Whistler Bike Park: Trail Engaged, Episode Two - Video

Aug 22, 2017
by WhistlerMountain BikePark  
Whistler Bike Park Welcome To Trail Engaged

In episode two of Trail Engaged, we find out the burning question about Peter's relationship status, hear the harsh truth about fire-roads, and talk about the most missed feature in the park.

Don't forget to submit ideas of your own at bike.whistlerblackcomb.com/engaged. Go!

Views: 7,051    Faves: 10    Comments: 2


Video by: Good Fortune Collective & Influx Productions
Sound Mix by: Keith White Audio


MENTIONS: @WhistlerMountainBikePark


Author Info:
WhistlerMountainBikePark avatar

Member since May 9, 2011
188 articles

79 Comments
  • 60 5
 Awful hard to drag bar down the last 3 berms when they have foot deep braking bumps in them.
  • 37 7
 awful hard to fix foot deep braking bumps with powdered donuts when you dont get any rain all summer and its the best known trail in the world after the biggest bike festival in the world.
  • 17 0
 @Skioo: I'm not saying it's possible to keep the trails prime all the time and i appreciate the fact it's been dry for a month now (I'm out there) Could they not organise something like 20% off a pass or a free pizza if you come and dig, and they have like a huge dig session every week where everyone can help out, maybe there is an insurance issue but something along these lines could teach people it takes a lot of work to keep trails going and also get them in better shape quicker!
  • 21 3
 Last time I checked when I turned on the faucet, water came out.
  • 10 7
 @robaussie99: Last time I checked, you need people, hoses, enough water supply to run off snowmaking hydrants, soil that doesn't bead water when you spray it therefore flooding trails but not wetting down areas you want moisture....... Last time I checked....... When did you last check the hydrants?
  • 7 4
 @Sim-Davis: people are clueless dude, they think you can just "dig" brake bumps better when its this dry, or that every trail has snowmaking lines beside it, or that management would even allow the water to be used from the snowmaking storage just to water trails. Doesnt always work like that
  • 5 5
 @Skioo: hahhaha its been shit since it opened this year. second if you would have been doing maintenance for the beginning it wouldn't be this bad now. that's why its called maintenance.
  • 6 3
 yeah they dont really seem to do much/any maintenance after the initial opening
they should maintain the trails after park closing each day like they do with ski runs at night
it's the biggest MTB park in the world, surely they can manage the resources
  • 7 7
 Probably the same dudes that go in and 'roost' berms in a bikepark, then moan about the brake bumps.

Having now played about in both Whister and Morzine (I think pretty much the 2 biggest riding locations in the world?) - Whistler are leaps ahead of anywhere when it comes to sorting the trails.

I spent 10 days there and every single day those guys were out sorting another feature on another track. On the flip side of the planet, the Morzine trail crew appeared to have not moved an excavator for an entire year as it was behind the same tree 2 years running and the place was destroyed. I'm sure every park has it's good times and it's bad, but overall the level of involvement from the crew at Whistler was immense....
  • 6 2
 @JustinLund: They do tons! Already this season we have seen pretty much a full A-line and B-line rebuild. The trail crew dudes work incredibly hard, there are other projects they have been working on too (D1 is amazing!). As we move into fall I'm sure we will see even more.

As for braking bumps, they're prime right now. I compare this time of the season to the part of ski season where everything is bulletproof ice. You just need to be creative to find lines, and send it without complaint regardless of conditions and it will be a blast!
  • 4 3
 @Kirky86: " Probably the same dudes that go in and 'roost' berms in a bikepark, then moan about the brake bumps"

Care to back this up with any evidence? It's unlikely people like that complain about brake bumps, and even if they do, the fact that they roost berms in no way changes the fact that brake bumps suck.

When I was out in Whistler they didn't do much maintenance of brake bumps (that I noticed), however, I'd rather brake bumps than closed trails. And the park team did always seem busy.
  • 1 1
 @mdhorner: Yeah fair points, I meant specifically in regards to maintenance with braking bumps though. I haven't been able to ride this season due to a shoulder injury but I've heard the braking bumps are pretty brutal this year. Don't get me wrong it'll never stop me from riding, but periodically fixing up the braking bumps would be nice

