Mountain Spirit Resort & Spa

An exciting new Black Knight design by Gary Player has opened to golfers. Wildstone claims to deliver one of the finest golf experiences in the Kootenay Rockies. The course is laid out over gently rolling terrain and measures over 7,000 yards from the tips.  It is also home to an excellent practice facility and stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.  Gary Player’s quote says it all, “This is the most beautiful site I’ve ever had the privilege to design a golf course on.”

This ads another fantastic course to the existing range of great courses in and around Kimberley. Golfers visiting the area can enjoy Trickle Creek, Bootleg Gap, Shadow Mountain, Kimberley, St. Eugene, Way Lyn, Mission Hills, and now Wildstone.

Click here to read the story from the Cranbrook Daily Townsman

A sleeping giant will come to life this summer as Wildstone Golf Course officially opens for players. On June 1st, the Gary Player-designed course will welcome its first golfers – and general manager Chris Andrews said they are in for a treat.

“When it opens, the golf course is going to be exceptionally fun for everybody of all levels to play,” said Andrews.

The 18-hole course is the first course in Canada designed by South African golf champion Gary Player and his company, Black Knight Design. Player has designed more than 300 courses worldwide, but according to Andrews, Player has said that Wildstone is the nicest place he’s built a course.

Fisher Peak is the star of the show. The prominent mountain is framed at the end of the 18th hole, with the clubhouse in the foreground. The practice range – which includes a driving range, practice and chipping greens – faces Fisher Peak as well.

“When you come around the corner and look down the fairway at number 18, Fisher Peak is rising in the distance. That to us was the epitome of the experience here,” said Andrews.

Overall, the fairways are wide and the tree line is sparse, but players will find some challenges – especially on the 6th and 12th holes over water.

If you’ve ever golfed at Bootleg Gap, you’ll be familiar with the natural beauty of Bootleg Gap’s golf course. Once a year in February, the golfers are replaced by dog sledders… and the crowds gather to watch as they race their way around the beautiful championship course at Bootleg Gap. February 5th and 6th 2011 saw the Third Annual Bootleg Sled Dog Races just down the road from Mountain Spirit Resort.

It’s quite a day out for the family. In addition to watching the races and meeting the dogs, there is a silent auction and food available, including a Dinner in Bootleg Gap’s club house on Saturday night. Races are started every hour, with the racers being set off one minute apart. Categories include: 6-Dog Purebred & Open Classes, 4-Dog Purebred & Open Classes, Skijoring and Junior Classes.

I joined the crowds at the finish line to cheer the sledders and their dogs over the finish line.

What’s different about the Bootleg Gap Sled Dog Races is the objective of raising funds and awareness for East Kootenay Friends of Children. Click here to visit the website for Bootleg Sled Dog Races.

Coming across the finish line…

A big part of the fun was seeing lots of beautiful dogs enjoying a rest in the sun.