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Beach, boardwalk, shop Cold lake for easygoing lake life
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Cold Lake, AB Every time I bring someone new to Cold Lake, they come away with their expectations blown. Many Albertans know the town as the site of the famous Cold Lake Air Show. Rightly so, given the spectacle it will present once again this July 18-19, with incredible pyrotechnics by Canada’s top flight teams.
But at just three hours northeast of Edmonton, Cold Lake has a beachy summer vibe that rivals Western Canada’s most popular lake destinations. Yet it still flies under the radar—pun intended.
This time it was photographer Spencer Vandermeer, whose camera was eating up the golden late afternoon light on the beautiful beaches, boardwalk and shops of Cold Lake.
Preview > your easygoing, Cold Lake beach getaway
“I had no idea,” he repeated, for the umpteenth time. “It’s like Sylvan Lake north, but without the crowds.”
Sandals off, tarps off and beach bound, we hit Kinosoo beach with the Browatzke family—parents Rachel and Ashley, and their kids Sawyer and Libby—for a day of lakeside fun.
Beach day fun at Cold Lake
First stop, the giant yellow and green tentacled monster floating just off shore. No, it’s not Kinosoo, the legendary monster of the lake, it’s Cold Lake Aqua Rush.
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
New to Kinosoo Beach, Cold Lake Aqua Rush offers all ages inflatable obstacle fun, a la "Wipeout."
This massive inflatable obstacle course serves up all-ages sized bouncy castle fun on the water.
Anyone who’s ever dreamed of competing in the TV gameshow Wipeout, Cold Lake Aqua Rush is your chance to experience the show’s famous mayhem for yourself.
Sawyer and Libby were kids in a candy store, running wildly from the moment they stepped foot on it. The adults were a little more circumspect at first, but soon got into the action.
Here’s my attempt at “speedrunning” part of the course.
An hour of this was enough for the kids to get their initial crazies out, and settle into a day at the beach.
Which meant our next stop was Wicked Watersports (partnered with Aqua Rush) to rent some watercraft.
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
Pack less, and let WIcked Watersports provide the watercraft fun you need with rentals right on the beach.
With a calm day on the water, Rachel and Ashley jumped on paddleboards while the kids kayaked.
All this, of course, worked up an appetite, where another surprise awaited.
Beach, boardwalk, shop Cold Lake
For a beach getaway that will blow away your expectations
At most concessions you might expect burgers, hot dogs and ice cream. Kinosoo Beach concession has that, but it also features foods inspired by operator Wilmie Posada’s home country, the Philippines—dynamite shrimp, barbecue skewers with rice, pork gyoza.
There's also boba (bubble tea) and a drink called Mogu-Mogu, a fruit drink in various flavours with fruit chunks in it, which was super refreshing. (I recommend the pineapple.)
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
The Kinosoo Beach concession makes for an easy picnic, and lots of options for everyone.
Strolling the boardwalk that evening, Ashley, who grew up in Cold Lake, looked out over the water, reflecting on life here.
“You don’t realize how good you have it, growing up,” he says. “Then you travel, see other places and realize we enjoy fewer crowds, a beautiful lake and nature all around us. We’re pretty lucky.”
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
The new walking trail along Lakeshore Drive, between the Cold Lake Marina and Kinosoo Beach.
Throughout the day, he had shared anecdotes about their favourite fishing hole at English Bay, or the famed local butchers Hamel, whose shop was far too close to the high school for hungry teenagers on meat smoking day.
That feeling of the good life was echoed by Andrea Dastous from Aqua Rush: “When I interviewed for the job, they asked, aren’t you overqualified? I told them, I’m going to be at the beach anyway, I might as well get paid to be here.”
That’s the thing about the beach: it levels the playing field. The people who choose to live here understand, career considerations are important but quality of life matters too. Pursuing the good life is all about making time for the things that matter.
When you’re on the beach in Cold Lake, time, stress, deadlines all melt away, and you can settle in to lake life as it was meant to be.
Know before you go
Cold Lake is approximately 3 hours from Edmonton's east end.
Get all the beach intel you need from the City of Cold Lake.
Here are a few local tips from our day with the Browatzkes:
BBQ beach side Grab and go from the concession, which features some tasty surprises like barbecue skewers and dynamite shrimp! Or, if you’re feeling like grilling up some dinner, stop at locally famed Hamel’s Meats.
Fun and games even on a beach vacay you may want some downtime or options for rainy days. Pop over to Arkane Angel Games on Main Street (50 Ave) and pick out a new board game from the extensive collection featured here.
Patio time head to Cold Lake Brewing for a refresh, featuring two patios: main floor or rooftop for views of the lake, plus 20+ different locally made beers, gin and other spirits.
Boating if you've got a boat, head for the Cold Lake Marina to get in the water. If you want to get on a boat but don't have one, several charter services offer sightseeing and fishing tours locally.
For more to do while you're there check out the Cold Lake Air Show, July 18-19, for incredible flying demos by top pilots.
