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BC Canada: Sea to Sky

Mountain Biking in Canada with Big Mountain Bike Adventures

Highlights

  • Spectacular scenery: rolling alpine meadows and lush rain forest
  • Tight twisty singletrack and rippin' fast flowy trails
  • Ride the world-renowned Whistler Bike Park

Full Description

This holiday features truly diverse and amazing riding destinations. First stop is bike-crazy Whistler with its groundbreaking bike park, buzzing village, beautiful lakes and endless singletrack. Then we ride the coastal town of Squamish and its artfully built trails beneath a rainforest canopy. Next stop is dusty Pemberton and its loose dirt and eclectic population of cowboys, First Nations and outdoorsy locals. Then we’ll hop in a seaplane and fly to a pristine lake for a day-long descent in a remote and staggeringly beautiful area populated by grizzlies and not much else, the Chilcotins. Our last stop is the North Shore to sample the birthplace of man-made stunts followed by a final dinner in cosmopolitan downtown Vancouver.

Out of Vancouver, this all-mountain road trip visits regions that are each different and each amazing: Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton, the South Chilcotins, the North Shore and the Sunshine Coast. Ask any local, they'll all agree that this is an amazing line-up of stops. Besides the endless singletrack that we'll ride, the natural beauty on this trip will stagger you, from dank coastal rain forest to rugged alpine riding to wide open semi-arid landscapes. Ride BC with us and see what all the buzz is about.

Activity Level. The technical ability required for the Sea to Sky trip is rated as 'advanced and higher.' In other words, this trip is for those who are comfortable and confident on steeper and technical terrain. Having shin pads is highly recommended. The riding in BC is generally technical. Unlike other tour companies, we won't be focusing this trip on the hardest trails rideable but instead on the best trails available. There will be man-made obstacles and stunts to consider; some you will ride and others you will walk around. The beauty of the trip is that you will get to ride with a born and bread locals. With Big Mountain you'll truly unlock the door to this unique riding paradise. For fitness level, even though we will be using lifts, vehicles and a float plane - and stopping quite often (to enjoy the view, take photos, eat and drink, wait for others, repair our bikes etc) - the accumulation of multiple, long days of riding will add up. You must be in good / very good shape to enjoy this trip.

Bike and equipment. The perfect bike for the Sea to Sky is a 6" travel all mountain dual suspension with DH disk brakes. All participants are required to have their bikes in excellent working order before the trip begins. Also required: helmet, leg / arm armour, hydration pack, and clothing for all types of weather. All participants are required to bring extra brake pads, tubes, a patch kit, any other parts specific to your bike. We will send you a detailed list of required equipment and clothing before departure.

Lodging and Food. During Sea to Sky, we will stay in a variety of accommodation. In Whistler, we will spend 4 nights in a luxury home within walking distance of the Village and all meals will be prepared by local staff. In the Chilcotins, we will stay in a beautiful lakeside log lodge located lake-side for 3 nights. During the two nights in Vancouver, we will stay at a hotel. Please notify Big Mountain if you have any special dietary needs.

Climate. We will be visiting several distinctly different climactic zones: from rainforest to desert. In big mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically - it could be 30 degrees Celcius one day and then nearly freezing on a mountain top the next day. This region can also receive lots of rain - be prepared. Generally though, the weather during the summer is hot and sunny.

Your Safety. Our trips take place in remote to very remote regions with limited evacuation options available and there are always risks and hazards on the trails that we ride. If you choose to participate in our trips, it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. Participants must keep their bikes in good working condition, they must be hydrated and rested and alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding. Our guides have basic first aid training and if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory.

Why Big Mountain is your choice. Big Mountain Bike Adventures is the pioneer for performance XC, all-mountain, DH and freeride mountain biking adventures. We know that to find the very best trails, you have to ride with locals. All of our trips are designed in part by local riders and often guided with local riders and professional Big Mountain guides. We aim to provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our participants.

