Whistler kids get a jump on the competition. Photo courtesy Whistler Mountain Bike Park/Justa Jeskova

Whistler kids get a jump on the competition (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Whistler Mountain Bike Park/Justa Jeskova​

Anna Boyd has seen 6-year-olds that can ride A-Line well. By 8 or 9 many of them are really good, adds Boyd, programs supervisor for Whistler Blackcomb's DFX Kids Mountain Bike Program. The fact that kids barely old enough to tie their shoes can shred one of the famous bike park's toughest trails shouldn't come as a huge surprise. The program accepts kids as young as 4 - and even 3 if they're almost 4 and able to ride on two wheels using a hand brake. (No coaster brakes allowed in the bike park.)

Check out part 1 of our Whistler Experience series here and read about Outerbike Whistler here.


DFX (as in downhill, freeride, cross-country) offers three core programs, a summer-long club session for the local kids (about 300 are enrolled), day camps for out-of-towners, and new this season, 5-day programs that essentially clone the club program with 3 days of cross-country and 2 days of downhill.

"It's a segment that is really exploding," said Rob McSkimming, Whistler Blackcomb's VP of business development. "And we are starting to see the industry respond with better kid's gear and bikes and clothing."

Whistler Mountain Bike Park offers summer long, week long, and day lessons for kids. Photo courtesy Whistler Mountain Bike Park/Justa Jeskova

Whistler Mountain Bike Park offers summer long, week long, and day lessons for kids (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Whistler Mountain Bike Park/Justa Jeskova​

Indeed, along with a massive array of adult bikes, the Whistler Blackcomb demo fleet includes 20" Norco Ninjas and 24" Giant Yukons, a dual suspension rig that Boyd says Giant originally built just for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

"It used to be really hard to find small size kid's bikes without coaster brakes, so we used to buy Norco's and take them into shop and install a new wheel," recalled Boyd. "But now there are more options. The industry is catching up with the kids at Whistler and all the other bike parks."

The other - perhaps more important - impact of all these kids on bikes has been on their parents.

"We usually see two basic demographics," continued Boyd. "Most of the Whistler parents already ride bikes. But with the daily and weeklong program, that number is maybe half. But what happens is that the moms and dads get pulled in because they see their kids doing it. A lot of those people used to think that the bike park was unattainable, big jumps and too much risk because that's what you see on the internet or at Crankwork. But then someone sees their kid having a fun and safe time, and that boosts their confidence to give it a try."

Taking a lesson is a great way to get acclimated to the unique Whistler riding experience. Photo courtesy Arbutus Routes/Mason Mashon

Taking a lesson is a great way to get acclimated to the unique Whistler riding experience (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Arbutus Routes/Mason Mashon​

When those new-to-cycling parents do decide to give it a try, they have options. The bike park will always be front and center. But the Whistler-area also boasts a massive network of cross-country trails.

Continue to page 2 for more on the Whistler Experience »

The area's massive XC trail network has a little something for everyone. Photo courtesy Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

The area's massive XC trail network has a little something for everyone (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane​

Two days after getting my hat handed to me in a local Toonie race, I'm headed straight up the mountain again, this time suffering on the wheel of Shaun Fry, a guide and instructor for Arbutus Routes, a locally owned full-service bike shop that also offers guiding and coaching. We're headed to a trail called Microclimate, which Fry says was used in the previous year's Enduro World Series event.

"Some people might laugh at the idea of having a guide or getting instruction just to ride cross-country trails," says Fry, as we pedal up a horrendously steep fire road. "But even if you come here with a lot of experience, the Whistler trails can challenge you because they're unique in their own way."

Lessons typically begin with a skills assessment. The a ride plan is formulated. Photo courtesy Arbutus Routes/Mason Mashon

Lessons typically begin with a skills assessment. The a ride plan is formulated (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Arbutus Routes/Mason Mashon​

A few minutes later, Fry's point is clearly illustrated, as we plummet back toward the valley floor via a series of steep, no-turning-back rollovers separated by extended sections of techy, rooty, full-body-physical trail. Once again I'm reminded of the when-mountain-biking-in-Canada rule, which states that if a trail is rated X here, it would be X+1 back home in the States.

That's why taking a lesson, even if you're an expert rider, is never a bad idea.

