Whitefish, Proven Here - Video

Mar 22, 2017
by Yeti Cycles  
Whitefish


As mountain bikers it is our nature to explore and get lost in the woods in search of the next prime stretch of singletrack. Riding in Whitefish and the surrounding Flathead Forest of Montana, there are opportunities abound for us to fulfill this inner desire. Whitefish Mountain Resort is the hub of riding activity with purpose built park jumps and rugged natural, mountain lines linking together a lift-serve experience that rivals any park in the country. We spent many an afternoon testing the limits of our trail bikes there. Venturing outside of town limits and into the fringes of this sparsely populated state, miles of trails were revealed. The high ridge-lines of the Alpine Trail network provide distant views of glaciers and what felt like endless turns. Further west, strewn between the lakes region, we found untracked dirt veiled by seasons of pine needle decay. After a week exploring the region, we began to question ourselves and ponder relocation to this alcove of like-minded riders, world-class trails, and the plethora of local breweries was an additional draw.

Views: 23,340    Faves: 428    Comments: 23



Whitefish

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The long days of the summer months in this northern region led to multiple ride sessions in the day. In the morning, we hit up the local townie flow trails of Spencer Mountain. These would be a central feature of any other riding region but were just one of the many offshoots from downtown Whitefish. In the later afternoon when the daylight stretched well into the evening, we headed deeper to more remote locations, ending our days under the blue glow of the summer night sky.


Whitefish

Whitefish

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Is it better to research and ride known commodities of trail or pick a spot and take a chance? Well, the latter was our strategy to explore the lakes region west of town. Late one evening with motivation fading and the Trailforks app listing most trails as “unmaintained”, we risked pointing to a spot on the map. Heading out into the unknown, we bush-wacked our way in. With dissension among the ranks and night closing in, our perseverance was rewarded. We found fresh dirt preserved under the cover of past seasons’ fallen flora. Nature preserving nature. As our knobbed tires uncovered these un-tracked trails, hoots and hollers echoed among the trees.

Whitefish
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Presented by: yeticycles.com


Filmed by: Joey Schusler and Craig Grant
Edited by: Craig Grant
Cable Cam Tech: John Reynolds
Sound Design: Keith White
Music Composition: Ajay Bhattacharyya
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Photos by: Craig Grant
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Riders: Shawn Neer and Jubal Davis
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#YetiCycles #ProvenHere #SB5


MENTIONS: @yeticycles



Posted In:
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Author Info:
yeticycles avatar

Member since Aug 22, 2000
78 articles

102 Comments
  • 85 17
 NW Montana - home to white supremacist, armed radical groups, and cyclist-eating grizzly bears. Move along folks, nothing to see here...
  • 6 2
 Missoula, only 5 miles from Montana..... Wink
  • 9 67
flag theminsta (Mar 22, 2017 at 19:03) (Below Threshold)
 Wow, you're so brave to speak out against white supremacy. Will you also speak out about Islamic terror?

