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{{avalanche hazard}}
==Background==
==Background==


There are two seperate nordic skiing operations in the Callaghan Valley - Whistler Olympic Park and Callaghan Country.  Callaghan Country operates the western trails in the Callaghan Creek drainage, and Whistler Olympic Park operates the eastern trails in the Madeley Creek drainage.
For the 2012-2013 season, [http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com Whistler Olympic Park] (east) and [http://www.callaghancountry.com Callaghan Country] (west) have combined their operations under the [http://www.skicallaghan.ca Ski Callaghan] banner.  However the rules for backcountry access are different.  Whistler Olympic Park offers a discounted backcountry parking and access ticket and Callaghan Country requires that all backcountry users purchase a regular cross country or snowshoe ticket.


==Whistler Olympic Park Rules==
==Fees==


# All backcountry skiing or snowshoeing parties must register at the new Day Lodge in the morning to get a special parking pass. This pass will allow you to park overnight, and/or leave through the gate after normal hours. The parking pass is free.
Backcountry users fees are in effect for 2014-2015:
# There is a $6 per person fee to use the XC trails for backcountry access. Only skeirs on AT or Tele gear qualify for the reduced fee (no skinny XC skis). For safety, the normal one way trail rules must be followed.  This is the best way to access the backcountry around Madeley Lake, which is about 5km each way on the groomed trails.
*$15 per vehicle for access to Gin, Sproatt, Hanging Lake, Rainbow, Beverley and Puma via Whistler Olympic Park.  Use of the Whistler Olympic Park groomed trails to reach the backcountry trailheads is permitted.  Discounted to $10 on weekdays.
#There is no fee to access the backcountry without using the groomed XC trails.  However, the waiver and free parking pass are still required. Please be careful when crossing XC ski trails and always yield to XC skiers. .  There is currently a flagged route that follows the ridge west of Beverley creek then rejoins the creek higher up.
*$25 per person for a nordic trail pass to reach Callaghan Lake and Telemagique Ridge via Callaghan Country base area.  Discounted to $19 on weekdays.
#Parties that arrive before the daylodge is open, should look for a sign in book near the door.  Sign yourself in with your destination, and leave a note on the dash of your car.
*$56.50 per person for a snowcat shuttle to Callaghan Lake (Nordic trail pass included). The shuttle leaves at 8:30am weekends and holidays only and reservations are required.
#The XC ski trails and the 21 mile creek watershed (Rainbow Lake) are closed to dogs. This closure includes the ski touring loop from Hanging Lake over to Beverley Creek and ascents of Rainbow Mountain from the south and west.
#The ski jump service road is closed to backcountry skiers for safety purposes.  Please do not use this route.  Instead, access Hanging Lake from the Biathlon Spectator Parking Lot.


Please follow the above rules or we may lose access priveledges. In particular, don't get caught skiing on an XC trail without the $6 ticket. If you really want to use the trail, $6 isn't much to ask.
==Parking==


Anyone who is interrested in helping out with developing the trails should contact me. [[User:ScottN|Scott Nelson]]
There are 4 possible parking areas.  Overnight parking is only permitted at the Alexander Falls parking lot.


===Free Backcountry Access Routes===
*Whistler Olympic Park Day Lodge
*Whistler Olympic Park Biathlon Range
*Callaghan Country parking lot
*Alexander Falls Recreation Site parking lot


[[Image:WOP_backcountry_access.jpg|thumb|right|Free Access Routes]]
===Day Lodge===
There are 2 suggested BC access routes that minimize XC trail crossings.  These routes may be used at no charge, but you must check in and sign a waiver at the Day Lodge first.


During competitive events, one or more of these routes may be closed. Be sure to check with staff at the Day Lodge.
There are several parking lots around the day lodge (P1-P6).  Some of these lots may be closed during XC races and Ski Jumping events (see the [http://whistlerolympicpark.com/events/allevents/tabid/147/Default.aspx Whistler Olympic Park Event Schedule] for dates), but there will always be something available.  P3, P4 and P5 are all just a short walk from the day lodge.  Washrooms, showers and food are all available at the day lodge. Overnight parking is not permitted and you must leave before the main gate closes (5pm in winter, 6pm in spring)


