Whistler Announces Plans for 50km of New Downhill Trails

Apr 6, 2016 at 12:52
by Mike Kazimer  
A-Line and Dirt Merchant are still buried under a layer of snow, but Whistler Blackcomb recently announced the details of a $345 million, three phase plan that includes exciting news for mountain bikers.

The project is called 'Renaissance,' and part of the expansion involves the construction of 50 kilometers of new downhill mountain biking trails for a wide range of abilities. That's a massive amount of new trail, and would nearly double the size of the bike park. Last summer's news that the Creekside gondola would be opening for mountain bikers, and the creation of Dusty's DH trail in the same area was a hint of things to come - the majority of the trail expansion will be focused on that portion of the mountain.

Creek Zone - The Next Chapter
Tristan Merrick exploring Whistler's Creek Zone. Photo: Laurence Crossman-Emms

Mountain bikers aren't the sole focus of the plan – it also involves the addition of a number of other tourist-friendly amenities like a massive water park, complete with a wave pool and water slide, ropes courses, a year round mountain coaster, along with base area renovations and the construction of 60 ski-in ski-out townhomes. The good news is that the mountain bike trail expansion is included in phase one of the plan, and construction is expected to be completed over the course of the next four to five years pending the approval of the local government and the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations.

Who's excited for summer? Mountain bikes will be loading onto the lifts before too long - the Whistler Bike Park opens on May 20th.

In The Zone - Creek

by WhistlerMountainBikePark
Views: 42,378    Faves: 395    Comments: 25


MENTIONS: @WhistlerMountainBikePark


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154 Comments
  • 214 4
 could a couple roller blade trails be included in this expansion? Norbs would be stoked
  • 27 15
 Same with all the parents who push strollers. Boring.
  • 34 1
 Nothing like picking fruitbooters out of your minion tread.
  • 24 1
 @SithBike: I upvoted you for not getting the joke.
  • 18 3
 @makripper: I downvoted for the same reason
  • 7 0
 @SithBike: Vote for Sithbike
  • 2 1
 @SithBike: yea...norbs
  • 6 1
 @DOliver17 the mountain bikers cant follow one simple rule : walk your bike please!
  • 11 2
 @camcoz69: I upvoted you for downvoting him
  • 3 3
 @tseaman14: @sithbike for team captain!
  • 9 0
 We're going raw!
  • 12 9
 Still no riding on blackcomb unles you hike a bike but 50km or 32 miles for us in the civilized world is an awesome advance to the already outstanding network.
  • 5 9
flag taskmgr (Apr 6, 2016 at 19:25) (Below Threshold)
 @fecalmaster: it's called enduroing super hard bro. Just need the spirit. Chin up old mate
  • 10 1
 @makripper: I upvoted you for upvoting @camcoz69 for downvoting @SithBike
  • 1 8
flag cottonmouthdug (Apr 7, 2016 at 6:59) (Below Threshold)
 @fecalmaster: civilized like Detroit and St Loius and LA. I always walk around those places with tons of cash cause its so civilized
  • 2 0
 @makripper: Maybe your english not soo good but as stated previously you can hike a bike at blackcomb as many of us have been doing for manay many many yearssssssss. Hopefully you ride better than you read.
  • 1 0
 I was there 2 years ago and was fortunate to meet a local who show me around both mountains. The biggest bear I ever saw was on the Blackcomb side. New trail work means new travel plans are in order.
  • 89 1
 this is awesome!! Too bad almost every other resort in North America is light years behind Whistler. I need to move.
  • 1 0
 nvm
  • 1 0
 @src248: Trail design, variety, size, access, etc
  • 9 0
 @src248: some 9.461e+12 km away I guess
  • 4 0
 Yeah, I was going to point out Silver Star in rebuttal, but that's just one exception.
  • 4 1
 Yeah that's what happens when you have a decade head start.... and no Mammoth doesn't count.
  • 3 0
 At least you fucking can!
  • 4 0
 It's easy for Canadians find a job in whistler or work online, find housing, set up finances, bring your bike. Everybody else is unlucky, they need visas and tons of paper work.
  • 5 0
 @jonokonko: Yeah not to point out the obvious but a restaurant manager in Whistler will make about $20 an hr, which is ok for some stages in your life. I know because I lived in whistler for a year and got $12 to run an office. The housing is usually pretty small/expensive and shared. If you can look past those things, id say go for it. It is a fun winter/summer holiday away if your looking for that though, just wouldn't plan long term
  • 10 20
flag evanal21 (Apr 6, 2016 at 15:22) (Below Threshold)
 Light years is a unit of measurement not time.
  • 46 0
 @evanal21: You mean a unit of distance? If you're gonna be a smart @ss, you'd better get it right.
  • 11 3
 @jefe: ooh that's akward.
  • 4 0
 @evanal21: it's spelled award, not awkard




