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A Guide to Whistler Waterside

paddleboarding in green lake with view of mountains in whistler

Whistler’s waterside is simply idyllic! Gorgeous, pristine lakes at the base of towering mountains, it doesn’t get any better than this. Whistler is fortunate to have four main lakes ideal for families to enjoy, each with its unique reason to visit. We’ve come up with a local’s guide to Whistler Waterside to help you make the most of your Whistler vacation!

Green Lake

Green Lake is the largest lake in Whistler, and arguably the most stunning! Its unique, green colour comes from the glacial flour being poured into the lake by the Fitzsimmons River. This lake is highly popular for paddleboarders, kayakers, and even motorboats! This is the only lake in Whistler that allows motorized vessels, which is good to know depending on your lake goals. Our favourite access point to the water is called “The Spit.” If you park at Nicolas North Golf Club, you will get stunning views of floatplanes taking off from the Whistler Air dock as you walk to the spit. The sandy beach that juts out into the lake is fantastic for a family picnic and a cold dip in Green Lake!

Alta Lake

Alta Lake is quite possibly the most diverse lake in Whistler, with so many access points and activities available on and off the water. The two most popular parks attached to the lake are Lakeside Park, accessible from the Sea to Sky Highway, and Rainbow Park, accessible from Alta Lake Road. We’ll focus on Rainbow Park for this blog, but stay tuned for our next blog that does a deep dive into how to enjoy Alta Lake like a local! This year, Rainbow Park has paid parking from 10 am – 6 pm for $2/hour, or you can take the free shuttle from Whistler Village’s day lots. Rainbow Park has its own Barking Bay for dogs, sand volleyball courts, food trucks, washroom facilities, docks, and plenty of space to spread out. And not to mention, the lakeside views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are epic!

Lost Lake

Lost Lake is conveniently located just outside the Main and Upper villages. Its easy access, free weekend shuttle service from the Main Village, and generally warmer temperatures for swimming make it one of the most popular summer hangout spots in Whistler. The gentle, shallow shoreline is great for playing in the water with kids! Lost Lake also happens to be surrounded by single-track and double-track hiking and biking trails. This makes it the ideal, central location for families to post up and take turns exploring the beautiful forests of Whistler! The Municipality of Whistler has announced a new food truck program for this summer, and it will make your mouth water! Now it’s easy to plan the perfect lunch after an excursion around the lake.

Alpha Lake

Last but certainly not least, Alpha Lake is conveniently located in Creekside, Whistler. As true with the vibe of Creekside, Alpha Lake Park is generally less crowded than the other Whistler lakes. This lake’s low-key, family vibe is great for a quiet evening picnic at the end of a long day of play. The smaller lake is perfect for floating around on kayaks or paddleboards, and there’s even a fenced-in dog park right next to the water for your furry friends to run around! If you’re staying in one of our Creekside accommodations at Lake Placid Lodge, Alpha Lake is just a 10-minute walk from your doorsteps.

 

Need to find the perfect Whistler accommodation for your summer vacation? We are offering up to 30% summer bookings now! You can read more about our exclusive offer here. Welcome back to Whistler!

 

 

 

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