I'll be honest in that I really have no clue how difficult fixing braking bumps may be, but again with Whistler's resources I'm sure they could find a way
  • 13 2
 @JustinLund: just gonna chirp in here...... Trail Crew work starts at 7am. They spend those three hours before opening doing patch-work repairs until 10 am. Then the whole crew, about 8-10 per day, move to expansion projects and other priorities. Also, once the fire index reaches a certain level they must stop work, and do fire watch because it's tinder dry, and sparks from hand tools could spell disaster. I also suspect that the number of complaints they get from trails being closed far out weighs the number they get about maintenance levels.
Park closes at 8pm. Dude they are already working 10 hour days and the entire crew is less than 20. Take away machine operators, leads, and a supervisor, the hand tool crew gets pretty small. It's a business, and they have budgets to maintain. Send a letter to upper management if you want to complain (Vail Resorts).
Don't bag on the crew, they're doing all they can. They're more passionate about this that you could possibly fathom. If you really want to make a difference, volunteer and pick up a shovel. Otherwise, be happy you have a place to ride, and shut your cake-hole.
  • 4 0
 @JustinLund: how long do you think it takes for the braking bumps to come back in the absence of moisture?

I'll save you the trouble of guessing. The answer is a couple days. Some spots hours. Fixing the braking bumps into a single corner is 3 dudes and a buggy for 2-4 hours depending how bad it is.

You do the math. Just pray for rain.
  • 3 1
 @JustinLund: Without constantly watering dry sections of trail that you just filled with baking soda you can stand there and watch hours of work get pounded out and disintegrate into the air when it's this dry.
  • 3 0
 @FTOD: If the whole crew is 20 people... that's Whistler's problem. They make a LOT of money and can easily afford more staff.
I worked at Cypress mountain in the winter and their trail maintenance crews had way more than 20 people, and they definitely make way less than Whistler.

If the absence of moisture is the main problem behind braking bumps, maybe they should implement some sort of sprinkler system throughout the mountain, or at least the more popular runs?

I can appreciate that would be a huge project and I wouldn't expect something like that to see overnight, but the world's biggest bikepark could surely pull some innovation... imagine the positive press that would surround that
  • 2 0
 @JustinLund: Precisely, for the price of lift tickets, plus all the ancillary money WB makes from my trips up there, I'd expect a pretty solid number of trail crew, I mean look at how many staff it takes to patrol/lifty/groom etc ski trails in the winter, it's probably 10, maybe 20:1
  • 2 0
 @JustinLund: Good points all..... I'm asking you to read between the lines here. The crew hasn't grown in over ten years, yet the park has.
Have you ever gone through a hellish work schedule with unrealistic expectations, and yet still managed to pull it off? Only to find that when you asked for help, to ensure it wouldn't happen again, you were denied? I've been in that situation, many times. What I've learned is that often your leadership component doesn't give a crap about what "hardship" you went through to get the job done, only that you "got it done". Sadly, they now expect you to go through the same hardship to do the same, time and time again, because they know you will.
Now I'm not saying that I am an expert in the inner workings of the BP Trail Crew but I have been riding here since 2002 and usually put in over 100 days a summer in the park. I do know some of the trail crew, and I do know, without a doubt, that they put more blood, sweat, and passion into their creations than most people I know. They take massive pride in their work.
To solve the complaints you have requires money that BP doesn't have, WB can't give, and Vail Resorts isn't willing to give up. With the summer operation bringing in about 1/10th the visits of the winter operation, it doesn't take a genius to figure out where the focus is. Not everyone loves the bike park, hate to say it, but I think it's true.
  • 1 0
 @rbeach: My point was that people can cause extra damage and don't consider the effect. I can't give any evidence other than my own experience following riders down runs kicking up dust then listening to them whinge at the next stop about how stuff is washed out or bumpy as hell. By all means feel free to deny that happens, but we've all witnessed it.
  • 1 1
 @FTOD: go on strike
  • 24 5
 LOVE these videos. Peter has an almost Ferrell-esque comedic quality to him. F'n hilarious!
  • 27 10
 I expect a large company Iike Whistler to silently think they know better than their customers; I didn't expect them to create a video series telling that to our faces. Not sure how I feel about this.
  • 6 4
 It's not about knowing what's best for customers. It's about logistics, budgets, manpower, weather, traffic, etc. You really think WB tries to piss it's customers off?
  • 6 1
 Also, you know how many groms died on the GLC drops?
They're trying to say it without saying...people that visit WBP don't know how to gauge their skill level. That part they are thinking silently. They are addressing it because everyone is asking. Would you rather they just ignore it?
  • 4 0
 @steflund: wait...? you canadians are stealing our people that can't gauge their skill level? I live in CA and it's our god give right to have ALL the people that can't gauge their skill level. Well i guess if you guys are nice to us, we'll send a few up your way (but only if you show up beer and pizza).
  • 2 0
 Now you know. They know better. Openly. Feelings are irrelevant.
  • 2 2
 @Sim-Davis: Well..Vail has been actively pissing off their customers for years... and they are the same company now. so brace yourselves.
  • 2 2
 @Sim-Davis: dude your a f*cking huge resort, get more trail staff. and stop wasting money on inside staff
  • 4 0
 That's Vail for you...
  • 11 2
 Take the time and energy to create that video and spend in trail maintenance. In almost 6 weeks at the park, I have never seen a trail shut down for maintenance. It's a resort, it has the infrastructure, man power and funds to maintain trails.
  • 3 6
 its the worst its ever been. the crew is a joke
  • 4 1
 @dre2k @ibilodeau then I'd question how much time you spend in the park to notice. Zones 1, 3, and 5 of A-Line have all been closed in the last month for work. Z1 (entry drop to the road) had the whole thing basically resurfaced. Z3 (after crabapple to before the bridge) had a huge rebuild including the two destroyed berms before the rock drop. Z5 (tech woods to the end) had the woods completely refilled before the Air DH. Clown Shoes, B-Line, Monkey Hands just a few others off the top of my head that have had recent work done to them.

