Whistler, BC, it’s a bucket list destination for every mountain biker. I was lucky enough to tick it off my list in 2011, but in doing so, I think I may have broken the unspoken rules of bucket lists… because I immediately added it back on. Don’t tell the authorities.
One trip is never enough. With so much incredible riding to explore, multiple visits are essential. I’ve now lived in Canada for over five years, and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of what Whistler has to offer.
Planning a trip to Whistler can be overwhelming with so many trails and options, it’s a great problem to have! The bad news? You won’t be able to ride it all. The good news? Whatever you do ride, it’ll be unforgettable. Beyond the trails, the energy of the town is something special, thousands of like minded riders, all buzzing with the same stoke. It really is paradise for mountain bikers.
In this article, I’ve put together my top recommendations and insights—all from the perspective of a starry-eyed Aussie who landed in Whistler years ago and never looked back. While this guide will help with trip planning, my real goal is for it to be something you can pull out once you’ve arrived and start ticking off the must-ride trails.
If you’re still in the planning phase, be sure to check out our dedicated pre-planning article here!
Lay of the land | Where you’re staying & getting around
When choosing accommodation in Whistler, there are three main areas to consider: Whistler Village, Creekside, and Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Depending on where you are staying will play a big role in the logistics of where to ride and what zones are closest to you. We should note that no matter where you stay, the trails are still easy to access, and everything is connected by the paved Valley Trail. The buses can also take two bikes on the front if all you have is a big DH bike that you don’t want to pedal.
Whistler Village | The heart of it all
Whistler Village is right in the heart of the action. It’s the most convenient option, with direct access to the Bike Park lift, plus a wide selection of bars, restaurants, and bike shops.
- Best for: Bike Park access as well as sampling all the bars and restaurants.
Creekside | A quieter alternative
Creekside is a smaller, quieter village that you’ll pass through on your way into Whistler. It has a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, and a bike shop, along with the Creekside lift, which also provides access to the Bike Park. However, if you plan on spending a lot of time in Whistler Village, staying in Creekside may be slightly less convenient. It’s about 4km from Whistler Village, and you’ll need to take the bus or ride the Valley Trail to get there.
- Best For: Those looking for a more laid-back vibe. It’s also well suited for accessing the Westside trails outside of the Bike Park.
Upper Village | Access to Blackcomb, no lift access but great trail riding
Blackcomb sits on the opposite side of Whistler Village and is quieter than the main hub, though there are still plenty of bars, restaurants and shops to keep you busy. It’s closer than Creekside, making it easy to walk or ride into the Village which is only about 500m away. There’s no direct lift access to the Bike Park from Blackcomb, though the gondola does run for hikers and sightseeing. However some of the best trail riding in the area starts here.
- Best for: Access to the Blackcomb trail network and Lost Lake for a post-ride swim!
An overview of the Whistler Bike Park zones
Australia does not have the biggest mountains, which is why Whistler Bike Park (WBP) is such a mind-melting place for us Aussies. It’s an excellent way to squeeze a year’s worth of riding into just a couple of weeks!
The sheer volume and quality of trails here are unreal. And for those who haven’t been before, it might come as a surprise that the park is actually one of the best places in Whistler for beginners and families. While it boasts plenty of gnarly terrain, the green and blue trails are among the best in all of Whistler’s riding zones.
And if you’re into jumps, you’re in the right place—Whistler Bike Park is legendary for its iconic jump trails. No doubt you’ve heard of A-Line and Dirt Merchant, those trails are famous for a reason, so good!
Whistler Bike Park is divided into three main zones: Fitzsimmons Zone, Garbanzo Zone, and Creekside Trails, plus a bonus zone accessible via the Peak Chair.
Fitzsimmons Zone | The best jumps and flow trails!
This is home to Whistler’s most famous trails—A-Line, Dirt Merchant, Crabapple Hits, Crank It Up, and Ninja Cougar, just to name a few. Known for having some of the best flow trails in the world, this area offers a fantastic mix of difficulty levels, making it a must-shred for all riders, regardless of their skill and experience.
Garbanzo Trails | Long tech laps
Sitting directly above the Fitzsimons trails, Garbanzo is where you’ll find legendary tech trails like In Deep and Original Sin, alongside the iconic jump line Freight Train. The elevation gain makes for a longer, more technical descent. If you’re an intermediate or beginner rider, this zone is one to work your way up to.
Peak Chair Access (Bonus Area) | Above the tree line, an alpine epic
Above Garbanzo, the Peak Zone offers a true alpine experience. Instead of taking the chairlifts, hop on the Whistler Gondola, which takes you close to the summit. From there, you’ll jump on the Peak Chair to reach the highest trails in WBP. To access the Peak Chair, you’ll need a special “Top of the World” ticket, so don’t head up there until you’ve purchased one down in the Village.
This area typically opens later in the season, once the snow melts—usually in late June or July. Expect breathtaking views above the treeline and a ride like no other.