====Biathlon Range To Hanging Lake====
===Biathlon Range===


Park in the Biathlon Spectator Parking lot (P8) located on the left as you drive towards the Biathlon building.  Head into the forest east of the Biathlon Range, and climb gradually east parallel to the outermost XC trails.  There is a road here which is reserved for snowmobile/snowcat use by the XC area staff. Do not use this road, and do not use the outermost XC trail as it is for downhill traffic only and XC skiers may be going very fast around some blind corners.
The Biathlon range is about 1km past the Day Lodge area.  There are three parking lots (P7-P9), but only P9 will be plowed.  Parking may be limited at the Biathlon Range during Biathlon events (see the [http://whistlerolympicpark.com/events/allevents/tabid/147/Default.aspx Whistler Olympic Park Event Schedule] for dates).  There is a public washroom just inside the lower entrance to the Biathlon building.   Overnight parking is not permitted and you must leave before the main gate closes (5pm in winter, 6pm in spring)


====Biathlon Range To Beverley Creek====
===Callaghan Country===


Park in the Biathlon Spectator Parking lot (P8) located on the left as you drive towards the Biathlon building. On the far NW side of lot P8 is a tall light pole.  From the pole head NW, crossing the Biathlon connector trail and the Olympic Biathlon loop trail.  Turn north down a hill then parallel the Madeley Creek loop trail to a bridge over Beverley Creek.  Cross the bridge and head into the forest on the right.  Do not go up Beverley creek, but rather head NW into the next drainage to the west where a flagged route begins.  The flagged route rejoins higher up, above a canyon section.  This access route is closed during all Biathlon competitions, as it crosses the Biathlon race course.
This parking lot is for day use only.  You must purchase a regular price nordic trail pass or a Callaghan Lake shuttle to park here.


===Backcountry Access Routes using XC Trails===
===Alexander Falls Recreation Site===


These routes require you buy the $6 backcountry access pass:
The Alexander Falls parking lot is outside the main gate at the Alexander Falls Recreation Site.  Overnight parking is permitted.  It's a 200m walk or ski along the main road to reach the Madeley Loop XC trail from this parking lot.  This parking lot is outside the WOP and Callaghan Country boundaries, but you still have to buy the appropriate ticket to access the backcountry through either ski area.


====Day Lodge to Hanging Lake====
==Routes==


This area has only one way trails, so the outgoing and incoming routes are different.
Kml file with all the trails and access routes here: [http://www.ubc-voc.com/mediawiki/images/0/0f/WOP_access.kml WOP_access.kml]


*Pick up Olympic XC Blue going up from the Daylodge / Stadium area.  Follow it to the top of the first hill.
===Hanging Lake===
*Cross over to Olympic XC Red and turn right.
*Take a shortcut on Olympic XC Red to avoid going up and back down a hill
*Take another shortcut on Olympic XC Red to stay on the perimeter of the WOP boundary.  Follow this trail up then head up the valley on the right.  Please Do not use the snowmobile access roads.


To return:
{{Main|Gin Peak}}
*ski down the creek from Hanging Lake until you hit Olympic XC Red.  Keep right on this one way trail
*An optional shortcut is available to cut off some of the flatter part of the trail
*keep on Olympic XC red going downhill until it reaches the stadium area


====Biathlon Range to Madeley Lake====
A marked wilderness ski trail climbs steeply up to Hanging Lake from the Whistler Olympic Park Biathlon Range.  The trail can also be reached easily from the Day Lodge by skiing along the Olympic XC trail.  There is good skiing around Hanging Lake, or continue up to [[Gin Peak]] or [[Rainbow Mountain]]


*Park in Lot P8 and head east past the overpass on the Olympic Biathlon Trail. 
===Beverley Creek===
*Drop down a hill heading north to reach the Madelely Creek Loop trail. 
*Follow the XC trails north.  The recommended route is:
**Madelely Creek trail
**Norweigan Woods
**Lunch Lake
**Madelely Road
*Return via the same trails.  Norwegian Woods and Madeley Creek are one way trails, but you can take the higher branch of Norwegian Woods then ski against the grain, but off the trails back to the Biathlon Range.


