Whistler Bike Park - The Next Evolution Starts May 2
With May 2nd early opening just a few days away, we're excited to announce plans that will significantly transform the riding experience from day one. 2015 marks the start of our renewed commitment to offering progressive riding experiences that appeal to returning park riders, welcome new riders, and stay current with the latest developments in bike technology and riding preferences. From starting fresh on brand news trails to redesigning what's already there, to offering complimentary bike park tours for newcomers, the beginning of the next stage in the evolution of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park starts now.
Watch Bike Park Manager Brian Finestone talk about what's in store:
Video by Goldstein Productions. Riding by Whistler Mountain Bike Park Team riders Tristan Merrick, Peter Matthews, Trevor Berg, James McSkimming, and Lula Darquier. All footage shot from April 24-26, 2015
TRAIL UPGRADES
An early valley snow melt has allowed trail crews to get a jump start on this direction. Even though opening day has moved up almost two weeks, significant changes have been made on the parks most popular trails:
Crank It Up
Likely the most ridden trail in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Paddy Kaye and his team of builders and shapers from Joyride Bike Parks have resculpted Crank It Up from top to bottom. The new and improved Crank It Up has been designed to provide a smooth introduction for riders getting familiar with today's Freeride style of trail. New shapes and features have been created that will be enjoyable on both All Mountain and DH bikes and for a broad range of ability levels.
From new to jumping to experienced pro's, Crank It Up will deliver jumping progression from early intermediate to advanced.
Team Riders: Peter Matthews and Trevor Berg. Photo: Mark Mackay
Paddy Kaye and his crew shaped Crank It Up to perfection making it tough to want to leave any tire marks. But we got over that quickly.
Team Rider: Peter Matthews. Photo: Mark Mackay
Features like the step up still remain allowing advanced riders to send the left hip high and far while intermediate riders can learn this jumping skill on the right.
Team Riders: Peter Matthews and Trevor Berg. Photo: Mark Mackay
A-Line
At the same time, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park trail crew has taken the challenge of making one of the world's most iconic trails even better. Dave Murphy and his team of trail artists have reworked this icon feature by feature adapting it to current riding preferences and styles. The finished product will guarantee a new level of fun and entertainment for the park's A-Line addicts and advanced newcomers. The trail will offer multiple approaches to many features allowing for a true black diamond experience with a variety of more challenging options.
Crank It Up More - *NEW TRAIL
Later this summer, riders will be able to progress to Crank It Up More, a brand new and more challenging 1.4km trail, where riders can air it out bigger after they've mastered the jumps on Crank It Up. Crank It Up More will start at the Singing Pass trail crossing on Crank It Up and flow all the way to the start of Heart of Darkness.
*updates will come throughout the summer when this trail is expected to be complete.
FREE ORIENTATION SESSIONS
The ongoing evolution of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park goes hand in hand with encouraging newcomers to visit the park. This summer, we're putting a strong focus on educating guests on basic skills and bike park etiquette to create a fun and welcoming experience for all. A new learning centre at the top of Fitz chair will offer complimentary orientation sessions giving new riders the opportunity to speak to a Whistler Mountain Bike Park Guide. Guides will advise riders on essential skills, appropriate trails for their ability level and recommendations on lessons or programs.
So there you have it. We hope you like what's in store for May 2nd and what is still to come throughout the summer.
See you at 9:30am when the Fitz chair starts turning to kick off the season this Saturday. Final trail openings are in the hands of mother nature this week so stay tuned for more details.
If you don't have you pass yet, all 2015 Bike Park passes are on sale now until May 17 including bonus offers. Click here for full details and to purchase.
