Where to ride at Whistler, apart from Whistler...

I'm gonna be up the same time Seb and i've been looking at the threads on NSMB .com for ideas also.
Dropping down and taking a tour of the Northshore trails seems like a good sidetrip.

There is tasty stuff in Squamish but I don't think there are any lifts and you'll be well-served to have a local with you to find the goods.

A River Runs Through It is right in the valley near whistler and is a good way to build confidence on log rides, teeters, etc. Nothing too huge but lots of fun woodwork all over the place.

If you can swing it (probably $100/person or so) I recommend a heli drop on Rainbow Mountain.

OGRipper said:

If you can swing it (probably $100/person or so) I recommend a heli drop on Rainbow Mountain.

Click to expand...

SO WORTH IT!!!

that heli drop is the best

The Squamish trails are relatively easy to find, and on the way to Whistler. Check out www.nsmba.bc.ca for more info. I also highly recommend the trails at Seymour (also on the way to Whistler)...CBC and the other trails there are amazingly fun. Cove bikes in Van is also very helpful.

- seb said:

If the helidrop is that cheap (and someone who's already there has hinted at being able to get even cheaper prices) then we're definately hitting that up!

Click to expand...

Pretty sure it depends on how many people you get but the heli ride alone is worth it and the ride is killer. Not positive but I think this pic from the Knolly Bikes website is Rainbow Mountain:

Pemberton. It's about 15 miles north (that's a guess) and the trails are epic. Stunning scenery etc. You might be able to get a bus there and if you've visited a local store in Whistler to get a trail map.

BC is full of great riding. Whistler has trails that aren't in the bike park along with trails in Squamish, North Shore, Sunshine coast. You're spoilt for choice.

I'd recomend either getting with a local to show you trails or try Jonny Smoke at Bush Pilot biking.

http://www.bushpilotbiking.com/home.html

Day trip from whistler:
Pemberton (30 min from whistler)
>shuttle
>get directions from many whistler locals bike shop etc.)

Squamish (45 min from whistler)
>shuttle
>Tantalus bike shop in Squamish would be a good start for trail directions.

North Shore mountains (90 min from whistler)
> Shuttle/climb
> Check with local bike shops (John Henry, Cove, On top, etc.) for directions/map.
> You could also PM me if you're coming down to the shore and I'll be glad to show you around.

Fraser Valley (150min-180min from whistler)
> Hike/Shuttle

Oh and try

www.gutsploder.com for trail maps.

I grew up in squamish, they have a lot of really good trails...but there's definitely no lifts. ride to the top, makes the down more satisfying.

OGRipper said:

Pretty sure it depends on how many people you get but the heli ride alone is worth it and the ride is killer. Not positive but I think this pic from the Knolly Bikes website is Rainbow Mountain:

Click to expand...

Yes, that's definitely Rainbow Mountain.
I heli-biked that last year and it was worth every penny just for the helicopter ride. (bring bug repellent though, the gigantic mosquitos will eat you alive while your waiting for your bikes)

Gutsploder.com is a good resource too. Squamish has some gnarly trails.

You could also try Grous Mountain (spelling?) in Vancouver. I've never been there, but seen many photo's and it looks fun.

there's enough trails off the mountain to keep you busy for years, if you don't mind some effort to get to them....thing I've heard about rainbow heli drop is that it's oiver pretty quick for the money you lay out, hour and a half or so......better bang for the buck, and intensity level would be disneyland...

rainbow is 165 pounds(they didnt offer conversion) to ride based on 2 riders. this is at www.ticket2ridebc.com and it sounds like its a full day thing. im not sure though

165 pounds??!! I know how much a winter drop is (and it's waaay less than that), and I understand that the summer one isn't much different, but I guess if you want someone to guide ya you have to cough it up.....

well thats what the site says, i just looked at the conversion and its a bot more then 300$CDN, seems a little steep to me

jon-boy said:

or try Jonny Smoke at Bush Pilot biking.

http://www.bushpilotbiking.com/home.html

Click to expand...

Good call...........totally agree!!

I've done an 8 day tour with Smoke..............was AWESOME!!

I highly recommend it..........he knows where all the goods are so you don't waste any time looking for trails.....or which ones are good....maximizes ride time!

Smoke and Barb will ride you into the ground...............

Thank god for this thread, whats the cheapest option to get there from vancouver airport, if renting a car is the option what is the cheapest company to rent a car from...
thanks

check out perimeterbus.com

Gargamel in Whistler. Just get a map of Squamish at the local bike shop. If you have 2 cars there are a lot of shuttles in Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton. Ill be there July 6-15 if you wanna go with us.

Seb:

Just curious - is this "SEB?"

Anyway, Rainbow is a nice heli drop with awesome views and a fun descent, but as others have said, it's over FAST. Unless you hang around and eat lunch and take your time, you'll be down in about an hour. It's beautiful, but it's pretty much a straight shot down. Terrain is moderately difficult (though some options like "Jaws" near the end can be pretty "fun" . Even though it's much shorter and easier that Disneyland, don't be fooled - you will want pads and a full face though for this ride.
The nice thing with Rainbow is that it's pretty hard to get lost once you find the trail (and yes, the picture from our website is from Rainbow).

Disneyland: first off, it will be very difficult if not impossible to get a heli company to fly you up there without a guide / organizer.
Secondly, this is a much more serious ride: it's a minimum 5-6 hours for experienced (and high skilled) riders with lots of hike-a-bike. You will need lots of food and water. You need to realize that if you get hurt or your bike fails and you can't ride it, you could spend the night up there or at least have a 10 hour hike out if near the top. You will NEED a guide, unless your idea of fun is riding down baby head filled ravines for 500-1000 feet at a time Also, there are access issues here as well...

Costs: Helicopters like the A-Star cost around a grand an hour to fly. Do the math - less riders = higher costs. Plus, you need to pay for the guide's time and flight and incorporate them into your group size. Also, the pilots aren't allowed to fly (legally) with passengers when they're slinging the bikes, so it ALWAYS means a MINIMUM of two trips up the mountain. Plus, in areas like Disneyland, someone who knows the trails well is imperitive and that pretty much means Smoke from www.bushpilotbiking.com.

Cheers,

Noel Buckley