==Callaghan Country Rules==
{{Main|Beverley Creek}}


#Backcountry skiers on telemark or AT gear get free use of the groomed XC trails.
A marked wilderness ski trail goes up Beverley Creek,.  The trail starts from the Biathlon Range and heads west.  It drops down and parallels Madeley Loop XC trail north to the bridge over Beverely Creek.  On the far side of the bridge the trail enters the forest again and goes up Beverley Creek. The Beverley Creek trail can also be reached from the Callaghan Country or the Overnight parking lot by following the Madeley Loop cross-country ski trail for 2km.
#Do not park in the Callaghan Country parking lot, as it is reserved for (paying) customers.  There are a few free plowed parking spots on the right near the bridge over Madeley Creek.
 
#Do not use the groomed XC trail that connect into the Whistler Olympic Park area without buying their $6 pass.  This pass is only available at the Whistler Olympic Park day lodge, a short drive up the road from the Callaghan Country base area.
===Puma Peak===
#Callaghan Country runs a snow coach shuttle up the their lodge at Conflict Lake. If you want to be driven up, a ride cost $31.50.  It takes about 1 hour to make the 12.5km trip.  Call in advance to make arrangements.
 
{{Main|Puma Peak}}
 
Puma Peak lies between Beverley Creek and Madeley Creek.  The south summit (only a few meters lower than the main summit) offers a good ski trip.  Follow the trail up Beverley Creek to reach the W side of the long ridge running south from Puma Peak.  A system of open ramps heads up the west side of the ridge.  At 1350m, switch to ramps on the east side of the ridge crest to reach gentle terrain in the alpine.
 
===Madeley Lake===
 
There is an alpine area above Madeley Lake with skiing in open meadows.
 
*From the Whistler Olympic Park overnight lot via Madeley Road trail.
*From the Biathlon Range Parking via a shortcut through the woods, Madeley Creek Trail, Norwegian Woods, Lunch Lake and Madeley Road.  This access route is closed during all Biathlon competitions, as it crosses the Biathlon race course.  There is some uphill skiing on the return to climb back up to the Biathlon Parking Lot.
*From the Day Lodge Parking lot via Inside Passage, Madeley Creek Trail, Norwegian Woods, Lunch Lake and Madeley Road.  There is some uphill skiing on the return to climb back up to the day lodge.
 
===Telemagique Ridge===
 
{{Main|Telemagique Ridge}}
 
*3km up Callaghan FSR (mainline trail) an ungroomed road heads off on the right.
*Follow the road, keeping left at two junctions.
*The road ends at a landing at 1220m.
*Follow the ridge crest uphill, heading north.  On maps, the ridge looks very gentle, but there is a lot of micro terrain that makes travel and route finding a little more tricky.  The upper part of the route follows a strange valley the runs along the top of the ridge.
*The final summit is most easily ascended from the NW side.  There is a nice ski run from the top down to Telemagique Lake.
 
===Callaghan Lake===
 
{{Main|Callaghan Lake}}
 
*It's 8.5km up Callaghan FSR (mainline trail) to Callaghan Lake, which takes about 2 hours to ski at a reasonable pace.
*On weekends and Holidays Callaghan Country offers a snowcat shuttle to Callaghan Lake.  The shuttle departs at 8:30am and reservations are required.
*The west side of the lake has some nice yoyo skiing terrain on east facing slopes.  This area is known as Morning Glory.
*The north side of the lake has excellent open meadows for skiing on generally S facing slopes.  The 1800m summit overlooking Cirque Lake is a good objective for a day trip.
 
==Additional Notes==
 
#The XC ski trails and the 21 mile creek watershed (Rainbow Lake) are closed to dogs. This closure includes the ski touring loop from Hanging Lake over to Beverley Creek and ascents of Rainbow Mountain from the south and west.  Dog owners can access the Hanging Lake trail from the Biathlon Range.
#All snowcat / snowmobile access roads are closed to backcountry skiers for safety purposes.  This includes the ski jump service road. Please do not use this route.  Instead, access Hanging Lake from the Biathlon Parking Lot, or from the day lodge using the XC trails.
#Don't ever ski behind the biathlon range.
#Observe the nordic [[skier responsibility code]] on all XC trails.


