North Shore Trail Builder Academy to begin April 18

Apr 10, 2012
by Mark Wood  
Arc teryx

The North Shore Mountain Bike Association is proud to announce the launching of the North Shore Trail Builder Academy presented by Arc’teryx. Beginning April 18, the course is offered on two dates in April and two dates in May. The theory sessions are followed by a practical session in the field led by experienced North Shore builders.

For anyone who’s ever built trail or wanted to learn, the 2 hour curriculum gives a baseline approach addressing the key fundamentals: line selection, drainage, bench cut, reroute & reclamation, dirt work, armouring, corners, speed and flow. The evening theory session will be followed by a build day of practical application in the unique and challenging conditions on the North Shore.

The philosophy of the course is focussed on long term sustainability to minimize maintenance, environmental care & respect and positive rider experience. The practical application includes the knowledge and guidance of long time and experienced North Shore builders including Todd “Digger” Fiander. For those that wish to continue their training, they are able to shadow a TAP builder to broaden the practical application of their skills with professional mentorship.

The curriculum utilizes IMBA guidelines, Whistler guidelines, best management practices of the DNV, Metro Vancouver guidelines and BC Parks guidelines and is gratefully supported by these organizations.

There will be another 4 dates in the Fall released later this year.

The Builders Academy wouldn’t be possible without the partnership and support of Arc’teryx, an international company based here on the North Shore.

Space is very limited. To register online and for more information, please click here.

Posted In:
Press Releases


Author Info:
Woodro avatar

Member since Jul 19, 2010
19 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Thank You For Everything, Pinkbike
73027 views
How to Watch the 2024 Mountain Bike World Cup [Update: Staylive Offering Access in New Zealand, South Africa & More]
60387 views
First Ride: The 2024 Giant Trance X Advanced
50623 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Mairiporã XC World Cup 2024
41286 views
Staff Ride: Matt Beer's NZ MTB Rally-Spec Ibis HD6
38821 views
First Ride: 2024 Yeti SB165 - Now With Mixed Wheels
37221 views
Tree Root Pierces Harriet Harnden's Foot at Round 1 of the British National Downhill Series
36755 views
First Ride: The Sub-$600 RockShox Domain and Psylo Forks
36537 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

41 Comments
  • 25 0
 Danno's Five steps to building a good trail:
1. Find a mountain; for Ontario riders, any change in elevation is good enough.
2. Get a Shovel.
3. Build something you want to ride.
4. Ride it.
5. If it sucked in step 4, go back to step 3.

But in all seriousness this is pretty sweet, more input never hurts. Also cool to see a solid Arc’teryx doing something cool in the MTB world.
  • 4 1
 Without drainage these are steps to build a good stream and tick off the locals imba chapter. Locally at least. Trust me, I've found out the hard way.
  • 2 0
 My list was the abridged version. I know the importance of drainage and how to build it. I actually have a pretty pretty cool drainage system on part of one of my trails.
  • 19 2
 come to my place, i will let you all build trails on my property for free!
  • 3 0
 Same here!
  • 5 0
 Will i get paid with hookers?
  • 2 0
 its out in amish country we got some of ohios best amish girls....
  • 2 0
 As long as i get a cool top hat in the end im happy....
  • 1 0
 We can probably work out a deal with them..
  • 12 0
 I'd like to see an educational documentary video made from these courses so I don't have to travel to a 2 hours and one day class.

