Description

Ladies First is one of a few lines accessible from a short bootpack up onto the cliffs at the top of the Blackcomb Glacier.

Once you've hiked up from Showcase T-Bar to the top of the glacier, follow the wind lip all the way to the cliffs on the other side, uphill of the backcountry gate.

This line requires a harder bootpack than the one you will have just done but the lines up here are totally worth it.

Especially if you're looking for something steep, some fresh snow in the days following a powder day, or just feel like working on your glutes.

Once you've made the bootpack up, traverse around some rocks and continue along the rock ridge.

You'll pass a notch, over the top, and the starts of both Ladies First and Crack House are near the Permanent Closure fence.

Depending on the snow you may have to carry your skis or board down, and right.

This will take you over some rocks.

Before you drop in, take a breath and admire the awesome views from up there! Ladies First is the furthest right you can ski, hugging under the cliff to a steep but open meadow of awesomeness.

Beware of traverse lines made from people accessing the backcountry gate.

The line drops you back into Blackcomb Glacier, and from here it's worth following Husume Flank down. Ladies First is named after Whistler patroller Cathy Jewett who first skied the line in 1984.

You finish on Blackcomb Glacier so take crevasse rescue kit in your group.

A minimum would be 30m ropes x 2, a long sling, 3 screwgate karabiners, prussiks and an ice screw.