==Links==
==Links==


*[http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com Whistler Olympic Park main website]
*[http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com Whistler Olympic Park main website]
*[http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com/venue/snow/tabid/173/language/en-CA/default.aspx Whistler Olympic Park snow report]
*[http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com/weather/forecast Whistler Olympic Park weather forecast]
*[http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com/venue/webcam/tabid/138/Default.aspx Whistler Olympic Park webcams]
*[http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com/weather/webcams Whistler Olympic Park webcams]
*[http://www.callaghancountry.com Callaghan Country website]
*[http://www.callaghancountry.com Callaghan Country website]
*[http://www.callaghancountry.com/trailhead/conditions.php Callaghan Country current conditions and snow report]
*[http://www.callaghancountry.com/current-conditions Callaghan Country current conditions and snow report]
*[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2Fmaps%2Fms%3Fie%3DUTF8%26hl%3Den%26vps%3D1%26jsv%3D308a%26msa%3D0%26output%3Dnl%26msid%3D211028473906192888015.000499fd3fa16ead9a334&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.900117,67.675781&ie=UTF8&ll=50.172501,-123.189697&spn=0.104888,0.219727&t=p&z=12 Callaghan Country trail map]


==EAO links and documents==
==EAO links and documents==
Line 79: Line 105:
[http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/epic/output/documents/p234/d19155/1093882221206_6a71f82b094f41a7a4ede199a0037d2b.pdf Whistler Nordic Centre & Callahagn Valley Master Plan]
[http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/epic/output/documents/p234/d19155/1093882221206_6a71f82b094f41a7a4ede199a0037d2b.pdf Whistler Nordic Centre & Callahagn Valley Master Plan]


[http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/epic/output/html/deploy/epic_project_doc_list_234_r_app.html]  
[http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/new-website/homepages/whistler-nordic/whister.htm Whistler Nordic Centre Homepage]
 
[[category: Skiing Trips]]


[http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/new-website/homepages/whistler-nordic/whister.htm Whistler Nordic Centre Homepage]
==Trail Building==
*[[Hanging Lake Trail Building]]
*[[Beverley Creek Trail Building]]

Latest revision as of 07:21, 12 April 2016

Avalanche Hazard
The route and terrain described here is capable of producing avalanches. Safe travel requires the skills and equipment to assess and mitigate avalanche hazards. A professionally taught training course is highly recommended.

Background

For the 2012-2013 season, Whistler Olympic Park (east) and Callaghan Country (west) have combined their operations under the Ski Callaghan banner. However the rules for backcountry access are different. Whistler Olympic Park offers a discounted backcountry parking and access ticket and Callaghan Country requires that all backcountry users purchase a regular cross country or snowshoe ticket.

Fees

Backcountry users fees are in effect for 2014-2015:

  • $15 per vehicle for access to Gin, Sproatt, Hanging Lake, Rainbow, Beverley and Puma via Whistler Olympic Park. Use of the Whistler Olympic Park groomed trails to reach the backcountry trailheads is permitted. Discounted to $10 on weekdays.
  • $25 per person for a nordic trail pass to reach Callaghan Lake and Telemagique Ridge via Callaghan Country base area. Discounted to $19 on weekdays.
  • $56.50 per person for a snowcat shuttle to Callaghan Lake (Nordic trail pass included). The shuttle leaves at 8:30am weekends and holidays only and reservations are required.

Parking

There are 4 possible parking areas. Overnight parking is only permitted at the Alexander Falls parking lot.

  • Whistler Olympic Park Day Lodge
  • Whistler Olympic Park Biathlon Range
  • Callaghan Country parking lot
  • Alexander Falls Recreation Site parking lot

Day Lodge

There are several parking lots around the day lodge (P1-P6). Some of these lots may be closed during XC races and Ski Jumping events (see the Whistler Olympic Park Event Schedule for dates), but there will always be something available. P3, P4 and P5 are all just a short walk from the day lodge. Washrooms, showers and food are all available at the day lodge. Overnight parking is not permitted and you must leave before the main gate closes (5pm in winter, 6pm in spring)

Biathlon Range

The Biathlon range is about 1km past the Day Lodge area. There are three parking lots (P7-P9), but only P9 will be plowed. Parking may be limited at the Biathlon Range during Biathlon events (see the Whistler Olympic Park Event Schedule for dates). There is a public washroom just inside the lower entrance to the Biathlon building. Overnight parking is not permitted and you must leave before the main gate closes (5pm in winter, 6pm in spring)

Callaghan Country

This parking lot is for day use only. You must purchase a regular price nordic trail pass or a Callaghan Lake shuttle to park here.

