CANMORE - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 173

access the best river fishing, as well as Gap Lake and Grotto Pond; the latter is stocked
with rainbow trout. The Bow River is renowned for its rainbow trout fishing. This occurs
downstream of Canmore toward Calgary and beyond Ghost Lake, which holds healthy
populations of lake, rainbow, and brown trout.
For all your fishing needs, head to Wapiti Sports (1506 Railway Ave., 403/678-5550),
which stocks bait and tackle and sells licenses.
MM Goling
As with golfing elsewhere in the Canadian Rockies, book all tee times well in advance, but
also try to be flexible, because two of Canmore's three courses offer weekday and twilight
discounts. The golfing season in Canmore runs early May-late September.
Silvertip (403/678-1600 or 877/877-5444, www.silvertipresort.com ) opened in sum-
mer 1998 on a series of wide benches between the valley floor and the lower slopes
of Mount Lady Macdonald. It was quickly recognized as one of Canada's finest resort
courses, but more tellingly, it boasts a slope rating of 153, the highest of any course in
mainland North America. Needless to say, the layout is challenging, with the most distinct
feature being an elevation change of 200 meters (660 feet) between the lowest and highest
points on the course. Adding to this challenge are narrow, sloping, tree-lined fairways; nu-
merous water hazards; 74 bunkers; and a course length of a frightening 7,300 yards from
the back markers. High-season greens fees are $195, which includes a mandatory cart and
use of the driving range.
Stewart Creek Golf Club (4100 Stewart Creek Dr., 403/609-6099 or 877/993-4653,
www.stewartcreekgolf.com ) , another newer layout, lies across the valley in the Three
Sisters Mountain Village development. It is shorter than Silvertip but still measures more
than 7,000 yards from the back tees. The fairways are relatively wide, but positioning of
tee shots is important, and the course is made more interesting by hanging greens, green-
side exposed rock, and historic mine shafts. Greens fees are $175-195, with twilight rates
of $125. These rates include use of a power cart and practice facility.
Canmore Golf & Curling Club (403/678-4785), built in the 1920s as a nine-hole
course at the north end of 8th Avenue, has developed into an 18-hole course with a modern
clubhouse and a practice facility that includes a driving range. It is an interesting layout,
with scenic panoramas and water on some holes. Greens fees are $95.