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11 Brag-Worthy Mountain Biking Adventures in BC 8

11 Brag-Worthy Mountain Biking Adventures in BC

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If heli-biking, floatplane drops, and singletrack from backcountry lodges won’t make your mountain biking buddies jealous, then I’m not sure what will.

Mountain biker rides along a high mountain ridge with a green valley below and mountains in the background. The cloudy sky has a "moody" feel.
Above the town of Fernie | Kari Medig

Sacred Rides, Rocky Mountains

This trip is for bikers who get their kicks from riding rocky terrain, narrow singletrack, steep climbs, and semi-technical descents.

Sacred Rides

Spend two days on the trails in the mountain playground of Fernie, and a day each riding through the Rocky Mountain trench in Invermere, at Nipika Mountain Resort, and in Kananaskis Country. This trip includes your accommodation, guide, meals, transport, and cold micro-brews at days end.

A mountain biker descends along a dirt path through the trees.
Coast Gravity Park | Mountain Biking BC/Margus Riga

Coast Gravity Park, Sunshine Coast

Canada’s first year-round shuttle bike park has been flying under the radar, but is now quickly gaining the attention of pros and devoted gravity riders alike.

Coast Gravity Park

A 40-minute BC Ferries trip from Horseshoe Bay lands you on the Sunshine Coast—with an already established trail network of 300+ cross-country trails—and at the Coast Gravity Park. Built and designed by the Coastal Crew, you’ll be sending laps in the park all day. Just don’t forget to break for lunch. Their on-site chef cooks up incredible burgers, tacos, and more from the ocean view Coast Gravity Grill.

A person rides a mountain bike along the crest of a mountain with huge peaks in the background.
Retallack Lodge | Dave Heath

Retallack Lodge, Selkirk & Purcell Mountains

Bucket list is the claim, but we’ll let you be the judge. 

Retallack Lodge

Retallack Lodge in BC’s Selkirk and Purcell mountains and offers 5,900 square kilometres (2,278 square miles) of wilderness biking, 100 km (62 mi) of singletrack, and a 6,000 vertical foot (1,828 vertical metre) descent—one of the longest downhill tracks in the world. Three-day packages include professional guides, shuttles, accommodation, meals, and full days of riding. Sounds pretty bucket list worthy to me.

Two mountain bikers ride up a trail through a grassy meadow overlooking a lake surrounded by forest, with mountains in the background.
Tyax Adventures | Cariboo Chilcotin Coast/Jonny Bierman

Tyax Adventures, South Chilcotin Mountains

A shuttle lap via helicopter floatplane? Yes, you read that right. 

Tyax Adventures

In BC’s South Chilcotin Mountains, a five hour drive north of Whistler, Tyax Adventures will fly you into the backcountry (gear and bike included) and drop you off. And that’s only the beginning of the fun. Navigate your way along singletrack trails for a full-day ride back to Tyax Wilderness Resort & Spa or book a multi-day adventure—including overnights in backcountry camps, a guide, and meals.

Aerial view of Whistler's pedestrian Village at dusk. Retail spaces and hotels have the lights on, and the silhouette of the mountains stand out against a darkening sky in the background.
Whistler Village | Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova

AlpX, Whistler

Want over 5,000 vertical feet (1,524 vertical metres) of trail without the uphill slog? AlpX will drop you on a mountain summit. 

AlpX

Best of all? Whistler Village provides all the post-ride relaxation you could ask for. This ride is not for beginners, so make sure your skills are advanced or expert level before you tackle this experience. There is always something to work towards, right?

Vancouver's North Shore

It’s basically sacrilege if you find yourself in Vancouver and don’t ride the North Shore. Mount Seymour, Fromme, and Cypress have a network of trails accessible by shuttle or an uphill ride. Some of BC’s most technical descents can be found here but there are a few good beginner and intermediate trails to play on too. A tour or guided ride is always a good idea for newcomers to the area. These are offered by: Endless BikingEssential Cycles, and Ozmosis Training.

Two mountain bikers ride away from the camera on an alpine dirt trail. They are in a clearing, heading into the trees.
Sun Peaks Resort | Cristina Gareau

Lift-Accessed Mountain Bike Parks

If downhill is your game, then a road trip to some of (or all of!) BC’s nine lift-accessed bike parks is a must. 

Bike Parks

Vancouver Island and the Mount Washington bike park is a good place to start. Then head to the mainland for the iconic Whistler Mountain Bike Park before making your way to the interior’s three parks—Sun Peaks, SilverStar, and Big White. Now that you are warmed up, head east for the unforgettable riding at Fernie, Panorama, Kicking Horse, and Revelstoke.

Mountain biker in a yellow jacket rides along a singletrack trail that leads away from a three-story wooden lodge. There are purple flowers in the foreground and mountains in the background.
Sol Mountain Lo | Steve Shannon

Sol Mountain Lodge

It might be said that a biker’s dream is to roll out of bed, open the door, hop on a bike, and let the first pedal stoke be on a trail. At Sol Mountain Lodge, two and a half hours south of Revelstoke, all of that is possible. 

Sol Mountain

Nearly 20 km (12 mi) of trails have been built directly from the lodge door. This full-service backcountry lodge is equipped with a wood-fired sauna and offers both guided and catered options. Want to stay for free? Volunteer your time trail building and you no longer have to dream.

A mountain biker rides uphill over large rocks, past a blue sign that indicates Seven Summits Trail. The treeline is visible in front of them.
Seven Summits Trail | Mountain Biking BC/Dave Silver

Seven Summits, Rossland

The IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) named the Seven Summits as one of their official “Epics,” attracting bikers to the tiny town of Rossland every summer.

Seven Summits

This ride is done best with a Mountain Shuttle to the trailhead before starting the 30-36 km (18-22 mi) of singletrack up and down seven summits. Tackle this trail north to south and give yourself six to eight hours. We’re all a little skeptical of the “epic” claim, but this one may just live up to it.

Downtown Revelstoke from street level. Shops line the street with green trees heading up the mountains behind.
Downtown Revelstoke | Ryan Creary

Wandering Wheels, Revelstoke

Looking for a unique experience? Wandering Wheels offers all-day e-bike tours.

Wandering Wheels

E-bikes allow for faster rides and more ground covered, as well as an adaptable experience. Tours can be customized for pros who want to shred lap after lap, or for beginners who want a gentle, scenic ride.

Mountain Biking Events in BC

Want to participate in a mountain bike race, or watch some of the best riders around compete? There are great options available for both. On Vancouver Island, the Island Cup Race Series brings together local mountain bike organizations to offer cross-country and enduro-style races across the Island. This year’s BC Bike Race, a multi-day stage race billed as the “Ultimate Singletrack Experience,” also takes place on Vancouver Island.

The Canadian Enduro League hosts events across the country, including several in BC. And the renowned Crankworx festival in Whistler attracts the best of the best to compete in a variety of disciplines and put on a spectacular show.

Originally published in July, 2017.

Mountain Biking BC is a great resource for trip ideas, tips on safety and responsibility, how to support the trails, and more.

Mountain Biking BC

Mountain Biking BC is a great resource for trip ideas, tips on safety and responsibility, how to support the trails, and more.

Mountain Biking BC

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