Alexander Falls Recreation Site

The Alexander Falls parking lot is outside the main gate at the Alexander Falls Recreation Site. Overnight parking is permitted. It's a 200m walk or ski along the main road to reach the Madeley Loop XC trail from this parking lot. This parking lot is outside the WOP and Callaghan Country boundaries, but you still have to buy the appropriate ticket to access the backcountry through either ski area.

Routes

Kml file with all the trails and access routes here: WOP_access.kml

Hanging Lake

Main article: Gin Peak

A marked wilderness ski trail climbs steeply up to Hanging Lake from the Whistler Olympic Park Biathlon Range. The trail can also be reached easily from the Day Lodge by skiing along the Olympic XC trail. There is good skiing around Hanging Lake, or continue up to Gin Peak or Rainbow Mountain

Beverley Creek

Main article: Beverley Creek

A marked wilderness ski trail goes up Beverley Creek,. The trail starts from the Biathlon Range and heads west. It drops down and parallels Madeley Loop XC trail north to the bridge over Beverely Creek. On the far side of the bridge the trail enters the forest again and goes up Beverley Creek. The Beverley Creek trail can also be reached from the Callaghan Country or the Overnight parking lot by following the Madeley Loop cross-country ski trail for 2km.

Puma Peak

Main article: Puma Peak

Puma Peak lies between Beverley Creek and Madeley Creek. The south summit (only a few meters lower than the main summit) offers a good ski trip. Follow the trail up Beverley Creek to reach the W side of the long ridge running south from Puma Peak. A system of open ramps heads up the west side of the ridge. At 1350m, switch to ramps on the east side of the ridge crest to reach gentle terrain in the alpine.

Madeley Lake

There is an alpine area above Madeley Lake with skiing in open meadows.

  • From the Whistler Olympic Park overnight lot via Madeley Road trail.
  • From the Biathlon Range Parking via a shortcut through the woods, Madeley Creek Trail, Norwegian Woods, Lunch Lake and Madeley Road. This access route is closed during all Biathlon competitions, as it crosses the Biathlon race course. There is some uphill skiing on the return to climb back up to the Biathlon Parking Lot.
  • From the Day Lodge Parking lot via Inside Passage, Madeley Creek Trail, Norwegian Woods, Lunch Lake and Madeley Road. There is some uphill skiing on the return to climb back up to the day lodge.

Telemagique Ridge

Main article: Telemagique Ridge
  • 3km up Callaghan FSR (mainline trail) an ungroomed road heads off on the right.
  • Follow the road, keeping left at two junctions.
  • The road ends at a landing at 1220m.
  • Follow the ridge crest uphill, heading north. On maps, the ridge looks very gentle, but there is a lot of micro terrain that makes travel and route finding a little more tricky. The upper part of the route follows a strange valley the runs along the top of the ridge.
  • The final summit is most easily ascended from the NW side. There is a nice ski run from the top down to Telemagique Lake.

Callaghan Lake

Main article: Callaghan Lake
  • It's 8.5km up Callaghan FSR (mainline trail) to Callaghan Lake, which takes about 2 hours to ski at a reasonable pace.
  • On weekends and Holidays Callaghan Country offers a snowcat shuttle to Callaghan Lake. The shuttle departs at 8:30am and reservations are required.
  • The west side of the lake has some nice yoyo skiing terrain on east facing slopes. This area is known as Morning Glory.
  • The north side of the lake has excellent open meadows for skiing on generally S facing slopes. The 1800m summit overlooking Cirque Lake is a good objective for a day trip.

Additional Notes

  1. The XC ski trails and the 21 mile creek watershed (Rainbow Lake) are closed to dogs. This closure includes the ski touring loop from Hanging Lake over to Beverley Creek and ascents of Rainbow Mountain from the south and west. Dog owners can access the Hanging Lake trail from the Biathlon Range.
  2. All snowcat / snowmobile access roads are closed to backcountry skiers for safety purposes. This includes the ski jump service road. Please do not use this route. Instead, access Hanging Lake from the Biathlon Parking Lot, or from the day lodge using the XC trails.
  3. Don't ever ski behind the biathlon range.
  4. Observe the nordic skier responsibility code on all XC trails.

Whistler Nordic Centre & Callahagn Valley Master Plan

Whistler Nordic Centre Homepage

Trail Building

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