Video: Tech Lines - Whistler Bike Park

Jul 10, 2015 at 9:27
by WhistlerMountain BikePark  
Going back to the roots (literally) of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, technical riding is what started it all but some could say has been overshadowed recently by the significant development of freeride/flow trails found not only at the Whistler Bike Park but around the world. It seems trails like Crank It Up, A-Line, and Dirt Merchant have been getting all the attention lately, and for good reason, but it's not all about high speed and big air. For some it is but for others, root infested single-track, intricate granite features, and steep rough terrain is what gets the blood flowing. Natural terrain provides creativity allowing riders to find unique line choices and endless options for progression.

Watch the new video that is all about technical riding highlighting some of bike park classics and some recent additions.

Views: 52,378    Faves: 365    Comments: 24


Video by Goldstein Productions
Team Riders: Lula Darquier, Peter Matthews, and Trevor Berg


TECHNICAL TRAIL PROGRESSION
With lots of technical trails to choose from, here's a sampling of a few at every level that will help you move to the top.

BEGINNER TECHNICAL
WBP Signs
Del Boca Vista allows new park riders to dabble in technical terrain as a short trail option off EZ Does It and Golden Triangle. It is a good first step in learning what it takes handle natural features and rougher terrain. If you're an advanced rider just know beginners have the right of way. Slow down before coming up fast behind them and give them space.

INTERMEDIATE TECHNICAL
WBP Signs
The classic technical intermediate line choice in the Fitz Zone is Funshine Rolly Drops > Smoke & Mirrors > Blueseum > Ho Chi Min. Funshine is the newest addition to this line which can be seen underneath the Fitz Chair and starts after the first two corners of B-Line. This is a go-to for many when warming up for the day and those who need to feel solid before moving to advanced trails.

ADVANCED TECHNICAL
WBP Signs
Lower Whistler Downhill and Afternoon Delight are the favourites in the Fitz Zone where higher up, Garbo Zone and Top of the World round out the majority of advanced technical trails. Original Sin, Fatcrobat, and No Joke are Garbo originals which will test the hands and brakes of every rider.

EXPERT TECHNICAL
WBP Signs
At the highest level, Schleyer, Detroit Rock City, Joyride, In Deep, Goat's Gully, and Captain Safety represent some of the heaviest hitters around. This is where the steepest, most intricate and challenging terrain is found and where some of the worlds best riders will find lines that for most are unimaginable. Don't just jump in with two feet though, progress to this level by mastering the trail skills required to ride hard technical lines. Scope out lines, work your way up and consider hiring an instructor to fill in gaps in your technique.

Tech Lines - Whistler Bike Park images for PR
Lula on lock through Funshine - Photo by Mark Mackay

Tech Lines - Whistler Bike Park images for PR
Pete airing on one of Joyride's granite features - Photo by Mark Mackay

If you're a fan of the tech we want to know what's your line choice? Where is your zone and what keeps you coming back for more?

For the latest updates and to see what's open visit here.

