Blue Mountain Bike Park Season Preview

Mar 3, 2016 at 10:55
by Blue Mountain Bike Park  
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The back-and-forth weather throughout the winter here in Ontario has meant that biking has never been far from our minds. With the Toronto Bike Show coming up this weekend, and Opening Day less than 80 days away, we thought it was prime time for an update.

After a few summers of continued expansion that saw the addition of three new trails built in cooperation with Gravity Logic, the focus has turned to making sure that our existing trail network is up to par. Trail Crew unleashed their creativity on Shot Glass and Squeeker last summer, breathing new life into trails that hadn’t seen much change since they were originally built. The plan is to continue this revamping trend throughout the summer, opening up new lines throughout the mountain.

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We also have some exciting news coming to the Blue Mountain Bike Park this summer in terms of events. The East Coast Open has been our feature downhill race for the past few years, and we’re excited to announce that this year it has gained status as a sanctioned Canada Cup Downhill race! In addition, to the East Coast Open we’ve also confirmed the return of our Skills Camp, this year featuring Geoff Gulevich as the Head Coach. Geoff will be at the Blue Mountain Bike Park for, not one, not two, but seven full days of coaching in July for our classic Adult Camp, and an all new Teen Camp.

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Of course, your key to it all is a 2016 Blue Mountain Bike Park Season Pass, and passes go back on sale starting Friday, March 4, 2016, at the Bike Show Special rate of $219 +HST. If you didn't pick up your Blue Mountain Bike Park Season Pass at the end of last year during the Fall Renewal period, this weekend is the time to do it as rates go up on Monday, March 7. Season Passes will be available online and from our booth at the Toronto International Bike Show.


MENTIONS: @bluemtnbikepark



Author Info:
bluemtnbikepark avatar

Member since May 15, 2008
24 articles

39 Comments
  • 12 2
 It would certainly be nice if other resorts would work together to have an actual race series like the do in other places. It seems that in Ontario, the resorts won't step up and work together to do something for the benefit of the riders, they either ignore the racing scene totally or won't share for the common good of the race scene. The scene won't grow without a race series.
  • 4 6
 Maybe if Ontario grew some mountains it would be different.
  • 5 1
 You have to make do with what your given, this is the best that Ontario has, better small mountains than no mountains.
  • 10 0
 While Blue Mountain is increasing their trails, making them way better, and treating their riders way better I still think they should have more then one race a year, there is a lot of people who would want to race downhill and enduro.
  • 14 2
 Great news for the Ontario gravity scene. Thanks for keeping the scene alive Blue Mountain!
  • 6 0
 Pleas explain how shortening the series to one race is great news for the Ontario gravity scene? I agree that Blue hosting a Canada cup is good news, but I would trade it for the full series anytime.
  • 5 1
 The comment was more of a generalization. Ontario Ski Resorts as a whole lack in summer funding/programs, bike parks in general aren't much of a money maker other than a few select destinations. The lack of a race series is sad yes, but they are investing in camps to bring younger generations to the hill. Maybe I'm a glass half full guy, but if you start them young I would say there is a chance of a race series returning if they can create the ridership we once saw here. People love to bitch and moan about the lack of a race series, but no one wants to take action. The fact that Blue Mountain continues to invest in trail building, mtb programs, and events should be a plus. The bike park is such a small blip on the revenue scale for them I don't think they would miss it. They are giving us something at the very least, and I'm glad they are literally keeping the bike park/gravity scene alive for the time being.

Also, on a side note, hosting and running a race series is extremely time consuming, expensive, and shows next to no return unless its on the World stage.
  • 4 1
 While I agree with most of your comments, my son (who is a young rider at 14) was really looking forward to the racing series. He basically plans his whole summer around it. So, now with no series to race in, he is pretty bummed about it. As well, while the clinics with Gully are great, it has about as much to do with racing as rp riding has to do with bmx racing. It is complimentary, but Gully doesn't teach how to race. ( no insult to Gully or his clinics meant). As for the Tuesday night series, I can't take every Tuesday off to spend 7+ hours driving round trip for him to compete, which is why I would love to see them move the series to Friday night to allow for people who don't live close the opportunity to actually race.
As well, I fully understand the the time and cost of running a race series, but if they ran it on a better day, I believe that they may actually increase the ridership. As for cost, Blue wouldn't be running the park if they weren't making a profit, as they could replace biking with something more profitable if desired. My point is , if you take the events away that drew the racers, they eventually will go somewhere else. I would love to see the scene flourish, but racing won't flourish if there is no racing. As for people helping with the event, last year blue asked for help on their Facebook page, and then wouldn't even reply to emails offering it.
  • 3 2
 What you need to realize is that these racing events that BMR has tried to keep going for the local scene did not draw enough participants to make the series feasible. Everyone loves to complain about not enough events, then BIG SURPRISE, Blue hosts an event and below breaking even numbers show up! Having the first DH Canada Cup in Ontario in 20+ years is massive accomplishment for DH racing in Ontario, be appreciative that DH in Ontario is being recognized on the National level. My advice would be to head south of the border for the very popular Eastern States Cup Series, a large contingent of Ontario racers frequent that series, Im sure you can find the time to attend one of those events with your busy schedule, all events are on weekends, and I believe there are 16 races for your choosing.
  • 2 0
 @canuckcrawler: I raced O-Cups steadily for almost a decade, continued more casually in the last few years and I've been riding at Blue this entire time. I've come to learn that the "gravity scene" in Ontario isn't all about racing. The collapse of the O-Cup series happened entirely independently of Blue Mountain and after it happened Blue tried to keep it alive by tripling the number of big races they ran, then nobody showed up.

