Industry News
Spring is a magical sporting season. It’s the crossroads of winter sports and summer sports. It’s almost time to switch out your skis for your clubs, but the snow gods were kind this year. The shredding continues.
An article by the New York Times, using Sotheby’s International Realty data, revealed that in 2021, searches for global properties with access to both skiing and golfing had gone up nearly 245%.
Skiing and golfing complement each other and have more in common than people think. You’re always chasing something in both of these sports. In skiing, you’re chasing that next turn, next storm, and next epic powder day. In golf, you’re always chasing the feeling of driving the ball 300 yards, chipping it perfectly on the green, or sinking a deep putt. Golfing in areas known for winter sports can raise a unique challenge and opportunity to test new skills and strategic approaches and even enjoy the shift in mindsets akin to shifting terrains. Enthusiasts often have to adapt their competitive spirit accordingly. A fun way to partake in this flexible scoring experience while alternating between environments is using the Stableford scoring system, which allows greater freedom, particularly on familiar courses surrounded by unfamiliar landscapes.
Let’s explore five places around the world where you can ski and golf on the same day.
1. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada, USA
Tahoe has a high concentration of ski resorts and access to a wide array of outdoor activities. Palisades Tahoe has even dubbed itself the spring skiing capital of the world, and they will be open until at least Memorial Day this year. Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, and Heavenly are all good spring skiing choices.
Tahoe takes pride in its famous ski resorts but is also home to some picturesque golf courses. Edgewood Resort in South Lake is home to the celebrity golf tournament each summer; the Old Greenwood course in Truckee, designed by Jack Nicklaus; and the Northstar Golf Course are just a few you can choose from. Not to mention, Reno is just half an hour away and offers a few top-notch courses like Montreux and Lakeridge.
2. Chamonix, France
Nestled in the French Alps, Chamonix is one of the most popular ski destinations in the world. The Chamonix area has multiple ski areas that are all either connected by lifts, trains, or buses. Les Houches, Brévent, and Grands Montets/Argentiere are a few of the most renowned in the area with excellent big mountain terrain and solid spring skiing.
The Chamonix Golf Club is the only course in the area, but it offers reasonable prices for its world-class course. Imagine teeing off with glaciers towering over you and a cool breeze as you sip your French 75. Despite being surrounded by steep, jagged mountain peaks, the course itself is relatively flat, making it accessible for golfers of all skill levels.
3. Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu in the heart of the Southern Alps. From the city, you can access four ski resorts: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardona Alpine Resort, and Treble Cone. A typical season from mid-June to mid-October will allow you to ski and golf on the same day.
New Zealand might not be known for its golf, but Queenstown is a hotspot. There are six golf courses within a 20-minute drive of the city. Most notable are Jack’s Point in the shadows of The Remarkables, Queenstown Golf Club on the Kelvin Heights Peninsula, and 27-hole behemoth, The Millbrook Golf Club.
4. Hakuba, Japan
The Hakuba region is dense with great skiing and riding and has nine resorts. Hakuba Happo-One was home to the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, and they offer night riding so you can get a quick 18 in before you ski. Kashimayari Ski Resort is a smaller, uncrowded resort known for its mix of advanced and beginner terrain, and it’s easily accessible from Tokyo.
While Hakuba is home to Ja-Pow, the golfing is nothing to scoff at. This article about Hakuba golfing explains the golf culture in Japan.
According to the article, the 1980s saw a boom in the Japanese golf industry, and many top-notch courses were built. Golf used to be seen as a high-class outing in Japanese culture, but the thought process has changed. It has become more accessible for the general population, and your fees will cover your cart, lunch, and access to a hot spring bath afterward.
5. British Columbia, Canada
With the likes of Whistler and Revelstoke, B.C. is a powerhouse in the ski realm. It’s one of the premier skiing areas in the world. It’s resort-rich and backcountry with a typically long season. B.C. also has 300+ golf courses in the province, including mountain courses closer to ski resorts.
The Revelstoke Golf Club on the Columbia River is a popular course that offers scenic views and relaxing terrain that uses natural features. B.C. is home to different mountain ranges, and my favorite is the Kootenays. Redstone Resort is in the West Kootenays and boasts itself as the prettiest golf course in Canada. The architect for Redstone is the legendary Les Furber, who has designed golf courses worldwide. Read this interview with Furber to get a better idea of Redstone.
