REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

B.C. Traverse - 2 weeks, Which zones?

3998 Views 20 Replies 7 Participants Last post by LMN, Jun 6, 2012

karatemonkey

Discussion Starter · May 31, 2012

I am taking a trip from Colorado - traversing BC - and back home this summer (3 weeks, July-August) and would really appreciate advice on where to spend time riding. I have looked up the hot spots and plotted a route through them all but there just isn't enough time to play in all the zones. I have never ridden in BC and without knowing what areas offer what caliber and style of riding, it's hard for me to cut them out of the trip.

I have highlighted: Fernie, Columbia Valley, Golden, Revelstoke, Shuswap, Vernon, Kelowna, Kamloops, Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver (in that succession)

What are your must rides if you had two weeks to traverse BC?

I will be riding with my GF. We are capable riders accustomed to technical trail riding (We live/ride in Grand Junction, CO, she's pro DH). Built stunts are a fun new challenge, drops are fun, steeps are fun, and flow/jump trails are good too. XC rides under 35km / 1500m and of epic quality are desired as well. She's on a TR Covert and I'm on a TR Bandit 29. Renting DH bikes for bike park sessions is expected although we will probably just ride our own stuff at the buffed out resorts.

My biggest requirement for this trip is that we are not rushed. With my current list of places to ride, we are sure to miss out on lots of experiences so please help me cut this list down to a manageable size so we can really get to know BC.

I hope that I can return the favor one of these days. Next time you are in GJ/Fruita, hit me up for a riding buddy, drinking buddy, or a place to crash/wrench!

Thanks in advance! Keep those pedals a turnin'
Bill

P.S. If you know of any undeveloped hot springs along the way, that would be the icing on the cake! I promise I won't tell a soul.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

LeeL

· #2 · Jun 1, 2012

2 weeks is awesome.

Driving up from GJ the first logical spot would be Rossland, Nelson, New Denver area.

ROSSLAND

Start with stuff like Seven Summits, Green Door and other trails there. You can get rides to cut out a bunch of the road riding loop from Revolution Cycles. I'll give you the name of a local separately who can show you around. Trails there are more AM, trail. Although you can also do downhills on trails like Whiskey, Oasis

You need at least two days there. Probably more.

NELSON

Lots of riding but so much of it is the shuttle up and ride down steep variety. Kind of one-dimensional imo but there are lots of trails you can also ride up to which keeps the traffic lighter and the trails won't be as beat. Selection of videos here

Spend maybe two - three days here.

NEW DENVER

Personally some of my favourite trails in the area. If you get hold of Rob at Wilds of Canada Cycles he can arrange someone to show you around or even drive shuttle for you. Some sample trips here and here

Try Idaho Peak, Wakefield Trail, Choices etc etc

Spend maybe two days here

In this area there are Hot Springs at Nakusp (commercial and built up) -about 1.5hrs from New Denver or at AInsworth (harder to get to but a further drive).

Just this area alone might take a week though.

Nelson - Trails here generally steep, quite technical. Flows if you can handle lots of different stunts thrown at you quickly.

Rossland - less tech than Nelson in the sense they're not as steep but I find most trails in Nelson too steep so you're always on brakes anyway and kinda boring. Others will disagree so its jmo

New Denver - trails here generally in best shape, fast and flowy, Still technical. But i wonder if that's what someone from CO wants - i mean this might be like what Crested Butte or Grand Mesa has ?

There's also a few alpine gems but they require effort to get to - Lockhart Crk, Silvercup etc

Part 2 coming up

karatemonkey said:
I am taking a trip from Colorado - traversing BC - and back home this summer (3 weeks, July-August) and would really appreciate advice on where to spend time riding. I have looked up the hot spots and plotted a route through them all but there just isn't enough time to play in all the zones. I have never ridden in BC and without knowing what areas offer what caliber and style of riding, it's hard for me to cut them out of the trip.

I have highlighted: Fernie, Columbia Valley, Golden, Revelstoke, Shuswap, Vernon, Kelowna, Kamloops, Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver (in that succession)

What are your must rides if you had two weeks to traverse BC?

I will be riding with my GF. We are capable riders accustomed to technical trail riding (We live/ride in Grand Junction, CO, she's pro DH). Built stunts are a fun new challenge, drops are fun, steeps are fun, and flow/jump trails are good too. XC rides under 35km / 1500m and of epic quality are desired as well. She's on a TR Covert and I'm on a TR Bandit 29. Renting DH bikes for bike park sessions is expected although we will probably just ride our own stuff at the buffed out resorts.

My biggest requirement for this trip is that we are not rushed. With my current list of places to ride, we are sure to miss out on lots of experiences so please help me cut this list down to a manageable size so we can really get to know BC.

