Epic BC Mountain Biking Trails
The town of Rossland proclaims itself as the "mountain bike capital of Canada" and it has the accolades to prove it. Its legendary Seven Summits trail was named "Trail of the Year" by BIKE Magazine in 2007, and has also been awarded the coveted "Epic Ride" status by the International Mountain Bike Association.
The Mount 7 trail network in Golden features incredible freeride and downhill routes. It's also home to one of the world's longest, steepest, and fastest downhill races: the Mount 7 Psychosis (July 5–6, 2008). For some easy to intermediate cross-country and singletrack, the Moonraker trails are a must.
Mountain Bike Tours
Mountain bike guiding and tour companies can show you great terrain while helping you to improve your mountain biking skills. Whether you set aside one day or one week, a guide's local knowledge will maximize your time riding the trails and take you places you might not normally see.
These two easy-going trails are also good for beginners or touring cyclists:
Great Northern Rail Trail: An easy, scenic ride through the Salmo River Valley.
Slocan Valley Rail Trail: A easy riverside ride known for frequent wildlife sightings.
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Trail Highlights
Fernie is one of Canada's premier mountain-biking destination resorts.
Its bike park offers over 100 km (62 mi) of varied terrain for riders of all abilities. The 37 runs, accessed via two chairlifts, range from smooth and easy dirt tracks to rollicking downhill single-track and slalom courses to wicked steeps and stunts – targeted to beginner, intermediate and advanced riders respectively. New trails for beginner and intermediate riders have been added for 2008.
Quality instruction is also available, including specialty women-only clinics, camps for kids ages 7–14, or private lessons. Fernie is also home to the extreme riding Full Throttle Festival, held yearly at the end of August.
The bike park at Fernie Alpine Resort is open daily from June 28 to September 1. Rentals (bikes, helmets and armour) are available at the mountain, and repair shops are located in town. Helmets are required.
Fernie Alpine Resort is a 1-hour drive from Cranbrook Airport in Cranbrook, BC, or a 3.5-hour hour drive from Calgary, Alberta. A variety of shuttle services connects the resort to the city of Fernie.
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Golden
Surrounded by mountains and six national parks, Golden is an outdoor adventure playground if ever there was one.
It has three main trail systems: Dawn Mountain Nordic Ski Trails, which has lots of beginner loops and magnificent views; Moonraker, where the trails range from easy to moderate; and Mount 7, a moderate-to-difficult system with some very steep trails. Enjoy jaw-dropping mountain and canyon views just about everywhere you ride — and watch out for goats!
The area's top event is Psychosis (July), "the world's most demented mountain bike race." Fast and furious, it's 1,220 m (4,000 ft) straight down to the finish line.
Golden is a 3-hour drive west of Calgary Airport and a 1-hour drive west of Lake Louise on the Trans Canada Highway. Biking season generally starts in May and continues until sometime in October.
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Kicking Horse Bike Park
The Kicking Horse bike park has 27 exceptional mountain-biking trails that attract beginner to pro riders.
The park boasts 1,128 m (3,700 ft) of heart-pounding vertical, one of the longest lift-accessed descents in North America. The gondola whisks riders to the top – check out the breathtaking panoramic scenery en route.
The eight black-diamond trails are challengingly steep and designed for freewheeling speed. Novice riders can build confidence along manicured trails protected by large berms. The dirt jump park has progressive tabletops and step-ups. All trails are packed dirt and gravel with some featuring North Shore style wood stunts.
Kicking Horse Bike Park is open from mid-June to mid-October (weather dependent). Rentals and repairs are available at the mountain. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is located 15 minutes north of Golden, BC, 3 hours west of Calgary and 1 hour west of Lake Louise.
> Kicking Horse Bike Park
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Nelson
Nelson is one of BC's premiere mountain biking destinations and is often used as a location for mountain biking movies.
It has five main trail systems: Mountain Station, an extreme system very close to town; North Shore, a system known for epic downhills; Svoboda Road Trails, in West Arm Provincial Park, where you'll find grinding uphills and awesome single-track; Blewett/Giveout Creek, characterized by steeps, roots, stunts and some seriously rocky sections; and Baldface Drainage, with its new trails and long descents. Pick up a trail map at any local bike shop.