Oh look, another terrorist attack. Good thing we have Ben here to point out societal problems. Still waiting
  • 3 2
 @mtnfriend: just up the road from Boz Angeles
  • 20 0
 @theminsta: somebody doesn't get it
  • 39 1
 Kinda regretted the post as I made it. Shoulda have said "NW Montana - no women, barely any wifi, and warm beer." Was just trying to say nevermind how great MT is. Original post might have been a little too tongue in cheek/real/made of the type of stuff better left off pb. My apologies. Top notch vid, riding, trails and locale.
  • 8 2
 Or not even tongue in cheek/real but more in poor taste and insensitive. Apologies to anyone I offended.
  • 6 0
 @TerrapinBen: I love sarcasm and chuckled at the quip...and the long winded back story. All good.
  • 10 0
 @TerrapinBen: I thought the sarcasm was clear. No need to apologize!
  • 46 1
 Another breathtaking production that Yeti has allowed us all to enjoy and It was all brought to life behind the eye and mind of the creative and talented Joey Schusler. I can't wait to see whats next !!!!
  • 13 0
 Joey's amazing, and I think he'd be one of the first to tell you he learned a ton from John Reynolds. JR's influence is all over this edit, and we can only hope that he contributes to more of these Proven Here projects.
  • 10 0
 @jtpentecost: don't forget Craig Grant he had a part in this video and edited it.
  • 15 0
 @brandaneisma: Yup. Lots of credit to Craig and JR! Love working with those guys.
  • 4 0
 @brandaneisma: No doubt. I was just pointing out JR's involvement because I think this is the first time he's contributed to a YETI project since he left the company a few years back to do Metis Creative, and his effect on the final product is very noticeable. College is unbelievably talented as well.
  • 5 0
 @jtpentecost: Yep get these three together and you have yourself a rad video.
  • 2 0
 Incredible cinematography as we know and love with Yeti. They never fail to impress as well as getting us motivated to get out and ride!
  • 36 1
 Gotta say these 'Proven Here' videos really capture the essence of mountain biking for me. Best series on here. Kudos
  • 8 2
 I 100% agree, this is gold content. Many of the "Proven Here" are spots I add to my "must ride before I die" list. Might just have to get a Yeti later on to thank them.
  • 3 0
 Word.
  • 29 10
 Whitefish is probably the best place I've ever ridden a bike. If if weren't for the radical Christian terrorists groups that surround this awesome area I'd live out my whole life there. Montana, some of the best and worst parts about the U.S. nice vid
  • 14 5
 Radical Christian terrorists, really?
  • 11 5
 @Beez177: yea really. montana is a weird place... kinda like idaho lol
  • 7 4
 White-aho?
  • 10 4
 @Beez177: uuum yeah they exist. Ever watch the documentary Jesus camp? Pretty scary stuff. I know a guy who's parents were and still are involved in that kind of thing. It's not an exaggeration. Any religion can have violent fringe factions. But this is about bikes not that stuff. Bikes are cool. Scary ultra religious fascist theocracy types holed up in rural areas not so much so.
  • 10 5
 @fattyheadshok: religion poisons everything
  • 8 1
 The Beaver lake trail network is so beautiful and beginner friendly it's incredible. The Spencer mountain is a serious free ride network that accessible by a nice fire road for endless laps. Everything is really well marked with sign posts and maps at trail centers and some major intersections. Not even mentioning the chair lift access stuff at big mountain. The town of whitefish is charming and perfectly sized with zero chain stores or restaurants. But yeah, this slice of heaven is surrounded by wackos. You can call them what you want, but they are the type of people that are the biggest threat to American beliefs. I'll leave it at that since this is a bike site.
  • 2 1
 @Beez177: you didnt get the memo?
Wars been going on for a few thousand years now.
  • 2 1
 @Sshredder: No I didn't get the memo there was a war going on in Montana. Is that OK with you?
  • 1 0
 @Beez177: no im never OK with war.
  • 21 1
 4:20
  • 5 0
 Was it intentional?
  • 8 1
 Living in the Flathead Valley that was refreshing to see. Thanks Yeti. If you are planning on visiting the Flathead Valley to ride please check out www.flatheadvalleysingletrack.com lots of info pics and vids.
  • 5 0
 Please note though: You cannot ride mountain bikes on trails in Glacier National Park (a couple of those still shots are in Glacier). But you can catch some of these views by road biking the Going to the Sun Road - and it's really awesome to do early season when it's still closed to cars.
  • 1 0
 @Jvhowube: Yeah alot of the shots were of Glacier park.
  • 7 0
 All of this....buried...under so much snow!!!! Can't wait to hit whitefish up this summer again!
  • 7 0
 Rode there last summer.... Awesome place. Stay at the Whitefish Bike Retreat if you can. Cant say enough about those folks.
  • 7 1
 Seeing Yeti produced content makes me want to ride. Seeing Yetis bike prices make me want to punch a puppy.
  • 3 0
 Well, after riding a Yeti, you will ask yourself "why didn't I do it before?". Yes, they are expensive, but live by their legend. Best bike I ever had!
  • 1 0
 @cool3: road a lawhill dh9....to long for big jumps. Flipped me over the bars... ended up in ICU after going otb over a 40' double back in 06...
  • 1 0
 @scotttherider: Yetis have changed so much! If you have a chance, try a demo. You'll fall in love! Smile
  • 7 0
 You guys are slow
  • 11 0
 Yeah - Shawn and Jubal are the slow and washed up! Wink
  • 5 0
 Excellent job again Joey! I'll be using those stills as backgrounds in anticipation for the big mountain season!
  • 6 0
 Ajay Bhattacharyya's got some skills. Loved his music since Life Cycles!
  • 5 0
 Awesome, about time MT got some love on here.
  • 2 0
 Man, there’s something just RIGHT about a cable cam. I love all these new drone capabilities but they sometimes seem lacking when compared to the work that goes into these killer cable cam shots.
  • 4 0
 Byoody tracking camera angles eh? Nice!
  • 3 0
 Finally!! I have proof you can ride a Yeti bike in whitefish!! Everyone laughed me out of town on this claim
  • 2 0
 Awesome vid!

