Mountain Biking in Whistler BC Canada

Whistler Resort BC Canada is a mountain biker's paradise. From amazing backcountry and front country trail networks to the Whistler Valley trail and Whistler Blackcomb's Mountain Bike Park, Whistler has it all for every mountain biker!

A descent on Whistler Mountain.

The Whistler Valley, situated in the southern Coastal Mountain Range of British Columbia, forms the crest of the Sea to Sky corridor. While better known for its skiing, Whistler is home to incredible off-road cycling. There are several pretenders to the “Best Biking on the Planet” crown, but the number and variety of rides in this area leave most other contenders in the dust. Ski lift-serviced downhill runs, cross country trails, extreme free-rides and family tours all exist in spectacular west coast scenery.

Whistler Village is the pedestrian-oriented hub of the valley and is linked from Whistler Creek in the south to Emerald Estates in the north by over 30 km of paved multi-use Valley Trail. This scenic and relatively flat route forms the backbone of human-powered travel in the community, offers a great introduction to the area and is the jumping off point for a myriad of more ambitious rides. The Valley Trail also accesses several municipal parks such as Meadow, Rainbow, Beach, Lost Lake, Wayside, Lakeside and Alpha Lake Parks, which are a great opportunity for a quick swim, picnic or washroom break. You can enter the Valley Trail from anywhere in the resort easily by looking for the signs and the Valley Trail Info Kiosks. The original idea for the trail was spearheaded by Trev Roote, a long time Parks and Rec volunteer, and brought to life by the vision and hard work of Tom Barratt, who realized the value of this year round amenity.

Our mountain topography dictates that most involve fairly steep and rocky terrain. To this end helmets and gloves are mandatory for any off road ventures and more and more riders are sporting various degrees of body armour as well. Although clothing is a personal choice, certain items make a lot of sense in this environment. West Coast weather can change rapidly and abrupt changes in altitude and exposure can produce big surprises. A light jacket and tights are always a good call on longer rides.

One of the central tenets of mountain biking has always been independence. An hour’s ride in this part of the world can put you into some pretty serious wilderness. Always make sure that you can keep the bike rolling! It is possible to carry all the tools you need for trailside repairs without adding much weight or expense. Any of the local bike shops can help you put together a tool kit that will help eliminate any unforeseen walks. Historically, riding and trail building in this area developed organically in a largely unstructured environment. (Source: worca.com)

More about Mountain Biking in Whistler:

• http://www.whistlermountainbike.com/
• http://www.tourismwhistler.com
• http://www.worca.com/
• http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com