Best Places to Paddleboard in Whistler
The Ultimate SUP Guide to Whistler's Lakes and Rivers
Description
Paddleboarding is one of the best ways to get out on the water in Whistler's hot summers. But many (locals included) tend to stick to "the rivers and the lakes that they're used to".
Here at Escape Route, we've put together the 6 best places to paddleboard in Whistler to help you get out on the water! For more information on each of these areas, including launch sites, cliff jumping spots, dog-friendly locations and facilities, check out the full blog post here.
Our top places to paddleboard in Whistler include:
Alta Lake
Green Lake
Lost Lake
Alpha Lake
Nita Lake
River of Golden Dreams
Alta Lake is a fantastic place to paddleboard in Whistler. At just over 2km in length, there is plenty to explore. At one end of the lake is the River of Golden Dreams (more on this later). There are several spots to launch your SUP, and some grassy area’s for inflating your paddleboard too.
Green Lake is a stunning location to paddleboard in Whistler, with a backdrop of Wedge mountain, the highest peak in the Garibaldi National Park and the hanging glacier of Weart Mountain, you will not be short on natural beauty paddling Green Lake. With a unique turquoise colour reminiscent of an emerald gemstone, Green Lake is fed by nearby glaciers and the glacier silt creates this unique colour. However, because of this, Green Lake is much colder than other lakes in Whistler – so be warned!
If warm water is what you seek, paddleboarding at Whistlers Lost Lake is for you. Due to its small size, it’s the quickest lake in Whistler to warm up so is a favourite for local swimmers in the early season. Lost Lake doesn’t usually get heavy winds like some of the other larger lakes in Whistler. This means it’s perfect for keeping the family together on your SUP’s whilst out on the water. With so many things to do in Whistler this summer, on top of paddleboarding, Lost Lake has countless double and single track mountain biking trails surrounding the lake.
South of Whistler's village is Creekside. If you are looking for places to stay in Whistler this is a stunning location. Creekside is the gateway to two outstanding paddleboard lakes, Alpha Lake & Nita Lake. Alpha Lake is the more family-appropriate location due to a small amount of free parking right next to the park.
Floating the River of Golden Dreams is a Whistler staple. It’s a 5km river that meanders through wildflowers with tall brush and thick forest lining its bank. This river is a very popular location; voted the number 1 thing to do in Whistler. If it’s a weekend and sunny, prepare to have others floating the river with you.
Don't have a paddleboard? Stop by Escape Route in Whistler to pick one up and ask us more about these beautiful SUP routes!