Posts tagged with “beaches”

The month of May is a ‘down-season’ time, or for many Whistlerites, ‘bikini-ready-season’. The perfect opportunity to pound the valley trail, slay the mountain-bike trails or ramp up the body beautiful techniques in preparation for baring it all at one or many, of the lake-side sand-spots between July and August (and parts of June and September if we’re lucky!), arguably the world’s shortest, yet most celebrated and utilised Summer periods. Here’s your guide to making the most of our ‘beaches’ in Summer, whatever your pleasure, fetish or past-time. Here’s Part 2 of Miss Whis’s “Beaches In Whistler” feature. Read Part 1 here.

For Adrenaline Junkies and Party People:
There’s only one place where you’ll be sure to stumble into a party where everyone’s invited, and that’s at Rainbow Park. As one of the more inaccessible beaches, being off the beaten path of Highway 99, on the far side of Alta Lake, only the committed will attend, and this ensures a universal acceptance of the good times to be had. Rainbow Park is the spot for sports lovers and beverage consumption, and the park has a huge grassed area, perfect for slip’n’slide, and two beach volleyball courts.

You can bring your mutt along to the dog-friendly dock at Rainbow, and there’s a refreshment stand with obligatory popsicles, ice-cream bars and delicious snacks for all ages. Rainbow attracts kayakers, canoers, swimmers and party-barges from all over Alta Lake, on which it’s situated, and will more likely than not have a bunch of 20-somethings with a boombox and slushie drinks occupying the volleyball courts and having a jolly old time.

David Buzzard Photo

For Nudies:
The only place this is even remotely acceptable in our now overly-governed town is the nudie-dock at Lost Lake, just a short 10 minute stroll from the Upper Village. A classic addition to any beach-ridden area, the Nudie-Dock is a staple representation of Whistler’s free and liberated culture and still attracts a vast array of characters, and body types. The dock is a 5-minute jaunt around Lost Lake and is in full view of the main Lost Lake beach, so don’t think you’ll be basking in all your glory on your lonesome. Be warned, your privates are public knowledge at this location.

Michael Overbeck Photo

For Hikers, Strollers and Nappers:
The previously mentioned Lost Lake Park, being a little out of the way, is a great beach to end up at after a saunter around the Lost Lake trails. Boasting BBQ’s, grassed areas and a sandy shoreline, Lost Lake Park is perfect for getting lost in. The trails around the lake are used by hikers and bikers, so stay alert, make your way around to the park again and settle in for a much deserved nap under the huge trees, to the dulcet tones of patrolling RCMP on alcohol watch, and the excitable nudists across the pond.

Whistler always has a new surprise up its sleeve. Whether it’s powder in May, or a new rope-swing just erected, you can be sure that there’s always more to discover. Get on your bike, or lace up your running shoes, pack a bag with a towel and sunscreen, and get out and discover your piece of paradise. Hit the Valley Trail and you’ll be sure to stumble upon a beach you never knew existed, or even better, the nudie-dock. Want to read about more of Whistler’s Beaches? Read Part 1 here. 

To most people, Whistler equates Winter. Endless snowfall, epic backcountry, a gnarnia of Winter Wonderland proportions. However, those who have stuck around after the snow has melted, and after the tourists have locked their cabins and vacated their holiday homes for the sunny climes of Vancouver or Seattle, know there’s more to Whistler than snowflakes and ski-dooing.

The month of May is a ‘down-season’ time, or for many Whistlerites, ‘bikini-ready-season’. The perfect opportunity to pound the valley trail, slay the mountain-bike trails or ramp up the body beautiful techniques in preparation for baring it all at one or many, of the lake-side sand-spots between July and August (and parts of June and September if we’re lucky!), arguably the world’s shortest, yet most celebrated and utilised Summer periods. Here’s your guide to making the most of our ‘beaches’ in Summer, whatever your pleasure, fetish or past-time.

Alta Lake near The Point. David Buzzard Photo

For Water-Babies:
Our lakes are somewhat.. refreshing. Most of them are glacier-fed, or at the very least, completely frozen over in Winter, and with Summer air temperatures rarely breaking 30 deg C for more than a couple of days consecutively, the water can range from shocking to pleasantly invigorating. For avid swimmers, the latter is a little more acceptable, and the gorgeous Alta Lake usually gets to a level that supports long-distance swim missions.

David Buzzard Photo, Lakeside Park

Being one of the larger lakes, Alta offers a number of entry points but the best route would be from Lakeside Park, a family-friendly locale, where your friends can chill on the sandy shores or grassy knoll. They can also be on hand to watch your precious towel/bike/gear whilst you freestyle it over to the Blueberry docks to the right, the art-house dock ahead or all the way to Rainbow Park, a solid 1.5km swim diagonally across the lake. Boats and motorised barges troll the water, but at a slow pace and are always a welcome sight when swimmer’s fatigue starts to set in. Always let a buddy know where and when you’re going.

Dock at Arfa Dog Park, adjacent to Alpha Lake Park

For BBQ’ers and Family-time:

South of the Village, next to the community of Creekside, Alpha Lake Park has a little something for everyone. Offering a kid-friendly section in the sand, complete with rocking horse toys circa 1982, to a beach volleyball court and a dog-park, this little gem has picnic tables and BBQ spots which you can fire up to enjoy some delicious bratwurst by the lake. The grassed area at Alpha Lake Park is perfectly suited to an Ultimate Frisbee match or a quick game of hide-the-sausage, if BBQ produce is all you happened to bring.

For Sun-Worshippers:
Wayside Park, a short stroll from both Lakeside and Alpha Parks, is a small but punch-packing beach with kayak and canoe rentals for the active lot and plenty of long-lasting sunshine for those seeking some colour. There have been numerous times when not-so-smart people have unwittingly poached the nearby private docks, assuming that they would be garnering the most sun-time. They have subsequently been the ones looking forlornly over at Wayside Park, at the lucky lot who secured a spot on this sun-soaked beach whilst the swiftly setting sun casts long shadows on their not-so-wisely-chosen locales. Stick to Wayside for the best in tan-lines, ice-cream consumption and sun-scoping.