Nicklaus North Golf Course
Nicklaus North is Whistler's lakeside championship course and the only Jack Nicklaus design north of the equator to carry his name. Opened in 1996, this par 71 of 6,961 yards runs through the valley alongside Green Lake, finishing with three holes on the water beneath the Coast Mountains.
Photo: Nicklaus North Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Nicklaus North is the round that defines a Whistler golf trip. Jack Nicklaus opened it in 1996 in the valley floor north of the village, and it is the only course in the northern hemisphere he allowed to carry his own name, a sign of how the setting and the design came together. The layout threads through wetland, forest and the shore of Green Lake, with the snow capped peaks of the Coast Mountains rising on every side.
For the traveling golfer it is a fair, beautifully conditioned and walkable championship test that has hosted the Skins Game and television golf. It is more about position and pace than brute length, which makes it enjoyable for a wide range of players, and the closing stretch along the lake is among the most memorable finishes in Canadian golf. Pair it with the resort village and a second Whistler course for a complete mountain trip.
Nicklaus North Golf Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1996
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Type
- Valley / lakeside
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- 6,961 yds
- Green fee
- Premium resort (2026)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the course and leading databases. Nicklaus North is a par 71 of about 6,961 yards designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1996 alongside Green Lake at Whistler. It is a public resort course; indicative 2026 green fees are a premium British Columbia resort rate, lower early and late season and at twilight. Rates change by season and time of day, so always confirm current pricing and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The finish is the signature. The last three holes play along Green Lake, and the long par 3 17th is the picture postcard, its green jutting out into the turquoise water with the mountains behind. It is a hole that asks for a confident long iron under pressure, with water and a stunning backdrop competing for your attention, and it sets up a strong closing 18th.
The rest of the round is classic valley Nicklaus: clearly defined targets, strategic bunkering and greens that reward the approach played from the correct side. The Whistler valley floor keeps the walk gentle by mountain standards, and the wetland and forest framing give the holes a sense of seclusion despite the resort nearby.
Conditioning is a strength, the fairways tight and the greens true, and the course has the polish you expect of a venue that has hosted professional events. It plays at its best on a clear summer day when the peaks are out, so book a morning or late afternoon tee time and take a camera to the 17th.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course, open to visitors and stay and play guests at Whistler |
| Green fee | Premium British Columbia resort rate, indicative for 2026; varies by season, day and time |
| Cart and caddie | Walking is comfortable on the valley floor; carts available; no caddie program |
| Booking | Online or by phone; book well ahead for the short, busy Whistler summer season |
| Season | Roughly May to October, with high summer the prime window in the Coast Mountains |
| Getting there | Whistler, about 2 hours north of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky Highway |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the course 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
Whistler village is one of the great resort bases in North America, with hotels, restaurants and the ski gondolas a short drive from Nicklaus North. Staying in or near the village keeps both Whistler courses, the dining and the summer activities within easy reach, and a stay and play package is usually the smart way to book.
For a fuller Whistler golf trip, pair Nicklaus North with the elevated Fairmont Chateau Whistler course at the base of Blackcomb, then carry on to Vancouver Island for the Nicklaus golf at Bear Mountain near Victoria. See our Golf in Canada hub for the wider route.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Nicklaus North and Whistler.
Play Nicklaus North on a Whistler golf trip
We book the Nicklaus North tee times, sort the Whistler village lodging, and route a Coast Mountains week with a second course and a Vancouver or Victoria add on. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Nicklaus North Golf Course questions
Who designed Nicklaus North Golf Course?
Nicklaus North was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1996 at Whistler. It is the only Nicklaus design in the northern hemisphere permitted to carry his name.
What is the signature hole at Nicklaus North?
The long par 3 17th is the signature hole, with its green jutting into Green Lake beneath the Coast Mountains, part of a closing run of three holes along the water.
What is the par and length of Nicklaus North?
Nicklaus North plays to par 71 and measures about 6,961 yards from the back tees, a position and pace test rather than a brute length course.
Is Nicklaus North open to the public?
Yes. Nicklaus North is a public resort course at Whistler, often booked as a stay and play package. Green fees vary by season, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
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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.