This article outlines a variety of activities offered by some golf courses during the winter months. For your safety and to help protect course conditions, please confirm directly with any facility you plan to visit. Some courses are open exclusively to members, while others may not permit the activities listed below. Always check in advance before attending.
While parts of Alberta are experiencing what feels like an early return to spring, winter conditions will remain for at least another month. This naturally raises the question: what takes place at a golf course during the winter season?
Many member-based golf clubs do not simply close their doors at the end of the season and reopen once the snow melts. Although courses often shut down over the holidays, clubs frequently maintain a variety of indoor and outdoor offerings throughout the winter. Below is a look at some of the most common winter activities available at golf courses as we await the official arrival of spring.
Restaurants and Events
Throughout the winter, many clubs continue operating their restaurants with modified hours and seasonal menus. Members—and in some cases the public—may still enjoy dine-in service, takeout options, or casual gatherings, similar to the summer experience. Availability varies by facility, so it is important to confirm hours and access directly with your club.
In addition, some clubs host a range of private and club events during the winter months, including orientations, weddings, and other special functions.
Simulators
In recent years, demand for indoor golf facilities has increased significantly. Simulators, indoor driving ranges, and similar facilities have grown in popularity, offering golfers the opportunity to practice and play year-round. Many private golf clubs have provided simulator access to members for years, allowing them to continue lessons, practice sessions, or casual rounds with friends throughout the off-season.
Some clubs have expanded their infrastructure to meet this growing demand. For example, Cottonwood Golf & Country Club has added new facilities to better accommodate indoor golf programming.
Winter Golf
Winter golf remains a lesser-known but viable option when weather conditions permit. In southern Alberta communities such as Calgary, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat, select courses may open for limited periods during mild weather.
These rounds are typically modified to preserve course conditions ahead of the regular season. Players can expect temporary greens, reduced green fees, limited food and beverage services, no warm-up facilities, mandatory use of mats provided by the course, and no power carts. In Calgary, for example, two courses recently opened for a one-week window during favourable conditions.
CTV NEWS Article: Calgarians Embrace the warm weather
City of Calgary Winter Golfing Information
Cross Country Skiing or Walking Paths
It is not uncommon to see activity on golf courses during the winter, particularly in residential communities where homes border fairways. Many clubs permit members to access the property for walking or cross-country skiing. Policies vary by facility, and it is essential to confirm permitted use before accessing the course.
In the Edmonton area, the Broadmoor Golf Course serves as a strong example of a course that accommodates winter recreation. Similarly, City of Edmonton facilities such as Riverside Golf Course and Victoria Golf Course, as well as select City of Calgary courses, are used for cross-country skiing during the winter months.
Anyone interested in utilizing a golf course for winter recreation should contact the facility in advance and follow all posted guidelines to help protect course conditions.
The Broadmoor Cross Country Skiing
City of Edmonton Cross Country Skiing
City of Calgary Cross Country Skiing
Skating and Curling
While more specialized, some golf courses create outdoor ice surfaces to allow members to skate, play shinny, or even curl. A number of clubs also operate indoor curling rinks that may be open to the public, providing golfers with an opportunity to stay active during the winter season.
When accessing outdoor ice surfaces in particular, it is especially important to confirm conditions and safety guidelines directly with the course before participating.