Big White Bike Park Opening August 4
Big White Resort is set to open their lift-serviced mountain bike trail network on Friday, August 4, 2017.
With an unexpectedly high snowpack and slow melt in the alpine, the build team has experienced some challenges from Mother Nature; however, with the recent shift towards summer weather, the resort is confident in the newly determined opening date.
“It’s not often that we wish the snow away, but it has provided us with some challenges this year,” says Big White’s President, Peter Plimmer. “At the end of the day, we are working towards having an awesome product, and that means dealing with the conditions in the best way possible. The focus is to continue building this season and next season and focus on trail quality and consistency.”
Lift access for the Bike Park will operate from the Bullet Express, which reaches an elevation of 7057 feet. On opening day, riders will be able to access a complete top-to-bottom trail in the form of a smooth, machine-groomed flow trail that will be rideable by all skill levels. With the build continuing throughout the summer, new trail sections will continue to be opened to the public as soon as possible.
“It’s not often that we wish the snow away, but it has provided us with some challenges this year,” says Big White’s President, Peter Plimmer. “At the end of the day, we are working towards having an awesome product, and that means dealing with the conditions in the best way possible. The focus is to continue building this season and next season and focus on trail quality and consistency.”
Lift access for the Bike Park will operate from the Bullet Express, which reaches an elevation of 7057 feet. On opening day, riders will be able to access a complete top-to-bottom trail in the form of a smooth, machine-groomed flow trail that will be rideable by all skill levels. With the build continuing throughout the summer, new trail sections will continue to be opened to the public as soon as possible.
The on-mountain build team are currently making good progress with trail development, as well as water and runoff management. With more machinery showing up weekly to help expedite the building process, the resort is committed to bringing a unique riding destination to the Okanagan this summer.
“This mountain has a ton of potential and it’s fun building in the technical mountain setting,” adds Judd. “We’ve already removed all the snow from the main trail corridor and we’re able to import surfacing material to the entire trail now.”
The Bike Park will be open from Friday to Sunday, as well as holiday Mondays. Pricing is soon to be released, with the resort planning to set pricing that is reflective of what is ready to ride.
“From what I’ve learned visiting other new bike parks, we’re not afraid to start small and progress from there,” said Kris Hawryluik, Bike Park Manager. “After we close operations this summer, we’ll continue to build until the snow flies in late October, with multiple phase expansion in the future.”
Big White Resort originally started constructing the bike park in the summer of 2016, with Alpine Bike Parks brought in to create a riding destination that would fulfil the goals of enduro, downhill, freeride and youth mountain bikers.
An earlier opening is expected for the 2018 mountain bike season for the established bike park.
Tom, Bas and kids test out the flow on the lower trails. Photo: Robb Thompson
We look forward to sharing as the building progresses and we prepare for our first season of downhill biking here at the resort!
For more information visit bikebigwhite.com
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
AUG 5: Closing for winter operations.