As seen in Good Life CONNOISSEUR, Summer 2006

Excerpted from
Beautiful British Columbia
Good Life Connoisseur, Summer 2006

Bear Mountain Resort, just outside Victoria, illustrates how much the bar has been raised. The development of this 1,300 acre property has been spear-headed by ex-NHL’er Len Barrie. Since purchasing the land in the fall of 2001, Barrie, with the financial support of a number of his NHL buddies, has fast-tracked the development of this destination resort. The official opening of its Westin hotel was on June 8th.

In the very short five years between conception and opening, buyers from around the world have invested in excel of $400 million in presale residential real estate. This international support was warranted. The resort already boasts the Mountain Course, a Jack and Steve Nicklaus co-designed 19 hole (yes, 19) golf experience, considered by many to be the best course in Canada. It will soon be complemented by a Nicklaus-designed 18-hole Valley Course (currently under construction) and the Nicklaus Golf Academy, a world class practice facility.

The newly opened Westin offers 91 very comfortable rooms and suites and houses the clubhouse, three restaurants and a spa. The overall tone is west coast wood-and-stone, exemplified by the expansive timber-beamed lobby with a two storey waterfall and stone fireplace. The penthouse suite is a two-storey beauty with not only a view of the course, but even Mount Baker in Washington State.

During an excellent dinner in the cozy Panache restaurant, hosted by GM Terry Yacyshen, we came to better understand the vision with which Barrie has led the project. During his tenure as a professional hockey player he visited many facilities around the world. That experience so drives his desire to provide a quality environment and excellent service that lobster is available at the 9th hole. According to Yacyshen, that desire even extends to the hot dogs; while possibly premium priced, the buns are definitely the very best.

The Spa certainly lives up to the standard of excellence the resort strives to reflect. The first Santé Spa was opened by Dr. Wendy Smeltzer in her home base of Calgary; Bear Mountain’s accredited Santé Spa offers traditional spa treatments, non-surgical procedures such as Botox, microdermabrasion and laser hair removal, and a lifestyle program which includes nutrition, fitness training and sports medicine. All services are administered by therapists and medical professionals trained under Dr. Smeltzer’s supervision in Calgary.

My experience was a new pleasure. The surroundings were relaxing and the staff very competent. When in a spa I look for a good massage. This time around I was encouraged to try my first pedicure. Though somewhat of a ticklish experience, I have to admit it was great. I could easily become a regular.

Bear Mountain is already a destination resort which will only get better.