Yes some sections are pretty bad right now, but this is one of the driest spells we've ever had, it's not just about money and man power. Not to mention much of the crew are likely focused on the Creekside expansion which I'm sure everyone will be super stoked when its open and will help spread traffic and lineups after this year.
  • 3 2
 @Hwulex not gonna get into a cyber comment battle, but answering your question I've been in the park 7 different seasons since 2004, and this season I've been here since July 17th, hands down the worse ever and that's a common talk in the park.

In Deep, Original Sin, Blue Velvet, Ana Moss, Goats Gully, A Line, Freight Train, Crank it Up, C More, Detroit Rock City, Ninja Cougar, Afternoon Delight, Del Boca Vista, Dirt Merchant...all thrashed. Don't believe me? Just pull any recent youtube from any one riding the park.
The only maintained trails are D1 (just opened a few days ago) and yesterday some crew was watering down that four cross trail at the boneyard.

Creekside is expanding but only that new flow trail is being worked. Bc Trail is descent, Dusty's DH is shot.
Maybe the new management from Vail isn't using the resources right, but from someone who paid 600+CAD for a season pass I do expect a minimal level of trail maintenance.
  • 2 0
 @dre2k: Agreed...been here all summer and its bad. Lack of rain isn't helping. I just figured they are out on creekside and not able to get to stuff. Lower Freigh is un-rideable right now...oye it just hurts and sketch.
  • 1 0
 @MikeyMT: I have only seen staff in the woods next to bc trail. not much over there since "there huge creekside expansion" only 2 trails in Creekside.
  • 2 0
 @ibilodeau @dre2k you are a joke and I can tell that you both have never done any trail work when the ground is this dry, pray for rain because a lack of trail moistening leads to a dirt of baking powder consistency that will disintegrate into the air as you do any work with it without constant water.
  • 2 1
 @Skioo: pumped you have a crystal ball to tell we don't do any trail work. Resorts have the infrastructure to make snow in the winter time, the ones really committed to offering a good value for your money use all that piping to bring water for trail workers. Seems like Vail is struggling a bit at this moment, hopefully things get back to when there was trail maintenance done.
  • 1 1
 @Skioo: your right skidodo. I don't do trail work. that's why I buy a f*cking seasons pass
  • 1 0
 @ibilodeau: Are you a part of it? You have no idea what you are talking about.
  • 1 2
 @Sim-Davis: bottom line is park conditions suck, who's to blame? park crew. from top of pecking order to bottom. not the weather
  • 10 3
 the park is the worst Ive ever seen it. I've been a local for a long time. I haven't seen the park crew all season. I literally ride everyday. and this clown shoe comes on and feeds everyone shit by the shovelful. dude, use that shovel to fix the trails
  • 4 0
 Wow, I can't believe how much ignorance there is in these comments. You think you could do better than the guys busting their asses off 10 hours a day in the bugs and heat then maybe you should have applied for the job and then see what it's like to get torn down for bringing you the best park around. This guy you are paying out, is the guy that brought you most of what you love in the park and is dedicated to making it better. Yes the park cares and yes they are working damn hard. What you guys don't understand is that there is a code for fire danger in BC right now. Most days it's extreme. Even a spark from a pick can set off a fire so the crews are hard at work not only to build and maintain new trails but to prevent the mountain burning down. I know things can be improved but come on! Look at the bigger picture. We haven't had the moisture so deal with it. It's not the crew's fault.
  • 14 6
 So where is the green line on garbo if you get a flat!!!! What a knob
  • 6 9
 Name calling the nicest guy in the park. Congrats dude. Real hero.
  • 3 0
 @Sim-Davis: I'm sure he is. Still sucks trying to get off the hill when these guys are busting your balls.
  • 4 1
 @Rucker10: Bear Cub to Express Way is 'legal' road the whole way from Chic Pea to the Fitz. Yeah it's marked as Blue, but it's the best way down. If you're really stuck a long way out and have a huge walk, ask patrol nicely and they might just come pick you up if not too busy saving others.
  • 1 0
 @Rucker10: I'd like to know who busted your balls about it?
  • 4 1
 I don't think they actually read the suggestions.
That suggestions site has an embarrassing typo:
"And be sure to tune into our update videos below to see how you're suggestions are making a difference."

