Wing Foiling Whistler on alta Lake

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Wing foiling Whistler on Alta Lake has now been added to my reasons for loving the resort town of Whistler.

In addition to skiing powder runs on Whistler Blackcomb during the winter season, riding a foil board on Alta Lake, suspended above the water and powered by wind, has got to be a close second in the department of stoke. After an afternoon on the lake, I just couldn’t  wipe the smile from my face.

Wing foiling, a relatively new wind water sport, is quickly growing in popularity over windsurfing and kiteboarding. Wing foiling sees riders seemingly hover in the air above the water on a board, supported by a foil similar to an airplane wing beneath the surface. Powered by a hand held wing acting as a sail, riders look a bit like a windsurfer without a mast, as they skim the water’s surface in a graceful dance.

The experience of wing foiling Whistler on Alta Lake felt like being a kid at a skateboard park, but with water to break the fall rather than pavement. That’s an important feature when you’re not 18 anymore.

Why wing foiling?

As a long time windsurfer, I find wing foiling requires less strength, and as a timid kiteboard novice, the absence of tangled lines, with the possibility of being launched air born into a nearby tree, makes wing foiling safer and forgiving. It does take time to get comfortable balancing on the foil, and you have to be mindful not to fall into it. But the first time suspended a meter above the water moving at speed, is an adrenalin rush you’re unlikely to forget.

I first learned to wing foil in the ocean, on the Sunshine Coast up from Vancouver. With cold water, tides and swell, the experience presented its challenges. Often there is too little or too much wind, and massive swells after a sustained blow. I’ve punctuated progress over the last several years with a trip to the Dominican Republic, determined to master this sport. But who knew Whistler, so relatively close to my hometown of North Vancouver, could be such a great place to play and continue to learn?

Enter wing foiling Whistler on Alta Lake.

Getting to Alta Lake

Alta Lake is located in the valley, just outside of the resort village of Whistler. Public access exists on both sides of the lake. For access closest to the village side, via Lakeside Park, enter at Alta Vista turn off just past Creekside, while driving Hwy 99 Sea to Sky Highway. Alta Lake Road, prior to Creekside, will get you access to the opposite side of the lake and Rainbow Park.

A summertime playground for water enthusiasts and long-time Whistler residents, Alta Lake hosts a backdrop of alpine ski lodges along its north shore, doing double duty for recreational pursuits.

What makes Alta Lake a great location to wing foil?

• Perfect wind. Consistent afternoon thermal winds during the summer and into the fall, make wing foiling possible on many days. Steady breezes between 12-15 knots are considered the sweet spot for wing foiling.
• Warm water. Unlike the ocean, Alta Lake has warm water during the summer and fall (in the 20C or 70F range). A light wetsuit or shorty is perfect for an afternoon on the water. But the lake does freeze over during the winter, so spring would be a bit chilly!
• Fresh water. No more salty gear or body!
• Calm, flat water. Even in a steady wind, Alta Lake remains relatively flat, unlike the ocean where massive swells often build during a big wind. Plus there are no tides or currents to calculated, and no big boat traffic to navigate.
• Public access. While some of the lake is private property waterfront, there are several public access points via two parks, a boat launch, public docks and the Whistler Sailing Club for members. Two of those access areas, Rainbow Park and Lakeside Park, have shower, change and toilet facilities too.
• Stunning mountain view setting. At any vantage point from the shore gearing up, or out on the water, Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are your backdrop across the lake.

Access points for wing foiling in Whistler on Alta Lake

The north shore of Alta Lake hosts numerous million dollar waterfront chalets and cabins. But much else is undeveloped, offering several public access areas well suited to setting up and launching your wing foil.

Lakeside Park

While many Whistler locals prefer the boat ramp in the Alta Estates area, my preference was for Lakeside Park, west of the boat ramp. The park offers a grassy area for pumping up your sail, and a gentle beach area for launching. There are shower and change facilities, and paid parking during the peak season, which becomes free after mid-September.

The beach launch area at Lakeside is at the western end, perfect for the afternoon inflow thermal. The area makes starting high in the lake towards the windward side easy, especially important for beginners apt to be blown down wind.

