Kicking Horse Bike Park - Trail Crew Update 2 - 2014

The straight goods on Kicking Horse Bike Park, straight from the trail crew's fingertips.

I hope I'm not making a false claim because I'd hate for you to feel like you're getting the shaft, but I think we have struck gold at Kicking Horse. And that's no bullion! Ore, if it is, feel free to throw pyrite in my face...apple, with whipped cream, please!

Presented with a bit of puzzle at the end of a reroute on Buffalo Jump, Brad had a vision. "A sky berm!" he exclaimed. So we loaded up our tools and got to work. We made some mistakes, fissure, and the hours were long, but we didn't mind. We had a fever!

The following moving picture show tells the brief story of the making of Mineshaft:


Let me tell you sumpthing, I think your prospects for highgrading a few of our choice laps on this prize and others in a similar vein are pretty darn good. You just gotta get here to this here placer.


How many mining terms did you find? The winner gets to choke me with a grubstake. Sorry to make you winze. While we're adit, let's see what else has been going on at the bike park:

By the time you read this, every trail except probably Rock Garden will be open. If I'm wrong, you read too fast. The deep faceted snow layer that caused grief all winter is being crushed like a glass jaw under the sun's fist. Man, it's nice up here. I get giddy when this zone opens up. Fare thee well, stupid 10 Road.




What you want to come check out though, is our new alpine trail: Dragon Chaser. Phase 1 was built late last season so it was ridden in pretty smooth, then it went to sleep for the winter, and is now emerging looking buff and tanned. It is a green pump trail that dominates the lower alpine bowl like a fire-breathing sky monster. But a nice one. The only pictures for this post are the ones my words have drawn in your brain. Check back next time for digital visuals. Or come check them out in real-time, Super 3D. Well, all the Ds!

The woodwork was all good to go when the snow melted off. We've had major rebuilds to do in the past after the heavy snow has overwhelmed our stringers, but it looks as though we've solved that problem for another year. So we opened them, then rode them.



Work continues at its usual frantic pace. Every trail had a good polishing before being opened, but now the blistering sun is trying to beat back our gains. We'll choose our battles as we see fit.


Hop a Long had a further tweaking of last fall's overhaul and should just about be able to ring the bell on the awesometer. All attention now focuses with laser intensity on completing Swamp Donkey. Stay tuned. Your continuing patience is much appreciated. I would type more, but I must save my hands for the delicate work ahead.

But let me tell you about some events going on up at Kicking Horse this summer. For both races volunteers are needed. Come get involved by calling 250-439-5422 or tapping avalanche@kickinghorseresort.com:

BC Enduro Kootenay Rockies Series is July 20
The Western Open DH race is July 27

Plus there are toonie races every other Saturday, and lessons are available on weekends. If you have never been here before and you are just getting into biking, I really recommend these lessons. Just the guiding down this huge mountain is worth the price! One event that sucked is we got shafted by a crew member. So now we are looking for another. Do you fancy yourself in any of the above photos, getting paid? Contact as above for the vollies.


Having a great summer. Hope you are too. See you here.
Ride on. Crowe

Kicking Horse Bike Park
www.trailforks.com

Posted In:
Stories Reader Stories