Go Lakeside in Whistler Creekside
Nothing says summer like a relaxing day floating on the lake with a cold beverage in hand. Or maybe your crew is more into plunging off a rope swing into a bracing Whistler lake.
Both May and June brought early periods of heat to Whistler this year and whetted appetites for a refreshing dip in our beautiful lakes. Thanks to Mother Nature, the Whistler area is blessed with some great places to beat the heat with a swim.
Alta Lake
Alta Lake's Lakeside Park
Staying at Creekside gives you handy access to Alta Lake, Whistler’s second biggest lake.
From guided canoe/biking excursions down the River of Golden Dreams to simply relaxing with a picnic basket while the kids splash around in the water, Alta Lake is all about recreational opportunities.
Alta Lake, the largest lake in Whistler, is another great spot for a swim. It can be accessed at Lakeside Park, between Whistler and Creekside, just off Highway 99 in the Alta Vista neighbourhood. Parking can be very difficult, due to this park’s popularity and easy accessibility. Use caution when parking in the neighbourhood, making sure to obey all signs to avoid being towed. Again, arriving by bicycle via the Valley Trail or bus is optimal.
Paddleboards, kayaks and canoes can be rented at Lakeside Park. There are convenient wash and change rooms available. The Park Eats food trucks will be alternating between Lost Lake and Alta Lake, so you won’t go hungry after a day of swimming. If you opt to bring your own food, picnic tables and BBQ pits are available. Smoking, vaping and consumption of alcohol are not allowed in the park.
While you can take your leashed pup to this park, it is not very dog-friendly. There is no dog beach and the park is small. Your furry friend would be more comfortable at other Whistler parks.
Lost Lake
Lost Lake Park
Lost Lake is nestled in the forest and boasts six docks. This local favourite is easily accessible on foot, by bike or by bus from Whistler Village.
Vehicles are discouraged due to a lack of parking. The local number five bus drops passengers off on Blackcomb Way, where it’s a short walk to the Lake. The designated Lost Lake bus stops at the lake concession area and beach.
Each summer a new assortment of food trucks offers savory and sweet treats at the lake. This summer’s program, Park Eats, includes crepes, wood fired pizza and gelato. Whistler kids (and grown-ups who admit it!) love the long multi-coloured freezies available on a scorching summer day.
Many folks bring their portable grills, using the interspersed picnic tables for a meal. Smoking and consumption of alcohol are not allowed and are regularly enforced.
There are convenient wash rooms at Lost Lake as well as a handy shower. The wide, circular 1.7 mile trail loop around the lake is perfect for exercise, dog walking or simply taking in the beautiful views. Recently, visitors were treated to the sight of an otter swimming at dusk.
Loggers Lake
Loggers Lake in Whistler Interpretive Forest
A bit off the beaten path is Loggers Lake, sitting in a bowl formed by an extinct volcano in Whistler’s Interpretive Forest. The nearby Cheakamus trail system offers many hiking and biking options prior to a dip in the lake. The drive to reach the trailhead for the lake is five minutes from Creekside. A short, but rocky and steep hike up a forest service road rewards with a picturesque, glassy lake, ringed by giant boulders on one end. On our last visit, three legendary and very high rope swings hung from the trees.
This is one of the warmest lakes in Whistler. There is no beach, but random fallen logs extend into the water and a rustic, homemade dock is on the far side.
You can feel free to take your dog to Loggers Lake off leash, although care should be taken with the awareness bears can be in the vicinity. There are no prohibitions against smoking or alcohol, but as always, respect the fire safety bans and exhibit responsible behaviour. Because this is an interpretive forest with no garbage bins or pick-up, please pack out what you pack in, to leave this area pristine for the next visitor and to protect our bear population.
Whether floating lazily on an inner tube or plunging off a high rope swing, an afternoon at one of Whistler’s refreshing lakes is a wonderful antidote to hot weather. Lost Lake, Alta Lake and Loggers Lake all provide sweet relief on a hot summer day.
Cheakamus Lake
Cheakamus Lake - All You Need to Know
Cheakamus Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park is a popular tourist attraction in the Whistler area. People come to hike the amazing surrounding trails and see the stunning scenery.
Hiking to Cheakamus Lake is the most popular activity in the area. The hike to the lake and back is approximately 15km long and takes 4-6 hours depending on your level of fitness. It is one of the more accessible hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park and the trail rarely gets steep. In fact, over the entire trail, you won’t even gain 100 meters of elevation.
You’ll reach the first campsite and views of the lake around the 3km marker, with further campsites being found at the 7km marker. When the trails are open for hiking depends on the amount of snow. Generally speaking, it is best to hike from May to November.
After a hike in the summer sun, you’ll be very glad to reach Cheakamus Lake. It is a glacial lake, so you’ll cool off quickly after jumping in. Because of the temperature of the water, you’re more likely to see people spend more time on the water, rather than in it. Paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking are popular activities here.
You might also see some people fishing along the water’s edge. Trout are the most commonly caught fish in the lake.
