Public Access

Extracted from FOI no. FNR-2018-86147. A comprehensive series of agreements between Blackcomb Mountain and the province that culminates in the provision of two free public access corridors through the Blackcomb CRA.

Vision statement from BC Parks on Whistler Blackcomb access in providing comments on the Whistler Blackcomb Master Plan Update that occurred around 2015.

Email message from Terry Pratt, Senior Manager, Mountain Resorts Branch outlining the public right to travel through the Whistler and Blackcomb mountain's CRA (for free and in a non-mechanized manner) to access Garibaldi and Blackcomb Glacier Parks.

A land use report on Whistler Blackcomb that was prepared by Mountain Resorts Branch for the government. The report is preparatory to replacing the previous mountain master plans and master development agreements. In February 2017, the new Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain master development agreements were approved in the dying days of the provincial Liberal government led by Christie Clark.

In the summary of MDA commitments on page 5 of the report, public access corridors are defined with signage requirements.

Map provided by Whistler Blackcomb in spring 2020 showing the proposed temporary uphill route from the Blackcomb Mountain base area up the mountain road to Sunset Boulevard ski run thence to the base of 7th Heaven chairlift and then into the park

Map provided by Whistler Blackcomb in winter 2021 showing a proposed permanent uphill route from the Blackcomb Mountain base area up a new trail to be constructed to Phalanx Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Map provided by Whistler Blackcomb in winter 2021 showing a proposed permanent uphill route from the Blackcomb Mountain base area up a new trail from Fitzsimmons Creek to be constructed to the base of 7th Heaven ski lift and then to Disease Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Mountain Resorts Branch says "ground-truthing will also include a review of uphill options (to the base of 7^th Heaven lift) from proposed options A and B which are currently not shown on the map."

Letter from Bill Maurer of Backcountry BC to Mountain Resorts Branch reflecting on the egregious example of Whistler Blackcomb blocking access to the Spearhead Range in Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Response from Mountain Resorts Branch to Bill Maurer reiterating its commitment to working with Whistler Blackcomb to implement a long-term access solution that meets the requirements of the Blackcomb Master Development Agreement, the needs of the public, and is compatible with resort operations and public safety.

Summary statement from Mountain Resorts Branch about Public Access through the Blackcomb Controlled Recreation Area, Summary of Progress Towards both Interim and Long Term Options, (Sept 2019 to April 2021).

Whistler Blackcomb presentation on long range public access options.

Meeting summary on long range public access options through Blackcomb CRA.

Feedback request from Tori Meeks of Mountain Resorts Branch on long range planning options through Blackcomb CRA.

Comments from Bill Maurer on the June 28th meeting.

Comments from Paul Kubik on the June 28th meeting.

Letter from Backcountry BC to Katrine Conroy, minister responsible for Mountain Resorts Branch.

Response from Mountain Resorts Branch to letter to Katrine Conroy.

The responses to questions posed to BC Parks in November 2022 regarding the Blackcomb Public Access Plan 2022-2023.