I hope that I can return the favor one of these days. Next time you are in GJ/Fruita, hit me up for a riding buddy, drinking buddy, or a place to crash/wrench!

Thanks in advance! Keep those pedals a turnin'
Bill

P.S. If you know of any undeveloped hot springs along the way, that would be the icing on the cake! I promise I won't tell a soul.

See less See more

telebiker

· #3 · Jun 1, 2012

I may get flak for this but I would do some triage and cut out Kelowna and Vernon ( although Silverstar Bike Park in Vernon is pretty sweet) to give yourself more time in the other places you have chosen. And no Seven Summits in Rossland or Idaho Peak in New Denver?

LeeL

· #4 · Jun 1, 2012 (Edited)

telebiker said:
I may get flak for this but I would do some triage and cut out Kelowna and Vernon ( although Silverstar Bike Park in Vernon is pretty sweet) to give yourself more time in the other places you have chosen. And no Seven Summits in Rossland or Idaho Peak in New Denver?

Totally agree. This question (ie I have 2 weeks or 1 week to ride gets asked so often I think it's actually a good place to dump a bunch of knowledge.

FYI - here's where its been asked before

Raddest rides in BC - http://forums.mtbr.com/western-canada/raddest-rides-bc-summer-2012-a-761713.html

Overwhelmed by BC Options - http://forums.mtbr.com/western-canada/overwhelmed-bc-options-720263.html

Advice on Planning mtb trip to BC - http://forums.mtbr.com/western-canada/advice-planning-mtb-trip-bc-672662.html

"7 summits, wakefield trail whats next?" Kootenays generally - http://forums.mtbr.com/western-canada/7-summits-wakefield-trail-whats-next-617991.html

Calgary to Vancouver xc singletrack - by zinger-uk -http://forums.mtbr.com/passion/canadian-xc-singletrack-passion-picture-heavy-495839.html

New Denver - http://forums.mtbr.com/western-cana...trail-h-idaho-wakefield-silverton-440601.html

XC trails around Squamish and Pemberton - http://forums.mtbr.com/western-canada/what-best-xc-trails-pemberton-squarmish-450491.html

See less See more

LeeL

· #5 · Jun 1, 2012

Part 2 - Revelstoke and Salmon Arm

You could do 2 days in Revy and 1 day in Salmon Arm

Revy - see here. Longer descents with rides in the alpine. Martha/Sale is more DH, Frisby is more XC

Salmon Arm - see here.. Much more AM/XC type trails.

Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops may be dusty at that time of the year - they're best early or late season

LeeL

· #6 · Jun 1, 2012

Part 3 - bike parks on the way

SILVER STAR - excellent buff smooth trails. Well worth it.

KICKING HORSE - don't know it but its out of the way for you. I hear its on the rougher side

SUN PEAKS - techgnar. Worth it but your bikes will be undergunned.

Just thinking out loud here but I would think about spending one week in the Kootenays and one week on the coast. BC is pretty big

As much as it saddens me I would cut out Revy and Salmon Arm as they're locations to travel to in and of themselves but out of the way for you ( 4 hrs or so to get to Revy from say New Denver).

telebiker

· #7 · Jun 1, 2012

LeeL said:
2 weeks is awesome.

Driving up from GJ the first logical spot would be Rossland, Nelson, New Denver area.

ROSSLAND

Start with stuff like Seven Summits, Green Door and other trails there. You can get rides to cut out a bunch of the road riding loop from Revolution Cycles. I'll give you the name of a local separately who can show you around. Trails there are more AM, trail. Although you can also do downhills on trails like Whiskey, Oasis

You need at least two days there. Probably more.

NELSON

Lots of riding but so much of it is the shuttle up and ride down steep variety. Kind of one-dimensional imo but there are lots of trails you can also ride up to which keeps the traffic lighter and the trails won't be as beat. Selection of videos here

Spend maybe two - three days here.

NEW DENVER

Personally some of my favourite trails in the area. If you get hold of Rob at Wilds of Canada Cycles he can arrange someone to show you around or even drive shuttle for you. Some sample trips here and here

Try Idaho Peak, Wakefield Trail, Choices etc etc

Spend maybe two days here

In this area there are Hot Springs at Nakusp (commercial and built up) -about 1.5hrs from New Denver or at AInsworth (harder to get to but a further drive).

Just this area alone might take a week though.

Nelson - Trails here generally steep, quite technical. Flows if you can handle lots of different stunts thrown at you quickly.

Rossland - less tech than Nelson in the sense they're not as steep but I find most trails in Nelson too steep so you're always on brakes anyway and kinda boring. Others will disagree so its jmo

New Denver - trails here generally in best shape, fast and flowy, Still technical. But i wonder if that's what someone from CO wants - i mean this might be like what Crested Butte or Grand Mesa has ?

