I’ve been thinking about doing an extended (4 weeks) stay in BC this summer with the mountain bike. Has anyone done this before and do you have any tips?

I’m not sure about the following:

– which bike to take, I have a Trek Remedy but there seem to be plenty of good looking DH bike deals on ebay / forums. I definitely want to ‘do’ lift-assisted descending in Whistler (+ some of the other bike parks). It does seem a shame to go that distance though and spend all the time on bike park trails, my understanding is that there’s a plethora of ‘all-mountain’ stuff to do too.

– what to do about guiding and the like. I’m not a downhiller, although I suspect after a week of descending in a bike park, I’d be a lot better! I’m considering doing something like: 1 week Whistler on my own, 2 weeks guided ‘tour’ where I’d get a chance to use my improved skills from the week in the park.

– where to go and how to get there. Definitely want to do Whistler, but am also looking at Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Squamish, North Shore. I’d prefer not to rent a car if possible. Some of this possibly depends on which bike I take!

Anyway, just wanted to see if anyone had done something similar and what they did. Did a quick search of this forum but couldn’t find anything.

http://www.bearbackbiking.com/

Sorted.

When I went to Whistler I took my DH bike, but after 2 full days in the bike park I was sore, so I rented a blur xc for $50 for the day and did the xc trails, they rented everything inc v10 carbons etc for $135 a day if I remember correctly, if you go to Sun peaks or Silverstar the rentals won’t be as good and I don’t recall seeing any xc bikes for rent{not that I was particularly looking}

4 weeks is a lot of riding so take in some touristy stuff too

im just gonna keep my eye on this thread 🙂

I was lucky enough to spend the Summer there in 2010 ,world’s oldest ugliest chalet maid !Bought a Spicy out there found that did all i wanted it to .Get out of park as well as you said .If you can afford it get yourself up to Lake Tyax in the Chilcotins and do a Float Plane trip experience of a life time .The XC trails over there aren’t like over here Double black XC anyone ?Lost Lake trails in Whistler are a good place to start .Also been to Silver Star bike park (nice n mellow )got loads of info if you want to do more brain picking feel free to E Mail me rolandjulie2001@yahoo.co.uk
be glad to help and like you i’m not the world’s greatest when the trail points (steeply) downwards !

We have plenty of solo visitors doing anything from 1 – 4 weeks riding the entire cross section of trails available.

Our most recent long stay, Bri, did 4 weeks. Guiding mornings almost every day they were available and joined in with afternoon bike park skills clinics.
He tended to ride XC/AM in the mornings with a guide then flirt with the park in the afternoon. Bike park guided mornings if it was headed to something he wanted to work on or beat. And hang out and socialise with the every changing dynamic of other guests that came through while he was in house.

Drop us a line if you have any questions o rwant to know what we can do

Kind regards

Bear Back Biking

^yeah do that.