Ground Zero for Freeriders

Mountain Bike in BC

Canada has some of the world’s best downhill mountain biking, and BC has the best downhill mountain biking in Canada. Whether you’re rocketing down single track in Burns Lake’s globally renowned bike park, navigating the advanced trails on Vancouver’s North Shore, watching wipe-outs from the lift chairs at Whistler or cross-country riding through alpine meadows in the South Chilcotin mountains, BC’s trail network has something for everyone, including those of us on the Great Canadian Bucket List.

Length of Trip : Biking trips in Burns Lake, Vancouver’s North Shore, Whistler or in the South Chilcotin Mountains can be anywhere from a half hour to multi-day backcountry tours.

Cost : A shuttle service runs on Burns Lake’s Boer Mountain for a nominal fee. In the Chilcotin, Tyax Adventures fly-in bike tours including flight, lunch and shuttle. Click here for current rates at the Whistler Bike Park. On Vancouver’s North Shore, Endless Biking offer rentals, lessons and guided tours.

Best time to go : I’ve seen determined North Shore bikers in winter, but let’s leave that to the truly hardcore. Summer is busiest for all the above, although biking in fall brings that special fall foliage.

Wheelchair friendly : No

Family friendly : Yes

Official Site : Burns Lake – www.burnslaketrails.ca South Chilcotin – www.tyaxadventures.com Whistler – www.bike.whistlerblackcomb.com

Tons of great trail info from Mountain Biking BC.

Getting There : Burns Lake: Burns Lake sits on Highway 16, the main road in Northern BC. Northern BC’s biggest city, Prince George, is the closest urban centre with direct flights from Vancouver. Burns Lake is about a two-hour drive east. South Chilcotin – Tyax Lodge is a 4-hour drive from Vancouver, Click here for directions. Whistler – Click here for directions. Vancouver North Shore: Mount Seymour, Cypress Mountain and Grouse Mountain are located in North and West Vancouver, just across the Lions Gate or Second Narrows Bridge.

Note from Robin : I’ve found mountain biking to be much like race-car driving: you should do just fine so long as you ride within your talent limit. Pushing it with speed, jumps and ramps amp up the thrills, but also cause smashed bikes and bones. To adapt the gambling warning: Know your limit, bike within it. Having the right protective gear won’t hurt either, especially when you fly over your handlebars. Click here to read our round-up on the Best Places to Mountain Bike in Canada.

Great Canadian Trails