There's also a few alpine gems but they require effort to get to - Lockhart Crk, Silvercup etc

Part 2 coming up

^^^^^ What He said ( with feeling)!

Couple of non developed hot springs between New Denver and Revelstoke. St Leons and Half Way River Hot Springs as well as 2 commercial operations, Nakusp Hot Springs and Halcyon. Combine a soak at Nakusp Hot springs with a ride on the Kuskanux Trail (12 Km of road to get back to the springs). Halcyon, on Arrow Lake has an awesome restaurant (pricey) and the better views.

Guide or shuttle bunny(moi) available for rides in New Denver

Revelstoke is a must do! A number of options here: Frisby Ridge, Keystone Standard Basin, both spectacular alpine rides ala Crusty Butt but with pointier mountain views. Some nice flowy xc trails at MacPherson.

telebiker

· #8 · Jun 1, 2012

LeeL said:
Part 3 - bike parks on the way

SILVER STAR - excellent buff smooth trails. Well worth it.

KICKING HORSE - don't know it but its out of the way for you. I hear its on the rougher side

SUN PEAKS - techgnar. Worth it but your bikes will be undergunned.

Just thinking out loud here but I would think about spending one week in the Kootenays and one week on the coast. BC is pretty big

As much as it saddens me I would cut out Revy and Salmon Arm as they're locations to travel to in and of themselves but out of the way for you ( 4 hrs or so to get to Revy from say New Denver).

Rossland to New Denver, 1.5 hrs. New Denver to Revelstoke 2.5 to 3 hrs depending on your ferry wait. Agree with Lee on splitting time between Kootenays and Coast. Ride in the Koots and dash for the coast via Revy and HWY 1.

karatemonkey

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 1, 2012

Wow! Thanks for the quick feedback! This is exactly what I was looking for. Rossland and New Denver have been added to the list and the Columbia Valley/Kelowna Vernon stops are out. Lee, your trip/trail descriptions are great. Can't wait for part 2!

Honestly, I only chose the Fernie-Golden-Revelstoke locales cause it looked neat on the Google Terrain Map. and the names are familiar. No hurt feelings if they get cut.

Keep 'em coming!

LeeL

· #10 · Jun 1, 2012

Moving on - Part 4

One week in the Coast.

Abbotsford/Chilliwack. Amazing unfreaking believeable trails that I'd love to show you. Vedder, Sumas, Ledgeview. That'd be 2 - 3 days there alone

Squidline
Ambidextrous
Knob Gobbler
Chadsey Lake
Vedder - from the ridge. too many to name and I can't remember them all. Dilemma, Lesbians Only, all fast fast flowy with little hits - 3 4 floaty footers

Vancouver. Even though I live here there's a ton of variety. 2- 3 days here. Get my wife's book in my sig and it'll give you a start or just look me up here

Fromme
Seymour
Cypress

Squamish. Again ton of variety. 2 - 3 days here. Ditto for trails - look me up

Current favs

Cheshire Cat - Cheshire Kitten - Alice Lk loops
Angry Midget- Pseudotsuga- Hoods in the Woods-Half Nelson
All of Valleycliffe Crumpit Woods rockfaces

Whistler. Again I live here and never get sick of it. So much variety. 2- 3 days.

There's a bunch of info about Whistler here - way too much to list. Hit the bike park at least one day

Pemby. Skip at this time of the year - see same reason as Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna. But amazing in early and late season

See less See more

telebiker

· #11 · Jun 1, 2012

karatemonkey said:
Wow! Thanks for the quick feedback! This is exactly what I was looking for. Rossland and New Denver have been added to the list and the Columbia Valley/Kelowna Vernon stops are out. Lee, your trip/trail descriptions are great. Can't wait for part 2!

Honestly, I only chose the Fernie-Golden-Revelstoke locales cause it looked neat on the Google Terrain Map. and the names are familiar. No hurt feelings if they get cut.

Keep 'em coming!

Try and fit in at least one ride in Revy, it's a must do! 6 or 7 hours drive time from Revy to Van.

LeeL

· #12 · Jun 1, 2012

telebiker said:
Try and fit in at least one ride in Revy, it's a must do! 6 or 7 hours drive time from Revy to Van.

