A Slice of Heaven
By Rich Vigurs
I was up at Whistler on Tuesday where I got to ride a slice of heaven known as the Whistler Bike Zone. It was a toasty bluebird day when I arrived. The line to the gondola was divided in 2 - bikes to the right, snowboarders/skiers to the left. There were only a few people there but I love the idea of being able to go snowboarding OR riding on the same day on the same mountain.
| I hooked up with 2 guides, Mike Johnstone and
David Tait. Shin (Prototype on the BB) and I wanted to do ride some fast,
grinner type trails followed by some of the more technical trails. The first
warm up trail was the B-Line. It is 1100' (of vertical) of very buffed single
track through the trees with beautifully bermed corners and lots of little
hits all along the side. When I got to the bottom you could not wipe the
grin off my face. |
|
Photographer = Blake Jorgensen Rider = Tom Radke |
The next couple of hours are a bit of a blur. We rode fast, fall line type trails littered with long rock faces, some technical North Shore features, got attacked by a "killer" grouse (who needs bears when you have that bird pecking away at your legs, thank God for body armour) and rode over a bear cave, where it is recommended you don't stop. Each run is punctuated with a 10-minute rest on the gondola, the perfect amount of time to grab a bite to eat and drink some water. You finish each run in Whistler Village where you can find whatever type of refreshment you seek. Over all the day was much too fun. I look forward to going up again. |
While I was up in Whistler I got to sit down with Jason Roe the manager of
the Whistler Bike Park to ask him some questions.
NSMB - I just rode some incredible single track but I understand that what we
have here today is only a fraction of what will be open in July
Jason - Yeah in the early part of the year we are mainly bringing our current
inventory of trails back to good repair. Once done, we will begin building 5
more tails including 4 new blue versions of the popular B-Line trail, as well
as Whistler's version of a North Shore trail.
NSMB - You will be closing the park down soon as the gondola needs to undergo
its regular maintenance. What are the dates for closing and when will you open
for the Summer?
Jason - We will reopen the park on the 30th of June and it will remain open
until the 23 of September. After that we will open the following two weekends.
NSMB - One of the features that getting a lot of attention on the NSMB bulletin
board is the Biker X course. What details could you give us on the course.
Jason - The Biker cross course is definitely one of the favorites in our trail
arsenal. This year we will add and improve on the design by bringing in smoother
material for the trail surface rather than the sand that is normally found onsite.
Further to that all the jumps we had last year will be replaced with table tops
and some new additions like a step up/down jumps.
NSMB - Where do the fees for the lift tickets and season passes go?
Jason - Since we opened the park all the fees go towards the construction of
new trails or the improvement of existing ones. From May through the entire
season, the Park employs a crew of very experienced trail builders headed by
Dave Kelly that walk, mark and eventually excavate or clear all the green blue
and black runs we have. The most recent handy work being the 1000 vertical foot
trail B-line.
NSMB - I understand that there are going to be 3 training areas scattered over
the mountain. What are these and who can use them?
Jason - The skills areas we have are for everyone to use, that's why we have
three versions catering to all three levels of riders in the park. Beginner,
intermediate and advanced. The three skills parks are spread through out the
Whistler Bike Park each having it's own variety of obstacles and terrain features
including: Teeter tooters, elevated logs and beams, wheelie drops, rock gardens
and many more. As the skill level increases, the height and width of each obstacle
varies accordingly.
NSMB - What is the future of mountain biking in Whistler?
Jason - I would say the future of biking in Whistler is pretty bright to say
the least. Most people know us for the incredible single-track rides we have
spread through the valley. All completely unique but totally expressive and
complimentary to the terrain they pass through. What we hope to provide on the
Mountain is a gravity assisted experience, that makes the most out of the bikes
being developed today. The sport has grown so fast that the bikes can travel
over terrain and at speeds some of our existing trails don't allow for. And
at the same time the Mountain Bike makes it so much easier for any level of
rider to enjoy the sport. We want to make a park that allows all levels of riders
to enjoy the sport and the mountain setting at the same time.
Thanks to the Mike and Dave for showing me around and Jason for taking the time
to talk. Additional thanks to everyone else at Whistler Mountain for putting
together such a great park. Keep watching NSMB.com as we will be giving regular
updates on the park as well as some upcoming contests.
Cheers, Couch
Details:
Come check out the following trails:
-Joyride Upper and Lower sections - Expert
-Whistler's Downhill - Expert
-Fantastic -Blue
-B-Line - green. - great banked corners
-Hochimin - Blue
-Golden Triangle - Blue
-Rippin Rutabaga - Blue
-W/C Singletrack -Blue
-Hornet - Black
Coming for June 30
Bikercross course - Black
All 3 Skills Parks
Summer Trail expansion plans
Redesign of Rippin Rutabaga
2 new Blue runs- Just like the Bline with bigger berms, hits and much faster
-North Shore Style trails
-Rework and improve existing trails
More information
-1132 vertical feet
-5 minute gondola ride
Price/hours of operation
-Youth $8 skills park only $27 park and lift
-Adult $8 park only. $30 park pass and lift
-$129 season pass $158 pass and lift