Very unprofessional, and it's been there over a year. I reported it through that form 3 times, the 1st being last year.
I also told them about it on facebook and they said they'd fix it.

If they can't even fix a letter on a website, I don't think they'll do much with the park.
  • 7 5
 I love how whistler just own the fact that their sarcastic assholes about peoples far out comments, it would be awesome to tell people this kind of stuff to their face and watch them melt into a smaller version of themselves as they realize how stupid they are.
  • 6 3
 Whistler sucks. The trail conditions are embarrassingly bad after opening week, and the trails have remained much the same for years now, with the exception of the new creekside bullshit.
  • 5 1
 It's interesting to hear you say that. For my group of friends and myself our trips to Whistler are about the happiest times in our lives. I'm not saying you're wrong mind you, where we're from the riding is pretty shitty unless you wanna drive for 2+ hours, our only DH option is a rutted out moto trail that is about 45 seconds long. So I dunno, I guess it's all about perspective.
  • 5 0
 @Rucker10: Oh for sure. We're insanely spoiled up here. Just seems strange to me that the now Vail owned bike park can't do a better job of maintaining the trails throughout the season. There's no way they aren't making a profit after events like Crankworx and the constant flow of overpriced tickets coming in. It's pathetic that a multi-national, multi billion dollar corporation can't provide better service to their patrons. They do it in the winter for ski season, but completely shit the bed come mtb time, without fail, every single year. I'll continue to spend my dollars on gas to drive out to the Fraser Valley, Chilcotins, Loops etc. Whistler is played out and inundated with kooks thirsty for instagram likes.
  • 4 0
 @myfriendgoose: Vail pretty thoroughly messed up the bike parks they've bought down here in the states. We've been hoping that it won't be the same with Whistler.
  • 3 1
 The change that really pissed me off was they got rid of the step down step at the bottom of freight train right before the trail junction. People always hung out there in teh landing zone so I get why they did it but that was a really fun section, the step up is still there but that turn before it kills all your speed. Having said that there have been a lot of upgrades since I started riding there, like the new entrance to dirt merchant, thats pretty cool.
  • 5 0
 Less video , more maintenance.
Or maybe a video telling what they are working on?
  • 3 0
 This video is very offensive to cowboys red neck hipsters and I demand a public apology and monetary compensation for punitive damages incurred as a result of watching this video. Thanks in advance.
  • 7 3
 wow, there are a lot of cynical grumpy pantses on here! Its just park bros, and those videos are funny as shit
  • 19 14
 Yeah but seriously, bring back GLC drop. Please?
  • 41 6
 Will never understand why people are so upset about this. At its best sure it was fun, at its worst it was a tiny drop with a sketchy takeoff usually covered in gravel. They replaced it with a giant awesome step up that you can actually style off, IMO the new set up is way better
  • 18 4
 @WhistlerMountain BikePark DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE COMPLAINTS. That new hit is money. Give it a cool name and make it well known, people will get just as stoked.
  • 5 3
 @NickMT: *GLC sender?* maybe?
  • 3 1
 glc sender !!!!
  • 3 1
 @acetasting1992: Agreed 100%...not sure why anyone is missing the drop.
  • 1 0
 @NickMT: Thanks for your support! we have named the "Hit" Jacob
  • 6 1
 Wow! People need to chill out.... Just have a laugh and go with it.
  • 6 1
 Hey Peter, thanks for being rad ...
  • 4 0
 "We hear what you're saying but.... no."
  • 6 4
 Pete does an amazing job and so does the Whistler Bike Park crew. It's not easy.
  • 6 2
 Haha! You rule, Peter!
  • 2 1
 what is there now in it's place?
  • 1 0
 Just a step up into a few berms before you finish.
  • 1 0
 It's a pretty good step up though....? Just aim right, that left hand berm comes up quick otherwise.
  • 1 0
 what kind of nature is there
  • 1 0
 Dust makes you look cooler when cornering.... embrace the shit.
  • 3 3
 So what Whistler is really saying in this video " We do not care"
  • 2 1
 "get off our emergency roads"
  • 7 10
 Glc sender sucked and so does bought propaganda from the latest vail mouthpiece may as well watch cbc. Ok give me neg props now cucks
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