A DVD/online video version would be a great benefit to many people around the world.
  • 1 0
 Oh yeah, please make a DVD or a vid, please, please, please ! I'm 18h of flight too far !
  • 1 0
 there is a book.
  • 1 0
 A book ? Great ! Where ?
  • 1 0
 Imba trail building manual. Google it
  • 7 0
 I love that they are focusing on sustainable trails! This is how we can prevent crappy situations like at the North Fork trails in Washington (disclaimer: those trails were actually very sustainable... DNR just wanted to be little girls about it). It proves that we as mountain bikers understand the need for long lasting trails that minimize their impact and it's just one more way to make our trails bullet proof under the scrutiny of "the man".
  • 3 0
 wosrked with the imba when i lived in canada ,our trails never had any drainage problems until these guys starting changing things.they have some crazy backwards ideas.i wish something like this would happen in england so bikers could get toggether and build without it getting torn down
  • 1 0
 I totally agree but i imagine courses to show people how to build proper trials would only anger the forresty commisions more, all our trails get ripped down once a year regardless of how easy or stupid or far they are from paths or how well built the tracks are, wish theyd just give us a plot of land so we can build under their supervision. Some people need to realise that this is a big worldwide sport and not just a bunch of people 'rebeling'.
  • 1 0
 I totally agree but i imagine courses to show people how to build proper trials would only anger the forresty commisions more, all our trails get ripped down once a year regardless of how easy or stupid or far they are from paths or how well built the tracks are, wish theyd just give us a plot of land so we can build under their supervision. Some people need to realise that this is a big worldwide sport and not just a bunch of people 'rebeling'.
  • 3 1
 Imba is nothing more than a political group and nothing technical should be learned by them. Since this is Canadian I have a good feeling that this would be a dope little clinic! And if you really want to learn "trail building" then just get yourself into the landscaping/excavating industry as you will have so much extra knowledge trail building will be super easy
  • 2 0
 So let me get this straight: IMBA is political and not a good source of trail building knowledge and just because it is Canadian means it will be good? I am willing to believe you know a bit about trail building since you are a landscaper. What part of the imba trail specs do you disagree with?
  • 3 0
 TOUCHE! haha what i mean by this is, from my experience with IMBA they are super lame in the dh disciplines of trail building. They have ridiculous sustainability requirements that when land managers see they are automatically turned off against the dh discipline, as there is typically a fine threshold for this discipline in the sustainability department. Even though there is mention of trail armoring in the books and some drainage techniques and ways to mitigate this, it still implies to most (though not all, as some are able to think outside the box, which seems to be the boys up in canada who deal with the super steeps and super wet) that surpassing the trail grade rules or one of the "11 essential elements of sustainable trails" means that its forbidden to be used at all which then hinders the amount of dh trails to be "legally" built. i understand there intentions with everything as far as getting the message of mountain biking out there in a "safe" atmosphere reducing risk to participants as well as land managers while protecting the land and everything else that they do(and they do alot) but i dont see how a one size fits all approach works for ALL levels and ALL disciplines of the sport. maybe its just the folks in my area who are taking things too literally and things are not like this everywhere. At least i hope thats the case. all im trying to say is Learn as much as you can from all sources, not just whats spoon fed to you and going to canada to learn from peeps who deal with sustainability issues would be a good way to go...... i still support and pay IMBA
  • 1 0
 Thanks for being cool. I see where you are coming from. I was building a DH trail at an old ski resort last fall and I had a guy give me some Imba tips that were pretty good
  • 1 0
 your right danny-oli,things need to change in the uk to many uptight people dont realise what a great sport it is.when i was in canada the area i live in started a adopt a trail ,this was to stop illegal building they give you a bunch of rough guide lines and check your work .this would be great in england
  • 5 0
 Oh man, I would love to get in on that. I need a passport.
  • 14 2
 (In my best Russian accent) "You need passport? you have come to right place my friend..."
  • 3 0
 Depends on what they are trying to teach. Ever tried to slash a misplaced berm? It's awkward and can kill the flow of the trail...
  • 1 1
 Firstly, thanks PB for posting!
This is a key step in building capacity & knowledge base in our community.
The curriculum is based on IMBA guidelines and they are key fundaments to building sustainable trail. There are a number of other sources/guidelines/best management practices incorporated in the curriculum plus lots of local builder's knowledge from long time builders on the Shore including Digger.
To respond to the earlier post from Trailsnob; IMBA is a very important advocacy group who has done and continues to do positive things for our sport as well as providing key technical insights to building sustainable trails.
  • 3 0
 What defines this so called "proper building technique?"
  • 1 0
 you ever ridden a trail that turns into a swamp and gets wider and wider as people try to go around the eternal puddles?
  • 1 0
 Proper trail building is key but in my eyes opsticals (sp) are what make trails fun / different and challenging Mtb is about the ride
  • 1 0
 obstacles?
  • 3 0
 About time Arc'teryx got into MTB
  • 2 1
 Thumbs up! Arcteryx gear is just mega. My fave outdoor gear brand. Smile
  • 1 0
 anybody in the hope BC area. GO TO THE bc NICKLEMINE ABOUT 10 MIN OUTTA HOPE. GOOD RIDING BUT MAY NEED A LITTLE WORK.
  • 1 0
 How do you get someone to build a trail for you and make money at the same time? Call it a trail building academy.
  • 1 0
 Wow, that's awesome. I can't believe there's no charge aside from NSMBA membership...
  • 1 0
 The first East Coast Version closest to my state, let me know when it happens- Ill pay tuition cash.
  • 1 0
 I wish we had something like this in Australia
  • 2 1
 If you have to learn how to build a trail, you've never ride anything...
  • 1 0
 Canada olympic park needs to take this course







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.150243
Mobile Version of Website