Whistler Bike Park Opening Day 2012

May 21, 2012
by Brad Walton  
The weather was primo with full sun and comfortable temperatures all day, which was icing on the cake for some of the best early season conditions in years. Snow removal efforts by the bike park staff left 23 lower mountain trails open, with dusty conditions on opening day. Crowds and lift lines were few and far between as some lucky riders were able to appreciate opening day before the Victoria Day long weekend. Smiles were plentiful and everyone was stoked to bring in a new season for the Whistler Bike Park.

Whistler 2012 Season Opener

by bradwalton
Views: 55,442    Faves: 513    Comments: 91


getting loaded in Whistler
  With beautiful weather and guests arriving as early as 4:00a.m., Whistler graced rider anticipation by opening the park a half-hour early.

Sunny start to 2012 in Whistler Bike Park
  The Sultan of Stoke, Brett Tippie, arrives in a nearly empty parking lot on a bluebird day for the 2012 Whistler bike park season opener.

Looking up from the bottom
  Whistler lower mountain was nearly clear of snow, with only a few patches remaining. The bike park staff did an amazing job prepping the trails for a beautiful opening day.

scanning passes
  Local riders took their first runs of many for the 2012 season.

Whistler Bike Park 2012
  Whistler Village was pretty mellow for a change as riders eased into their first day of the 2012 season.

getting loaded in Whistler
  Lots of fresh bikes were being rolled into the lift line - a sure sign of one's priorities in life.

wallrides on Crank It Up
  Crank It Up is an early ritual for any day in the Whistler Bike Park. Warm-up laps are instrumental for those easing back onto the bike after a long winter.

railing berms
  Female presence was high on the bike park's inaugural day this season, and watch out fellas, many of them are rippers.

gapping on A-line
  Fun in the sun was the theme of the day. Trail conditions and weather were both outstanding.

rock drop on A-line
  The classic A-line rock was no match for big bikes as riders adjusted to the bike park after a few laps.

cruising the park
  It wasn't long after lunch until the pace obviously picked up for many riders.

railing berms
  The ladies are pushing it hard already this season, leaving a cloud of dust for riders behind them.

railing berms
  C4 Rider Training had strong representation on the mountain with several groms getting the first couple of chairs of the season.

RaceFace wallride on A-line
  Some of us just naturally pick back up where we left off last season.

GLC drop
  The GLC was packed with patrons all day who ate and watched nearly every rider on the mountain show off on the infamous last drop in the bike park.

end of day bike wash
  A first day in the park comes to a close as riders rinse dusty remains from their steeds.

For more info on the Whistler bike park, visit Whistler.com

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93 Comments
  • 113 0
 I was there once .......

