Whistler Olympic Park: Difference between revisions

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

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

EAO links and documents

Whistler Nordic Centre & Callahagn Valley Master Plan

Whistler Nordic Centre Homepage

Trail Building

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 ==Background==
-There are two separate nordic skiing operations in the Callaghan Valley - Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) and Callaghan Country (CC).  Callaghan Country operates the western trails in the Callaghan Creek drainage, and Whistler Olympic Park operates the eastern trails in the Madeley Creek drainage.  Both facilities provide access to excellent backcountry skiing areas.
+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.
-==2010 Winter Olympics==
+==Fees==
-The Biathlon and Day Lodge parking lots will be closed to the public for the duration of the 2009-2010 winter season.  The nordic core area will also be closed for grand stand constuction, and other preparations for the olympics.  The route to Hanging Lake will be inaccessible for the whole season.  Routes up Beverley Creek may be accessed from the Callaghan Country base via the Madeley Loop trail ($6 BC access trail ticket required).
-==Official Policy==
+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.
-[[Image:WOP_backcountry_access.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Free access routes shown in red.<br>Access routes on XC ski trails shown in blue.]]
+==Parking==
-Whistler Olympic Park is situated in an ideal spot for many backcountry trips. The management at Whistler Olympic Park encourages people to come and use the parking lots and facilities as a start to their trip; however we ask that backcountry users follow a few simple steps in order to help us ensure the safety of all user’s of the Whistler Olympic Park. You as the Back Country Person venturing into the Back Country by way of crossing the property / tenure of Whistler Olympic Park must follow the following criteria;
-#You will need to have and display a valid pass which includes as part of it our liability waiver
-#This pass can be obtained thru the Ski Shop in the lower level of the day lodge during normal operating hours (9am thru 5pm) seven days per week. (2008 /09 season closes April 19th 2009).  Passes for Callaghan Country may be obtained at the Callaghan Country base area.
-#There is no charge for this pass / it will have the date with B/C (Back Country) written on the front of it.
-#The user must also sign a disclaimer waiver at the ski shop and verbally acknowledge to the staff member that “He” or “She” acknowledges the inherent risk of entering the Back Country and that they relieve Whistler Olympic Park of any responsibility towards them.
-#The user must also leave a visible parking ticket on the dash of their vehicle (obtain at ski shop) with their name and contact phone number with the date of arrival into the parking lot the expected time of the trip / their destination and the time they expect to be back in the parking lot this is to help our on site patrol account for people and cars during sweep at the end of the operational day.
-#If this information is not clearly displayed it could result in and emergency call out by the Search & Rescue; the RCMP and / or having your vehicle towed
-#In the interest of keeping your party out of hazardous areas (designated machinery routes) we ask that you please acquire a map and ask staff about current events and the most direct route to your trailhead.  Whistler Olympic Park is host to many events in a season which change the dynamics of the site dramatically. During competition parking lots might become full, accreditation might be needed to access certain areas, or the range might be in use. Obviously these events will change the everyday movement of persons wishing to access certain areas. A stop at the Day lodge gives the staff an opportunity to direct people in a way that will ensure safety and reduce confusion
-#Using any of our trails to ski either on the ascent or the decent voids the B/C pass and the normal trail usage fee would apply (Note: this is also true for usage of the trails on the “Pooched Loop” where a proper trail pass must be purchased; cost $6.00)
-#All pets must be maintained on a leash at all times within W.O.P. land / tenure and not released until well into the forest.
-Please Note:
-The Ski Jump area and the immediate area below the chairlift is RESTRICTED to all public AT ALL TIMES. You will be asked to leave if found around the ski jump / chairlift structures or on or near the adjacent North and South slopes of the ski jump complex
-The presence of a RED FLAG on the Biathlon range means it is in use, and thus the entire area behind the range is RESTRICTED for obvious safety reasons. You will be asked to leave if found in this area during shooting. (see Day lodge for alternate route)
-Do not interrupt a competition for any reason i.e. cross the biathlon or cross country stadiums. Competitions take a lot of time and organization, please respect the event.
-If not sure …..just ask we are here to help everyone…… Thank you, and enjoy your trip.
-===Additional Notes===
+There are 4 possible parking areas.  Overnight parking is only permitted at the Alexander Falls parking lot.
-#It is not possible to register or get tickets at the Biathlon building.  If you want to park by the Biathlon building, check in at the day lodge first then go park by the Biathlon building.
+*Whistler Olympic Park Day Lodge
-#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.
+*Whistler Olympic Park 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 Spectator Parking Lot, or from the day lodge using the XC trails.
+*Callaghan Country parking lot
-#Don't ever ski behind the biathlon range.  Some of the kids (biathletes in training) can be poor shots.
+*Alexander Falls Recreation Site parking lot
-#Observe the nordic [[skier responsibility code]] on all XC trails.
