One day to ski Blackcomb? Here’s what to do.

Here’s my favourite Blackcomb mountain skiing strategy/flow. It’s a guaranteed good time. Let me know in the comments what your favourite flow/strategy on Whistler or Blackcomb is?
Written Guide & Maps: riseandalpine.com/2023/01/30/...
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00:00 - Intro
00:16 - Blackcomb Gondola
02:14 - Crystal Ridge
03:40 - 7th Heaven
05:25 - Secret Bowl
06:30 - The Bite
06:55 - Hot Sauce #1 08:14 - Glacier Chair Laps
09:01 - Grey Zone
10:50 - Hot Sauce #2
11:35 - Spanky’s Ladder
14:06 - Ice Cave
14:50 - Crystal Hut Beers or Waffles
15:10 - Turns To The Bottom
15:45 - Thoughts

[@ryland3785]

I saw you on the mountain the other day! As somebody who has skied whistler my entire life your tips are bang on. Keep it up dude, you deserve way more followers.

[@TahoeTrailRunner23]

I couldn’t agree more, this guy deserves to be in the 100k+ category!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks Ryland & Kevin! I appreciate you both!

[@gabuchan123]

Yes! I can't wait for the Whistler version as I am always on blackcomb.

[@munjevit2971]

You're a legend. How do you not have 100k+ subscribers already?! C'mon KZbin overlords... Fix that damn algorithm, this guy deserves more.

[@riseandalpine]

Wow thank you. Appreciate all the wonderful subs I have.. This youtube thing is a marathon and I'm strapped in for the long haul :)

[@terrygreenberg9677]

Love your videos. Thanks for all the hard work creating them. Spending my first 3 days at WB at the end of this month and your tips have been awesome. Keep it up!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks Terry - Stoked to hear that you're reaping the fruits of my labour. have fun up there man!

[@polyglottenforpain]

I am so stoked to bring my best friend to Whistler for the first time this week, thanks for the well timed vid!

[@riseandalpine]

Glad it was helpful Jeremy - have fun!

[@HadoukenHero]

Aww man how did you know I needed this video! Sent and delivered once again! Shred that pow for us stuck at home

[@riseandalpine]

Glad the timing was good Trav. I'll get in some pow turns for ya!

[@itsdavidpurcell]

Laura! Skis go on the other shoulder on that hike! Also, James, we've got an extra seat on the heli next monday if youre available. 😏 We might even get a backcountry salad bar set up, who knows?

[@riseandalpine]

Forget the heli... tell me more about this backcountry salad bar! Also I told Laura the same thing hahaha. Nonetheless, I'm super stoked she's getting speedier and more comfy with steeper terrain

[@will3057]

Amazing video thanks for always showing Me amazing runs to do when I'm in whistler the first week of april

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks for always tuning in Will!

[@Imogenehuxham]

Thanks! I love your videos! Fantastic

[@riseandalpine]

Wow thank you so much!!! I appreciate all of the support my friend :).

[@bobbyh6987]

Dude, this is great content for newcomers to WB. It's been years since I was on the mountain and am brining my 16 yo with me this time. Great recommendations and keep up the great work. Also, I agree with the others and you deserve way more followers.

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks Bobby! Hopefully you and your kid have an awesome time.

[@johngleadowe8585]

Watched this after having spent the early pow days on Whistler, and recently being converted to a Blackcomb fanatic, especially now everything is open. This guide is 100% spot on to the pattern I've found myself dropping into, although I don't bother with the Crystal part and instead go wait for 7th to open (then again I'm not here for just the 1 day). Love your videos, hopefully bump into you in a lift line one day, keep it up!!!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks John - sounds like you've got a rock solid ski system going! Last weekend was perfect - Blackcomb Alpine opening on Saturday and Whistler on Sunday!

[@chrisbizcoach]

Only 10 days to go before i start spreading. Great vid James.

[@surfcruzer]

Great edits. Hilarious commentary .

[@riseandalpine]

Thx!

[@Migueiii65]

Thanks Bro for All The Info…👏💪 I Will Be There In Feb. Whistler/Blackcomb My Favorite Ski Resort In North America…I missed it during Covid, Canadian Covid Restrictions were Insane…Can’t Wait to Go Back

[@riseandalpine]

No worries bro. Excited for you to get back out here!

