Who's ridden Whistler?
 

Planning an MTB trip for this coming summer. Whistler is looking pretty good right now, but I'm open to suggestions. Only things I need is decently priced hotel rooms in the area (Not a consideration for Whistler, I have family there) and bike rentals. Minimum ages, if any, would be nice to know too. Thanks.

Been there for a day, it was awesome. It was my first and only time doing the downhill/fr stuff so I can't really compare it to anywhere else. But it was hella fun.

Did you rent? What kind of shape are the rentals in up there?

I did and the bikes were fine.

I think they change bikes every year and had two mechanics working on them when I was there. If I were to go again I would do something completely different though. I would rent an XC or all mountain bike and pedal the trails on the valley instead of taking the lifts and downhilling. It would be more fun and cheaper.

XC bores me to tears. FR is where it's at for now.

I've been three times now and have had a blast each time.

Spend the money for a Triple Play (three-day) pass - - it's worth it. There's lots of bikes for rent at many shops; the most prevalent bikes I saw was a passle of RM Switches. Don't know what they'll have this year.

Talk to Maelstrom about accomodations. Last time we stayed at the Marriott up at Blackcomb and it was comfortable, private and gorgeous. A lot of retals are "ski-slope-beat" - - in other words, showing a bit of hard wear from the ski crowd; but, really, there is nothing bad up there.

I have to disagree with jz19: even if you go enjoy all the trails in the valley and do the trail-ride thing, DO NOT pass up the chance while you there to shred thelift-accessed stuff up on the mountain. Even if it's not your 'main' thing, you will find that even one day up there will up your skills more than a half-year anywhere else. Do all the stuff you dare to, then pucker up and do the rest. You will come away with a warm. fuzzy feeling realizing what you rode ("I did that?")

PM me if you feel like it and do talk to Maelstrom - - he's the Whistler-meister.

What's a good time of year to go? Obviously school gets in the way unless it's July or August.

I rented from the actual bike park. The bikes were in good condition, I think I was on a Kona Stab with a Marz 66 and X.7. It worked fine for what I was doing.
I think a few other places right in the base village rent bikes too, and they might be a little cheaper.

EDIT: I was there the week after crankworx and it didn't seem too crowded. But I really have no idea when you should go.

Go later in June or July/August. We went early June last year and Garbanzo (whole upper half of the mountain) was still a couple or three weeks from opening. You definitely want it all to be open to get the most from it. Garbo opening will probably be even later with all of the snowfall the Pacific NW is having this year.

I will respond in more detail later.

By july/august the rentals have been abused. There are shops that rent a little further into the village that have decent rentals as they don't sell out constantly. Really depends on the brand you want

accom will range heavily. I would expect to pay 100ish to 150ish for sure (unless you get hooked up), unless you can get hooked up. There is always staff accom which charges MINIMAL pricing to stay there in the summer. As a last resort there is also the hostels. This really depends on how cheap you want to go, and how far you are willing to ride to get to the village.

As for riding the mountain or the valley. Do both. the mountain is good but redundant. Personally I would think of a mini tour. (if you are driving)

whistler mountain 2 days
Squamish or pemberton 1 day
Norht shore 1 day
Whistler valley 2 days (kill me thrill me, river runs through it etc) hit the classic west coast xc trails.


Couple of hints. Week before crankworx is busy but the trails are buffed. Week during is busy but not as bad as people think (aline sucks), week after the trails have been abused badly but it is dead.

September and october are the best months to come but the riskiest due to weather. I prefer sept riding as it doesn't suck to wear body armour. July and August, its hard to suit up sometimes.

Last year was a freak of nature. Fricken rainy season never stopped.

Good point though, with this years record constant snow, it will likely be more of the same.

and one point, if you think you are a conditioned rider ready to go 7 days straight...

you won't...don't prepare to ride every day. If you are here for 7 days plan to ride

2 on
1 off
3 on
1 off

Most people don't even make it that much. Especially after the first day. I see so many people come here, ride all day monday, extended play...25 runs...

3 days off after...take it slow (unless you are only here for 2 days), the mountain is tall and long with some runs hitting 30 minutes...its gonna hurt ;)

I liked how our one day on/one day off schedule. Works especially well with other family in tow. Just wish we could have gotten some of the fun valley trails on the off days.

I get smarter about it each time we've been up; so maybe I'll get it right next time ;)

Just gotta make one day, to be honest, unless you are here for a week, I wouldn't worry toooo much. River runs through it is fun and fairly easy but it is only 1 hour. Unless you are willing to do a lot of biking to find all the good trails :)

hehe, you definitely need to try xc here. I would be shocked if you could call it boring haha

man... I really want to go now! last summer, my parents went to Vancouver while i went to Japan.. it was a great cultural learning experience, but I didnt have any method of exercise! Most definitely this summer I will head up there.