Terrain
Open bowls, glades, pillows, alpine faces, and couloirs. A good mix of elevations and aspects
Favorite Runs
Macbeth Glacier and Overlord Glacier
Elevations
1300m - 2600m
The Spearhead is a stunning, high-level, U-shaped ski traverse linking Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains via a series of glaciers, summits, and mountain passes.
Book NowThe traverse has been described as a classic Canadian Ski Mountaineering objective and has often been compared, in quality, to the world-famous Haute Route.
All superlatives aside, here is what you really need to know about the Spearhead Traverse: 35 km, 13 wild glaciers, 11 mountain passes, countless jaw-dropping views, and endlessly deep, pristine snow, almost all in the alpine territory. For our visitors, this is by far the best way to ski tour the Whistler Backcountry, and for the locals, well, you can't really call yourself a Coast Mountain Skier until you have done the Spearhead Traverse.
Let our Ski Guides manage the navigation, avalanche hazard assessment, and crevasses. All you need to do is hike up to glorious mountain passes, ski some epic powder runs and appreciate some seriously magnificent views.
Open bowls, glades, pillows, alpine faces, and couloirs. A good mix of elevations and aspects
Macbeth Glacier and Overlord Glacier
1300m - 2600m
Let our Ski Guides manage the navigation, avalanche hazard assessment and crevasses. All you need to do is hike up to glorious mountain passes, ski some epic powder runs and appreciate some seriously magnificent views.
All participants are required to read and sign a release of liability waiver prior to their trip.
The Spearhead Traverse is geared towards anyone who has logged a variety of days ski touring, has a strong ski ability level and is now looking to experience the mountains on a unique and challenging trip. The Spearhead Traverse is not only a physical challenge but also a mental challenge as this trip is 3 fully self-supported days in the backcountry. So if you are an intermediate to an advanced skier (ability to link turns on black diamond terrain) and have good fitness, this is the trip for you.
Crevasse Rescue + Glacier Travel Online Course - $45
First completed in 1964 as a 9-day expedition from the valley (before the first ski lifts), it has since been done in little over three hours (that's right, three hours!). Most people, however, will take 2-4 days to enjoy this fantastic adventure.
35 km, 13 wild glaciers, 11 mountain passes
Highlights: Skiing off Decker north face, crossing the Shudder glacier.
Distance: 7.9km
Vertical gain: 1100m
7:30 am Meet at your hotel, check gear and head straight to the Whistler base for avalanche transceiver training.
8:30 am Take the lift system up and out of the Blackcomb ski area. Expect to travel 8 hours, with possible ascents and descents of many different peaks such as Decker North Face, Pattison North Face, and Tremor Peak. Around 3 pm, we will set up camp in our desired location. Highlights: Skiing off Decker north face, crossing the Shudder glacier.
Highlights: Macbeth glacier descent, Ripsaw Ridge, Iago camp!
Distance: 5km
Vertical gain: 600m
Start early, break down camp, eat breakfast, and head off for another full day of ski touring. On this day, we will be traveling quickly around the very furthest back of the Spearhead range.
Highlights: Touring past Fitzsimmons and Overlord peaks, long glacier descent off Overlord
Distance: 18.5km
Vertical gain: 1200m
Start with a fun descent to the Cheakamus Glacier before the biggest climb of the trip. Push up past the iconic Mount Fitzsimmons and Overload peaks in a solid climb. From here, it’s smooth sailing with lots of scenic descents and short climbs past Fissile and eventually back to the Whistler resort.
