Whistler

Beta: Access via the Fitzsimmons Express lift at Whistler Bike Park base — park at Day Skier Lot 1-4 off Blackcomb Way, free until afternoon. Warm up on Easy Does It and B-Line first; A-Line is a huge step up from any blue. Mandatory tabletops, berms, drops, and the infamous Moonbooter (big hip-table near the bottom) — speed is mandatory to clear jumps, slow = case city. First two drop-ins are smaller than they look but set the tone: if those humble you, turn around on B-Line. Ride behind someone who knows the trail to get tows into the jumps your first lap.

Season: Whistler Bike Park's flagship flow trail in the Fitzsimmons Zone, typically open from mid-May through mid-October (2025 opened May 16). Rarely delayed by snow because of its valley-floor elevation, so A-Line is usually rideable from opening day. Bike park passes or day tickets required. Crankworx in August brings the biggest crowds.

Lift: Lift-served from Fitz zone. Multiple laps are the move — you'll want at least five.

Beta: Access requires both the Whistler Village Gondola (or Creekside) and the Peak Chair — buy the Peak Chair add-on ($22) or Express ticket ($39) on top of your bike park pass. Peak Chair lines are long (skiers + bikers + sightseers), so get the first Gondola and go straight up. Cold up top even in summer — bring a layer in your pack. 5,000 ft of descent: steep technical rock lines at the top (point-and-shoot, one section at a time), then flowy alpine singletrack with built berms and switchbacks. 140mm+ all-mountain/enduro bike minimum; stop for photos, once-in-a-season ride.

Season: The Peak Zone is the last Whistler Bike Park zone to open each season — often not until July, depending entirely on snowpack, and closes around September 1 (earlier than the rest of the park). Requires a separate, limited-quantity Top of the World ticket in addition to a bike park pass. Peak Express chair access only. Early-season trips (May-June) almost never get Top of the World.

Lift: Peak Zone access required — opens when snow clears (usually late June), closes Sept 1. Check conditions before planning around this ride.

Beta: Access off EZ Does It just west (right) as you exit the Fitzsimmons Express lift — same lift as A-Line. Downhill-only, double-black — expert machine-built jump trail with tables, step-ups, 3-5 ft drops, a big hip near the end, and a pro-line with gap jumps, hips, and big drops added in 2018. Scope every major feature before committing — the gaps punish hesitation. At the creek section near the bottom there are three lines: left ride-around, center moderate gap, right big gap. Don't try Dirt Merchant your first Whistler day — do A-Line clean first.

Season: Whistler Bike Park jump trail in the Fitzsimmons Zone, typically open from opening day (mid-May) through mid-October. Valley-floor elevation means it's rarely delayed by snow. One of the signature trails that locals and visitors line up for on opening week. Bike park ticket required.

Lift: Lift-served from Fitz zone.

Beta: Park at Cheakamus Crossing or Function Junction — Mountain View Drive and Valley Drive parking is extremely limited and has no washrooms. From Function, climb Rainbow-Sproatt Flank for ~2 mi, turn left on Don't Look Back, then gain 500+ ft to Into the Mystic (the machine-built climbing trail), then On The Rocks to reach LOTS drop-in. The climb to the alpine is 3-4 hours of pedaling — bring food, 3L of water, layers, and wind shell. Descent is 4.3 km of downhill-primary flow through the subalpine with huge Coast Range views. Bail if thunderstorms are building.

Season: High-alpine backcountry trail on Resort Municipality of Whistler land, managed by WORCA. Typically open late July through early October due to lingering snow in the alpine. Late-August rides can still encounter patchy snow in shaded sections. WORCA explicitly requests riders avoid alpine use during extended rain or early/late season before the trail dries. E-bikes and dogs prohibited in the alpine section.

Shuttle: Backcountry trail — no shuttle or lift access. Climb via Into the Mystic. Big day, big reward.

E-bikes: E-bikes are BANNED on this trail and all alpine trails above Flank Trail (WORCA policy — environmental protection and grizzly bear management).

Beta: Park at Wedgemount Lake Provincial Park lot north of Whistler off Hwy 99 — cross the bridge and go left, veer right at the fork, trail is signed on the right. Ride mostly north-to-south (to the Lost Lake end) as a point-to-point with a car shuttle, or loop back via the valley trail (~4-7 hours one direction). The advertised 4-7 hours is honest — longest, hardest XC ride in the valley, built by Chris Markle with constant roots, rocks, granite, and river crossings. Carry max water, food, and a buddy — large sections out of cell coverage. Bail exit at ~6 km via Young Lust back to Wedgemount.

Season: Long backcountry XC trail managed by Resort Municipality of Whistler (valley floor / mid-elevation). Generally rideable June through October once low snow clears. Subject to periodic closures for trail maintenance, bridge work, and annual Western Toad migration closures. Check Whistler's trail status page before heading out — multi-hour trail with committing logistics.