For anyone swinging through the area, check out www.flatheadamb.org for local info and bike related events.
  • 2 0
 Got to be one of the best edits I've seen. Simply beautiful. I don't care what anybody says Mtb companies make the best commercials of all time. Because MTB is cool.
  • 2 0
 The wife is from MT - we head up there at least once a year. Backcountry trail riding is all-time in Montana. Huge climbs and endless scenery. And bears. Watch out for bears.
  • 2 0
 Joey / Jubal / Shawn - That was badace! Really like the cable work, keep doing what you do. See you boys in Santa Cruz next month.
  • 2 0
 Nice video! Funny, I scanned all the comments as of now and not one of them talked about the bikes, what are they SB5s?
  • 2 0
 Yeah, it's the new Yeti SB5 (updated from the original release a few years ago). Super fun bike!
  • 3 0
 Lookin fast and fresh boys!
  • 2 0
 Those are some amazing drone shots, you guys have guts and skills! great work!
  • 1 0
 Man looks like some solid single track! is this stuff accessible without an all-day pedal? Never been to Montana..but been meaning to get out there for some skiing or riding!
  • 1 0
 Yep, that worked for me, if the intention was to motivate riding bikes. The quality of both the vid and pics is incredible, fantastic job!
  • 3 0
 I've never seen an on off step up like that. SICK.
  • 1 0
 "With dissension among the ranks and night closing in..."
This line tells me @joeyschusler was pusing some.home bodies out of their comfort zone with his wanderlust. Wink
  • 2 0
 Is anyone else wondering how they went on such a epic ride without any water bottles or hydration pack???
  • 2 0
 Simply one of the best vids I've seen on PB in a looong time! Congrats, guys!
  • 2 2
 That's a great looking place. Too bad those of us with dark complexions and weird last names are no longer welcome in the US. Lucky for us we have lots of similar riding in southeastern BC. I think we'll make do.
  • 2 0
 I must be dead. And this must be heaven...
  • 1 0
 love my sb6. need to get on some kind of yeti ambassador level so i can shed with these cats
  • 2 0
 That step up to lip looks fun, nice vid guys!
  • 1 0
 Hate to be the guy to ask but I gotta know if the jump at 1:50 / 4:00 is from a trail at Spencer?
  • 2 0
 Can anyone fill us in on what trails.. heading that way in July..
  • 9 1
 First part of the vid is heading up from Napa point on the Napa to Wire route. www.trailforks.com/route/napa-to-wire-alpine-7-route

End of the vid is at Spencer: www.trailforks.com/trails/otter-pop

Tough to say where the middle bits were filmed. There's a lot of trails around that kinda look like that. Might have been Tally Overlook. www.trailforks.com/route/tally-overlook-loop
  • 2 0
 As long as you are ok with lots of brush. July will be very thick with lots of brush. Most of the of the trails in the Swan range or hike a bike in the early summer. But never the less I love these trails and ride them as soon as the snow melt is gone. Hope you visit.
  • 3 0
 @blackmoonsix: Those trails shouldn't be too bad. Alpine 7 over to wire isn't too brushy, and Wire trail was brushed out last fall (as was most of Bond, and the rest is probably getting done this summer).

And trails like Spencer and Tally Overlook aren't really ever brushy.
  • 2 0
 @blackmoonsix: how early do they dry out?
  • 3 0
 @toast2266: Nice to hear about Wire. Agreed Spencer is not a brushy trail at all. Have not been out to tally in a few years.
  • 2 0
 @billybobzia: We got a fair amount of snow this year but it's melting real fast in the valleys. Tough to say for sure but June should be a fair estimate. What do you think toast2266 too soon or about right?
  • 4 0
 @blackmoonsix: For the higher trails (napa to wire and the rest of Alpine 7), I'd say at least July. I think I rode that stuff the third week of July last year and we still hiked through some snow. And there's more snow up there this year.

For the other stuff (Spencer, Tally Overlook, etc.), those'll be good to go way earlier. Spencer should be good by mid to late April, and Tally Overlook will be good soon after that. The higher Tally area trails probably need until late May.
  • 1 0
 oh... another epic bike trip on the list for summer. Whitefish here i come!
  • 2 0
 Honestly, this video would have been just fine without the bike riding.
  • 1 0
 Crazy question...............where can you get those Fox socks with the fox tail he is wearing?
  • 1 0
 Haven't ridden there since racing waaay back at Whitefish resort in the 90's. Always loved the trails, town, scenery , etc..
  • 2 0
 This vid gives me the all the bike feels!! Wheres my bike, I'm out!
  • 1 0
 How do these fellers make it so far into the back country without an ounce of water on their back?
  • 3 3
 Nice stuff, but destroying local's trails for your video doesn't seem that cool.
  • 1 0
 breathtaking scenery, amazing riding and beautiful cinematography
  • 2 1
 everyone knows what happens down at the lake come 4:20.
  • 1 1
 I'll watch any video thats 4:20 min long. It gets me in the mood for..................biking of course.
  • 1 0
 I'd be disappointed if if no POD/VOD comes out of this post and surprised if a POY/VOY nomination didn't come out of this set also.
  • 1 0
 Didn't Montana just have some huge outlaw of MTB?
  • 3 2
 good ole Montana. where the farmers are lonely and the sheep are nervous
  • 3 2
 You must be thinking of Afganistan
  • 1 0
 @TugboatComplex: actually Nebraska but afgan works too. forgot about those guys lol
  • 1 0
 WHERE IS THAT STEP ON STEP OFF? ....never seen that at Spencer.
  • 1 0
 pipesmoke
  • 1 0
 Those shots look simply incredible. Especially 1:47
  • 1 0
 Great pics! Huck shot looks gnarly.
  • 1 0
 the filming is awesome
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