Derek’s Take on Whistler Mountain: The Peak Chair
"The Peak Chair on Whistler Mountain accesses some of the steepest inbounds terrain in North America. Look below your dangling ski boots as you ride the chair, that's Whistler Bowl. This steep, often bumpy face is the gateway to countless off piste lines and tree runs. Stay right at the bottom to head to Shale Slope. This is the glory line on a powder morning as the entire run is visible by the snow hungry mob waiting at the bottom. Or for a more soulful experience veer left at the bottom of Whistler Bowl and head into the steep, open glades of Doom and Gloom. This area is perfect for expert skiers looking to pound long vertical with sustained steep sections and pillows galore.
"Next run, go straight from the top of the peak chair and follow Frontier Pass to the Wide open spaces of West Bowl. The entire bowl is rated double black and there are multiple options for entry. Stefan's Chute at the skiers left, all the way up to Mondays on the skiers right. Be very careful where you drop in, some of the entries involve mandatory air, and you never know whose tracks you're following!"
Derek’s Take on Blackcomb Mountain: Spanky's Ladder
"Spanky's is the heart and soul of Blackcomb's steep skiing scene. One little two minute hike accesses more terrain than most other resorts can dream of. The area is split into Ruby Bowl at the far left, Diamond Bowl straight down from the top of the bootpack, and Saphire Bowl to the skiers right."Ruby is the easiest, with a low shoulder "Roll In" entry. Diamond is the most difficult to navigate through. It feels more like European skiing than anywhere else in North America. More of a maze than a bowl. Saphire Bowl offers up the most challenging lines with a mandatory straightline to enter. This is not easy to find, and very easy to get cliffed out while searching. Go with a guide!"
For more information about Whistler Blackcomb and Extremely Canadian
For more information about skiing, snowboarding and visiting this resort in British Columbia, Canada, visit Whistler Blackcomb.Foss is one of the professional guides of Extremely Canadian, a company that offers two-day Steep Skiing Clinics on Whistler and Blackcomb every day of the week, except Wednesday. The guides will show you the best of the steeps on both mountains, and give you the technical expertise, and steeps tactics to breeze through even the gnarliest terrain. For more information Extremely Canadian or call 800-965-9656.
Experts and Patrollers Disclose Great Stashes for Inbounds Extreme Skiing & Snowboarding at Their Resorts
Click on Top Resorts With Inbounds Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Terrain to find more places for expert skiers to enjoy backcountry-style terrain inbounds at ski resorts. If you’re not sure what backcountry skiing is outside ski resort ropes, visit What is Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding. If you’re going to ski, snowboard, snowmobile or do any other sports in the backcountry when snow covers the mountains, read Surviving an Avalanche, which lists online and other sources where you can learn from experts about the skills needed to help keep yourself out of avalanche-prone areas and tips that may help you if caught in an avalanche.