[@skefwholey799]

Nice to see Spanky’s on something other than an “epic pow day”

[@riseandalpine]

Keepin' it real!

[@choisam20]

This was amazing. You should do the “one day at Whistler” too. Yes, I heard you saying in the video. Your guide is perfect!!

[@riseandalpine]

I'll totally do a Whistler one if everyone liked this kind of video :). Hope your season is going well Sam!

[@choisam20]

@@riseandalpine thank you! Appreciate your response! you as well!!!

[@j1mmy69_]

Get home from a day of shreding and get blessed witha rise and alpine gem?!? What a day. Great video as always James, i hope i can make it to Blackcomb someday.

[@riseandalpine]

Where did you ski today Jimmy?

[@j1mmy69_]

Big Sky Montana, its a blast. Have you ever been?

[@justinbayola]

NIce!

[@Denizz._]

dang why didnt I see this video when it came out. AMAZING video

[@riseandalpine]

Thx Blxde!

[@ryanplas9164]

Epic vid!

[@riseandalpine]

thx Ryan!

[@CharlieFerreira7]

One thing i always remember is burning my legs out first thing in the morning trying to get over to 7th. That one cat track is brutal if you're on a board.

[@riseandalpine]

That cat track is so boring LOL. Much chiller for skiers to zip over to 7th

[@scottriddell5501]

You ski it a lot better than I do . Need to come back to see a bit more of this place. Loved blackcomb. Whistler a bit busy for me the day I was there. Great snow conditions for my visit though 🙂

[@riseandalpine]

When the snow is good the people always appear.. The best days are the ones with under 10cm of snow each day for a week. Lines stay small and the runs stay soft.

[@scottriddell5501]

@@riseandalpine yes had 6" the last day on seventh heaven skied out really quickly but it was good just to get the last bit of powder before I went home. See they are due some big storms so there will be lots of good powder days . Enjoy

[@vectron2481]

0:40 that one dude in the back falling over reminds us that we were all like that once

[@riseandalpine]

100% - We all gotta start somewhere. That was the first lift of the day so that means he was sending it out of the gate. Kudos to him!

[@jl9470]

This is legit - thanks man! Can you please make one of these for Whistler too? Me and the boys are going Monday-Thursday this upcoming week from Toronto and we want to make the most of it

[@riseandalpine]

Hey JL, Haven't got around to making the Whistler version yet. Hopefully you're having a good time up there. It's on the agenda to film it at some point in the next month!

[@SidewaysSurfDrinksHQ]

Mate, love this vid, super helpful as my wife & I are finally heading to WB in Feb 24 for our first trip. We’re snowboarders so Blackcomb will be the spot, just love bombing groomers early becoz there is simply nothing better than max speed on an edge😉. Keep up the good work and as they say in the classics, stay spicy 👏

[@riseandalpine]

Yooo - love that you're watching my ski vids in the summer! Always good to know thatsomeone out there is thinking about winter too :). You're gonna love the Blackcomb groomers. 7th Heaven and Ross Gold on a snowboard with fresh corduroy... Nothing beats it!

[@SidewaysSurfDrinksHQ]

@@riseandalpine Yep, I’m studying that trail map and committing to memory already. Loved your Blackcomb Steepest Runs vid, there’s definitely some serious terrain on that mountain isn’t there? We’re in winter back here in Oz and it’s an absolutely atrocious snow season (transition to El Niño has not down our ski fields any favours). But I’ll keep up the intelligence gathering via YT & forums. Thx again 👍

[@aleafgod-kd3vj]

This is crazy

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you liked it!

[@scottkelly5599]

Outstanding timing - heading to Whistler for the first time at the end of February - thankfully I have 8 days.

[@thomaspanos]

One small bit of advice, Scott. Make sure you are in decent mid-season ski form prior to arriving, if possible. Blackcomb/Whistler are massive mountains that can easily beat the snot out of your lungs and legs. But what a joy!!!! Enjoy your visit. Skied Blackcomb yesterday and it was spectacular. Runs are in fantastic shape.

[@scottkelly5599]

@@thomaspanos we're coming from overseas, and it's currently the middle of summer where we are. Thankfully we have 3.5 weeks at some other spots before arriving at Whistler BC.

[@riseandalpine]

Happy this was helpful. 8 days is a great amount of time to explore both sides!

