Mountain Biking in Whistler

Ski resorts everywhere have latched onto the popularity of downhill biking. Whistler Blackcomb was among the first to realize the potential of converting ski runs to downhill mountain biking, establishing the best downhill-biking center in the world. Fat tire biking trails are available at Whistler Olympic Park. Located on Whistler Mountain, the trails—more than 200 km (124 miles) of them—are marked green through double diamond and groomed with as much care as their winter counterparts.

Riding custom bikes designed specifically for the Whistler terrain, cyclists bomb down the single-track trails, staying high on the steeply banked turns and taking air on the many tables and jumps. Expert riders might add 30-foot rock drops, leaps over streambeds, and 100-foot platform bridges to their brake-free sprints through the forest. Beginners can find plenty of comfortable dirt lanes to follow, though, and you can keep your fingers ready at the hydraulic brake should the speed become uncomfortable. After their first taste of the sport, most novice riders can't wait to sit back on the specially designed chairlift, transition onto the blue terrain, invite a few bumps, and maybe grab some air before the day is through. Downhill biking provides pure, if muddy, adrenaline-fueled bliss.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park, with experienced instructors, is a great place to learn how to downhill bike.