Capilano Golf and Country Club
Stanley Thompson carved Capilano into the mountainside above West Vancouver in 1937, and it remains one of the most intact and admired of all his designs. A par 72 of about 6,706 yards, it pairs classic architecture with sweeping views over Vancouver and the sea, a rare and unforgettable combination.
Photo: kadiep99 via Google.
The verdict
Capilano is the course connoisseurs name when the talk turns to Canada's very best, and it earns the billing twice over. Stanley Thompson, the architect behind Banff Springs and Jasper Park Lodge, was handed a steep, forested mountainside above West Vancouver and turned an enormous engineering challenge into one of his finest routings, opened in 1937. Few of his courses survive in such original condition, which makes a round here a chance to read his work almost exactly as he drew it.
The setting alone would draw visitors. The course tumbles down the slope of the North Shore mountains with the city of Vancouver and Burrard Inlet spread out below, the views growing more dramatic as you descend, then turns and climbs back up through cathedral stands of fir and cedar. At par 72 over about 6,706 yards it is not a brute, but the elevation changes, the tree lined corridors and Thompson's bold green sites give it real teeth and lasting charm. It is private, and worth every effort to play.
Capilano at a glance
- Opened
- 1937
- Designer
- Stanley Thompson
- Type
- Mountainside parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,706 yds
- Access
- Private members club
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. Capilano opened in 1937 to a Stanley Thompson design and plays to par 72 over about 6,706 yards, rated around 73.0 with a slope near 133. The club is private and does not publish public green fees; access is normally by invitation or reciprocal arrangement, so always confirm any arrangement directly before traveling.
The holes worth the trip
The round opens with one of the great first impressions in golf, the tee shot launched out toward the city and the water far below, the fairway dropping away beneath you. From there Thompson uses the mountain superbly, alternating tumbling downhill holes with stiff climbs and weaving the routing through dense old growth forest so that each hole feels enclosed and private.
The par 3s are a highlight, set at angles that make the most of the slope and the framing trees, and the greens are classic Thompson, generous in size but contoured to favor an approach from the correct side. Reading the break is a skill in itself here, since the pull of the mountain fools the eye and putts rarely behave the way they look.
It is a walking course at heart, and the experience is as much about the setting and the quiet as the scorecard. Take your time, soak in the views on the high holes, and appreciate a piece of architecture that has changed remarkably little in almost ninety years.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; play normally limited to members, their guests and reciprocal visitors |
| Green fee | Not publicly published; guest and reciprocal play arranged through the club (indicative, confirm directly) |
| Best route in | An invitation from a member, or a reciprocal arrangement if your home club has one |
| Walking | A classic walking course on a hillside; carts available, walking rewards the routing |
| On the day | Traditional golf attire expected; pack a layer, as the North Shore can be cool and damp |
| Getting there | West Vancouver, on the lower slopes of the North Shore mountains, about 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver |
Access details verified June 2026 from the club and public sources. Capilano is private and arrangements change, so always confirm access and any guest policy directly before traveling.
Where to stay nearby
Vancouver is one of the most rewarding city bases for a golf trip, and most visitors stay downtown or in the West End, a short drive across the Lions Gate Bridge from Capilano. The city pairs world class dining, waterfront walks and mountains within minutes, so a non playing partner is never short of something to do.
British Columbia is a deep golf destination beyond the city. Build a trip that pairs Capilano with the resort golf of the interior and the mountains, from Predator Ridge Golf Resort in the Okanagan to the alpine drama of Nicklaus North at Whistler, for a Pacific golf week with real variety.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Capilano.
Build a British Columbia golf trip
Capilano is private, but we plan a full British Columbia golf week around the courses you can play, from Vancouver to the Okanagan and Whistler, and arrange tee times, stays and transfers. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Capilano questions
Who designed Capilano and when did it open?
Capilano was designed by Stanley Thompson and opened in 1937 after a major engineering effort to carve the course into the mountainside above West Vancouver. It is regarded as one of the most intact and best preserved Thompson designs anywhere.
What is the par and length of Capilano?
Capilano plays to par 72 over about 6,706 yards from the back tees, with a course rating near 73.0 and a slope of about 133. The routing descends and climbs the mountainside, so the round plays its full measure.
Can visitors play Capilano?
No. Capilano is a private members club and access is normally limited to members and their accompanied guests, with reciprocal arrangements for some clubs. Always confirm any access arrangement directly before traveling.
What makes Capilano special?
Capilano combines a beautifully preserved Stanley Thompson routing with sweeping views over the city of Vancouver and Burrard Inlet, a rare pairing of classic architecture and spectacular setting that places it among the best courses in Canada.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; access details verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.