Whistler MTB Holiday

Mountain Biking in Whistler has become an absolute must-ride destination for any dedicated rider, the pure variety of trails on offer in this incredible resort from the Garbanzo Zone, located on the lower part of Whistler Mountain known for its extended and challenging trails offering a mix of technical tracks and jumps. "Original Sin," "Golden Triangle," "Duffman," and "Del Boca Vista." to name a few. To the Creekside Zone, the original base area of Whistler Blackcomb which features a variety of trails that cater to different skill levels such as "Lower A-Line," "Lower Angry Pirate," and "No Joke."

Travelling to Whistler for your MTB holiday is more of a pilgrimage that just has to be made once in your lifetime at least. The atmosphere in the village of Whistler is constantly buzzing, there are pro riders all around you, the trails are in incredible condition and you'll feel like you have arrived in a PlayStation game! 

Whistler has stamped its authority as the go-to mountain bike holiday destination since the late 90's. In 1998 the first downhill mtb trails were built and "Schleyer," was opened. This marked the beginning of lift-accessed mountain biking on Whistler Mountain. The success of this initial trial encouraged further development. In 2001, the Boneyard trail network was officially opened, expanding the bike park's trail offerings. This network included more challenging and technical trails, attracting a broader range of riders, looking for proper downhill trails and big ass jumps that Whistler is now so famous for. 

The bike park expanded to Whistler Mountain in 2003, offering riders a variety of trails on both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Additionally, the opening of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola in 2008 enhanced connectivity between the two mountains, providing riders with even more terrain to explore. Whistler continued to grow into one of the very best mountain bike holiday destinations in the world with amazing trails, a modern lift network and infrastructure it was the place to be and to be seen by all the pros and the public alike. 
 

Our Whistler MTB Holidays will offer bike park laps and venture beyond the bike park and into famous riding areas such as Squamish and Pemberton. A typical day at Whistler bike park whilst on an MTB Holiday could look like this.

• 9:00 am - Breakfast at one of the local cafes in Whistler Village, try Forecast / Moguls / Lift Coffee, our first suggestion would be Forecast Coffee as they have a bigger space for groups to eat.
• 10:00 am - Head to the Whistler Bike Park and pick up your lift pass at the ticket window. 
• 10:30 am - Begin your riding day with warm-up runs on some of the easier trails. Consider starting with a trail like "Easy Does It" to get accustomed to the bike and the park conditions. Gradually progress to more challenging trails as you feel comfortable.
• 12:00 pm Explore trails like "B-Line" or "Crank It Up" for a mix of flowy sections and small jumps. Use this time to work on your technique and build confidence.
• 2:00 pm Once you are ready hit the more advanced trails in the park "A-Line" or "Fade to Black" for larger jumps, technical features, and steeper descents. 
• 5:00 pm Head back to Whistler Village for some well-deserved post-ride beers and dinner. Many restaurants offer a variety of cuisine options to suit your preferences. Share stories of your day with fellow riders and soak in the mountain biking culture.
• 5:00 pm KEEP ON RIDING, Whistler Village Gondola stays open until 8pm in June July and August. 
   

Some incredible riders have come from Whistler and none more influential than the late Stevie Smith and current World Cup racer  Jackson Goldstone, Stevie's protégé. Stevie Smith, also known as "The Canadian Chainsaw," was a professional downhill mountain biker from Canada, born in 1989, in Cassidy, British Columbia. Known for his aggressive riding style, speed, and fearlessness on the downhill courses, he was loved by everyone. Stevie won the UCI Downhill World Cup overall title in 2013, becoming the first Canadian male to achieve this feat since 1998.

In 2018 Whistler built a new DH track called 1199 as a tribute to Stevie Smith. the track was designed and built to bring a World Cup-level track to Whistler in the Creekside Zone with a 500m vertical drop and some proper technical terrain. The name, 1199, comes from Smith’s winning points tally from his 2013 World Cup overall title. 

Jackson Goldstone exploded onto the MTB scene with his YT videos as a young kid, fast forward a decade and he is winning World Cups, signed to the Santa Cruz Syndicate WC team and living the dream. The future of our sport is bright with young talent like this on the scene. 

The opening and closing dates of Whistler Bike Park can vary from year to year based on weather conditions and other factors. Whistler's mountain bike season typically spans from late spring to early fall. Opening in late May or early June, depending on snowmelt and trail conditions. The closing date is typically in September or early October. However, the closing date can be influenced by weather conditions and the onset of winter.

