Peak Express Chairlift Area
Image Source: Whistler Blackcomb Trail Map
The Peak Express Chairlift area is located above the Roundhouse Lodge and the Big Red Express Chairlift areas of Whistler. The Peak Express Chairlift takes you up to 7,160 feet or 2,182 meters at the top of Whistler Mountain and is considered one of the top chairlift experiences in the world. On a clear day, there are wonderful views of the rest of Whistler Blackcomb, Black Tusk and the Coastal Mountain Range from the area at the top of the lift.
From the top of the Peak Express Chairlift, you can:
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Take Matthew’s Traverse over to The Saddle (Black)
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Take Matthew’s Traverse over to and then down Burnt Stew Trail (Green) into Symphony Bowl
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Access Whistler Bowl (Black)
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Access West Bowl (Black) via Upper Peak to Creek (Blue)
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Access Bagel Bowl (Black) via Upper Peak to Creek (Blue)
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Access Upper Peak to Creek (Blue), which runs down to either the Creekside base or back to the Big Red Express Chairlift via Highway 86 (Blue)
When standing in line for the Peak Express Chairlift, look up and to the right to see freeride ‘rippers’ showing their stuff and doing jumps off the Air Jordan and Waterfall cliff faces.
This area is known for its open alpine areas and Black and Double-Black runs including:
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Whistler Bowl runs down to Grande Finale
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West Bowl (expert zone) and its associated Black runs
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Bagel Bowl (easier and great with fresh snow)
NOTE: The Peak Express Chairlift area is wonderful with good snow and visibility. With poor snow and visibility, it can be very difficult and even dangerous, given the difficulty of the runs and bowls in this area.
Gondolas/Lifts
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Peak Express Chairlift - This is the four-person, high-speed chairlift that provides access to Whistler Peak. This chair can be closed by Whistler Blackcomb when there are adverse weather conditions such as high winds.
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T-Bar - This is the T-bar lift that runs from near the base of the Peak Express Chairlift up to the top of the ridge between Glacier Bowl and Harmony Bowl. It provides access down into Harmony as well as to the runs on either side of the T-bar back down into Glacier Bowl.
Lodges/Huts
There are no lodges or huts open to the public at the top of Whistler Peak.
Main Routes
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Matthew’s Traverse: Matthew’s Traverse is the only Green run at the top of the Peak Express Chairlift. It runs down from the top of the chairlift to the top of The Saddle (Black) on the left, or you can turn right and go down Burnt Stew Trail (Green) into Symphony Bowl.
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Upper Peak to Creek – Lower Peak to Creek: This the main Blue route from the top of the Peak Express Chairlift. Take Upper Peak to Creek down to Lower Peak to Creek, then head down to the Creekside base.
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Upper Peak to Creek – Highway 86: This is the other main Blue route from the top of the Peak Express Chairlift. Take Upper Peak to Creek down to where Lower Peak to Creek forks to the left. Then take Highway 86 to the right to head back over to the Big Red Express Chairlift base.
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Whistler Bowl – Grande Finale: This is the main Black route down from the Peak. Enter Whistler Bowl and follow it down to Grande Finale (in the middle right bottom of the bowl). Grande Finale leads down to Highway 86, which then runs back to the Big Red Express Chairlift base.
For more specific details about this area (and other areas) on Whistler Blackcomb check out my Whistler Blackcomb Guidebook ...
Looking up from the Whistler Peak Express Chairlift base towards Whistler Peak. Shale Slope is visible on the right. Image Source: Nick Jones
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