Revy is sick but I wonder how much of the riding is kind of the same as in GJ/ high country CO? McPherson trails are unreal but high country CO is all about fast flowing in the alpine. Ditto for Keystone Std. Frisby is amazing as is Sale Martha. KM _ look at the Pinkbike story and make up your mind. Construct a schedule and narrow it down maybe.

ferday

· #13 · Jun 1, 2012

LeeL said:
KICKING HORSE - don't know it but its out of the way for you. I hear its on the rougher side

As much as it saddens me I would cut out Revy and Salmon Arm as they're locations to travel to in and of themselves but out of the way for you ( 4 hrs or so to get to Revy from say New Denver).

kicking horse is steeper than sunpeaks and far more techgnar, it's one of my favorites but i like the old-school stuff. DH bikes highly recommended. the "XC" around Golden is fantastic and mount 7 is a rite of passage. Golden also rocks as a mountain town....but the area is way out of the way and i'm not sure worth it to have to miss some of the other stuff.

coming to BC for that long and not riding the actual honest to goodness north shore would be kind of embarrassing, particularly if you're capable of riding some of the better trails, which it sounds like you are. and whistler/squamish for that matter.

IMO the out-of-park riding around kamloops/kelowna is underwhelming.

take up LeeL on his offer to ride! i keep hoping to hook up with him and Sharon for a ride one day...

karatemonkey

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 1, 2012

Man, I can't believe how helpful you Canadians are! Clearly all of this info already existed on the forum and you all still took the time to thoughtfully answer my inquiry. I apologize for not searching first and am excited to see the new sticky that has popped up! That is quite the list! Thank you!

The alpine riding in Western CO is good but I'm willing to guess, not the same. A lot of our trails are open to motos whose presence do a number on the fun factor. The ones that aren't open to motos are usually the buffed out greens that don't really get me too excited. There are certainly exceptional alpine rides in CO but we are definitely going to spend some time in Revey!

Thanks to all of your suggestions, here is the schedule we are looking at now...

1 week in the Kootenays riding Rossland, New Denver, Revelstoke, and possibly Salmon Arm
1 week on the Coast riding Whistler, Squamish, N Van, Chilliwack
Sample Bellingham and Hood River on the way home

It goes w/o saying, we are stoked!! If anyone wants to meet up along the way and show us how the locals get down, we are always welcoming of company. Disclaimer, we will be shooting video and still footage so our rides won't be start to finish hammerfests. If that doesn't deter you and you enjoy playing rock-star/paparazzi then come join us!

See less See more

MartinS

· #15 · Jun 1, 2012

Fernie is definitely worth a stop, there has been so much trailwork here in the last few years, all singletrack up and downs - no fire road riding. We are pushing close to 70 trailheads all accessible by bike from town, no need for shuttling, lots of smooth bermed singletrack.
Personally I think we are one of the best places for trail-riding in the East Kootenays.

ed; You could also check out Long Canyon in North Idaho. It is just across the border from Creston and is best to do a shuttle, but it is about 5 - 6 hours of killer riding, 1 hour climb to start and 4 - 5 hours of gradual rolling downhill (starts with around 40 switchbacks before weaving its way back and forth down the canyon) with a few climbs to keep you honest. Most people who've ridden both rate it higher than 7 summits for fun factor.

LeeL

· #16 · Jun 1, 2012

Fernie is amazing and I agree with Martin; even when we went there 10 yrs ago it was exceptional.

I know a ton of people in Bellingham that will show you stuff you will love

MartinS

· #17 · Jun 1, 2012

LeeL said:
Fernie is amazing and I agree with Martin; even when we went there 10 yrs ago it was exceptional.

I know a ton of people in Bellingham that will show you stuff you will love

You need to come back, 10 years is a long time!

rockyuphill

· #18 · Jun 1, 2012

karatemonkey said:
I apologize for not searching first and am excited to see the new sticky that has popped up! That is quite the list! Thank you!

An apology and a thank you in the same train of thought. That right there could get you declared an honourary Canadian. :thumbsup:

LMN

· #19 · Jun 6, 2012

Personally I would start where the other suggested. Rossalnd, New Dever and then Revelstoke. Now I am a bit bias toward Revelstoke, I grew up there and still go back there and ride all the time. There is a couple of good alpine rides (Keystone and Frisby) but the town riding area, McPherson is a big riding area with fairly unique trail construction. The trails there are nice bridge between interior and costal trails.

After that I would skip the rest of the interior and go the Whistler Valley. You could ride all summer between Squamish and Pemberton and do nothing but killer riders.

LeeL

· #20 · Jun 6, 2012

LMN said:
Personally I would start where the other suggested. Rossalnd, New Dever and then Revelstoke. Now I am a bit bias toward Revelstoke, I grew up there and still go back there and ride all the time. There is a couple of good alpine rides (Keystone and Frisby) but the town riding area, McPherson is a big riding area with fairly unique trail construction. The trails there are nice bridge between interior and costal trails.

I now have clearance to talk about another set of good alpine rides in the Revelstoke and Salmon Arm that were previously kept on the down low - Joss Peak and the Cartier push. These are both legal but status was pending some access issues negotiated by the Revelstoke Cycling Association - you are still remembered fondly in Revy for the earliest trails K!

I'll take some pictures and video of those trails later in the year now that they are "legal".

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.