Rock FaceOpen in App
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1.7 miles
Distance
-1,742 ft
Descent
00:33:38
Avg time
-1,742 ft
Altitude change
2,452 ft
Altitude min
4,194 ft
Altitude max
4,194 ft
Altitude start
2,451 ft
Altitude end
-19%
Grade
-57.8%
Grade max
1.7%
Grade min
59 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
00:33:38
Avg time
Dark Crystal Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
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Riding AreaBlackcomb CRA
Whistler, British Columbia -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlack Diamond (12 votes)
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Local Popularity
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Global Ranking
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Provincial Ranking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeDH, AM
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DirectionDownhill OnlyPopular Direction Shown
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Climb DifficultyBlack Diamond
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Physical RatingHard
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SeasonJuly - November
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eBike AllowedYes up to Class 1
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TTFs on TrailRock Face
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Year Opened2015
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Land OwnerWhistler Blackcomb
This trail is NOT SUITABLE for wet weather riding. Please choose other trails during periods of rain or extended wet weather.
Now officially a part of the Blackcomb trail network, Dark Crystal descends from the bottom of the Crystal Ridge Express chairlift to the Blackcomb Access Road next to Micro Climate. Built by Scott Veach and Ben Haggar, Dark Crystal was designed to use as much natural terrain as possible with low angles to keep riders from having to use their brakes, and as a result, ensure the trail has longevity. It integrates as many rock slabs and faces as possible throughout and overall the descend is a lot of bang for your buck.
Disclaimer
Please follow these trail guidelines: - Respect spring and fall seasonal closures, due to trail conditions and black bear hibernation. - No Dogs. - No access above Microclimate before 9:30am daily.
Trail Supporters
dirt shifter
since 2015Maintainer
benhaggar
since 2015Maintainer
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 290 rides
- 11 miles avg distance
All
- 1,814 rides
- Last: Oct 23, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Dark Crystal Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
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- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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- Description & Photos
- Videos
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Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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BC Backroad Status
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Directions to dark-crystal-49978 trailhead
(50.119120, -122.906950)
Photos
189 more »
Videos
36 more »
Articles
Video: A Rip Down Blackcomb's Dark Crystal in 'Crystallize'
Jan 1, 2020 from pinkbike.com
Lucy Mackie takes a ride down Dark Crystal.
Trail Lists
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Liam's whistler 2023 hitlist
1 trails
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Sea To Sky Favorites11 trails
Routes with this trail
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★ 5.0 • 37 miles • 8,991 ft • 24 •
Whistler's three classic runs in one ride. If you complete this you are a beast.
10 miles • 3,164 ft • 10 •
Whistler Relive Your Rides Blackcomb Classic Dark Crystal and Hey Bud For other ride suggestions for this...
★ 2.8 • 10 miles • 2,717 ft • 22 • Loop •
Up to Dark Crystal with a couple of little detours, down, climb up to Comfortably Numb and descend the...
42 Reviews & Comments
Y0c3WLJt
This is one of the more sandbagged black tech I’ve ridden. We walked 5 parts and felt a little over our heads but it was honestly a f*ckin blast.
This trail is a must see. Rock slabs were dynamite, all of the rooty tech was pure fun.
Nothing mandatory, all walkable, but pre ride it. Unless you’re one of those G’d out Whistler park rats that rip this stuff like it’s a line.
This trail is a must see. Rock slabs were dynamite, all of the rooty tech was pure fun.
Nothing mandatory, all walkable, but pre ride it. Unless you’re one of those G’d out Whistler park rats that rip this stuff like it’s a line.
middleagedmediocremtber
This trail is 10/10. First third has some awesome slabs. Middle third gets a little techy. Final third has some gnarly chutes but all so fun. Solid black with a few double black spots and options. Riding pretty good right now. Note: climb up is a challenge!
MikelHPvSE
Way above my skill level, was absolutely brutal. A lot of very steep mandatory descents, and it's quite dusty too. If you're not a very confident slab and tech rider skip this one. I only rode it because microclimate was closed
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Nearby Trails
- Blackcomb Access Road 4,137 ft
- Micro Climate 4,137 ft
- Bud Light 4,324 ft
- Crazy Train 4,593 ft
- Hey Bud (upper) 4,593 ft
- By robfxp
& contributors - #49978 - 60,013 views
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