Whistler’s lakes offer a variety of water-based activities and are a great place to cool off during the summer heat. From sailing regattas and floating art galleries, to swim races and a quadrathlon, Whistler’s lakes have seen it all!
The Alta Lake Sailing Club’s annual season-end “Regretta” included sailing races as well as land-bound activities for participants of all ages. The first ever “Regretta” was hosted in the summer of 1965 and was named for the regret the community feels as the summer comes to an end. Today, the Whistler Sailing Association offers sailing programs, rentals and races throughout the summer. Alta Lake and Green Lake permit motorized boats; however, they must be kept under 10 horsepower. Non-motorized boats such as pedal boats, kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are welcome on all of Whistler’s lakes.
On Victoria Day, 1975, the first instalment of The Great Earth, Snow, Water race was held. The first leg of Whistler’s version of the quadrathlon included skiing from the top of Whistler Mountain, then running the remaining distance to today’s Creekside where the first baton pass-off took place. The next leg was a bike ride around Alta Lake after which the baton was passed to the group’s canoe team. The canoeists then paddled through the River of Golden Dreams to the first weir and passed the baton to a runner who completed the race by running all the way back to Creekside. The 2014 revision of the race included an extra three components: ski or snowboard touring, downhill mountain biking and cross-country biking.
Through the ’70s and early ’80s, windsurfing at Alta Lake became very popular. Whistler was home to multiple windsurfing regattas as well as a weekly race night. Participation eventually declined due to legal issues and a lack of equipment. On the legal side of things, windsurfers on Alta Lake were a cause for concern for those participating in the Fun Fitness Swim race in the 1980s. After a swimmer and windsurfer collided (both were OK!) the swim race was moved to Lost Lake. The Fun Fitness Swim race was roughly a mile and a half long and was offered as a community fitness event rather than a competitive race. The swim race took place from 1979 until the early ’90s.
Today’s water-bound activities include paddling across Alta Lake and along the River of Golden Dreams. This route takes visitors through lush scenery past old-growth trees, and offers breathtaking mountain views. A round trip takes roughly three hours and can be completed in a kayak, canoe, or on a paddleboard. Tours can be booked or self-guided depending on skill and comfort level. Alta Lake is also home to Art on the Lake, which includes local artists, live music, and a floating art gallery. One of Arts Whistler’s more recent annual undertakings, the first Art on the Lake event was organized four years ago as a way to host an arts event during the pandemic. This event takes place in August and is accessible by boat, kayak, canoe or paddleboard.
Keep an eye out for more information on local lake activities to participate in this summer. Remember your sunscreen and towel for every lake day adventure!
Ella Healey is the summer program coordinator at the Whistler Museum through the Young Canada Works Program.