hope i got that right
  • 1 0
 @IntoTheEverflow: almost.. now once more..
  • 7 0
 @likemargarine: it's spelled an ounce more, not once more
  • 1 0
 @gunners1: Probably if you want to stay long term, you will probably want a decent paying job.
  • 1 9
flag fecalmaster (Apr 6, 2016 at 16:56) (Below Threshold)
 I probably the only one shocked that only 50km costs $345 million. Inflated prices know no borders.
  • 1 1
 @IntoTheEverflow: I love.. lamp?
  • 3 0
 @fecalmaster: The $345 million is a major infrastructure upgrade not just trails: new lifts, an aquatic centre, new housing, etc....
Check the Renaissance link for the full details.
  • 2 0
 @gunners1:I've lived in Whistler/Squamish for most of my life, you can find a living doing something other than the office and store type jobs. I don't think you can make much of a living doing those things anywhere really anyway. I did plumbing and excavation when I worked there and made enough to support my family no problem. My parents owned a business and did the same, I think you just need to look for jobs that you have to go to school for or are willing to work hard, but that is no different than anywhere else. Whistler Blackcomb hires lots of skilled trades people that make good money, not to mention all of the construction, electrical, plumbing etc. companies in town. I won't deny that housing is expensive though, which is one of the main reasons I don't live there anymore.
  • 2 0
 @jonokonko @gunners1 @pudding I have had similar conversations about that topic. Visited Vancouver, was pretty cool. Thought about relocation to B.C. especially knowing about Whistler. Met a Canadian girl at a music festival here in the states and struck up a conversation, at first she thought I was talking short term summer job, but I'm talking moving and finding career jobs. She said the same, employers are less likely to employ non-Canadians (understandable), the paperwork is a nightmare, and the visas don't last long enough to establish what I was looking for. Bummer. Another Canadian friend I have said Vancouver real estate is atrocious too. Sounds like why I don't already own in the area I live in and the rental market isn't much better Frown
  • 2 0
 @KottonGin: I haven't met too many Americans working in Whistler, but I have met a lot of Australian and British people. Some electrical companies have more Aussies and British people than they do Canadians working for them. Most of them have already or are in the middle of getting their citizenship, so it isn't unheard of, but i'm not too sure how easy it is for Americans vs Aussies and the British.
  • 1 0
 @pudding: I just want to live/work in B.C. in general not even Whistler specifically, I'll commute to Whistler lol. Thanks for some re-encouragement though! My big question is if those electrical companies and the stable employment have an influence on the citizenship process. For example I ran into a businessman for the Canadian pipelines and while the multiple weeks on and little off, remote locations, and danger was not too enticing, the pull they may have with citizenship may be pretty strong. Maybe, I'm just guessing here, food for thought.
  • 2 1
 @adrock-whistler: I'm selling the brooklyn bridge for $344 million if your interested.
  • 76 0
 Meanwhile in Norcal marin announces 15 mph speed limits are now being enforced with Lidar. fml.
  • 4 28
flag oronaut (Apr 6, 2016 at 13:54) (Below Threshold)
 That'd be radar, but yeah. Also, if you are a mountain biker in Marin- you're doing it wrong.
  • 8 3
 @oronaut: i originally thought radar but apparently its LIDAR, a bazillion people corrected my spelling error on Facebook. #TheMoreYouKnow
  • 26 9
 I dont think I have every responded to a comment on pinkbike, but as a geologist I just cannot let this one go... LiDAR is Light Detection and Ranging and is used for creating extremely high detailed maps (sometimes with only mm of error) from either ground or plane. Depending on settings, a LiDAR laser scanner can send millions of laser points out in a single swath in a second in order to create high quality images of a landscape. Im rambling here, but long story short LiDAR makes maps and in no way, shape, or form can it measure the speed of a mountain bike. I ride out in Marin all the time and while I love the riding, the introduction of radar speed traps will raise many an issue that could set precedence for many more riders around the country.
  • 30 1
 @dillonosleger: I'm a geologist, too. LiDAR is a technology that can be used in a variety of ways. High-resolution mapping is the best-known application, but not the only one. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LIDAR_speed_gun
  • 45 3
 I'm not a geologist, but I'm pretty sure that @evasive just dropped the mic.
  • 2 0
 @dillonosleger: lidar speed guns exist too - www.stalkerradar.com/lidar_lr.php
  • 70 0
 @aoneal: I don't know if i've ever witnessed a geological smackdown, that was definitely groundbreaking.
  • 25 2
 Im not a geologist or an engineer - but I stayed in a holiday inn express last night and therefore know how to use the google when I have questions about something. It's LIDAR.
  • 13 2
 @IsaacO: This exclusive geo-smackdown brought to you by the ready-to-rumble Pinkbike rowdy's.
  • 8 1
 @oronaut Sounds like you need a history lesson on Marin county and Mountain biking.