[@riseandalpine]

And @Tommy Panos is totally right... If there aren't any lines Whistler is a full body workout!

[@afianlogin6721]

As someone who skis wb a lot I can tell you this guide is legit. It’s what a whistler local would do. You can see him trying to time the sun so that the groomers on 7th soften up a bit.

[@riseandalpine]

You betcha! The sun is especially important when the conditions are icy.

[@emphyriohazzl1510]

Just wanted to say, so far I wasn't impressed much by any NA resort footage I had seen (for US ones we usually have much better in Europe) but Blackcomb and Whistler (I also watched the one on Whistler's couloirs) definitely look super appealing! Wish I can go there some day! Thanks for showing around :)

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you enjoyed it! Whistler has some of the most diverse terrain. It's really a one stop shop for whatever style of runs you're looking for!

[@jean-francoiscloutier7361]

Gandy dancer !! You remember the name? I could not agree more. Your review of Blackcomb is bang on. You are amazing.....Whistler mountain ?

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you enjoyed. I'll make a Whistler one once I get another clear day!

[@odinzatzick9001]

Hit CBC today! was crazy

[@riseandalpine]

Unreal! It's wild times in there eh?

[@stephenfletcher9509]

the single tear after the hotsauce XD

[@riseandalpine]

it just tastes so damn wonderful 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[@gabuchan123]

Happy NEW Year!

[@riseandalpine]

Happy new year bro!

[@gabuchan123]

@@riseandalpine Also to add to your video, which was evident is to "Ski on new years day as the mountain is usually empty!" Another CLASSIC video from you. Thank you. Please remember I am in for the first 5 bottles of hot sauce please. I want to pre-order whenever possible.

[@KavensWorld]

Amazing video dude, You tree skiing skills are sick. Is there any pillow drops on blackcomb?

[@riseandalpine]

Lot's of pillow drops in the CBC traverse area and mid-mountain whistler!

[@fraserparsons2980]

awsome video, i think you should make ur selfie stick camera look more like your helmet cam in terms of contrast settings

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks for the advice! I should totally play with the color grading since they are two separate types of cameras.

[@gasstation4931]

For me nothing compares to blackcomb. All the sketchy terrain is mostly lift accessible and the danger aspect of it gives me way more than enough excitement. In my opinion , grey zone isn’t worth it until u rly experience enough of spankys and need some variety. It’s also good access to CBC if u know what ur doing.

[@riseandalpine]

I'm on the same page! I can ski Spanky's all day long :)

[@graemec7738]

5:45 hey that’s me!

[@riseandalpine]

Looking absolutely dashing dude!

[@fartburp5531]

Try mounting your GoPro lower. Its so high on the top of your helmet that you have an extreme angle to get your skies in the shot and the result is seeing mostly the ground. Great vid though Whistler Blackcomb is legendary.

[@riseandalpine]

Thx Fart Burp! Believe it or not that's actually a chest mount. Go Pro's and the angles are always tough to dial in... I almost need a second 360 camera for my chest!

[@petermccarthy7974]

Great video what would you recommend for an intermediate skier ?

[@riseandalpine]

Check out these videos for my faves: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnSck3x-iN15odk kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGHbfXaaosqJopY Also if you visit the Whistler Blackcomb guides section on the Rise & Alpine blog I've written lots of awesome resources :)

[@bigchunguslivesforever]

Love the video! How do you access grey zone?

[@zachwolf5715]

Yeah I was also wondering where that was

[@riseandalpine]

Here ya go boys! riseandalpine.com/2022/01/29/whistlers-8-best-hike-accessed-powder-stashes/

[@bigchunguslivesforever]

@@riseandalpine Thanks for putting all this work in! I'm a local but I find myself quite intimidated riding this mountain on where to go. So I appreciate all the tips.

[@lolerishype]

It's all fun and games until there's a 1 hour line up 💀

[@riseandalpine]

a tough but true reality

[@ChadLSargent]

Ok, now show the people how to manage the pow day, with lift line photos and times, and amounts of runs done!🤣

[@riseandalpine]

hahahaha there is no such thing as managing a Whistler pow day properly. We'd have to title the video "Patience..."

