Blackcomb Winter Public Access
Overview
Who: Whistler Blackcomb, the Province, and access route users
What: A designated public access route
Where: Whistler, B.C.
Why: To determine an access between Blackcomb and Garibaldi Park
How: Online
Phase 1
The Province was seeking feedback on a new designated public access route that is being piloted by Whistler Blackcomb and provides free public uphill skiing access through the Blackcomb Controlled Recreation Area to Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Phase 2
Whistler Blackcomb must provide public access through the Whistler and Blackcomb Controlled Recreation Areas to Garibaldi Provincial Park. Whistler Blackcomb is also required to ensure the Controlled Recreation Areas are safe and secure.
Whistler Blackcomb, the Province, and partner groups have been working together on a solution for winter backcountry access through the Blackcomb Controlled Recreation Area. This access route must be managed for safety and consider the needs of public users.
Mapping and details of the public access routes can be found here: https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-mountain/about-the-mountain/backcountry.aspx
Last season, you provided feedback on the interim access route. As a result, the following improvements have been made for the 2022-2023 winter season:
- Blackcomb Bench Climb – Upgrades to the lower mountain route provide an improved user experience. The connector for the North Route, South Route, and Excelerator provides a new opportunity for uphill access and in-bounds backcountry skiing.
- South Route – This is the interim access route that was originally piloted last year and will be available again this year with an extension of the timeframe for access until 9:30am
- North Route – New winter access route that travels through the Controlled Recreation Area into Garibaldi Park to the Phalanx area.
- Signage – improved for all routes
- Reduced Backcountry Lift Ticket – For members of the public that prefer lift access to Garibaldi Park, the backcountry lift pass has been reduced from $62 to $45.
Results (Phase 1)
The Mountain Resort Branch, BC Parks and Whistler Blackcomb initiated a public survey posted along the interim route, online in forums and on the MRB website. 288 respondents completed the survey.
See the phase 1 results summary
- 51% of respondents are Whistler Blackcomb Season Passholders
- 40% of respondents had used the Blackcomb Interim public access route
- Of those that responded that had used & completed the interim route, 83% were able to access the Park in 4 hours or less.
- Comments that wayfinding signage could be improved
- Time restrictions were a challenge, especially for those travelling from the Lower Mainland on day trips
- A number of respondents would like snowshoe access to Garibaldi Park
- Aside from “access through the CRA to Garibaldi Park, backcountry skiing” respondents second most interest in using the route was “exercise route for uphill and downhill skiing with in the CRA (inbounds)”
- Question 9: “To ensure safety of users, different management strategies are being considered to reduce risk. Select all management strategies that you think are appropriate efforts to manage risk” – Top 3 selected for this question, in order:
- Signage
- Development of an off-piste route, which may result in reduced ease of use (e.g., steeper terrain, technical skinning)
- Closure of routes during snow control
Results (Phase 2)
The Mountain Resorts Branch, BC Parks and Whistler Blackcomb conducted a second public survey to gather feedback for Blackcomb winter public access. Survey links were provided along the access routes, online, and on social media channels in addition to GovTogetherBC. 76 respondents completed this season’s survey.
See the phase 2 results summary
Notable results from the survey include:
- 57% of the respondents are Whistler Blackcomb Season Passholders, a 6% increase over last season.
- 89% of respondents were Satisfied and Extremely Satisfied (combined) with the reduced price of the backcountry lift ticket price.
- 92% of total respondents used (64%) or planned to use (28%) the offered access routes.
- Each route, the North route, South Route, and Bench Climb were used at similar levels, at over 30% each.
- 70% or more of users were Satisfied and Extremely Satisfied (combined) with each route:
- 71% North Route
- 81% South Route
- 71% Blackcomb Bench Climb
- Most respondents’ recreation interests included some form of skiing including:
- 25% backcountry skiing
- 16% mountaineering
- 13% exercise route for uphill and downhill skiing inbounds
- 12% multiday ski traverses
- 11% access to the Spearhead Huts
- Other interests included:
- 16% site seeing/photography
- 7% snowshoeing
2022-2023 winter uphill/backcountry user counts
Whistler Blackcomb installed trail counters for the second consecutive year on all winter access routes to track recreational use of each trail.
From January to May 2023, there were a total of 1,739 uphill travelers, more than double the total number of uphill travelers counted in 2022. The breakdown of uphill users per route was as follows:
| 2022/23 Uphill Trail Counts | Date Range | Count | Percentage of total users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackcomb Bench Climb (BBC) | December 3 – April 14 | 1,739 | 63.3% |
| South Route (time restricted) | January 8 – April 14 | 446 | 25.6% |
| North Route | January 8 – April 23 | 193 | 11.1% |
The table below compares this year’s counts with those from 2022 for an additional point of reference:
| Route | 2023 | 2022 | Percentage increase from 2022 to 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackcomb Bench Climb/Lower route | 1739 | 800 | 117% |
| South Route | 446 | 142 | 214% |
| North Route | 193 | 0 | n/a |
More than 4,400 people chose to purchase backcountry tickets to access the backcountry during the 2022/23 winter season, a 17% increase over the last season.
Next steps
The Province and Whistler Blackcomb are currently reviewing survey feedback and stakeholder suggestions to create a public access package that meets long-term contractual obligations under the Master Development Agreement while ensuring the safety of the uphill and downhill travelling public is maintained.
Related engagements
