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Whistler Blackcomb off-piste
© copyright Whistler Blackcomb
Approximately 80 percent of the world’s heli-skiing is in British Columbia, and weather conditions permitting, Whistler Heli-Skiing will take you into the backcountry to ski or board four or more drops per day, with each drop giving you access to around 2,500–5,000 vertical feet (762–1,524 m) of untracked powder. Contact Whistler Heli-Skiing on 604-932-4105, toll free on 888-HELISKI or via the website www.whistlerheliskiing.com . For backcountry tours with professional guides contact the Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau or log on to www.whistlerguides.com.
An excellent alternative to the cost and weather dependence of heli-skiing is snowcat skiing. Local operator Powder Mountain Catskiing guarantees 7000 vertical feet in a day and will run in any weather condition. Prices are for a whole day of skiing, regardless of how many runs you do. For more information contact Powder Mountain Catskiing on 604-932-0169 or visit www.powdermountaincatskiing.com .
Whistler-Blackcomb has many classic off-piste options. Most popular with the locals is Million Dollar Ridge and Khyber’s Pass (neither are on the trail map), just past the boundary of the Peak to Creek area. Make sure to have someone guiding you in these places, tales of people getting lost for days in Khyber’s circulate around Whistler on a regular basis.
From the Flute Bowl the Musical Bumps and Cowboy Ridge offer excellent day touring options. Beyond Cowboy Ridge are Fissile and Whirlwind Mountains which require an overnight stay in the Russet Lake Hut. This hut (consisting solely of sheet metal walls and a roof) is unlike the luxurious catered huts of the European Alps.
On Blackcomb Mountain there are plenty of choices, though they are not all visible from the Blackcomb Glacier. Passing through the boundary gate on the far side of the glacier starts you up a moderately steep hike towards Blackcomb Peak. Use of climbing skins is faster but snowboarders and alpine skiers are able to boot pack this slope easily. From here there are several options: climb the ridge on the left towards Corona bowl and Husume Flank, traverse right to the entrance to D.O.A. (Dead on Arrival) and Disease Ridge or continue out towards Circle and Decker glaciers. An easier option for those not inclined to hike is to traverse from the top of 7th Heaven out to Lakeside Bowl and Xhiggy’s meadow. This area is relatively flat but nearly always fresh and is a favourite spot for freestylers building massive booter jumps.
Experienced ski-tourers can hire a guide and embark on the Spearhead Traverse. This 2 to 4 day trip (depending on how much skiing is done) traverses the scenic glaciers from Blackcomb to Whistler. Tours run several times throughout the season and can be booked through local guiding companies such as Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau www.whistlerguides.com .
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