Bear Mountain Resort

Bear Mountain Resort's Mountain Course occupies elevated terrain northwest of Victoria on Vancouver Island, designed by Jack Nicklaus with his son Steve and opened in 2003. The layout takes advantage of the property's natural topography, with significant elevation changes throughout the routing that provide views across the Saanich Peninsula and, on clear days, toward the Olympic Mountains to the south. The course plays through a mix of forested corridors and open hillside terrain characteristic of the region's Douglas fir and arbutus landscape. The design incorporates the site's natural contours into a routing that moves across ridges and through valleys, creating varied playing angles and strategic options. Several holes feature dramatic elevation drops from tee to fairway, while others climb uphill or traverse sloping terrain. The Nicklaus design emphasizes multiple tee positions to accommodate different skill levels, a common feature in resort courses intended for diverse clientele. Bunkering and green complexes reflect the Nicklaus design philosophy of rewarding accurate approach shots while providing recovery options for resort play. Bear Mountain operates as a public-access facility within a residential development, serving both resort guests and local golfers. The property includes a second course, the Valley Course, also designed by the Nicklaus team and opened several years later. The Mountain Course has hosted regional amateur competitions and serves as a notable example of modern resort golf architecture in British Columbia's capital region.