Bear Mountain Valley Course
The Valley Course is the second eighteen at Bear Mountain near Victoria, a Nicklaus Design layout that opened in 2009. Routed lower across the valley floor, this par 71 of about 6,807 yards is the gentler, more playable of the resort's two courses, and together with the Mountain Course it gives Bear Mountain the only 36 holes of Nicklaus golf in Canada.
Photo: Bear Mountain Resort Community via Google.
The verdict
The Valley Course is the companion eighteen at Bear Mountain, the 36 hole resort above Langford on the edge of Victoria. Opened in 2009 as a Nicklaus Design course, it sits lower than its summit sibling and plays as the more relaxed of the pair, with wider corridors, less brutal elevation change and the same mountain and forest backdrop on Vancouver Island. For the traveling golfer it is the round you book when you want to enjoy the views without grinding over every shot.
At about 6,807 yards from the back tees and par 71 it is no pushover, but it rewards a steady game rather than long carries, and five tee sets down to about 4,674 yards make it a fair test for a mixed group. Paired with the marquee Mountain Course it anchors a Victoria golf stay, and the mild island climate keeps the season longer here than almost anywhere else in Canada. It suits a couples escape or a buddies trip that wants golf, spa and city within half an hour of each other.
Bear Mountain Valley Course at a glance
- Opened
- 2009
- Designer
- Nicklaus Design
- Type
- Valley (resort)
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- 6,807 yds
- Green fee
- Premium resort (2026)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the resort and leading databases. The Valley Course is a par 71 of about 6,807 yards across five tee sets, a Nicklaus Design layout opened in 2009. It is a resort course at Bear Mountain near Victoria; indicative 2026 green fees are a premium British Columbia resort rate, lower early and late season and at twilight, and often packaged with the Mountain Course. Rates change by season and time of day, so always confirm current pricing and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Valley Course makes its case through balance and tempo. Where the Mountain Course climbs and plunges across the summit, the Valley runs along the lower ground with gentler shaping, generous landing areas off the tee and greens that are receptive rather than fierce. The Nicklaus team still asked questions, with water in play on several holes and bunkering that punishes the lazy line, but the round flows and the scenery does the rest.
The short holes are a highlight, a set of par 3s framed by rock, fir and the surrounding ridges that ask for a confident, committed strike. The par 5s give the bigger hitter a chance to make a move, and the closing stretch tightens enough to protect a good card. At about 6,807 yards the test is in placement and pace, which makes it the easier walk for a wider range of handicaps than its summit sibling.
Most groups play it as the second of two rounds on a Bear Mountain stay, often the Valley first to warm up and the Mountain Course for the drama. Take a cart for comfort across the spread of the routing, and try to play on a clear day when the light on the island is at its best.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course at Bear Mountain; open to resort guests and visitors subject to availability |
| Green fee | Premium British Columbia resort rate, indicative for 2026; varies by season, day and time, and often bundled with the Mountain Course |
| Cart and caddie | Carts available and recommended for the spread of the routing; no caddie program |
| Booking | Through the resort, online or by phone; book ahead for summer, though the island season is long |
| Season | Close to year round in the mild Vancouver Island climate, with summer the prime window |
| Getting there | Langford near Victoria, about 30 minutes from the city and its airport and ferries |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the resort and public sources. Green fees vary by season, day and time, so always confirm current pricing and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Bear Mountain is a full resort above Langford, with a hotel, spa, dining and tennis alongside the 36 holes, which makes a stay and play package the easy way to book the Valley Course and its summit sibling. Downtown Victoria and the ferries and airport are about half an hour away, so a Bear Mountain base also opens up the city and the rest of Vancouver Island.
For a fuller British Columbia golf trip, pair the Valley and Mountain Course at Bear Mountain, then cross to the mainland for the Coast Mountains golf at Nicklaus North and Fairmont Chateau Whistler. See our Golf in Canada hub and our best courses in Canada ranking for the wider plan.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Bear Mountain and Victoria.
Play the Bear Mountain Valley Course on a Victoria golf trip
We book the Valley and Mountain Course tee times, sort the Bear Mountain resort lodging, and route a Vancouver Island week with a Whistler or Vancouver add on. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Bear Mountain Valley Course questions
Who designed the Bear Mountain Valley Course?
The Valley Course is a Nicklaus Design layout that opened in 2009. With the Jack and Steve Nicklaus Mountain Course it gives Bear Mountain the only 36 holes of Nicklaus Design golf in Canada.
What is the par and length of the Bear Mountain Valley Course?
The Valley Course plays to par 71 and measures about 6,807 yards from the back tees, with five sets of tees down to about 4,674 yards.
Is the Bear Mountain Valley Course open to visitors?
Yes. It is a resort course near Victoria, open to resort guests and visitors subject to availability. Green fees vary by season, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
How is the Valley Course different from the Mountain Course at Bear Mountain?
The Valley Course is the flatter, more forgiving of the two, routed lower on the property along the valley floor, while the Mountain Course climbs the summit with bigger elevation change. Many groups play both for a two course Bear Mountain stay.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.