"Our process usually starts with a quick chat just to try to gauge where your ability level is," explains Fry. "So with an intermediate rider we would usually start by heading out to the Zappa trails (all named after Frank Zappa songs) and do some basic drills to get a read on skill level."

The pre-Olympic expansion of the Sea-to-Sky Highway has made the 2-hour drive from the Vancouver airport to Whistler far more palatable. Photo courtesy Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

The pre-Olympic expansion of the Sea-to-Sky Highway has made the 2-hour drive from the Vancouver airport to Whistler far more palatable (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane​

Key indicators are posture on the bike, along with cornering, braking, and overall stability. From there a ride plan is developed. The trail network literally has something for everyone, from heavily groomed beginner trails, to sphincter clinchers such as Microclimate, Crazy Train and Hey Bud.

"The goal is to help the person enjoy their ride experience here," adds Fry. "It's no fun if you end up lost in the woods having to ride down a trail that's way over your skill level."

As for his top tips, Fry's mantra is when in doubt elbows out. "Of course you also need to be looking ahead to where you want to go, and also try to get your body moving on the bike. Don't get locked into one position, keep those arms and legs fluid and keep those hips moving sideways and back and forth. You should be moving as much as your bike is."

It's great advice that pays immediate dividends. I manage to conquer (…survive) Microclimate with nary a spill. Safely back at the base, it's time to sample a few of Whistler's best off-the-bike options.

Continue to page 3 for more on the Whistler Experience »

The Scandinave Spa is about as relaxing as it gets. Photo courtesy Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

The Scandinave Spa is about as relaxing as it gets (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane​

Being the internationally famous resort town that it is, Whistler is packed with every possible amenity one could hope for. Hotels, restaurants, shops and bars crowd the main village, and are tucked into the surrounding hillsides. Here are three spots we can whole heartedly recommend, but there are certainly many others also worth visiting.

Scandinave Spa

Hurtling yourself down mountains is hard work. And if you want to do it day after day, recovery is key. The Scandinave Spa (pictured above) is all about recovery. Located just a few minutes north of the Whistler Village, it has a number of indoor and outdoor relaxation pools, saunas and steam rooms, and all are situated on a 20,000 square foot parcel of land that's surrounded by towering spruce and cedar trees. Access to the baths is $60CAD. Massage packages start at $152. More info at www.scandinave.com

The Aava Hotel offers complimentary (and secure) bike storage behind this door. Photo courtesy Aava Whistler Hotel

The Aava Hotel offers complimentary (and secure) bike storage behind this door (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Aava Whistler Hotel​

Aava Whistler Hotel

Fancy hotels are a dime a dozen in Whistler. But for mountain bikers, it's hard to beat the 192-room Aava Whistler Hotel, which is adjacent to Whistler's pedestrian village. Guests have access to a bike wash, tools, free GoPro rentals, and there's a complimentary bike valet, so you can safely store your rig when not riding. They even have free lockers if you prefer to not bring your stinky knee pads back to your room. And all the rooms have free WiFi and mini-fridges to keep post-ride beer cold. Room rates start at $100 during peak season. More info at www.aavawhistlerhotel.com

Alta Bistro

Recent winner of a TripAdvisor 4.5 stars certificate of excellence, Alta Bistro is a 65-seat eatery featuring local and naturally-raised food, eclectic cocktails, wine, and micro-brewed beer. The menu changes depending on what's in season, and Alta Bistro is the first restaurant in Whistler to feature the premium Enomatic wine-serving system, which ensures every glass is as good as the first. Open 5:30 p.m. to midnight. More info at www.altabistro.com

The Outerbike consumer trade show is a great way to explore Whistler - and test a bunch of bikes. Photo courtesy Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

The Outerbike consumer trade show is a great way to explore Whistler - and test a bunch of bikes (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane​

Outerbike Whistler

Okay, this isn't an amenity in the traditional sense of the word. But timing your trip to Whistler with the Outerbike consumer trade show, tentatively set for early June 2016, is a great way to go. For $220 you get four days worth of access to a slew of demo bikes, both DH and trail/XC oriented, plus punch passes for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and invites to parties. In its first year, the show attracted the likes of Ibis, Transition, Kona, Norco, Durango Bike Company, Rocky Mountain, Marin and MRP. Next year promises to be even bigger. More info at outerbike.com