Whistler Bike Park


Author Info:
WhistlerMountainBikePark avatar

Member since May 9, 2011
188 articles

115 Comments
  • 166 4
 A WHISTLER VIDEO THAT ISNT A-LINE!!!!!!
  • 48 3
 I hear ya - So sick at looking at BMX tracks on steroids. Nice to see stuff that requires a DH bike and all its suspension.
  • 25 12
 Can't we like it all I fucking love a line and watching videos of it
  • 12 0
 2 observations: I was just there for 2 weeks and noticed about 1/4 of the bikes were not downhill bikes. In '13 I spotted exactly 2 non-DH bikes- both of them RM Slayers. The GBB demo center now rents as many trail bikes as DH bikes. And when middle A line opened back up on the 27th last month it was groomed to perfection- moist, not a speck of dust, no pebbles anywhere. That my friend would have been all-day watchable. Just my observations though.
  • 2 0
 Agree, was there last August for 3 weeks and the only non DH bikes I saw were with guys training and practicing on TOTW for the Enduro race
  • 2 0
 end of July, will try to do all of them :O
  • 2 0
 Going for the first week of Crankworkx (2nd time at Whistler) I am going to need to find them tech trails away from the crowds! So stoked! Hit me up anyone interested in pinning it with me!
  • 3 0
 I noticed during crankworx last year I f your gonna ride, the lines only sucked for the 2nd and 3rd runs of the day and then it was pretty dead.
  • 3 0
 Thanks for the advice
  • 64 4
 Shhhhhhhhhhhhh. Keep em on the wide smooth trails.
  • 5 1
 My thoughts exactly!! Away from the crowds up there...
  • 4 0
 I couldn't believe how dead all those super fun tech trails were last year out there.
  • 2 0
 My only trip to Whistler ever in 2009 and the top of the mountain was empty! Though I did do A-line about 100 times though Still amazed at the size of Whistler
  • 43 0
 Goat's Gully, while tough as nails, is one of the funnest trails I've ever been down. Should be on every tech-lover's must-ride list.
  • 12 1
 Its been almost 10 years now since I've ridden it and its still burned into the skull as one of the best DH trails I've ever ridden. Seriously, I'm in love with that trail. I want take it to a 3 course dinner by candle light and champagne, and then bring that bubbly-headed trail home for a night of sweet, sweet lovin' to the sounds of Marvin Gaye. mmmmmm
  • 7 0
 Oh my. I crashed so hard on goats gully. I am scared to ride that trail again. Haha
  • 5 1
 Its the only Tech trail I haven't ridden at Whistler, I was kind of intimidated. This year for sure!
  • 1 0
 I rode it once.... And by rode it I mean 4 years ago I was a beginner and I halfway walked down it because I couldn't fathom riding down something that technical. I wanna ride it for real now
  • 2 0
 GG on a hardtail was one of the best trails I've ever ridden! It's been almost 10 years now but DAMN....never forget.
  • 1 0
 ^ Its a super tech trail... they're not supposed to have great flow...
  • 4 0
 Its the rider that creates the flow, the trail doesn't create it.
  • 4 2
 what kind of hippy life cycles BS was that? friggen canadians. you're like America's backwoods, tree huggin' socialist cousin.
  • 2 0
 well then don't bother coming here.
  • 1 0
 Flow is subjective, you crazy bastard.
  • 21 1
 Angry Pirate might be lower level tech, but still one of the best runs on the mountain.
  • 18 2
 Shhh, don't tell people that other trails in the park exist!
I'm loving having the trails to myself! Nothing better than watching 50+ people drop into A Line in a matter of minutes and the likes of Schleyer being totally un-used!
  • 6 0
 It's schleyer that has the long rock face? Best 3 seconds of joy filled terror anywhere!
  • 2 0
 I never see anyone on those trails :$
  • 4 0
 I'm sure that's the original sin rock wall
  • 2 0
 Original Sin was the first black technical trail I rode there last year. Rod it faster and faster with each lap! Such a fun trail
  • 20 1
 for the first time ever I just clicked the 1080p option.
  • 14 0
 I WILL live in Whistler, I WILL! *looks up to find rain pounding the window*
  • 8 1
 Lucky you have rain. Its dryer than a nun on Sunday up here.
  • 1 1
 Try loving in Cali. We haven't had rain in 4 years
  • 1 1
 Living
  • 11 0
 This is the whistler I'm coming to ride in Sept. Not interested in The big air lines, partly because I'd probably kill myself on them, but mostly because this is the sort of riding I'm into not high speed smooth stuff!
  • 1 0
 Right on. Keep it real! Plenty of amazing trails in the area as well.
  • 13 2
 less wide smooth bike park motorway and more technical DH, that's what the big bikes are for after all, far too many DH centres becoming motorways...
  • 7 1