Meanwhile the bike park has continued to improve. New trails, including beginner flow trails that have made it possible for younger riders and noobies like my girlfriend to experience how awesome lift accessed riding is, jump trails that my friends and I want to lap all day, and updating existing trails like Shot Glass last season, turning it innto one of the most challenging tracks Blue has had. Blue has also taken a 2 day adult skills camp with a pro rider and expanded it to a full week, including dates for teens.

While the race scene (directly in Ontario at least) has diminished in the last few years, based on all the post and photos I see on social media from riders across Southern Ontario, the "gravity scene" is alive and growing. And from what I can tell Blue Mountain is at the centre of it all.
  • 7 1
 So.... only one race instead of three this season? How is this better? I like the idea that there will be a Canada cup race, but not at the expense of the rest of the series. My son started racing DH two seasons ago, and the events just get fewer and fewer every year. Totally bummed about this lack of support by the businesses that the racers support by racing and buying season passes from.
  • 6 1
 I cannot get over how the dh racing scene just completely folded in Ontario. Although i dont race, i remember being at some events with fantastic turnout. It really sucks for the kids who are interested in the sport.
  • 6 0
 I agree back in 2005-2009 when I raced it was run by sirbikealot racing (Peter A) and there were 6-7 races all over the province and in 1-2 in Quebec with 200+ people at each event.

Those were the days!
  • 7 1
 There is a weekly race series, there was last year anyways. Plus a few racers actually have their own lil "finny" races, keeps us primed. For me sadly, Ill be "riding for Danny", my best friend. COme on out, we have a great series,and were all friendly as a close family!! See you this weekend, and this summer on the trails!!
  • 3 0
 The problem is, When you live more than 3 hours away, the Tuesday night series is a no go, if they moved it to Friday nights it would at least give you an opportunity to race the series.
I get that they run it on Tuesday nights being Tuesday probably isn't traditionally very busy, but it just means that there is no way that we can make the race without taking a day (or more) off of work just to drive there, race and drive home. 7 hours of driving plus entry, plus food equals not worth it.
It might great for locals, but for the rest of us that don't live close, its not feasible.
  • 2 0
 I do agree, I drive almost 3 hrs, and yes Friday would be great. Taking a day and a half is needed for myself or 2 days off mid week is almost impossible. But I need a time to ride and race, ride Blue, race stateside or QC...
  • 8 1
 Open the orchard chairlift, all the good stuff isn't close to the village Big Grin
  • 10 0
 It would be great so people can hot lap H20 and leave the rest of the hill to people who actually want to ride some trails with substance.......
  • 7 0
 Yee haw. Looking forward to Gully's workshop
  • 3 0
 Are all the trails at Blue Mountain hard and full of gap jumps and crazy stuff or are there trails there for less experienced riders?
  • 2 0
 there are a few easier trails
  • 3 0
 Wide assortment of trails. Easily 4+ trails for riders with less experience. And then many more progression trails before you get to the jumps and drops and steep stuff.
  • 3 0
 Awesome, thanks guys! I'm looking to hit Collingwood at least 3 or 4 times this year on either my new stumpy or trance.
  • 4 0
 Stoked for 2016, see ya at the bike show boys
  • 1 0
 Hmmm 2 hours away. I know its not whistler but maybe I should have taken my DH bike with me when I came east instead of just my trail bike!

That said... think my Stump jumper is gonna be under gunned at this place?
  • 1 0
 Ideal, no. Doable? Totally! Burlier set of tires and you'll be able to ride most trails
  • 4 2
 I dunno maybe im weird but a DH bike at blue mountain is extreme overkill. Your stumpjumper is the perfect bike for blue.
  • 2 0
 yeh stumpy will be fine
  • 1 0
 You don't NEED a DH bike for blue but it is a better option for sure. A good AM/Enduro bike more than easily gets the job done.
  • 1 0
 Hmm okay great! Im pretty stoked now I didn't think there was any DH around here, and as much fun as the XC loops look I'm used to a little more.. oomph.. then I've found so far.
  • 3 0
 any enduros this summer?
  • 1 0
 Teen camp only for U12? my boys are 13? suggestions??
  • 2 0
 If you're talking about the Gulevich Camp, the Teen days are for ages 13-17.
  • 3 2
 Is there only going to be one race??
  • 3 2
 Legit though. It is actually a deciding factor for me to buy the seasons pass.
  • 2 0
 There was 3 races last year........
  • 3 0
 Sadly they just said on the bmbp forum that there will only be one race this year (Canada cup/Eco). So for me it's barely worth it for the seasons pass being I live 3 hours away and would only purchase the pass so I can actually afford to go to the races lol
  • 1 0
 any eduro races on deck?
  • 5 0
 We're trying to lock down a weekend to bring an enduro race back, but nothing has been finalized yet. Stay tuned for details though as we get closer to Opening Weekend.







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