Trailforks.com
![Whistler Bike Park]()
MENTIONS: @WhistlerMountainBikePark
Watch Bike Park Manager Brian Finestone talk about what's in store:
Video by Goldstein Productions. Riding by Whistler Mountain Bike Park Team riders Tristan Merrick, Peter Matthews, Trevor Berg, James McSkimming, and Lula Darquier. All footage shot from April 24-26, 2015
TRAIL UPGRADES
An early valley snow melt has allowed trail crews to get a jump start on this direction. Even though opening day has moved up almost two weeks, significant changes have been made on the parks most popular trails:
Crank It Up
Likely the most ridden trail in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Paddy Kaye and his team of builders and shapers from Joyride Bike Parks have resculpted Crank It Up from top to bottom. The new and improved Crank It Up has been designed to provide a smooth introduction for riders getting familiar with today's Freeride style of trail. New shapes and features have been created that will be enjoyable on both All Mountain and DH bikes and for a broad range of ability levels.
 |
Team Riders: Peter Matthews and Trevor Berg. Photo: Mark Mackay
 |
Team Rider: Peter Matthews. Photo: Mark Mackay
 |
Team Riders: Peter Matthews and Trevor Berg. Photo: Mark Mackay
A-Line
At the same time, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park trail crew has taken the challenge of making one of the world's most iconic trails even better. Dave Murphy and his team of trail artists have reworked this icon feature by feature adapting it to current riding preferences and styles. The finished product will guarantee a new level of fun and entertainment for the park's A-Line addicts and advanced newcomers. The trail will offer multiple approaches to many features allowing for a true black diamond experience with a variety of more challenging options.
Crank It Up More - *NEW TRAIL
Later this summer, riders will be able to progress to Crank It Up More, a brand new and more challenging 1.4km trail, where riders can air it out bigger after they've mastered the jumps on Crank It Up. Crank It Up More will start at the Singing Pass trail crossing on Crank It Up and flow all the way to the start of Heart of Darkness.
*updates will come throughout the summer when this trail is expected to be complete.
FREE ORIENTATION SESSIONS
The ongoing evolution of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park goes hand in hand with encouraging newcomers to visit the park. This summer, we're putting a strong focus on educating guests on basic skills and bike park etiquette to create a fun and welcoming experience for all. A new learning centre at the top of Fitz chair will offer complimentary orientation sessions giving new riders the opportunity to speak to a Whistler Mountain Bike Park Guide. Guides will advise riders on essential skills, appropriate trails for their ability level and recommendations on lessons or programs.
So there you have it. We hope you like what's in store for May 2nd and what is still to come throughout the summer.
See you at 9:30am when the Fitz chair starts turning to kick off the season this Saturday. Final trail openings are in the hands of mother nature this week so stay tuned for more details.
If you don't have you pass yet, all 2015 Bike Park passes are on sale now until May 17 including bonus offers. Click here for full details and to purchase.
MENTIONS: @WhistlerMountainBikePark
Author Info:
Member since May 9, 2011
Must Read This Week
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Mairiporã XC World Cup 2024
42226 views
42226 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Don't give them ideas!
www.pinkbike.com/photo/12077769
but something that really disturbs me is that i wasent born in Canada, Whistler! xD
I also like how he casually mentions "those progressing on Aline .. before they move on to Crabappple Hits"... that's a pretty big step.
What are those free orientation sessions?
Count me in.
@kierz I guess that is one way to reduce traffic on aline... destroy its identity.
anyway, blasting runs and going race speed fast all day long is still the main priority!!!!
make ya a deal, score me a p/t job at your local safeway, and i'll switch with ya......sound good?
i mean i live for riding the wbp and all, but one has to wonder just a wee bit where this trend is going...........
could this be why rogue trails on the lower mountain have been poppin up the past 3 years..........?
Oh and here is your p/t job at a local safeway. www.indeed.com/rc/clk?jk=520acc4f570068ee
Cheers
things have changed , some for the better, some seem to be just for the sake of change.
either way, the braking bumps will/ have returned and the ruff stuff is still there if ya look.
would love the American dollar right now though................safeway huh?
It rails rowdy DH on my Dh wheelset, and climbs great in "do it all mode"
What's not to love!?
It's not debadged, that's how they come from the factory.
i feel like there should be an aline sized jump at the entrance to trail, with a sign saying "if your not comfortable clearing this feature, please refrain from riding this trail."
Sounds like aline as been toned down this year anyway, so maybe this wont be as much of a problem. hopefully it will at least keep people moving as opposed to stopping in dangerous places to assess a feature.
Personally I feel those abilities levels shouldn't be on aline with out a guide. I also think that the likes of crank it up should have much larger options ( half extended lips etc, side hits) to help the progression, not making easier options on more difficult trails, such as aline. Surely that encourages more less able riders who are not ready to ride such a trail. ?