In a dream Frown
  • 26 1
 So many pretty girls.
  • 13 0
 Get to ze choppaar, noaawww!
  • 2 22
flag Jacob1993 (May 21, 2012 at 15:52) (Below Threshold)
 So many pretty girls? The girl in this picture is like 8... sick.
  • 12 0
 ^did you watch the video?..
  • 6 0
 he clearly did not
  • 10 0
 even the little kids have better bikes than me...
  • 3 1
 If anyone can get me stoked to ride. It's tippy hands down. It's almost mid night here and I just got a huge rush of adrenaline. I wanna ride!!!!!!!!
  • 27 0
 that little kid in the last picture has saints on that beast of his, that is awesome
  • 6 0
 those people at 0.48 all look identical
  • 6 0
 That is either Jackson or I believe he had a brother riding with him? They have custom bikes from someone in Oregon. Chromag bars, Loaded headset and stems. They hit jumps as big as I do. He hits 75% of of A-Line. They were both awesome riders!!!!
  • 4 0
 Jackson actually rides with his sister, but I agree, she is awesome! Smile
  • 2 0
 MUST GO!!! These videos do a good job of making you try to think of any possible way of getting there....
  • 12 0
 "DO CARALHO" haha just brilliant when you hear swearing in your own language in a foreign movie, and so eloquently summing it all up! do caralho without any doubt...
  • 2 0
 ele deve ter pensado ! "Ya Ya do caralho" hahaha xD
  • 7 0
 Tippie is amazing lol. I was smiling the whole time watching that vid -- even during those awkward ''i dont want to be caught on camera cuz im skipping work/school/something'' from the interviewees lololol
  • 9 0
 tippi does a great job ,and one more time Awesome! !!!
  • 8 1
 Teacher : "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Student: "I want to be like Brett tippie !!"
  • 6 0
 Awesome, now Northstar get ur head out ur ass, now every bike park is open execpt u. and we stil have to wait 3 more weeks even though u have no snow???
  • 7 0
 MTB MECCA... I'll have to make the pilgrimage one day!
  • 6 13
flag Protour (May 21, 2012 at 7:54) (Below Threshold)
 I still view Moab as the MTB mecca, it is the original and always will be. But Whistler is certainly the DH/freeride MTB bike park mecca.
  • 9 0
 People always forget that Whistler xc trails that put some of Moab to shame. No hit to Utah but combine the bike park and the valley trails, then add Squamish, pemberton, and the North Shore you get to see the argument for true mountain bike Mecca.....
  • 3 0
 OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! I had too much stuff to do this weekend but I hope to get out either this week or next week. Does anyone know if it's pouring rain there like it is here in NW WA because I've got an itch that only Whistler can scratch...
  • 2 0
 Raining pretty hard right now
  • 4 0
 I have been planning a snowboard trip to Whistler for the last few years, I hope the people in my crew are not too pissed when I book it for the summer instead!!!
  • 4 0
 We went on Sat. it was amazing ... even dusty in spots ... the trail crews (like always) did a fantastic job!!
Best opening weekend ever?? I think so. Smile
  • 5 0
 Why is it that every time I see a movie with Tippie, I get a big grin. That dude is living... Man he gets me stoked.
  • 6 1
 hahaha the girl in pink and white looked scared Smile LOL
  • 7 1
 she also looked real cute Smile
  • 3 0
 id be pretty scared to if I was ESL and had some large dude tgat seems like hes high all the time approach me Big Grin tippie is awesome!
  • 3 0
 epic opening day, no lift waits. Dry conditions, Trails crew did an insane job this year. Fast and flowy. Can't wait to see what Garbonzo looks like.
  • 3 0
 I was there. It was great. Sunny, dry, and sick! Tried following Tippie but he's still damn fast. Great way to kick off the season. Was getting serious withdrawals.
  • 3 0
 Loving the Whistler coverage!
Does anyone know who makes the highlighter yellow bar seen in the fifth photo from the bottom?
  • 2 0
 Gravity's AT signature bar. If you're interested in one, PM me.
  • 3 0
 first day (and any day) at whistler IS better than christmas! and i'll take last chair over first chair any day.
  • 4 0
 "better than christmas!" Lucky Grom.
  • 3 0
 I can only dream.............so I dont want any of you whislter barsteds says that your ganna be there
  • 8 1
 Am here right now... sorry for rubbing it in!
  • 3 0
 Well, I had that dream, and it's about to be fulfilled in a couple of weeks time! Can't wait.
  • 5 0
 Brett is such a lad
  • 5 0
 TIPPIE!!!!
  • 4 0
 "Beautiful girls in full-faces, smiling."
  • 4 0
 Canadian Girls know how to ride Smile
  • 4 0
 mmm... 7:10 yummy (call me!)
  • 2 0
 First day at whistler ever yesterday! I loved it cant wait to get back up there!
  • 3 0
 I would love to meet Brett Tippie. he's so passionate and happy
  • 3 0
 Tippy. No one can do it better. tup
  • 1 0
 Whoot - condo booked mid late august in whistler while the wife goes to a yoga festival i am off to do some DH and do the xc trails...oh and drink beer
  • 3 0
 im so jealous of that chick in the vid with the flatline WC
  • 4 1
 *opening day of heaven*
  • 2 0
 Will be seein you guys in June/July!!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 ssssssssssoooooooooooooooo stoked that I'm going next week!!!!
  • 3 0
 wait...was it awesome??
  • 1 0
 Is that a trick question? Haha it looked pretty rad bro!
  • 1 0
 It was sarcasm haha. Almost everyone said it was!!! And how couldn't you??
  • 2 0
 3 week countdown we fly out there on 10th June!
  • 2 0
 so hav to make a trip there this year.
  • 2 0
 i'm so stoked from that video, and i'm not even going to whistler ahah.
  • 1 0
 lol, same.
  • 1 0
 Whatever he is on, I want some, he is seriously the most stoked human being alive...
  • 2 0
 i was one of the kids there at 4 am
  • 2 0
 Justin Wyper is sooooo chill!
  • 3 0
 7:05 ... *jaw drops**
  • 1 0
 Pinkbike is the nearest I'll probably ever get to Whistler. Unless I go to Canada to visit my cousin that I've never met
  • 3 0
 take. me. to. whistler!
  • 3 0
 "Awesome!"
  • 2 0
 This place looks like dirt trail heaven, I hope I go there one day.
  • 1 0
 Opening day was amazing! Rode the park all day, Had the strength in numbers premier that night as well.
  • 2 1
 some one is off there head....... he probably talks to himself whilst riding!
  • 2 0
 Explains why all the pros at Dirtmasters looked so bummed out
  • 3 0
 i need to be there!
  • 2 0
 yeah trish gettin interviewed by tippie
  • 2 0
 My dream is to take the chair up with Brett Tippie.
  • 1 0
 summer is officially here!
  • 1 0
 Awesome. Well excited for Les Gets opening on Saturday now!
  • 1 0
 its my dream to go there.
  • 1 0
 Perú, great! always one of us ripping wait for next season
  • 1 0
 DU CARALHOO !! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!! maaaassa !!
  • 1 0
 I have a general hatred for them now
  • 2 0
 That's pretty awesome
  • 2 0
 Mega jealous!
  • 2 0
 wish i was there
  • 1 0
 my birthday, May 18th, whish i was in whistler for it Smile
  • 3 2
 Soooo many D-bags there on sunday Frown
  • 1 0
 ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! MUST GO!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 du caralho!!!!!
  • 2 0
 Tippie you dawg
  • 1 0
 So stoked to go there in July!
  • 1 0
 i'll kill myself if i don't go there this year.
  • 2 0
 Awesome.
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