The only drawback is you will need to paddle out past the little point to the left side of the dock, to catch the stronger winds. But on the flip side it makes for a gentle return to shore. Lakeside park is an easy area to take a picnic and spread out too, with lots of sun well into the late afternoon.

The boat ramp at Alta Vista

The boat ramp, east of Lakeside Park is a favourite of local Whistler residents. An active group of wing foiling enthusiasts from the area got council to approve a carpet staging area for pumping up sails by the boat ramp. Given the ramp area is wedged between million dollar lakeside properties, this local group also seem to supervise thoughtful use and management of the area. Parking is limited to the street, and it can get congested, so unless you’re a Whistler local, park at Lakeside, and be considerate of the neighbourhood.

One benefit of launching upwind from Lakeside Park, is that the boat ramp is a good downwind bail out point. Call it your plan B, if you happen to get blown down and are unable to return to your launch point.

The boat ramp is a short walk back to Lakeside Park along the valley trail. I actually walked down to the ramp at the end of my session to check out what could have been “the walk of shame” back to the park if I’d been blown downwind too far.

Fortunately it wasn’t necessary, and once there I met up cabin friends from the coast, who live in Whistler, just packing up their gear after an afternoon session.

Blueberry Trail dock

Located off the Blueberry Estates area, the Blueberry dock is the last public dock on the NE side of the lake. There are only three other docks, all privately owned, immediately downwind of Blueberry Trail dock, so it’s likely a better bail out point than launching space, unless you know you can return easily.

Access to Blueberry Trail dock from the road is via a bush trail, and unless you parked in the area to launch, it would be quite a walk back to Lakeside Park or the boat ramp by Alta Vista. Plus the walk of shame in your wetsuit to then retrieve your gear by car, just sounds like a lot of work and embarrassment! That said, Blueberry Trail dock is beautiful, and many folks keep kayaks and paddleboards on a shoreline rack to access the lake through this public trail.

Rainbow Park

Rainbow Park is located on the opposite, south side of the lake, about half way down from the inflow winds at the end of the lake. This park can be accessed by taking the Alta Lake Road from Hwy 99 just before Creekside. The park has a public dock, paid parking, and washroom change facilities.

Being on the opposite side of the lake, Rainbow Park offers a nice view of Whistler mountain from the shore. It is however significantly further downwind from the top of the lake where the thermal wind builds in from. Although there is certainly ample wind from this shore, it is the last public access area. Unless you can sail upwind and predictably return to shore, I wouldn’t suggest it if you’re a beginner. Rainbow Park is a little east of the Whistler Sailing Club

Whistler Sailing Club

Whistler Sailing Club offers access to members and the public for taking lessons. The parking lot is in off Alta Lake Road, and a bit of a walk down steps to the shore from the lot, over the railway tracks, so it’s not ideal for hauling down gear. But it would be a great launch point if you were a member and stored your gear at the club.

Checking wind conditions

Wind conditions are usually best in the afternoon once the thermals kick in during the summer and early fall. A valley temperature difference between Whistler and surrounding areas is key for creating the predictable thermal wind. You can check out the wind conditions through Whistler Sailing School’s website https://www.whistlersailing.com/weather From there you can check current conditions (wind speed, direction, temperature) and wind speed trends.

Wing Foiling lessons in Whistler

Whistler Sailing Club offers wing foiling lessons on Alta Lake throughout the summer and into fall. They have a unique set up where lessons start from a floating barge in the middle of the lake.

This allows learners to master wing handling, and then transition to the water easily from the staging area. Plus instructors have a small boat to follow those learning, and are able to retrieve you back to shore if necessary.

Private, semi-private and group lessons are available, with packages for beginners through advanced. Check out details here. https://www.whistlersailing.com/adult-wing-foiling

Ready for some salt water wing foiling? Head to Squamish or Vancouver.

Wing Foiling lessons in Squamish

Squamish is a Howe Sound oceanfront town in the Sea to Sky corridor on the way to Whistler. This former mill town has emerged as “Canada’s Outdoor Recreation Capital”, and bills itself a world class wind sport destination, due to strong inflow and outflow winds up the Howe Sound and Squamish inlet.

