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Pinecrest Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Pinecrest Lake is a mountain paradise found in the Pacific Range of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains. Located just off the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Pinecrest Lake is 78 miles north of Vancouver in Canada’s Mountain’s West Tourism Region. A 15-minute drive south of Whistler and the world-class ski slopes that hosted the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics brings you to the shores of Pinecrest Lake. Surrounded by the gated communities…
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    • All About Pinecrest Lake, BC

    Lake Locations: Canada - British Columbia, Canada -

    Pinecrest Lake is a mountain paradise found in the Pacific Range of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains. Located just off the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Pinecrest Lake is 78 miles north of Vancouver in Canada’s Mountain’s West Tourism Region. A 15-minute drive south of Whistler and the world-class ski slopes that hosted the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics brings you to the shores of Pinecrest Lake. Surrounded by the gated communities of Pinecrest Estates and Black Tusk Village, residents have exclusive access to the lake’s beautiful scenery, warm summer swimming and winter ice skating.

    Originally home to Canada’s Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations, the Pacific Range saw prospectors and trappers enter the territory with the construction of a passable trail in 1877. In 1914 Garibaldi Lodge was opened a few miles from Pinecrest Lake along the Cheakamus River. The rural site grew into the small community named Garibaldi. In 1980 the town met with disaster. Residents lost their home when a geologic report disclosed that the dam protecting them from Greater and Lesser Garibaldi Lakes was unstable. In December of the same year the Cheakamus River flooded, destroying about half the properties along the river banks. Residents moved to Pinecrest Lake and rebuilt their homes on 94 lots within 45 acres creating what is now Black Tusk Village.

    In 1934 a settler named Ken Stockdale came to Pinecrest Lake to homestead 75 acres. He left in 1939 but returned in 1957 to build Pinecrest Fishing Camp. In 1969 Stockdale sold his fishing camp and homestead acreage to developer Jack Fenton shortly after the region’s first ski-lift was opened in 1966. In the following years this land was divided into 75 round lots creating Pinecrest Estates.

    Black Tusk and Pinecrest Estates are separate single-family gated communities called strata developments, where lot owners also hold a proportionate interest in the development’s common assets and common property, including Pinecrest Lake. The communities are governed by a “strata council” made up of property owners. Both communities have their own water supply and receive fire protection from the Garibaldi Fire Department made up of volunteers from Black Tusk and Pinecrest Estates.

    The isolation of Pinecrest Lake has created a spectacular and unspoiled mountain escape. With private beaches, tennis courts and Black Tusk Mountain trails outside your door, the majority of homeowners are happy to be permanent residents. Those who are able to purchase real estate property or reserve a vacation rentals along Pinecrest Lake have all the ingredients of a perfect vacation destination they can call home for a month or a lifetime. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are listed among the activities on Pinecrest Lake.

    Fishing is not permitted on Pinecrest Lake or on nearby lakes. Retta Lake sits next to Pinecrest Lake and serves as the water supply for Pinecrest Estates. Immediately across the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Daisy Lake is a hydro reservoir impounded on the Cheakamus River. Fishing on a catch-and-release basis is returning to the Cheakamus River after a devastating chemical spill killed thousands of salmon in 2005.

    Not just skiing, but excellent fishing can be found in Whistler. Alta Lake offers anglers 247-acres of water known for its quality cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. The shoreline is steeply sloped, so several access points have been built for boaters and fishermen. Fairhurst fishing dock is located on the west side of Alta Lake. Blueberry Park, located at the northeast end of Alta Lake, also provides docks. Boats may be launched from Lakeside Park or a public ramp about 200 yards north of the park. At 536 acres, Lost Lake is Whistler’s largest park. Located north of Alta Lake, the park’s amenities include picnic and cook-out areas, concessions, restrooms and a variety of swimming areas from a family beach, to Canine Cove where dogs may swim without a leash, to an unmarked “clothing optional” dock.

    Along the Cheakamus River near Pinecrest Lake you will find Brandywine Provincial Park at the northern end of Daisy Lake. With 370 acres of spectacular scenery, this park is all about the views. Photographers will enjoy capturing images of 230-foot Brandywine Falls, Daisy Lake and Black Tusk Mountain. Numerous viewpoints can be found along hiking and mountain biking trails. Bring your prepared lunch with you. Campfires are not permitted at the day-use picnic area, and potable water is not provided.

    Garibaldi Provincial Park lies only two miles east of Pinecrest Lake. With 481,000 acres of undeveloped mountain wilderness, high Alpine meadows and breathtaking peak of 8,786-foot Garibaldi Mountain, this park provides a true backcountry experience. Outside of park roadways and parking lots, the park is closed to all motorized vehicles. Campgrounds, cabins and shelters are provided.

    The snow-capped mountains are a reminder that winter sports are the major attraction to Pinecrest Lake. Considered the largest ski area on the continent, Whistler’s ski resort advertises “7,000 acres of ski and snowboard terrain, with over 200 marked trails, 12 massive Alpine bowls, 3 glaciers and 33 lifts.” With a world-class ski resort as your neighbor, mountain wilderness at your back door, and private Pinecrest Lake at your front door, you have found vacation rentals and real estate properties far beyond the ordinary. Consider the possibilities, then choose to reside within the majestic mountains surrounding Pinecrest Lake where the exceptional awaits at every turn.

    Things to Do at Pinecrest Lake

    These are some activities in the Pinecrest Lake, BC area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Tennis
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Ice Skating
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Provincial Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Pinecrest Lake?

    Pinecrest Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Cutthroat Trout
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Salmon
    • Trout
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    Find Places to Stay at Pinecrest Lake

    If you’re considering a Pinecrest Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Pinecrest Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Pinecrest Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Pinecrest Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Pinecrest Lake Map

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