Whistler prides itself in many village amenities, and the following 5 lakes are known as some of the best summer amenities in Whistler! The lakes are evenly spread throughout the village so all of us, locals and visitors alike, can enjoy all of the activities associated with summer fun and water. The paved Valley Trail runs around the village and you can literally have a dip in all of these lakes in one day. Alternatively, you can drive if you have a family and a lot of beach equipment to carry. So for those of you who decide to drive, we are giving directions to make it easy for you. Here are the 5 Whistler lakes:
ALPHA LAKE (West of Whistler):
This small, warm lake is very popular with the locals for its private location, away from the main village buzz.
ACCESS TO ALPHA LAKE:
From Vancouver: Once you arrive at the very first light intersection in Whistler (Function Junction), continue driving on HW99 for about 4.9km and take a left after the Bayshore turn off onto the Taylor Way. Next, take the first right onto Lake Placid Road, and shortly, you will see the lake and parking on your left.
From Village Centre: Drive along HW99 and take a right at the Creekside intersection onto Lake Placid Road. Continue along the road, pass the Rocky Mountaineer railway station and soon you will see the lake parking on your right.
ALPHA LAKE FEATURES:
- Designated off-leash dog zone
- Tennis Courts
- Basketball hoop
- Docks
- Picnic tables with BBQ
- Kids play zone
- Volleyball court
NEARBY FOOD & DRINK:
REGULATIONS:
- Electric Motors only
- If on the lake after sunset, you must have a life jacket, bailer, whistle, and flashlight
- Dogs allowed off-leash in the main park before 10 am and after 8 pm
NITA LAKE (West of Whistler):
This glacier-fed, smaller-sized lake is located just in the backyard of the Nita Lake Lodge, between the Valley Trail and the Rocky Mountaineer train line.
NITA LAKE ACCESS:
From Vancouver: Once you arrive at the very first light intersection in Whistler (Function Junction), continue driving on HW99 for about 4.8km and take a left at the Creekside intersection onto Lake Placid Road. Next, take a first right onto Karen Crescent and then take a first left onto Drew Drive. Continue on this road and you will see the lake shortly ahead of you.
From Village Centre: Drive along HW99 and take a right at the Creekside intersection onto Lake Placid Road. Next, take a first right onto Karen Crescent and then take a first left onto Drew Drive. Continue on this road and you will see the lake shortly ahead of you.
NITA LAKE FEATURES:
- Dock
- A small park with two picnic tables
- A small pebble beach
- Trout fishing!
NEARBY FOOD & DRINK:
REGULATIONS:
- Electric Motors only
- If on the lake after sunset, must have a life jacket, bailer, whistle, and flashlight
ALTA LAKE (West of Whistler):
One of the most popular lakes for its size, warmth, and various small parks nicely distributed around the lake border.
ACCESS:
From Vancouver: Once you arrive at the very first light intersection in Whistler (Function Junction), continue driving on HW99 for about 6.7 and watch for the Alta Vista sign on your left, after you pass Creekside. Take a left onto Hillcrest Drive and instantly right onto Alpine Crescent, which will lead you towards the lake parking shortly on your left.
From Village Centre: Drive along HW99 and take a right at the Creekside intersection onto Lake Placid Road. After the Blueberry residential area, watch for the Alta Vista sign and take right onto Hillcrest Drive and instantly right onto Alpine Crescent, which will lead you towards the lake parking shortly on your left.
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LAKESIDE FEATURES (east of Alta Lake):
- Large sandy beach
- Kids play area
- Docks
- Picnic tables with BBQ
- Canoe & paddle board rentals (summer only)
- Washrooms
- Book the Guided River of Golden Dreams Trip
- Snacks, Toys, Ice Cream
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WAYSIDE PARK (east of Alta Lake):
You will reach this park if you walk the valley trail from Nita Lake toward the village center. The Wayside Park is a part of the Alta Lake and allows for more privacy and calm compared to the large sandy beach at the Lakeside (above).
Features:
- Dock
- A small beach
- Canoe & kayak rentals
- A few picnic tables with BBQ
- A snack shed
- Washrooms
- Wheelchair access
RAINBOW PARK (West of Alta Lake):
Located farthest away, you will see this beach from Lakeside Park right ahead of you. It is an awesome place to see and you will not regret taking the little extra time to get there. You have 3 options of accessing it.
1, Bike the Valley trail
2, Swim to it from Wayside Park or Lakeside Park (stamina necessary)
3, Drive to it:
From Vancouver: Once you arrive at the very first light intersection in Whistler (Function Junction), continue driving on HW99 and right after the Spring Creek residential area, you will head towards the Bayshore intersection. Go left here onto the Alta Lake road and you will reach Rainbow Park on your right after about 5.7km from the turn-off.
From Village Centre: Head towards HW99 towards the north end of Whistler / Pemberton direction. Pass the Nester market and pay attention right after the Meadows Park Rec Centre for a left turn towards the Alpine Meadows. Take a left at Alpine Meadows onto Alpine Way and instantly left onto Rainbow Drive. Continue along this road and merge onto the Alta Lake road. In about 3.6km, you will reach Rainbow Park on your left and see the parking entrance.
ALTA LAKE FEATURES:
- A large sandy beach
- A large open grass space
- Volleyball courts
- Picnic tables with BBQ
- Washrooms
- Docks
- Concessions stand
ALTA LAKE REGULATIONS:
- 12 km/h Speed limit
- If on the lake after sunset, must have a life jacket, bailer, whistle, and flashlight
LOST LAKE (East of Whistler):
This lake is located at the heart of Lost lake park, which serves as a Nordic skiing area (30km of XC skiing trails) in the winter, and nearly 100 km of hiking and biking in the summer.
Credit: Mike Crane
ACCESS:
Drive to the village center and take Lorimer Road off of HW99 to access the Day parking lots. # 4 & 5 are free and overnight parking is possible in the summer. Walk or bike from the lot towards the lake for about 2km.
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Credit: Mike Crane
LOST LAKE FEATURES:
- Docks
- BBQ stands
- Washrooms
- Concession stand(s)
- Kids area
- A sandy beach
- Designated dog off-leash area with a sandy beach
REGULATIONS:
- Electric Motors only
- If on the lake after sunset, must have a life jacket, bailer, whistle, and flashlight
GREEN LAKE (North-East of Whistler):
Some time ago, we put together a blog post called "Bike Ride to Whistler's Green Lake" which we recommend that you have a read-through as well.
ACCESS:
Drive to the north end of Whistler as if heading to Pemberton. After passing the Rainbow residential area, you will see the lake on your right. It is a large, glacier-fed lake with a backdrop to die for! Take right at the 2nd Emerald entrance onto Summer Lane and from there follow the Green Lake Park & Lake Shore Drive signs to get to the parking, which will be on your right.
Green LAKE FEATURES:
- Picnic tables
- Canoe rentals
- A Small sandy beach
- Very remote and quiet compared to the other 4 lakes
- Boat launch
- Floatplane dock
REGULATIONS:
- 10 km/h boating speed
- If on the lake after sunset, must have a life jacket, bailer, whistle, and flashlight