Nelson is 7–8 hours east of Vancouver and southwest of Calgary. It's also just 3 hours from Spokane, Washington. Biking season runs from late April to early October.
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Panorama Bike Park
Panorama Mountain Village has built a well-rounded bike park. Its 15 authentic mountain trails, which cover dozens of kilometres of varied terrain, have something to offer riders of all abilities, from smooth, easy berms sure to give beginners some thrills to stunt-filled steeps and high-speed single-track to challenge even the pros.
Those interested in improving their skills can choose from an excellent range of instruction. Remember to check out the drop park, trials park and dirt jump park.
Panorama Bike Park is open daily from June 27 to August 31, 2008. Helmets are mandatory while in the park; body armour is recommended. Rentals are available at the base of the mountain. Panorama is just a 15-minute drive from BC town of Invermere or a 3.5 hour drive from Calgary, Alberta, home to the resort's closest international airport.
> Panorama Bike Park
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Revelstoke
Revelstoke sits between two magnificent mountain ranges: the Monashees and the Selkirks. Every kind of ride imaginable is available, from family-friendly excursions through the city's "Greenbelt" to extreme descents from altitudes of over 2,134 m (7,000 ft).
For a relaxing cycle, catch a ride to the summit of the Meadows-in-the-Sky Parkway and coast the 26 km (16 mi) down, taking in the incredible scenery of Mount Revelstoke National Park. Or for a greater challenge, check out the wide variety of trails available at Mount MacPherson or Boulder Mountain.
Revelstoke is 6 hours northeast of Vancouver and 4.5 hours west of Calgary. The best time for mountain biking is late April to early October.
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Rossland
Rossland is one place every serious rider wants to check off his or her "Been There, Done That" list. Considered by many to be Canada's best mountain biking destination, it was named one of North America's "10 Great Adventure Towns to Live and Play" by National Geographic magazine.
Rossland's Seven Summits trail has been recognized as an "Epic Ride" by the International Mountain Biking Association. For easier rides, explore the hundreds of kilometers of old wagon roads, rail grades and pack trails left over from the town's mining heyday. Every kind of ride is available, from wide, gently sloping rail trails to terrifyingly tight-and-twisty single-track.
Trail maps are available from the local bike shops. Rossland is located 3 hours north of Spokane, WA, 3.5 hours east of Kelowna and 1 hour southwest of Nelson. The biking season generally starts in April and ends sometime in October or November, depending on the weather.
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Great Northern Rail Trail
The Great Northern Rail Trail was built on the beds of two old rail lines that were constructed between 1891 and 1893 to transport silver from a mine on Toad Mountain. Today's multi-use trail (Easy), which focuses on hiking, cycling and equestrian users, runs through rugged, mountainous terrain at a grade that never exceeds 2.4%. It passes over bridges, pile trestles, frame trestles and an S-curve frame trestle.
The southern end of the trail runs alongside the Salmo River, and climbs gently through the Salmo River Valley for 30 km (19 mi) until it reaches Apex. From there it descends at a slightly steeper grade for 18 km (11 mi) until it terminates at Troup, on the edge of Kootenay Lake. The descending portion passes Cottonwood Lake Regional Park, pathways into the city of Nelson and trails and old rail beds that lead to sandy beaches. This trail is well marked with signs posted every 2 km (1.2 mi) along its entire length.
Salmo is located at the junction of Highways 3 and 6, approximately 30 minutes from the communities of Castlegar, Nelson and Trail. The gravel trail is open year round but the best weather occurs from May through October, and it takes about a day (each way) to cycle its full length.
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Slocan Valley Rail Trail
The Slocan Valley Rail Trail (Easy) was built on the bed of an old, 1897 rail line that was originally used to transport ore from the Kootenays to smelters in Canadian and American cities. It winds through the Slocan Valley, a lush, environmentally sensitive area that sustains many animal species.
The northern end of the trail begins in Slocan City and ends in Slocan Junction, running alongside the incredibly beautiful Slocan River much of the way.
Slocan is a 20-minute drive south from New Denver via Highway 6. The gravel trail is open year round but some sections are covered in ungroomed snow in winter. It takes about a day (each way) to cycle its full length.
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