-#If you arrive early in the morning (before the day lodge opens), please leave a note on your dash stating your destination and expected return time.
-Please follow the above rules or we may lose access privileges. In particular, don't get caught skiing on a groomed XC trail without the $6 ticket. If you really want to use the groomed trail, $6 isn't much to ask.  Anyone who is interested in helping out with developing the trails should contact [[User:ScottN]].
-==Parking==
-There are 3 main parking areas - The Nordic day lodge, the Biathlon Building, and Callaghan Country.  WOP has published a [http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com/Portals/0/WOP%20Parking%20Map%202008.pdf handy map] showing all the parking lots.
 ===Day Lodge===
-There are several parking lots around the day lodge (P1-P6).  Some of these lots may be closed during World Cup XC 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.  Tickets, vehicle registration, nordic trail maps, washrooms, showers and food are all available 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)
-The Day Lodge parking lots will be closed from September 1 2009 to May 1 2010 for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
 ===Biathlon Range===
-The Biathlon range is about 1km past the Day Lodge area.  There are three parking lots (P7-P9), the main one being the Biathlon Spectator Parking Lot (P8) on the left side.  No parking will be available at the Biathlon Range during the World Cup Biathlon events (see the [http://whistlerolympicpark.com/events/allevents/tabid/147/Default.aspx Whistler Olympic Park Event Schedule] for dates).  Parking should not be a problem during smaller competitions.  Tickets are not available at the Biathlon Range - please take care of tickets and vehicle registration at the day lodge first.
+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)
-The Biathlon Range parking lots will be closed from September 1 2009 to May 1 2010 for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
+===Callaghan Country===
-===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===
-Wilderness skiers who are not using the groomed XC trails should park outside the posted customer parking lot.  There are a few parking spots on the right just after the bridge over Madeley Creek.  Tickets, vehicle registration and nordic trail maps are available at the Callaghan Country base area.
+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: [http://www.ubc-voc.com/mediawiki/images/0/0f/WOP_access.kml WOP_access.kml]
 ===Hanging Lake===
 {{Main|Gin Peak}}
-A marked wilderness ski trail climbs steeply up to Hanging Lake from the Whistler Olympic Park Biathlon Range.
+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===
@@ Line 74: / Line 50: @@
 {{Main|Beverley Creek}}
-A marked wilderness ski trail goes up Beverley Creek, starting from the bridge over Beverely Creek on Madeley Creek Trail.
+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===
-===Madeley Lake===
+{{Main|Puma Peak}}
-Routes to Madeley Lake use XC trails, so you must purchase a $6 backcountry access pass at the Day Lodge or Callaghan Country Base.  Callaghan Country is the most convenient parking area for skiing to Madeley Lake.
+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.
-*From the Callaghan Country Parking lot via Madeley Road trail.  Return via same route since it's a 2 way trail all the way.
+===Madeley Lake===
-*From the Biathlon 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.  Return to the Biathlon Range via Madeley Road, Lunch Lake, Norwegian Woods and a shortcut through the forest.  Norwegian Woods and Madeley Creek Trail 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.  There is some uphill skiing at the end 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.  Return to the day lodge via Madeley Road, Inside Passage and Outrun.  There is some uphill skiing at the end to climb back up to the day lodge.
-===Callaghan Lake===
+There is an alpine area above Madeley Lake with skiing in open meadows.
-*It's 8.5km up Callaghan FSR (mainline trail) to Callaghan Lake, which takes about 2 hours to ski at a reasonable pace.
+*From the Whistler Olympic Park overnight lot via Madeley Road trail.
-*The west side of the lake has some nice yoyo skiing terrain.
+*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.
-*The north side of the lake looks good as well, but the aspect isn't as favourable.
+*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.
-*You must buy a $6 ticket to use the grooming on mainline trail, or break your own parallel trail along Callaghan FSR.
 ===Telemagique Ridge===
@@ Line 95: / Line 70: @@
 {{Main|Telemagique Ridge}}
-*3km up Callaghan FSR (mainline trail) an ungroomed road heads off on the right.  This turnoff is signed as the "Into the Woods" trail.
+*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.
-*You must buy a $6 ticket to use the grooming on mainline trail, or break your own parallel trail for the first 3km along Callaghan FSR.
+===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==
 *[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.whistlerolympicpark.com/Portals/0/WOP%20all%20trails%20map%202008.pdf Whistler Olympic Park trail map #1] with contour lines (1340kb)
-*[http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com/Portals/0/Rec%20Trails%20web.pdf Whistler Olympic Park trail map #2] without contour lines (620kb)
-*[http://www.whistlerolympicpark.com/Portals/0/WOP%20Parking%20Map%202008.pdf Whistler Olympic Park parking map]
 *[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://www.callaghancountry.com/trailhead/documents/CCWAMap09web.pdf Callaghan Country trail map]
+*[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==
@@ Line 119: / Line 106: @@
 [http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/new-website/homepages/whistler-nordic/whister.htm Whistler Nordic Centre Homepage]
+[[category: Skiing Trips]]
+==Trail Building==
+*[[Hanging Lake Trail Building]]
+*[[Beverley Creek Trail Building]]