 ....or just more of both? why do you need to choose? When I go to the bike park I want fast flowy jump trails and gnar tech shit. not sure what the parks are like where you live but in BC most parks have plenty of both.
  • 1 1
 Lots of tech but alot of places are concentrating more on digging motorways these days as i guess it appeals to more people.
  • 8 0
 Del Boca Vista is an amazing bit of trail building. Intro to tech with progressive options that's tonnes of fun for everyone from beginners to pros. Dirt Merchant to Del Boca into the big new finisher on Aline. Fun times!
  • 6 0
 Dear wb I've riden the park countless times since buying my first pass in 2002. I've seen the park, the sport and the scene progress and change usually for the better but not always. As more new people attempt the sport, pressure was there for easier intermediate trails or as some would say a dumbing down. Ho chi min for example has had almost all the roots taken out of it. Thing is that it's the perfect grade for intermediate riders to learn roots and rocks. Sadly it's not alone, angry pirate was once a great short rooty natural trail, afternoon delight is at danger of losing its natural feel. I feel wb has done great things to promote a wonderful learning environment by offering up a slew of new easier trails within the last 7 years or so. That's great, there are fewer people crowding the harder trails but the time has come for a slew of new hard natural trails. Original sin 2 and in deep 2 please. The advanced riders of the park have been waiting very patiently for some world cup dh style tracks. Please open Crack addict, forget the wood just let us ride the wild old trail, it's a test and great fun. Renegade is certainly beat from the winter rain but it's still a sweet piece of trail that challenges my technical skills. Closing the duffmam super natural drop so that golden triangle can wind through really sucks! With wb constant mantra of safety the move comes as a big surprise not to mention there's still a high chance of collision even with the ride around. In short, awesome work building intermediate trails, love the classic technical trails, please build new hard natural trails. Great video!
  • 9 0
 GOATS GULLY. BEST TRAIL
  • 6 0
 This weekend!
Whis's flow trails are amazing, but their tech is the jam.
Can't wait for some O-Sin>Goats>Captain Safety>Renegade>D1>Schleyer>Joyride
  • 8 0
 And after you've warmed up?
  • 9 0
 I'll watch you connect Renegade to D1 :>
  • 1 0
 O-sin>Goats>In Deep>D1>Schleyer>Clown Shoes was the best run of my day today
  • 1 0
 I got carried away thinking about the weekend Smile some variation of that though is a good lap!
  • 8 0
 No crack addict?? Best trail on the mtn!
  • 1 0
 Crack Addict has been closed most of the season. It needs a heavy redo on some rotten woodwork. Timeline unknown for reopening.
  • 3 1
 Damn. Hate the woodwork. Love the roots and multiple line choices
  • 4 2
 Yah, just take the woodwork out, I love crack addict and really miss it Frown Guess I could say I'm addicted.
  • 2 0
 The locals call it Rob Ford.
  • 5 0
 Tech Noir. ..left some of my helmet on the tree to the right just before you come into the opening.. i stay on afternoon delight since then..
  • 10 3
 This is real MTB
  • 6 0
 these trails' names ... Samuraï pizza cat Big Grin why not after all
  • 8 1
 Pizza Cat still one of my favourite trails - for its name and for its fun factor :-)
  • 2 0
 I've never been to Whistler, but it's clearly in my projects for the 3_4 next years !
  • 4 0
 riding the granite would be so sick. If only it was a little closer to SoCal
  • 2 0
 Reply if you too have stared at the rock face on Joyride and said "nope, not gonna do it, it is impossible, can't be done..."
I mean I finally rode it, in sheer terror the first time down, but I rode it.
  • 2 0
 That did not look very "technical" to me. Maybe a few spots, most of it looked pretty smooth. Still looked fun, no disrespect.
  • 1 0
 Exactly what I was thinking. I just got back from the French Alps and that was seriously steep with big drops with root infested landings, tight turns, rocks etc. not the sculpted jumps and berms in that video.
  • 2 0
 Ninja Cougar, Karate Monkey. Pizza Cat, Ho chi min, . Best trails in the park to learn. Ride it faster and faster. Flow tech.
  • 3 0
 Flying in this Saturday, stokeeed!!!
  • 1 0
 I can beat you on that one, this Friday!! Have fun dude!
  • 3 0
 The video doesn't do justice to some of the steep lines.
  • 2 0
 You wanna ride awesome tech trails try some of the whis valley trails, super fun.
  • 4 1
 Awesome video..... What was the song ?
  • 3 1
 agreed. I've been googling the lyrics so far no luck :-(
  • 2 1
 soundhound?
  • 3 1
 It sounds like Florence and the Machine, but I cant find anything either on the name of the song.
  • 8 0
 The song is here for those wanting to know:

de.audionetwork.com/browse/m/track/half-alive_90125
  • 1 0
 Guessing the singer is Robin Thomson with Thomas Mcneice doing the music? Some good stuff there, one to look out for!
  • 1 0
 Not on YouTube or iTunes..... Dammit
  • 1 0
 You can purchase it from the website mattew10 linked to, I now own a copy!!
  • 5 4
 That's the kind of trails I ride and don't consider them that technical. I do ride some much more techy and dangerous stuff than that on occasion.
  • 2 0
 Great to see a video thats not all jumps and whips. Tech is where its at. Steep, fast and loose.
  • 1 0
 its all about mixing in no joke with freight train, you get jumps and tech, then you can hit dirt merchant all the way to the bottom
  • 1 0
 Where I come from these kinds of trails are all we have... I would love to have some smooth, flowy single track but everything is technical gravel and rocks.
  • 2 0
 3 days for me then ill be in those trails!!
  • 1 0
 Ill be there too. See you around. I heard you are a local hero at Bromont.
  • 2 0
 Refreshing change! Thanks!
  • 1 0
 Whistler are missing a 'le pleney'...for those who have ridden in Morzine you will understand..
  • 1 0
 i wouldn't call my run on joyride particularly joyful, sickest trail of my life Razz
  • 1 0
 Living in Fernie we have nothing but tech lines, I make the pilgrimage to Whister to ride Dirt Merchant and A-Line!
  • 1 0
 Goats gully, captain safety and in dip by far the best tech in the park yeowwwwww living the dream
  • 2 1
 What run is that at 1.46????
  • 1 0
 Upper Joyride?
  • 1 0
 Looks like it was bouncing between Detroit rock city and in deep.
  • 1 0
 Upper joyride, then Schleyer and In Deep after.
  • 1 0
 Dry chunky bit just before 1:46 - goat's gully. Air in to rock roll just after 1:46 - upper joyride.
  • 2 0
 Smooth stuff!
  • 1 0
 Next weekend can't come soon enough. Need some Whistler tech in my life.
  • 1 0
 Attractive! I will go there this summer
  • 10 9
 Remy Metailler > Every Tech Line in Whistler Bike Park
  • 3 1
 3 weeks till I fly Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Me too!
  • 2 0
 me to!!!
  • 1 0
 I really want to go to Whistler :/
  • 1 0
 Awesome PB just what I'm looking for be there in three weeks!!!!
  • 1 0
 mmmmh yeah thats how I want it.
  • 1 0
 Nice to see whistler like that!!
  • 1 0
 Finally an edit of the best trails in the park.
  • 1 0
 and PRO ONLY
  • 1 0
 !!!
  • 1 0
 What was the song?
  • 1 0
 TAKE ME BACK
  • 2 1
 Git dat gnar
  • 3 1
 Time for a road trip!
  • 1 0
 Ahhhh so good!
  • 1 0
 Tech Noir
  • 1 0
 awesome vid.
  • 1 0
 2 weeks baby!
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