For perspective, I think your judgement comes from lack of exposure and coverage of this area. In this region (Northern CA/SFbay/Sac areas) there are a ton a good places to ride and it is very common to take a 2-4hr trip in any direction to a spot. In my opinion this area keeps majority of the spots low key so they don't get blown up. When the general area around the bay area has a population of roughly 7 million people within that 2-4hr trip time it becomes a survival technique for spots.

Here is the biggest thorn in my side though: Aren't we all just cyclists riding on the same damn rock? Regardless of all the subdivisions of cycling we shouldn't take a shit on our peers. I'm tired of discouragement and elitism in sub-cultures. Whether you live at 100ft elevation or 1000ft elevation as long as you are on a bike pedaling, YOU'RE DOING IT RIGHT. Rant over.
  • 14 2
 Wow, I have been truly humbled today. Thank you Pinkbike, never in my wildest dreams had I every imagined this community would provide me with anything but laughs and bike related knowledge, but lo and behold! Thanks @evasive for correcting me! I should have thought a little deeper before posting, but you "in the moment" and all that jazz....
  • 2 0
 @KottonGin: Well said. We are just cyclists riding on the same damn rock. Just keep it under 15 out there mate.
  • 2 0
 @oronaut: Cheers! Although I will defend the terrain and secret gems in the area the 15mph limit is an example of government intervention gone too far. If what @dillonosleger hinted at above happens and speed traps become more prevalent abroad we will have to push back.
  • 1 0
 So will they have actual People having speed traps, or will it be like a red light camera?
  • 2 0
 @jonokonko: Article I read stated they will have officers posted. With so much acreage it will be hard to say how easy it will be to spot or enforce, plus another article I read said they will be focusing on trails that are shared the most like fireroads.
  • 1 0
 Radar works with very long wavelengths, meaning it can completely miss "small" objects like bikes, people or their combination (small as it was practically developed to detect planes and ships). Lidar on the other hand uses short wavelength which will reflect off even from microscopic particles, my uni actually uses lidar to detect microscopic pollutants in the air, so size of the object you want to detect is no issue with lidar.
  • 49 1
 *Cough* Northstar are you listening? *Cough*
  • 12 0
 Maybe Northstar should focus on improving existing trails? They were pretty beat when I was there last summer.
  • 14 0
 *Cough* Snow Summit are you listening? *Cough*
  • 10 0
 Northstar doesnt build trails anymore. Soon the mountain will be covered with wheelchair ramps and rollerskate tracks
  • 2 0
 Northstar is owned by Vail resorts which is focusing their energy on real estate and "destination resorts which are fun for the whole family". Sorry to burst your bubble, but Northstar will never have a cool, gnarly bike park.
  • 4 0
 Snow summit is in desperate need for more than 2 trails. Please
  • 1 0
 Northstar rider confirmed--lungs destroyed by dust are an obvious clue.
  • 2 0
 @thook: Last I heard, Snow Summit had some plans for expansion, but it wasn't from an official source.
  • 2 0
 I sure hope its true, so much potential for more there but as of now its tough driving so far and paying to only get 2 runs.
  • 2 0
 @martis: I heard that the plans for expansion have been established for awhile now; only thing holding them back from building new trails is the Forest Service. I really hope to see new trails this summer!
  • 34 0
 I doubled in size reading this.
  • 16 0
 I went from 6 to midnight.
  • 27 1
 Would quit my job just to go there and dig. For free.
  • 13 0
 If they would cover expenses.
  • 7 1
 You work for free on the trails, and then pay for riding in YOUR trails? Do not be an idiot. Wink