[@TahoeTrailRunner23]

As someone who wants to follow your footsteps and create incredible skiing videos that show off the local resort, what advice do you have to offer? I feel a strong sense of camera-shyness as I work towards it, and find myself capturing decent landscapes but I don’t have the media to fill in the gaps. Did you find yourself awkward in front of the camera for the first little bit of filming, or was there something you changed up to make it feel more comfortable? Thanks in advanced, I only wish to produce the quality videos you offer

[@gabuchan123]

He uses hot sauce to get charged up

[@riseandalpine]

Hey Kevin! My biggest piece of advice is to just go for i and just press record!! I was super awkward at first, you can even check out some of my oldest videos and see how weirdly edited and odd I was on camera. Just be yourself, say what's on your mind and have fun with it. There's an audience out there for everyone and there is no perfect recipe. Let me know if you have any Q's and send me your channel when you make it so I can follow along :).

[@shanestarr5024]

OMG that hill is beat to hell.

[@riseandalpine]

LOL How so?

[@superskier1812]

at 0:41 there is a ski crash right next to you

[@riseandalpine]

How did I not notice that hahahah - absolutely hilarious. Talk about a bad start to their day LOL.

[@superskier1812]

@@riseandalpine LOL!!!

[@superskier1812]

@@riseandalpine Where are your favorite cliffs to ski off of? Coming to Whis in Feb. and are hoping to get some air time!! Btw I love your ski vids. You and BCmtb should have a day together!! He loves the glades and cliffs!!

[@jwwhitej1]

What is that song when he drinks the hot sauce???

[@philiphermans9949]

C’mon! What’s the hot sauce song?

[@riseandalpine]

I use all non-copyright music from a company called epidemic sound. Here's the version on youtube kzbin.info?search_query=lords+of+the+land

[@philiphermans9949]

Thanks! Love your vids 😂

[@DirtBikeDuo]

are u skiing the epic powder day

[@dash5879]

One more week till I’m there, ur making it hard for me 🤣

[@riseandalpine]

Sorry 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@d.s.3290]

How do I get that Liquid Courage Hot Sauce?

[@riseandalpine]

I'm still trying to find a manufacturer... i keep getting ghosted by people!

[@lol-em6bj]

Anyone know what happened to “In The Spirit”? It’s not there anymore

[@riseandalpine]

It's still there but isn't often open or marked. It needs some serious snow base to cover the creek and natural hazards so the patrol doesn't usually open it.

[@AlwaysYellFore]

Dude what kind of goggles do you have?

[@riseandalpine]

I have a few pairs - Smith, Glade & Powster. Here's a video where I talk about them kzbin.info/www/bejne/moLIdn16hcarhNE If you want a discount for Glade I Have a code in the description!

[@corail53]

If only vale didn't shorten the day and jack up the prices.

[@dawnawerbeski825]

Those are not railroad tracks - that is corduroy!!

[@riseandalpine]

I thought they were the same thing?

[@dawnawerbeski825]

@@riseandalpine Lol, just giv'n ya a hard time - but really - that's what we call it. When did you last see that many railroad tracks lined up? Corduroy is just a bit more accurate visual. Get some cords, run your nails over them, and see if you are reminded of your skis running over those groomed runs. 😀 W/B rules!! Was just there today. ENJOY!

[@roger_rogers]

fatter longer skis

[@riseandalpine]

tell me about it hahaha

[@cherlgolja5402]

No helmet no brains , white walkers always win🥶

[@riseandalpine]

I always wear a brain bucket! My camera is on a head mount so I take my whole helmet off to film myself when I'm stopped and talking. Easier than removing it all the time in the cold.

[@HS-ob3fz]

bruh

[@riseandalpine]

bruhhhhhh

[@etienneroza7049]

Shooting yourself in the foot with these videos. Keep showing the secret areas to tourist and it will be tracked out before you know it. You think the Spanky’s line has anything to do with your videos? I think it does

[@riseandalpine]

Hey Etienne, Haven't heard form you since last year. Great to see you're still following along :)

[@etienneroza7049]

Just wait a few more years....oh ya you won’t be skiing Whistler 5years from now...your gonna move to resort in interior and do videos there...

[@randyandrews7341]

DUDE STOP IT

[@riseandalpine]

Let me guess.... My videos have completely ruined your life and destroyed Whistler Blackcomb?

[@muddyhumber]

James, look up Ross Rebagliati (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Rebagliati) and you'll see how clever the name of that run is ;-) Plus, you should know who he is!

[@riseandalpine]

Ross is such a legend!!