Now world-renowned as the site of the alpine and Nordic venues for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Whistler has some other things going for it too. Within Whistler Village, Lost Lake Park is the location for summer and winter fun. Brandywine Falls is a pleasant stroll through a mixed species forest and Nairn Falls Provincial Park is not just another waterfall thundering through a steep-walled canyon. Featuring a well-developed campsite, it offers a base from which to explore the region. If backcountry hiking is part of that exploration, then Garibaldi Provincial Park is the place to start.
Learn More About Highlight Parks in Whistler:
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
Nairn Falls Provincial Park
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Lost Lake Park
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
A 10- to 20-minute stroll under a leafy forest canopy leads to viewing platforms. These platforms are built on volcanic escarpments similar to that from which Brandywine Falls makes its dramatic 70-m/230-ft plunge into the pot-bellied canyon below. The second platform also takes in views of Daisy Lake and Black Tusk. A trail within the park provides access to the Cal-Cheak Suspension Bridge, a pleasant two-hour hike through a mixed forest of Douglas fir and lodge pole pine.
While the falls are always more spectacular when rain pumps up the volume, winter weather takes their scenic value to a new level altogether. Icy spray clings to the sides of the steep-walled canyon, layering icicles one over another, an ever-evolving work of art. The walk from the parking lot is a winter wonderland of snow-tipped boughs and bushes, but visitors should be cautious as trails are not maintained in winter.
Close to?
Brandywine Falls is located 11 km/7 mi south of Whistler on Highway 99.
More information?
Brandywine Fall Provincial Park Site
Nairn Falls Provincial Park
Nairn Falls Provincial Park is a good base camp from which to explore Whistler and points north, like the Pemberton Valley. The park is situated on the Green River which thunders down from its source, a fracture in the granite foundation of Mount Currie.
What's special?
- Nairn Falls makes an impressive 60-m/196-ft leap to the valley floor. A viewing platform is reached via the 1.5-km/0.9-mi trail from the parking lot.
- The park has long been a spiritual site for the Lil'wat Nation.
- Swimming at nearby One Mile Lake.
- The park presents dramatic examples of water erosion in the potholes that have been created in the rocks.
- The park has a special resident – the rubber boa. At 45 cm/18 in long it is just a little boa but it has the distinction of being one of the most cold-tolerant snakes in the world. It is grey or brown with blunt ends, like a big worm. Enjoy, but please don't touch.
Camping?
There are 94 vehicle access campsites. Some are reservable.
Close to?
Nairn Falls is 20 minutes north of Whistler on Highway 99.
More information?
Nairn Falls Provincial Park Site
Garibaldi Provincial Park
At 2,678 m/8,786 ft Mount Garibaldi commands over 194,000 ha/almost 480,000 ac of backcountry – snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, gemstone lakes, sparkling streams and rushing rivers. Only an hour's drive from the big city, Garibaldi Provincial Park is a year-round mecca for those who flock to its well-developed trails for afternoon or multi-day trips. The primary activity in the park is hiking and mountaineering with Black Tusk, the remnant of a volcanic cone, the climber's challenge.
Camping?
All camping is walk-in with 160 sites at ten locations. There are some huts available and there is winter camping in selected areas. No reservations.
Close to?
Garibaldi Provincial Park is 70 km/43.5 mi north of Vancouver. Signs on the Sea-to-Sky Highway( #99) lead to trailheads that are 2 to 16 km from the highway.
More information?
Garibaldi Provincial Park Site
Lost Lake Park
It is a quick walk from Whistler Village, but Lost Lake Park is so thoroughly secluded by evergreens that it feels like you've wandered into the wilderness.
What's special?
- The park provides 32 km/20 mi of well-maintained trails for walking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Some trails are lit on snowy winter nights.
- A network of single and double-track trails for mountain biking with single track diversions that venture into the woods.
- In the summer season the lake's sandy beach and warm waters make it a popular place for summer fun. The park features BBQ pits, picnic tables, washrooms, swimming docks and an off-leash area for dogs.
- The lake is stocked with rainbow trout.
Camping?
No. But some bed & breakfasts are close by, as is all of Whistler Village's accommodations.
Close to?
Lost Lake is about a five-minute walk from Whistler Village. A free shuttle runs from the Village in July and August. There is no parking at the park.
More Information?
Whistler Parks & Trails