Includes:

  • Expert Leadership
  • Airport transfers
  • Accommodations in Whistler Chalet, lakeside log lodge and a hotel
  • All breakfasts and six dinners
  • Full-face helmet and armor for day at Whistler Bike Park
  • All transportation including: shuttle vehicle lifts, ferry and float plane
  • Big Mountain t-shirt and detailed pre-departure information

Excludes:

  • International airfare
  • Personal travel and medical insurance
  • Optional dowhill bike rental for Bike Park day
  • Optional tipping to leaders and local staff
  • Airport taxes and excess baggage charges (if any)
  • Your bike and related equipment needed to ride
  • Personal items like drinks and snacks. We recommend $20- 30 USD per day for lunches and extras.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver, transfer to Whistler

Arrive in Vancouver Canada where you'll be greeted by your Big Mountain guides and meet the rest of your group. From Vancouver, we'll drive 2.5 hours north on the spectacular Sea to Sky highway to the charming alpine Whistler Resort. Once in Whistler, we will settle into our luxury chalet and then be free to explore the pedestrian-only Whistler Village. Tonight we stay at our Whistler Chalet.

Day 2: Ride Whistler trails

Today will be spent acquainting ourselves with Whistler’s incredible network of awesome all-mountain trails which are accessible right from our chalet. You’ll see why Whistler has the most passionate mountain bikers anywhere. Tonight we sleep at our Whistler Chalet.

Day 3: Ride Whistler Bike Park

Today we will ride the Whistler Bike Park, featuring 250+km of lift-serviced descending mountain bike trails, hands down, the best mountain bike park in the world. Tonight we sleep at our Whistler Chalet.

Day 4: Ride Squamish

Squamish, dubbed the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, is a riding paradise and town that achieved cult status amoung mountain bikers. Depending on the group's energy level, we'll either shuttle or climb and ride a Squamish classic loop, or two! Tonight we sleep at our Whistler Chalet.

Day 5: Ride Pemberton, drive to Chilcotins

After breakfast, we'll drive 25 minutes north of Whistler to the rustic town of Pemberton where we'll ride a local trail or two. Pemberton, which is located at the beginning of the transition from Coastal Mountain rain forest to semi arid desert, is much dryer and more open than Whistler or Squamish. And home to some sweetest undiscovered trails in the Corridor. Later in the afternoon, we will drive over the gravel Hurley Pass to the very remote and rugged Chilcotin Range. Tonight, we stay at a local lakeside wilderness lodge.

Day 6: Ride the Chilcotins via float plane

This morning we'll be in a Beaver float plane by 8am. The 15 minute flight will take us and our bikes up to Warner Lake, a green-blue high alpine lake. From Warner we will descend 40 kms of rolling remote and practically untouched wilderness singletrack, through wildflower-filled meadows, past cowboy camps, along glacial streams. We will return to our lodge.

Day 7: Ride the Chilcotins

After a well deserved sleep in, we will ride a fantastic loop that takes us into the high alpine and back to the lodge. Keep your eyes open for grizzlies in the area, along with wolves, mountain sheep and moose. Tonight we stay at the lodge.

Day 8: Transfer to Vancouver, optional North Shore ride

After breakfast, we will begin our journey back to the Coast where you'll have the balance of the day to chill. Or if you still have energy, maybe hit the Shore for a short ride. Or rent cruiser bikes and explore the city, beaches and Stanley Park (the third largest city owned park in North America)? Or take a guided sea-kayaking tour of the inlets and waterways around Vancouver? Tonight we're in the big city and we'll get to sample Vancouver's world-class restaurants. Sushi tonight? Stay at our Vancouver hotel.

Day 9: Ride Sunshine coast

Today’s adventure begins with a short ferry traverse to the Sunshine Coast where we will find lush mossy forests full of fast, buffed singletrack through massive cedar and fir trees. We will finish our day with a final celebratory dinner before packing up for tomorrow's departures. Tonight, we stay in our Vancouver hotel.

Day 10: Fly home

This morning we'll drive you to Vancouver International Airport for your flight home. Good bye!

About The Operator:

Big Mountain Bike Adventures

Headquarters:

Vancouver, BC

Established:

January 2003

At Big Mountain Bike Aventures, our goal is to provide an experience of a lifetime on a mountain bike. We're talking about one of those experiences that borders on life altering, or a least one that makes you feel so alive that you howl out loud. How do we aim to achieve this lofty target? Good question. Our mountain biking trips are a carefully organized symphony of details with that goal in mind; some details are small and barely noticeable while others are in plain sight, right under your tires. Our mountain bike trips are unparalleled, melding the very best singletrack with unique cultural experiences and great food and accommodation in a well-organized small-group adventure lead by professional guides. Our riding roots run deep and our passion to innovate and deliver a worldclass adventure is evident at every turn. At the end of the day we just love to ride. We are proud to offer you an exciting line-up of trips that will be sure to take you riding to another level. We look forward to riding with you soon.