Ski Tours around Whistler, BC
The backcountry regions of Whistler and Blackcomb provide some of the finest ski touring in the world, ranging from open bowls and gladed trees, to seemingly endless glaciers and big north face alpine features. Here are a few of the classic areas, but keep in mind that this is big country and each of these destinations can provide an endless variety of ski runs all season long.
Musical Bumps
(suitable for all levels of ski ability and fitness)
The skiing here never ceases to amaze, with so many hidden stashes that even veteran locals get surprised with the runs they have never skied before! Accessed from Whistler Mountain's lifts, these series of peaks provide mainly north-facing bowls and gladed tree skiing. Starting with a hike up Flute, you will choose the best line down in to Oboe Basin, skiing 300m (1,000') as a warm up run. A pleasant ascent through the glades up to Oboe Summit allows you time to scope out the next run down from Oboe Summit. Repeat as necessary, until the sun is getting low, then a quick traverse back into the ski area gets you one final descent down the groomers.
The skiing here never ceases to amaze, with so many hidden stashes that even veteran locals get surprised with the runs they have never skied before! Accessed from Whistler Mountain's lifts, these series of peaks provide mainly north-facing bowls and gladed tree skiing. Starting with a hike up Flute, you will choose the best line down in to Oboe Basin, skiing 300m (1,000') as a warm up run. A pleasant ascent through the glades up to Oboe Summit allows you time to scope out the next run down from Oboe Summit. Repeat as necessary, until the sun is getting low, then a quick traverse back into the ski area gets you one final descent down the groomers.
Cowboy Ridge
(suitable for intermediate-advanced skiers; good fitness required)
Cowboy Ridge is at the far end of the Musical Bumps, above Singing Pass. After skiing up and over Oboe Summit, you will head up to the top of Cowboy. Amazing views wait for you, looking out onto the glaciers and ice fields of Garibaldi Provincial Park along with Fissile Peak, Overlord Mountain and the Spearhead Range. The skiing here is superb with 400m (1,200') descents of wide open bowls, steep chutes or mellow glades; your choice - after all, it is your day! After you have had enough turns, an exhilarating and fun descent down the Singing Pass Trail brings you straight out to the Village.
Cowboy Ridge is at the far end of the Musical Bumps, above Singing Pass. After skiing up and over Oboe Summit, you will head up to the top of Cowboy. Amazing views wait for you, looking out onto the glaciers and ice fields of Garibaldi Provincial Park along with Fissile Peak, Overlord Mountain and the Spearhead Range. The skiing here is superb with 400m (1,200') descents of wide open bowls, steep chutes or mellow glades; your choice - after all, it is your day! After you have had enough turns, an exhilarating and fun descent down the Singing Pass Trail brings you straight out to the Village.
North Face of Fissile
(suitable for advanced skiers; excellent fitness required)
Fissile Peak dominates the skyline from the Whistler lifts and throughout the Musical Bumps. The North Face sports many classic big-mountain lines - Banana Chute, the Elevator Shaft, Saddle Chute among others. These are not for the faint of heart, requiring a long approach of at least 3+ hours to just gain the ridge crest and includes a substantial amount of boot packing on steep slopes. The skiing is on terrain that is steep and sustained at 45 degrees or more, with runs up to 600m (2,000').
Fissile Peak dominates the skyline from the Whistler lifts and throughout the Musical Bumps. The North Face sports many classic big-mountain lines - Banana Chute, the Elevator Shaft, Saddle Chute among others. These are not for the faint of heart, requiring a long approach of at least 3+ hours to just gain the ridge crest and includes a substantial amount of boot packing on steep slopes. The skiing is on terrain that is steep and sustained at 45 degrees or more, with runs up to 600m (2,000').
As big mountain skiing goes, Fissile provides some of the finest to be had in the Whistler region, if conditions permit.