  • 1 0
 @torero: Well, i think they wouldn't charge me for helping Big Grin
  • 2 1
 Come to Van Isle my friend. Its not for free though. You will be adorned with beers and weed then somone will shuttle your stoned drunk diggin ars!
  • 26 10
 So how much are passes, tickets and lessons going up by to pay for this new expansion?
  • 32 4
 Dang, Negative Nancy here. There are people who would sell a kidney to ride Whistler - I doubt that they'll be deterred even if prices do go up.
  • 4 1
 @slumgullion: Yep. Whistler is welcome to their fair share of my income. Will be there in early July, later than usual because of my damn recovering knee.
  • 13 0
 So I tried peddling up Mt. Fromme on big bike last Sunday, lets just say I can understand why Whistler charges what they do.
  • 8 1
 you must not be aware how much dumbasses pay for Disneyland trips... you think whistler fanatics aren't of the same blood?! the only difference is I hate Disneyland Wink
  • 2 2
 Seasons pass is only $70 more (early bird) than last year... Totally worth every penny.
  • 2 0
 Gotta a point though @sexley..skiing, snowboarding tickets have already gone up to $120 a day unless purchased online. Wonder what the biking prices will be
  • 7 0
 the cheapest thing to do at Whistler is buy a ticket and stay on the mountain as long as possible.
  • 3 0
 Prices will probably be great for us Americans as long as the Loonie stays in the shitter!
  • 2 0
 I've always been impressed with summer lodging prices at Whistler, much cheaper than nearby Vancouver or the mountain resorts here in CO.
  • 1 0
 Well they're only like $55 for a day pass at the moment.
  • 14 1
 Um, wow. One can only hope this is a massive success and that other parks around the country take notice, where viable.
  • 11 1
 Last summer I flew 8500 km just to ride there for few days. Now I sit here and feel depressed because now I exactly know what Im missing. Love it there. Need to return asap.
  • 7 0
 I feel the same. I went last year and it ruined me. Can't wait to go back!
  • 2 1
 I drove 16 hours last summer to get there. I feel you!
  • 12 1
 Will there be mountains after they finished?
  • 11 1
 I'm so excited to be moving to Whistler next year!
  • 10 1
 You lucky son of a b*tch, have fun Smile
  • 12 1
 I can stay very still for hours...how bigs your bag?
  • 10 1
 That feeling when you are european
  • 2 12
flag torero (Apr 6, 2016 at 14:45) (Below Threshold)
 That sense of freedom when knowing that I not have to pay for riding in my backyard.
  • 4 1
 @torero: you're paying for maintenance of the trails and lift access. you can pedal all over whistler if you want to spend $0.
  • 4 1
 @torero: Have you ever been to Whistler? There's hundreds of KM of trails in the valley which are free to ride and the up keep is all done by volunteers/ trail builders funded by the community here. The bike park is sweet but gets hammered the price to ride there is very reasonable when you see the amount of work that goes in to it.
  • 1 1
 przenieść się do Canada!
  • 12 3
 Best news I've heard all day!
  • 8 1
 Meanwhile in Ireland the forestry commission are refusing to see the potential in the sport...sad.Fair play to the whistler crew it's inspirational stuff
  • 2 0
 how?
  • 1 0
 @trauty: how as in how do they not see the potential?
  • 1 0
 @Ger09: i thought there are loads of places around. wicklow ?
  • 1 0
 @trauty: ah yeah there's a good few that have been put together over the years but yet have to use the potential within the rest of Ireland, there's some great places but the plans for most all seem to get delayed and I mean as in years if at all.Great talent here and trails that people have built but we still have a lot more to give Smile
  • 10 2
 pinkbike exlodes!! 404 error not found
  • 6 0
 Holy shizz it's only a 2 hr 15 min flight from SF to VAN and can be had for $240 RT

