop.