What We Love Now
By Dee Raffo / Images By Joern Rohde
There’s nothing like a picnic in the park, especially when you add in Whistler's mountain backdrops and sparkling glacial lakes for that pre-picnic dip. However, before you pack the cooler box, you should know that there’s a local food truck and pop-up program you can take advantage of for lunch, refreshments, and snacks. Happening at Alpha Lake, Lakeside, Rainbow, and Lost Lake parks daily until Sept. 6 (weather dependent), with vendors operating from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can pick up crêpes, coffees, salads, burgers, gelato, kettle corn, and wood-fired pizza — to name a few of the yummy options on offer. Look for locals’ favourites, including Sargent Poppers Kettle Corn, Whistler Wood Fired Pizza, and Lucia Gelato.
The Fix, Nita Lake Lodge’s popular café, has a pop-up food tent, “Fix on The Go,” in nearby Alpha Lake Park, serving house-made ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches that are sure to please the whole family, as well as fresh-pressed juices, kombucha, salads and sandwiches, every Saturday through the summer.
"Whistler has an incredibly diverse and delicious food culture, so we are excited to bring the talents of our food-and-beverage operators to our parks," said Mayor Jack Crompton. “Paired with Whistler’s epic views and landscapes, the Park Eats program provides for an authentic and unforgettable Whistler experience."
There’s even a new in-park pick-up point for food deliveries
from Portobello, at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, at eight of Whistler’s parks. Choose from items including their succulent rotisserie chicken, an array of sandwiches, chili, salads, and in-house-baked sweets. Visit (eat.dineeasy.ca/whistler/portobello/400277) or scan the QR code at the pick-up point to view the menu and order online ($5 delivery fee).
It’s worth noting that Whistler’s parks get busy, so consider visiting midweek and, if possible, avoid long weekends. Remember to pack out what you pack in, and please make sure you use the recycling and compost bins located at all the parks. The best way to get to one of Whistler’s parks is to walk or bike on the Valley Trail, a 46-kilometre paved trail that’s car-free, therefore participating in the active transport movement.
However, if you are visiting on weekends, consider taking the free Rainbow Park shuttle, which operates on weekends and holidays until Sept. 6, and runs from Whistler Village to Meadow Park and Rainbow Park whistler.ca/parkshuttle. The Lost Lake free bus operated by B.C. Transit (bctransit.com/whistler) runs every day until Sept. 6.
For more information, including vendors and schedules for the Parks Eats program, visit whistler.ca/parkeats.