There are 17 daily flights from San Francisco, CA to Whistler
  • 1 0
 i always forget how close vancouver is from california. it's in some cases slower to drive from socal to mammoth than it is to get from socal to whistler. step it up, mammoth.
  • 1 0
 you can do even cheaper if you fly to SEA - I think I paid $170 RT last summer on southwest from bay area to SEA, and my bike (broken down into 2 suitcases) and gear flew FREE with me (instead of $150-200+ with other airline for bike + 1 bag). The downside is car rental in Seattle is outrageous vs other places I've rented before... but the Skyline bus from VAN with a bike is very expensive as well.
  • 7 0
 Does this mean bike park passes will be 1k?
  • 7 0
 Anticipating global warming I guess?
  • 1 0
 Scrolling down till I saw it or I was going to post it. No. Doubt. As an aside, the lift lines up there this winter were insane. They could make every chair a 6 pack and still have huge midweek lines.
  • 7 1
 have to be there once in the life time
  • 2 0
 I wish you it's something special
  • 6 2
 Going to turn into Disneyworld,better hoing to Vancouver Island or Squamish
  • 3 1
 Mountain resorts always been the Disneyworld of outdoor activities. Life is good if you can figure out how to both have fun at a bike park when you're at a bike park and how to have fun in wilderness when you're in the wilderness. Seriously, I highly recommend.
  • 2 1
 You can pedal up the other side of the valley or Blackcomb and be in relative seclusion. Anyways, it's Whistlerland already. www.pinkbike.com/news/whistlerland-video-gopor-dirt-diaries-2014.html
  • 2 9
flag torero (Apr 6, 2016 at 14:38) (Below Threshold)
 It is an insult to humanity the mere fact that the mountains are privately owned and have to pay for access to them. AWAKEN!
  • 4 2
 @torero: Or pedal up for free
  • 2 0
 now please announce plans to increase the bed unit cap on the muni so more of us can afford to live there and the businesses can staff!
  • 1 0
 Literally every business in town is understaffed because of the housing shortage, yet no mention of increased staff housing. This $345M investment sounds great but who is going to move here to work when there is no where to live?
  • 1 0
 That's pretty sweet, now if they could extend their chairlift to come down the east coast that would be great. Thanks!
  • 2 0
 That side of the mountain has such huuuuuuugue potential!!
  • 1 0
 That side of the mountain already has some amazing trails in it. It'll be a little bit of a shame to see Kybers and RDS further descend into bike park trails are away from the semi secret, non bike park fun they are now, but there's still a lot of other stuff to ride and more trails are always a good thing.
  • 1 0
 Please, can you invite me to build there, i will work for food and place for night and able to ride)
  • 2 0
 Well that's that then, I'm moving to Whistler!
  • 1 0
 Cool i just booked my vacation at work one month at Whistler, Will see you soon B.C
  • 1 0
 Meanwhile san diego is down to single digits in single track and even less DH trails.
  • 1 0
 So what is the chance I can get a sweet job building trails in Whistler if they're going to build a whole new network?
  • 1 0
 Whistler should be the design template for every ski hill in the world. All season fun!
  • 1 0
 This is incredible news! I cannot wait to see what's to come and how much better Whistler can get Big Grin
  • 2 0
 woo so excite
  • 4 2
 OH HELL YES!
  • 1 0
 Was "Crank it up more" ever opened last year?
  • 4 0
 Never opened, apparently it was too dry to complete the trail. I'm sure they'll have it ready for opening this year!
  • 1 0
 @nickw686: two years for freight train...and counting
  • 1 0
 Dam omg so excited holy shit. I need to move to whistler eventually Smile
  • 1 0
 Stoked the rumors of whistler's expansion were true!
  • 1 0
 Video was ok, needed more close ups of Tristan's face though.
  • 1 0
 polite way to say : 2016 daily bike pass will costs, 18000000000 K
  • 1 0
 dream> if there were only 2km Whistler trails nearby dream/>
  • 1 0
 Vay nice, high five!
  • 2 1
 yes !!!!!!
  • 8 2
 I hope they're not IMBA sanctioned trails... lolz
  • 7 0
 Wait for the new pass' prices
  • 1 0
 F*** YEAH!
  • 1 0
 Fuck yeah
  • 1 0
 whoa.
  • 1 2
 Eureka!!!!
  • 1 2
 Thats very nice
  • 7 9
 Daamn Daniel
  • 3 1
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaG5SAw1n0c
  • 1 1
 Sweet. More green trails, just what Whistler needs.

They're going to double the size of the park but are they going to double the uplift capacity?
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