Decker Mountain
(suitable for intermediate or better skiers; good fitness required)
Boasting such classics as "9th Hole" and the "Finger Chutes", the ski runs off of Decker offer some of the best skiing on the Blackcomb Mountain side of the valley. Whether you are looking for steep chutes off of the West Ridge or the big glaciers on the north side, you will find some fine big mountain adrenaline! Access is up the Blackcomb Glacier through the East Col, or via the south side traverse from 7th Heaven.
Boasting such classics as "9th Hole" and the "Finger Chutes", the ski runs off of Decker offer some of the best skiing on the Blackcomb Mountain side of the valley. Whether you are looking for steep chutes off of the West Ridge or the big glaciers on the north side, you will find some fine big mountain adrenaline! Access is up the Blackcomb Glacier through the East Col, or via the south side traverse from 7th Heaven.
Spearhead Peak area
(suitable for intermediate/advanced skiers; good fitness required)
Spearhead Peak is the next summit beyond Blackcomb Peak, accessed from the top of the Blackcomb lifts. After a short warm-up skinning up to the East Col (between Blackcomb and Spearhead peaks), you and your Guide will choose from many different options depending on the snow and avalanche conditions. Big glaciers descents, high alpine bowls and steep couloirs are all on the menu in this tiger country. This is where many of the big classic ski lines are located - Husume, Corona Bowl, Cham Chutes and many more.
Spearhead Peak is the next summit beyond Blackcomb Peak, accessed from the top of the Blackcomb lifts. After a short warm-up skinning up to the East Col (between Blackcomb and Spearhead peaks), you and your Guide will choose from many different options depending on the snow and avalanche conditions. Big glaciers descents, high alpine bowls and steep couloirs are all on the menu in this tiger country. This is where many of the big classic ski lines are located - Husume, Corona Bowl, Cham Chutes and many more.
Spearhead Range
(1 to 3 days; suitable for intermediate or better skiers; good fitness required)
The "Spearhead Range Traverse" is a West Coast classic for good reason. Typically the adventure starts at the top of Blackcomb Mountain as you head out through the East Col and into the Spearhead Range. Crossing 12 glaciers and staying above 2,000m (6,600') you will travel through some incredible terrain before you come out through the Musical Bumps and back to Whistler. While this can be done in one-day, a multi-day trip of 2-3 days allows you to fully enjoy the experience and get to ski a few of the glaciers and climb some of the summits along the way!
The "Spearhead Range Traverse" is a West Coast classic for good reason. Typically the adventure starts at the top of Blackcomb Mountain as you head out through the East Col and into the Spearhead Range. Crossing 12 glaciers and staying above 2,000m (6,600') you will travel through some incredible terrain before you come out through the Musical Bumps and back to Whistler. While this can be done in one-day, a multi-day trip of 2-3 days allows you to fully enjoy the experience and get to ski a few of the glaciers and climb some of the summits along the way!
Duffey Lake Road area
(suitable for intermediate-advanced skiers; good fitness required)
Driving north of Whistler for 1 hour gets you to the "dry" side of the Coast Mountains. Here you will find a distinctly different style of skiing, with drier snow, colder temperatures and far fewer people. The skiing is superb and the terrain even better - from tree skiing to ski mountaineering and descents of over 1,200m (4,000') you can't ask for better!
Driving north of Whistler for 1 hour gets you to the "dry" side of the Coast Mountains. Here you will find a distinctly different style of skiing, with drier snow, colder temperatures and far fewer people. The skiing is superb and the terrain even better - from tree skiing to ski mountaineering and descents of over 1,200m (4,000') you can't ask for better!
Garibaldi Neve traverse
(1-3 days; suitable for novice to intermediate skiers; good fitness required)
Visible just south of Whistler, the Garibaldi Neve traverse crosses though some pristine wilderness areas behind Garibaldi Mountain. Including a ski descent of the North Face of Garibaldi the highest mountain in the region, will leave a smile on your face for days!
Visible just south of Whistler, the Garibaldi Neve traverse crosses though some pristine wilderness areas behind Garibaldi Mountain. Including a ski descent of the North Face of Garibaldi the highest mountain in the region, will leave a smile on your face for days!
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