Whistler may be known for its world-class skiing, but our first trip to the mountain town in summertime meant that our adventures would not be on the snow! We came up with a few great activities to kick off a summer of British Columbia and one of the ones that I was excited about was stand up paddleboarding on Alta Lake.
There are two rental companies that offer SUP rentals in Whistler. Whistler Eco Tours is one of them. They are set up at Wayside Park on Alta Lake just a few minutes outside of Whistler Village.
SUP in Whistler
There are plenty of lakes to paddle board while in Whistler, but if you do not own your own board, head over to Wayside park (off Highway 99) between Whistler Village and Whistler Creekside and grab a SUP (or kayak or canoe) rental.
They offer hourly, half day and daily rentals.
This was my kids favorite thing to do in Whistler on our trip. Although the lake got a bit choppy in the afternoon, they popped up on their paddle boards like they had done it a dozen times (they hadn’t). This was their first time, and after a few paddles, they had themselves moving around the lake!
Alta Lake Landscape
One of my favorite things about paddle boarding is being able to enjoy the landscape as I leisurely paddle. Alta Lake is stunning! All around you are rich greens and jewel blues, enjoying a sunny day in Whistler is one of the best places to be.
Alta Lake Parking for Wayside Park
The parking lot off Hwy 99 is quite small. But there is parking alongside the highway and there is an easy bike trail to ride from Whistler Creekside or Whistler Village if you have a bike.
About Whistler Eco Tours
Whistler Eco Tours is more than just a paddle rental company. They offer amazing outdoor experiences for all ages. Just last month, I checked a paddle down the River of Golden Dreams off my British Columbia bucketlist. They also offer mountain bike tours, fishing, and an array of water based guided and self guided experiences!
Read more about paddling the River of Golden Dreams where I share my experience.
More about Whistler
Whistler is located less than 2 hours from Vancouver in the stunning Coast Mountains. While this was my first adventure to Whistler in the summer, you can see it is much more than just a ski resort. It is a year-round destination for the outdoor lover! Whether it is golf, amazing scenery, hiking, biking, paddling or enjoying amazing food and drink, there is something for everyone in Whistler during the summer.
The most popular way to get to Whistler is by car along Highway 99. Known as the Sea To Sky Highway, it offers a safe highway and stunning views along the way. There are also bus transfers and seasonal float plane service to Whistler.
If you are looking for more of my favorite things to do in Whistler, check out TAG Whistler, who offers ziplining, rafting, and the popular treetops course! Whistler has some great markets and shopping as well. Check out unique Whistler souvenirs to buy!
Those of all ages can enjoy paddleboarding in Whistler. Whether you are 5 or 65, there is no better time to have your first SUP experience!
What to Pack for Paddle Boarding
You do not really need too much when paddleboarding, but here are a few key things to bring
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Bathing Suit
- Towel
- Camera
- Change of Clothes
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have young children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.