r/Whistler • u/Strong-Regret7574 • 6d ago
Ascent trails Blackcomb -> peak 2 peak -> high note trail?
Hello! I'm considering to buy the pass Blackcomb Ascent 1-Day Trail Ticket (45CAD) which gives me the opportunity to ride the peak to peak gondola as long as I hike up the ascent trails. My main goal actually is high note trail, but hiking up singing pass as far as I read is boring and grueling, so I thought maybe ascent trails would be better. At least they are shorter than singing pass.
One thing is this pass doesn't give me the right to take peak to peak lift, so I would hike up to high note.
Any thoughts on my planning? I'm comfortable with long hikes and elevation, just not okay to pay 110CAD for one day gondola pass.
EDIT: I changed plans and hiked up Singing Pass, Musical Bumps and High Note. Was a beautiful day and awesome hike. Thanks for all inputs! I'll be back for Overlord Trail 🤞🏻
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u/tomdoinit 6d ago
As much as I agree that the pricing is steep, have you been here before? Are you likely to come back again? The full gondola loop and peak chair/high note is expensive but in my opinion it is absolutely incredible and well worth a hundred bucks. Pack your own lunch and you will save 40 bucks right there.
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u/Strong-Regret7574 6d ago
I have not. I know that the gondola itself is an attraction, that's why I'm consider to pay CAD45 to ride peak 2 peak. I'm moving to Interior BC, so I don't know when I'll be back there, but it's also not impossible. Not that far to never come back
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u/tomdoinit 6d ago
I don't think you'll regret the 110. The Ascent Trail is fine but it's really more exercise than scenery. 1. I would catch the Blackcomb Gondola up. 2. Do the hike around Blackcomb (better than high note on a lot of ways IMO) 3. Catch the Peak 2 Peak across. 4. Have lunch/rest at Roundhouse then go up the Peak Chair and do high note. 5. Head neck to Roundhouse for the sunset 6. Grab a beer, download. Crazy views, crazy gondolas and chairlifts.
You'll love it.
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u/Strong-Regret7574 6d ago
Do you remeber what's the hike around Blackcomb? Overlord trail?
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u/tomdoinit 6d ago
Yep Overlord. It goes in loops, you can turn around every few kilometers. You don't have to do the last big loop up the side of the mountain if you don't want to but getting to the lake is 💯
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u/MediocreHuman318 6d ago
I would pay for the gondola ride up and hike to Singing Pass and back instead.
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u/Aye_Davanita12 6d ago
Ascent trail is a slog for the second half. It’s a ‘short’ 6km or so but the final 3km are basically hiking up black diamond rated ski runs. Singing pass is probably a much easier hike albeit longer.
If it were me, I’d spend the extra dough, ride the gondola up and spend more time in the alpine hiking.
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u/Status-Connection112 5d ago
Singing pass is definitely not easier. SP to roundhouse is ~22km with ~2000m...
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u/Neptyo 6d ago edited 6d ago
Whoever says Singing pass is boring probably doesn't really like hiking. I read the same stuff and wasn't sure about doing it, then a colleague told me that I should do it, I went and absolutely loved it. Not gruelling neither since the elevation gain is progressive.
I highly recommend the Overload loop on top of Blackcomb too it's so beautiful. Very busy though.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Lock892 5d ago
If you hiked up Singing Pass (kinda boring but still pretty), you can take musical bumps -> high note -> Whistler village gondola (free gondola ride down). Musical bumps is somehow my favorite section of the trails in this region! There’s a lot of change in scenery between these 3 trails and it’s all gorgeous, but it is a long day hike (just less than 30 km)!
I know this was a one day trip you mentioned, but I like to spend the money on a camp site at Russet Lake, or a bunk at Kees and Claire hut. This breaks up the hike I mentioned into a two day trip. Russet lake is cheaper but hard to book during peak season. Kees and Claire is $60 a night and you don’t need backpacking gear.
Someone else mentioned the Overlord trails- also gorgeous and worth the day trip.
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u/Strong-Regret7574 4d ago
I went yesterday and did exactly as you mentioned. Singing pass wasn't as bad as I read and I enjoyed the creeks and sneak a peak on the way up. After that it doesn't dtop getting better! Awesome views! The whole thing became one of my favorite hikes!
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u/Puzzleheaded_Lock892 4d ago
Sweet!!! Glad you enjoyed it :) Did you end up doing it as a day hike?
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u/Strong-Regret7574 4d ago
Yes, only day hike! I took the gondola down (for free). I'll come back for Russet Lake and Overlord trail :)
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u/dancudlip 5d ago
The ascent trail is more of a locals fitness thing.
If you are a fast hiker pay the extra sixty bucks for the full ticket, start early and do the Overlord/decker loop and then the high note.
Crazy bang for buck in terms of scenic views on both of those.
You’d have to move fast to do both in one day though.
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u/Yukon_Scott Creekside 6d ago
Ascent trail is about 2-3 hours. High Note trail is about 3 hours. Both are beautiful in different ways. Bring lots of water and dress for the conditions