Waiting for Whistler

​We couldn’t be in British Columbia and not go to Whistler. I had heard of it forever, and although not a skier (strapping two long sticks to the end of my feet really doesn’t increase my motor skills, trust me) I still wanted to go. Granted, I wanted to go in the fall, when hiking was good, but with the short days and my late sleep schedule as well as the frequent inclement weather, I wasn’t able to make the hour and a half drive up there until December 4th.

​The sun was blazing above, the mountains were snow-capped, and the waters reflected every bit of beauty from above. 

Even a picture taken from the side of the road is frame-worthy.

That's Tucker... on the side of the road.

The drive along the coast and up into the mountains led us to what reminded me of a univeristy campus. This is the village map of Whistler:

I, of course didn’t have this map upon arrival so I drove around looking for parking, or a place to stop to find a map. The roads were decently well-plowed, but people were everywhere—people and their equipment. Men, women, children, people with dogs, all walking on what appeared to be short, cobble-stoned paths that I was driving on. They carried snowboards, skies and ski boots. I stopped in front of a hotel door and the host promptly came out to greet me. I told him I wasn’t staying, but had gotten lost and he kindly gave me a map, showed me where we were, and how to get to the free parking lots.
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Off we went, and although the free lots were full, I didn’t think $6 for a day of walking in this outdoor adventure park was that bad of a deal. This is a brief chart of things to do and where:

​My goal was to get to Lost Lake. It boasted a dog beach and a decent walk from the hotel. I was picturing Big Bear in my mind, so I was surprised to see there is really no separation between town and wilderness. It is all one big adventure park.

It took a bit to find the entrance to the trail I was seeking due to being turned around in all the parking lots we drove through seeking a spot. I’m sure if I went back in the summer it would be quite easy to navigate, and I’d realize how small of an area the entire place covered.

Once on the trail, I was happy to see enough other people had ventured on it to make it an easy walk.

There were a few offshoots we could try, but the snow had already developed that crunchy top layer that made trudging through it more of a hassle than I wanted to take. Also, Tucker hadn’t ever hiked through snow before, so I wanted to make it as comfortable as possible for him—not take him through the Iditarod.  

​It wasn’t a terribly chilly day, and Tucker didn’t see to mind the cold ground. 

​The lake itself was beautiful and serene. Unlike the village that teemed with crowds, very few people and dogs were out on this trail.

We found a snowman sitting on a bench enjoying the view.

​Tucker introduced himself and the two became fast friends.

The dog beach wasn’t much of an expansive beach—just a little cove. But it was still beautiful.

The forecast called for freezing temperatures after dark, so we walked around the lake and then headed back to the car. 

​Despite it only being a few hours, Tucker was thoroughly wiped out from the adventure. 

I enjoyed the southern views on our drive south for only a few minutes before night completely fell.

Although the Vancouver forecast called for snow, many people told me it seldom sticks and it usually rains out the next day. We went to Whistler to experience a walk in the snow, and I’m glad we did. It was a great day for it, a relaxing meandering walk in the woods, and a good experience in the fluffy white stuff. But it was not our only snowy adventure...