Mount Washington Alpine Resort Biking
Mountain biking, Mount Washington Alpine Resort photo
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is a mountain bike playground in the heart of Vancouver Island. Trails appeal to a range of ability levels, ranging from smooth beginner tracks to expert grades. Chairlifts sweep bikers skyward to connect with alpine trails, stunts abound on blue and black trails, and descents are long and lovely.
A varied terrain of mountains, foothills, forest, and lakes automatically marks neighboring Strathcona Provincial Park as an easily accessible and challenging mountain biking locale.
Mount Washington Bike Park
Mount Washington's Bike Park features 505m/1,657ft of vertical. Some 18 trails accommodate all levels of fitness and ability. The bike park is serviced by the Hawk Six Pack Express and Eagle Express chairlifts.
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The park's longest run is well suited to beginners: The Cross Country (XC) Race Course provides 6.1km/3.8mi of gentle riding. Check out the black-diamond masterwork Back in Black designed by legendary trail builder Tony Radomi. Its sculpted dirt hits, wall rides, drops, and burly wooden stunts are strictly for advanced bikers.
Mount Washington's biking season ranges from July to late September. Along the way, it plays host to world-class events including the Bearclaw Invitational Slopestyle and the Canadian National and Provincial Championships.
Riding Fool Hostel
Seasoned bikers may want to drop in on the Riding Fool Hostel in nearby Cumberland. Recommended by Lonely Planet as one of Vancouver Island's top hostels, it occupies a handsomely restored 1895 building. Hostel-keeper Jeremy Grasby is resident mountain biking expert and owner of the on-site bike shop Dodge City Cycles. Mountain bikers jump at the opportunity to take one of his customized mountain XC and DH biking tours.
For more information about mountain biking in the Mount Washington Alpine Resort area check with the Comox Valley Visitor Centre in Courtenay.
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