Whistler Blackcomb has announced a new uphill hiking experience dubbed the Blackcomb Ascent Trails.
The new trails are three new interconnected uphill hiking trails that make their way through the old growth coastal rainforest terrain from Whistler’s valley bottom to the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb Mountain.
The trails travel a total of 5.2km with a total elevation gain of 1,200 meters.
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The Blackcomb Ascent trails provide various starting and finishing points which allow hikers to design a custom route to fit their fitness objectives and available time.
Phase one opens on August 6, and includes the first two sections of trail from the valley to the top of the Wizard Express chairlift.
Phase two opens in summer 2016, and includes the third and final section of trail from the bottom of the Wizard Express to the Rendezvous Lodge.
“These trails have been designed to showcase the beauty and diversity of Blackcomb Mountain while offering an exhilarating uphill hike with the option to download using our lift system,” says Arthur De Jong, Mountain Planning and Environmental Resource Manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “This allows guests to maximize the health benefits of a continuous uphill climb while avoiding the pounding of downhill hiking.”
Hiking the Blackcomb Ascent trails are free. However, there is a $15 fee for guests who choose to access the Blackcomb chairlifts on the way up or down. Season Pass or Day Ticket holders can access the chairlifts for free.
