Hey guys, I'm planning on moving somewhere in BC for the epic riding, away from flatland Saskatchewan. I'm just finishing up a college degree and want to play the "ski/bike bum" for a year or two. I am wondering where would be a good place to live that would be close to good riding and skiing, and would also have a decent chance at housing/jobs. (some bike shop experience, willing to settle for work)
Based on what I've seen before I have Golden or Kelowna in mind, but you guys probably have a better idea than I do! I would love to do AM/DH riding, but I have great fun with XC too.
The loops is an awesome area with what looks like a great biking culture. (Only been out in winter)
Kamloops = the loops? I've driven through a couple times and I remember loving the look of the city and surrounding area. Nice and hilly with lots of dirt XD
The loops is an awesome area with what looks like a great biking culture. (Only been out in winter)
Kamloops = the loops? I've driven through a couple times and I remember loving the look of the city and surrounding area. Nice and hilly with lots of dirt XD
Well i'm originally from Calgary, now I'm in Saskatoon. I like the size of stoon, not too big but still with any service I could need. Obviously that's a bit bigger than interior BC cities tho. I could probably go smaller (100k ppl) but not tiny. The calmness associated with smaller towns seems appealing for what I want. I've been in Golden a few times and it seems like a nice calm, happy outdoors-oriented kind of town. Might be a little bit on the small side for me, but I guess I can't know for sure until I try! I think Whistler in particular would be a bit too busy/touristy for me. Kamloops/Kelowna kind of seem like a happy medium. Also I found Kamloops has the KBR in town!!
More work in the Okanogan sounds like a major factor though. How is Kamloops in comparison in this regard?
more work in the Okanogan than most places if you want to make more than min. wage.
I'm not too sure about this. The Okanogan is notorious for workers paying the "sunshine tax" to live there. If you can find work in Revelstoke then you're in the greatest area in BC.
more work in the Okanogan than most places if you want to make more than min. wage.
I'm not too sure about this. The Okanogan is notorious for workers paying the "sunshine tax" to live there. If you can find work in Revelstoke then you're in the greatest area in BC.
f*cking love the Revy trees in winter. Do they do summer lift access for bikes too?
I've lived and biked all over BC and finally settled in north van. I really liked the interior (spent 2 years in Kelowna and lived in kamloops for a bit too). However, the interior does lack a bit in the AM and XC category. Now before you guys all rip my head off, by "lack" I mean there isn't quite the AM and XC infrastructure that you get in the lower mainland and sea to sky region (still some very solid riding, though).
If you're finishing school and want to be a bike and ski bum, go to whistler. I lived there 3 years and it's pretty unreal. The only reason I left is because I'm in my 30s and wanted a real job. Most people think whistler is only the park, but the park is such a small part of what real whistler biking has to offer. Not to mention, Squamish and the Shore are only a stones throw away and are ridable year round. There are not too many places in this world that you can ride and ski some world-class terrain in the same day.
Ski/bike bum lifestyle fits Fernie for sure. Yes we are a small town, but only 3 hours from Calgary. Tons to do summer and winter. Amazing ski hill epic all mountain, XC and lift access biking, all within riding distance to town (no car needed!!) Will you get a job, yes, will it be minimum wage, possibly. But there is lots of seasonal work and the mine (Teck) is often hiring if you want a 'real job'.