Banff Springs Hole #8

Banff Springs Hole #8 "Papoose" 150-yard Par3 Handicap 17

Thompson takes the player to the edge of the roaring Bow River and the next seven holes loosely track beside it as one returns in a southwesterly direction toward the Banff Springs Hotel. Formalizing the elbows of water that handle overflows from the Bow River gave Thompson the unique opportunity to have fronting water hazards; otherwise, the Bow just parallels the holes. With the right half bank of the green feeding intothis water hazard and the hole set into the prevailing wind, the golfer best judge the wind correctly. Yet, especially with the high altitude and this being the first shot of the day in this direction, many a golfer has been fooled into mis-clubbing one way or another.

With water front right and bunkers around back, the eighth only remains the picture of tranquility once the golfer's tee ball has found the putting surface.

Banff Springs GC:

You'll be amazed by its panoramic challenge. From the actual hole design to the optical illusions created by the surrounding mountains, this course will delight and tempt you. The course winds along the Bow River under the snow-capped peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle.

Banff:

Horseback Riding – Brewster Adventures … This was an awesome trail ride. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. You can hike to Agnes Teahouse by foot, but it's exhausting (3.5 kilometers, or 2 miles uphill; it takes about 2 hours to get to the top). The stable offers sleigh rides, trail rides, and overnight horse trips. They are available winter and summer. The stable is located a block from Lake Louise and across the street from the Fairmont Resort. We rode a few miles through a forest, passed a small beautiful lake, and arrived at the top where we found another beautiful lake, a waterfall, a teahouse, and a great view of the Fairmont Resort down below. Other than the canoe ride on Lake Louise, the horseback ride was very memorable.