The latest Blackcomb Master Development Agreement was adopted in 2017 and specifies a dedicated corridor for accessing the Spearhead range from the bottom of the mountain

At the present time (Nov 2019) Vail Resorts has not designated a corridor as required by the agreement and Mountain Resorts Branch is not enforcing the public interest specified in the agreement.   

A number of meetings and communications were held between January and July of 2019 to discuss the implementation of such a corridor. It was determined that the safest corridor would go up the Gondola Road and Sunset Blvd runs from the base 2 parking lot to the bottom of 7th Heaven. The groups represented at the meetings were Mountain Resorts Branch of FLNRO, BC Parks, Vail Resorts, and a number of stakeholders. It became apparent fairly quickly that no substantive changes were being made to establish such a corridor in time for the 2019/2020 ski season.

Until Mountain Resorts Branch and/or Vail Resorts designates a corridor as the MDA requires we are recommending uphill travel via Gondola Road and Sunset Blvd. These runs are the least impacted by avalanche clearing operations, are low angle green runs, and have very good site lines for both uphill and downhill traffic. You generally access the Spearhead by travelling SE from the bottom of the 7th Heaven lift and up the valley between Blackcomb and Decker. We have provided a map and downloadable track of the corridor below.

This can be used for day access to Blackcomb, Spearhead, Decker, Phalanx, Trorey, Pattison, Tremor, and Shudder mountains. This is one of the most spectacular backcountry ski areas in Garibaldi Park. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach the base of 7th via this approach. I have included supporting letters and documentation of the negotiations that have occurred to this point. See photo albums of the various objectives that are possible in this area. They were all done as day trips.

Issue Lead Advocate - Bill Maurer

2019-01-22 Blackcomb Ski Patrol claiming no uphill travel allowed through CRA

2019-01-25 Letter to Mountain Resorts Branch and BC Parks requesting corridor

2019-03-27 Meeting invitation from Mountain Resorts Branch

2019-04-24 Meeting Minutes

2019-05-04 Trip to Trorey

2019-06-14 Meeting Request

2019-06-18 Letter to Working Group expressing frustration at lack of progress

2019-07-04 Notice of cancellation of working group by Mountain Resorts Branch

2019-11-18 Letter to MRB requesting status of corridor discussions with Vail

2019-11-28 Pique - Uphill Battle

2019-12-05 Pique - Action will speak lourder than words