The cold ocean water, high wind and waves make it a challenging environment for all but the most seasoned riders, but Squamish Watersports is well set up to help you learn. And they have the thick 5mm wetsuits with hoods, plus boots and gloves to keep you toasty! https://www.squamishwatersports.com/product/3-hour-wing-foil-lesson/

Wing foiling the Squamish Spit is a great goal, but if you’re looking for a gentler alternative for learning, or somewhere to fine tune your advanced skills, in the low stake environment of a mountain lake, Alta Lake, Whistler is perfect.

Wing Foiling in Vancouver

There are some great options to learn to wing foil in Vancouver too, although unlike the predictable steady winds of Squamish, it is very much weather dependent. Windsure, located at Jericho Beach, on the westside of Vancouver, have long been a go to source for windsurfing and wind sport lessons and rentals. If learning in the city is more your style, check them out. Then buy your own gear and head up to Whistler or Squamish! https://www.windsure.com/watersports/wing-surfing-foiling

Whistler may be known globally for its amazing skiing, but it’s also quietly nurturing a local reputation as a great place for wing foiling.

Experienced and novice riders alike will find wing foiling Whistler on Alta Lake a treat. Be sure to check out the lake from June – September when the water is warm, and the thermal winds are blowing! Once temperatures become cooler in October, the thermal winds die down, but September is usually offers outstanding conditions – warm water, sunny conditions and steady high winds. You might be lucky to catch a few nice days in early October, before the winter season brings overnight freezing temperatures and snow to the mountains. Then it will be time to grab those skis!

Accommodation in Whistler & Squamish

Looking to stay in Whistler to catch a few days of thermals in a row? Check out the accommodations below.

Whistler

Squamish

Squamish is a solid, cost effective alternative to Whistler, and offers the bonus of being located close to the Squamish Spit, if you want to check out ocean wing foiling conditions or lessons. Whistler is a 45 minute drive from Squamish.

Wing foil shops to buy great gear

There are a couple great shops in Vancouver and Squamish that carry a good range of wing foiling gear.

Kite-Wing Shop Squamish Kite-Wing Shop Squamish, are one of BCs leading retailers for wing foiling. They are also the exclusive dealer for F-One.

North Shore Ski and Board set me up with my original gear. They are knowledgeable and have a good selection.

Wing foiling in Dominican Republic

If you’re curious to check out wing foiling in Cabarate, Dominican Republic, but sure to link to this article, Learning to Wing Foil in Cabarate. It also contains lots of wing foiling learning tips and videos.

FAQs

The answers to your burning questions!

Is it hard to learn to wing foil?

If you have ever windsurfed, you’ll likely pick up maneuvering the wing quite easily. Upwind and downwind turning is similar, as is sheeting in and dumping wind. It’s a good idea to play with the wing in the wind while standing on the ground, to get a sense of how it handles.

Mastering the balance required to turn and maneuver the foil when the board is suspended above the water is an initial challenge. Most people who have mastered the sport say it really comes down to spending time on the foil. Towing behind a boat can help, or getting a feel for foiling with a motorized foil board is another option.

Is wing foiling safe?

Safety is a relative term, and everyone will have their own personal comfort levels. There are of course risks of falling into the board or foil. You’ll often see people wearing a helmet for protection, particularly if they are foiling on rough seas and in high wind.

A wetsuit can provide some protection from bruises or cuts if you happen to kick the fin or foil under the water, and beginners may find knee pads useful. But in contrast to kiteboarding, there are no lines to tangle, and there’s no potential for being launched into a tree or rock, being picked up by the kite in a high wind. De-powering a wing foil is as simple as dumping wind from your wing or letting go.

Wing foiling is a sport for those who are strong swimmers. You should always sail with a buddy, or around others, and have someone who knows you are out on the water. Of course, knowing abilities and limits is important. You should never launch from an area you are not certain you can return to. If that is the case, you should have a boat available for rescue.

How much does wing foil gear cost?

Like any sport, higher tech gear equals a higher the price tag. There are four main components you will require: an inflatable wing, a board, a foil base with foil and rudder, and the “mast” that attaches the foil to the board. While you can certainly spend more, count on at least $3,000-4,000 to get set up initially. Of course you can often rent gear too, or extend your use after taking a lesson. Happy wing foiling!