Whistler Olympic Park

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Revision as of 05:43, 2 July 2010 by imported>ScottN (Removed 2010 Winter Olympics notice)
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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

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.

Official Policy

Free access routes shown in red.
Access routes on XC ski trails shown in blue.

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;

  1. You will need to have and display a valid pass which includes as part of it our liability waiver
  2. 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.
  3. There is no charge for this pass / it will have the date with B/C (Back Country) written on the front of it.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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)
  9. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Don't ever ski behind the biathlon range. Some of the kids (biathletes in training) can be poor shots.
  5. Observe the nordic skier responsibility code on all XC trails.
  6. 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 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 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.

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 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 parking lots will be closed from September 1 2009 to May 1 2010 for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Callaghan Country

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.

Routes

Hanging Lake

Main article: Gin Peak

A marked wilderness ski trail climbs steeply up to Hanging Lake from the Whistler Olympic Park Biathlon Range.

Beverley Creek

Main article: Beverley Creek

A marked wilderness ski trail goes up Beverley Creek, starting from the bridge over Beverely Creek on Madeley Creek Trail.

Madeley Lake

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.

  • From the Callaghan Country Parking lot via Madeley Road trail. Return via same route since it's a 2 way trail all the way.
  • 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

  • It's 8.5km up Callaghan FSR (mainline trail) to Callaghan Lake, which takes about 2 hours to ski at a reasonable pace.
  • The west side of the lake has some nice yoyo skiing terrain.
  • The north side of the lake looks good as well, but the aspect isn't as favourable.
  • You must buy a $6 ticket to use the grooming on mainline trail, or break your own parallel trail along Callaghan FSR.

Telemagique Ridge

Main article: 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.
  • 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.

Whistler Nordic Centre & Callahagn Valley Master Plan

Whistler Nordic Centre Homepage

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