Whistler MTB Guide – All You Need to Know For a Perfect Tip to MTB Mecca

Oh Canada! Oh Whistler Bike Park! A travel to Whistler is in the bucket list of many mountain bikers. And it is for a good reason.

Corrected Text: Whistler hosts the best bike park in the world. Period. It’s not all about the trails; Whistler is a vibe. The place is full of MTB history along the whole Sea to Sky area, where you can also find incredible enduro and cross-country trails.

But let’s go back to Whistler, because Whistler has it all. A-Line, Dirt Merchant, 1199, Freight Train, Crank It Up, Slayer, Crabapple, and No Joke are some of the most popular trails in the park. You probably don’t know this, but I bet you’ve seen at least one photo or video featuring some of the features found on these trails.

From flowy jump lines to old-school downhill and World Cup-ranked trails, Whistler has something for everyone. The new Fitzsimmons lift, added in summer 2024, was a game changer. Lines are now significantly shorter thanks to the new chair, which doubles the capacity of its predecessor.

Why You Should Visit Whistler

Simply put, you will find an endless trail network. Whistler is not only about the bike park, which hosts more than 70 trails ranging from beginner to pro. As part of the winter resort, Blackcomb Mountain hosts non-lift-assisted, world-class enduro stages. You can also enjoy alpine rides and big mission days, like tackling Lord of the Squirrels.

Also the summer program includes events like Crankworx, Summer Gravity Camps among others.

When To Visit?

Opening day? It’s a great day, but sometimes not all the trails are open, and the lines can be long. Don’t get me wrong—there’s almost always a closed trail, but that’s okay. You won’t ride all the park’s features in a single day, unless the person reading this is an Atherton!

Bad jokes aside, the month to avoid is August, no doubt. The park gets blown out by all the kiddos enjoying their summer break. Not only that, but they’ll probably make you feel like a rookie—even if you’re sending Dirt Merchant.

From May to mid-June, you can expect some rainy days and overall good grip conditions. Starting in July and lasting until mid-September, the trails get fast and loose—sometimes too dusty if the heat hits hard. Despite being quite far north, you can expect days of over 30ºC while waiting in line. From then onwards, the weather progressively gets wetter and colder until closing day, which usually happens in mid-October.

So, when should you go? Whenever you can. You won’t be disappointed.

What Trails to Ride?

Choose trails according to your skill level. The progression trail chart at the bottom and top of the lift is incredibly helpful, especially for those riding the park for the first time.

- A-Line: The most famous trail in Whistler Bike Park. Think endless jumps, massive berms, and pure adrenaline. For advance riders.

- Crank It Up: A-Line´s little brother, this trail offers an excellent jump progression to perfectionate your technique before stepping into A-Line.

- Top of the World: This alpine trail offers stunning views and technical descents, starting at the peak of Whistler Mountain.

- Ez Does It: Probably one of the very first trails that you will ride if you are new to mountian biking.

No Joke, Freight Train, Fatcrobat and D1 among others are excellent trails for advanced riders seeking some action.

Where To Park Rent a Bike, Eat and Buy the Pass

Parking lots are pretty much the only option and you´ll have to pay. The closer the lot is to the lift, the more expensive it gets. Further lots are around $10 a day.

Rental: Pretty much all the bike shops in town offer rentals. Think about what type of bike you want to rent, and find a shop that has it—simple! Santa Cruz, Specialized, Trek, Commençal, Rocky Mountain, and Intense are some of the available brands. Price-wise, they are all very similar, but the customer experience may vary depending on the day you visit.

Food: For a quick bite during your riding days, there are plenty of options. You can grab pizza slices from three different places within a 5-minute walk from the chairlift, as well as burgers, hot dogs, poutine, and more within the same range. Good coffee and sandwiches are also available at nearby coffee shops. Alternatively, you can step into one of the many restaurants or visit the grocery store.

Pass: Save money by purchasing multi-day passes in advance. Even if you buy them online, you’ll need to visit guest services to collect your card and sign a waiver. Note that cash is not accepted, and an ID is required.

Respect the trails and enjoy your ride!