Peak Leaders: Top 5 Whistler Trails

Nov 17, 2014 at 0:08
by Peak Leaders  
It seems a long time since the bike-park closed up, and the snow season is soon to take hold in Whistler. Whilst this is obviously exciting for lovers of the white stuff, those of the dirt persuasion may not be so pleased. However, the valleys surrounding Whistler are home to a first class trail network, with more maintained and signposted trails to shake a stick at. There is still time to get out on two wheels before the snow really takes a hold (even if it is a little cold), so here is a roundup of our favourite trails of 2014.

5. AC/DC

Found at the Southern end of the flank trail, this lives up to its name of being a rock lovers delight. Plenty of steep rocky chutes to keep you on your toes, which flow nicely between, before ending on some rock rolls. Expect to say 'Is it roll-able?' a fair bit down this trail. Another thing to have a look out for is a very sketchy ladder bridge gap that crosses the trail to ladder bridge landing...

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014
View over Creekside

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014
Is it rollable?

Trailforks.com


4. Cheap Thrills

At the more southern end of the flank trail, 'Cheap Thrills' is a double black with some of the wildest features on any trail in the Whistler valley. The first section throws your straight down some long rock rolls with no clear line, definitely worth stopping and looking before sending these! Then it goes on to heavily feature some north shore ladders, the first steep one dropping you out straight into another skinny across a bridge and into an uphill corner. Again probably worth checking this out beforehand! Then it traverses, with a few more steep chutes and rock rolls, but these are much shorter and have lots more dirt than the ones at the start. Not a trail for the faint hearted!

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014
Getting an eye in for skinny

Trailforks.com


3. Pura Vida

One of the more mellow and flowy trails about mid way along the flank trail, 'Pura Vida' is a seriously un-appreciated. One of the fastest runs down, it starts out with mixing twisty singletrack and tight switchbacks before a gnarly off cambered root section (although there is a ride around). It then follows a creek down to where it merges with the flank trail further down, getting steeper with rock gardens around corners, before finishing on a skinny across a river.

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014
Danny dropping into a rooty chute

Trailforks.com


2. Green Monster

Found up in the Alpine Meadows area, you undoubtedly have to 'earn' your descent with this trail given the pretty brutal fireroad climb up to the trail head. Another trail high up on the difficulty list, it makes it that much more rewarding and exciting to ride. After a short traverse and some loamy sections of switchbacks, the rest of the trail is made up of steep rock slabs, usually into steeper loam section after!

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014
Thankfully there are some encouraging signs to help.

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014
One of the bigger slab rock rolls on 'Green Moster'

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014
Morgan dropping into some 'brown pow'

Trailforks.com


1. Howler

The climb up to 'Howler' is definitely one of the longest climbs for any trail in the Valley trail network, only second to 'Comfortably Numb'. However, it matches the difficulty of the climb with great fun factor all the way down to the bottom. It has a really nice gradient that allows you to carry speed easily, without feeling you have to hang off the back. It also has a really nice variety of features, some small rock sections and rock rolls to start, before turning into a few flat corner switchbacks (making sure you concentrate) before the final section of flat out and steep loose rocky and dirt corners!

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014

Top 5 Whistler trails 2014

Trailforks.com


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Author Info:
peakleaders avatar

Member since Feb 3, 2009
100 articles

30 Comments
  • 12 1
 Yes Pinkbike this is what we need! Love the bike park, but always good to mix it up with some good valley trails. Surprised Microclimate was not on this list
  • 4 0
 Microclimate again today (and last Thursday included Yummy Numby to Foreplay). -2 degrees at midday as we "dropped in" last Thursday, positively balmy by comparison today (maybe 5 degrees). Running so well at the moment, heaps of grip, can ride it without causing any trail damage. A couple of (previously) boggy sections will probably benefit from some trail love in the early Spring. So much fun with a lot of everything. Love the acess trail/ climb as well, cheeky little skill tester. Thank you all Whistler trail builders and WORCA!!
  • 1 0
 I did MC to yummy foreplay on Monday. It was great. Foreplay was really good. Doubt its like that today!

btw whats up with the goggles dood?
  • 8 0
 These are some of my favourites. But really I would prefer if you keep people corraled in the bike park where I can see them Smile
  • 9 0
 Who the hell are Peak Leaders?
  • 2 1
 They run Ski Instructor and Bike Instructor courses here in Whistler.
  • 2 1
 Thanks @amrskipro ! Yes we run MTB Instructor and Improver courses, alongside Ski and Snowboard camps in Europe as well as North and South America. Check out our website if you want more information! www.peakleaders.com
  • 8 3
 Do you do work on the trails? It seems that youre using them to promote your business so it would be the right thing to do.
  • 9 1
 Hey Pinkbike. More of this. Thanks!
  • 5 0
 So sick. I live in Squamish and can hardly keep up with all the sick trails going in everywhere around here, let alone Whistler and Pemberton! Insane.
  • 2 0
 I think mine would have to be a MINIMUM top 6 best rides:

Kashmir/Kush/BC's

Gargamel

Golden Boner/Roam In the Loam/ Instant Grat

Rock Work Orange/Kraver Milk Bar/ Wizzards Burial/ Beaver Pass

Howler

Cheap Thrills/99er/ACDC
  • 12 6
 Good article, but goggles and a half lid? Unforgivable.
  • 9 5
 Have you tried it? It's actually pretty comfortable, keeps the helmet extra snug, and offers eye protection which is nice. I still prefer no goggles, just find they fog a bit for me. Not exactly "unforgivable" though.
  • 4 1
 Good article. But IMO its impossible to chose a top 5 in Whistler, there is just so many trails, different views, skill levels, flow vs real techy, etc... This list is definitely the one for the DHers.
  • 2 0
 Sweet Trails!! Tech trails and steep climb ups for sure but worth it. Reminds me of the Chromag 10th. Anniversary group ride, Good Times.. Thanks to WORCA and all the trail builders out there.
  • 5 2
 Pura Vida is hardly un-appreciated...and it doesn't join the Flank, it joins Industrial Disease, which then goes across the creek to Baby Snakes.
  • 2 1
 Thanks for the spot! We'll get that changed up. Had been a long day!
  • 3 0
 This was a really good article ! Nicely done . YA , really miss Whistler Frown Frown
  • 2 0
 Lovely article, Whistler trails outside of the park are the best in the world. Hopefully I get one last go at them before the snow.
  • 3 0
 You forgot to add Rockwork Orange, Kariva, and wizard burial ground!
  • 2 0
 Except the article is about riding outside the Park and Trespasser is in the Park. But it is seriously crazy as a trail.
  • 2 0
 Gargamel!!!! That rock roll in the pic on Green Monster is pretty gnarly in person.
  • 1 0
 Howler is one of the best trails i have ever ridden, totally worth the pedal (or hike for unfit people like me)
  • 1 0
 weren't 3 of these trails not made with the muni or worca?
  • 4 0
 more like none of them.
  • 2 3
 Goggle half lid dude can be forgiven while supporting knolly by riding what looks like an endorphin. Respect.
  • 2 2
 Make a DH list now. Trespasser etc.
  • 2 0
 that trails better on a trail bike you don't need big suspension to ride steeps
  • 1 1
 I'm not from Whistler. I visit every year. i just threw that one out there are no shuttle trails on the list (yes i know this one is off the lift)
  • 1 0
 AC DC for me.







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