Blowdown Peak and Melissa's Run

Date: January 12, 2025

Distance:  15.59km (ascent via logging roads, and decent via Melissa's Run; add a couple extra km if snowshoeing down the ascent route)

Elevation gain: 1093m

Blowdown Peak is located to the east of Duffey Lake. Like other mountains in the area, it offers great views from a relatively straightforward ascent. Most visitors ascend the peak on skis in the winter, mostly following logging roads, then descend Melissa's Run, a slide path offering over 600 vertical metres. It would also be a worthwhile snowshoeing destination, with the summit area being less steep than other peaks in the region such as Vantage and Chief Pascall. 

Melissa’s Run is an avalanche path and should only be skied in safe conditions. To quote the sign at the trailhead, “Avalanche control using explosives may begin without warning,” in order to protect the highway.  

I joined a VOC ski touring trip that aimed to summit Blowdown Peak and ski Melissa’s Run. After an early wake up, we met up in West Van and headed north. Unusually for a VOC trip, almost everyone was from Europe - I learned a lot about what skiing is like in France, Germany, and Austria. 

We parked at the trailhead on the south shore of Duffey Lake and immediately headed uphill on the Steep Creek FSR, switchbacking through the forest. From the start, there were good views through the trees. 

At about 1550m the logging road ended, and we headed east along a faintly flagged trail. This would probably be a bit of a bushwhack in the summer. We followed tracks up a boulder field, then switchbacked up the bowl until we reached the col between Blowdown Peak and an unnamed bump. 

From the col, the summit was 1km away. The ridge was wide and not too steep, and didn't feel exposed. Nothing obstructed the views on either side. 

The summit is a wide plateau with a weather station and green repeater tower. I couldn't resist bagging the true summit, a small boulder easily negotiated in ski boots. We took a long lunch break at the weather station and admired the views. One skier brought crème brûlée! 

Time to ski Melissa’s Run. We retraced our steps about 350 metres down the ridge before dropping in around 2200m. The snow near the top was a bit thin and wind-affected, but once we reached about 2150m, we were treated to deep, untouched powder. It was a thrilling ride, carving turns all the way down the long, steady fall line. Eventually, the open slide path funneled into the trees, and around 1700m we traversed westward to rejoin the trail. With a deeper snowpack, it’s possible to continue skiing all the way down to 1550m.

Soon we were back on the logging road, and in no time we’d returned to the car. The Whistler traffic was absolutely awful, even for a bluebird weekend day, and we were stuck on the highway for several hours. According to Google we actually saved 36min by driving through Whistler suburbia instead of staying on the highway. Somewhere between Squamish and Whistler, we stopped to help some VOC cross country skiers with a flat tire. Eventually we made it to Squamish and enjoyed a celebratory dinner. 

Overall, I would highly recommend Blowdown Peak as a ski or snowshoe trip, if the conditions are right. Thanks to Leon for organizing the trip.