It's common for Whistler Blackcomb to announce specific opening and closing dates as the biking season approaches. They take into account factors like snowpack, trail conditions, and weather forecasts to determine the most suitable timing for the park to operate. Checking the official website closer to the time you plan to visit will provide the most accurate information regarding the bike park's opening and closing dates for the current season. Our Whistler MTB Holidays will run from May - October. 
 

Whistler Bike Park, being one of the best mountain biking destinations in the world, hosts the most prestigious mountain bike events in the world and these bring huge crowds. The most famous is likely Crankworx Whistler. Crankworx is one of the most significant mountain biking festivals globally, and Whistler is its flagship location. The event typically takes place in August and includes a variety of competitions such as downhill, enduro, slopestyle, and more. It attracts top riders from around the world and features a lively atmosphere with music, parties, and bike-related festivities. Other Whistler Mountain Bike Events include

• Fox Air DH: This downhill race is part of the Crankworx Whistler festival and is known for its flat-out speed and big jumps. A true rider favourite as it is super fun and the crowd go wild! 
• Garbanzo DH: Another Crankworx event, the Garbanzo DH is an extended downhill race that starts at the top of Whistler Mountain and descends to the village. It's a gruelling race that tests riders' endurance and technical skills.
• Canadian Open DH: Forming part of Crankworx, the Canadian Open DH is a prestigious downhill race attracting elite riders. The course typically features a mix of technical descents and jumps, making it a thrilling event for both participants and spectators.
• Enduro World Series (EWS): Whistler has hosted rounds of the Enduro World Series, a global enduro mountain biking competition. The destination is becoming more known for its trail that extends beyond the bike park. 
• Whistler Mountain Bike Park Opening Weekend: At the beginning of the mountain biking season, Whistler Bike Park always kicks off with its opening. This weekend includes races, demos, and other festivities to kick off the riding season
   

The best way to travel to Whistler Bike Park from Vancouver City and the airport depends on your preferences, budget, and schedule. We 100% recommend staying in Vancouver for 1 or 2 nights if you are making the trip over from Europe or the UK. Vancouver is an awesome city, jump on a boat ride, visit Coast Gravity bike park or drink some beers on the lake shore! 

Car, If you're in Vancouver, you can drive to Whistler. Take Highway 99 (Sea-to-Sky Highway) north. The drive takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. From Vancouver Airport, rent a car at the airport and follow Highway 17 and then connect to Highway 99 north. The drive from the airport to Whistler takes about 2 hours and is stunning. 

Shuttle Services, various shuttle services operate between Vancouver and Whistler. They provide convenient transportation without the need to drive. Some companies include: Skylynx which offers a direct shuttle service from Vancouver Airport to Whistler. Pacific Coach Lines also operates scheduled services between Vancouver and Whistler. We however recommend Whistler Shuttle

Public Transportation, Bus - TransLink's bus service connects Vancouver to Whistler. The bus departs from the Vancouver International Airport and various locations in Vancouver. Check the BC Transit website for schedules. Train and Bus Combo: You can take a combination of SkyTrain and bus to get to Whistler. This involves taking the SkyTrain from YVR to downtown Vancouver and then connecting to a bus.

There are many ways to get to Whistler it all depends on your budget, if you book one of our Whistler mtb Holidays we will arrange the transfers for you and these will be included in the cost of your trip unless you decide to create a custom trip with us and then you can remove them if you so wish! 
 

Whistler has so much to offer beyond the bike park and the jumps, berms and chairlifts. Whistler is within a stone's throw of many other incredible mountain biking destinations that make the west coast of Canada so good for riding bikes. From Pemberton only 35 minutes north of Whistler and its stunning singletrack trails surrounded by deep valleys and farmland. To Squamish, which is just over an hour from Whistler and has some of the very best trails in whole the Sea to Sky Corridor. 

Squamish is home to some world-class mountain biking trails, trails like "Half Nelson" and "Full Nelson" are famous for their well-designed features and flow. Squamish is famous for it's rock slabs, huge steep rock slabs which everyone wants to ride! The breathtaking natural beauty of Squamish adds to the allure of mountain biking. Riders get to experience panoramic views of mountains, forests, and the scenic Sea-to-Sky corridor while navigating the trails. We explore further than just whistler on our incredible MTB holidays here and can not wait to show you this stunning destination. 
 

If you have any questions regarding a Mountain Bike Holiday in Whistler then please use the form below to get in touch and one of our friendly team will get back to you ASAP.