Creekside Trails | More room to roam
Creekside is home to some of the Bike Park’s newest trails, but keep in mind that they don’t finish in Whistler Village. If you’re staying in the Village, make sure not to end your ride on a Creekside trail—unless you’re up for a pedal back! With quieter lines and terrain that suits enduro bikes more than full-on downhill rigs, it’s a great alternative when the main zones get busy.
Tom’s Favourite Bike Park Trails
For a full top-to-bottom run from Garbo Zone to Whistler Village, I love linking together a mix of tech trails and jump lines. Here’s my top-to-bottom run:
- Original Sin → In Deep → Blue Velvet → Too Mushroom → D1 or Too Tight → Dirt Merchant → Lower A-Line | Skill level – Advanced (Double Black)
This route blends gnarly tech with big jumps, making for an epic descent.
I also have to give a special mention to a legendary lap:
- Top of the World → Ride Don’t Slide | Skill level – Advanced (Black/ Double Black)
These trails gained fame when the Enduro World Series (EWS) first came to Whistler. Top of the World offers some of the most breathtaking views in Canada, while Ride Don’t Slide is one of the most physical yet rewarding tech trails I’ve ever ridden. This lap finishes in the Creekside Zone so you can continue lapping the park if you still have it in you! But as a reminder you’ll need a Top of the World ticket to get here.
Intermediate Picks:
If you’re not quite ready for the double black DH and enduro trails above, here are my favourite intermediate trails in the park. These provide a taster of the harder trails and an opportunity to build your skills.
- Ninja Cougar – Hands down, some of the best berms ever. Period.
- Crank It Up – A fantastic trail for honing your jumping skills.
- Del Bocca Vista – A green trail that’s honestly a blast no matter your skill level. I’m calling it—the best green trail in the world!
Whether you’re chasing tech, flow, or jumps, Whistler Bike Park has it all!
Hand-built Magic | Riding beyond Whistler Bike Park
To truly experience the legendary hand-built trails of BC, you’ll need to venture beyond the bike park. There’s a vast network of trails spread across several key areas, each offering something unique. For me, this is where Whistler truly shines. There’s so much on offer for those armed with a 150mm–170mm trail or enduro bike.
Beyond the bike park, Whistler’s diverse trail networks stretch across the entire region, offering endless opportunities to explore. If you don’t have a vehicle, it’ll require some pedalling, but it’s worth it!
The go-to app for mapping and trail status in this region is Trailforks, so I’ll refer to the zones as they appear there. As you read this article, I highly recommend keeping the map handy to understand the lay of the land.
Outside the Bike Park | Lost Lake | XC trails close to the Village
Near the Village, around Lost Lake, you’ll find a network of XC-style trails and short loops. While there’s not as much elevation compared with other zones, this area offers a great mix of flow and tech trails; the terrain is well-suited to help beginners and less confident riders find their feet. Plus, with Lost Lake being one of Whistler’s most popular swimming spots, it’s an excellent place to cool off after a ride! Pinocchio’s Furniture is a fun trail with a ton of iconic North Shore-style woodwork sprinkled throughout.
Outside the Bike Park | Blackcomb | Steep and natural enduro trails
Also near Whistler Village are the Blackcomb trails, home to some of the most popular singletrack in the entire country. These hand-built trails are known for their technical features and incredible flow. While the climb to access them is steep, the payoff is well worth it. Keep in mind that this zone is best suited for advanced riders.
Blackcomb trails | Enduro riding at its finest
Blackcomb is not just a personal favourite of mine, but also pros and weekend warriors alike. We asked Yeti EP Racing rider Ryan Gilchrist what he loves about Whistler.
“My favourite tracks are on Blackcomb, where you can only access them by pedalling. It keeps the DH masses off them and preserves some of that classic Whistler dirt. Crazy Train and Hey Bud are my favourites, ” Gilly tells us.
Alongside those two gems, I also rate Micro Climate and Dark Crystal as must-rides. The climb up is a challenge, so it’s best to spread these trails over a couple of days to really enjoy them. These two trails are rated black, and Gilly’s picks are double blacks, so keep that in mind before you start climbing.
If you’re up for a challenge, Blackcomb delivers!
Outside the Bike Park | Westside Trails | Rocky and rugged
The Westside trails form a vast and rugged network, as the name suggests, located on the west side of town. Getting there from Whistler Village requires a bit of pedalling—typically 15 to 25 minutes, depending on how far you venture towards Function Junction, where you’ll also find Chromag Bikes, North Shore Billet and Whistler Brewing Co. Fortunately, a dedicated cycle path keeps you off the highway for a safer, more enjoyable ride.
The terrain here is raw and technical, with plenty of rocks and roots to keep you honest. If you’re looking for a true backcountry experience, this area also provides access to the legendary Lord of the Squirrels alpine trail, an unforgettable adventure. More on that below!
Favourite Backcountry Ride | Lord of the Squirrels
Lord of the Squirrels is an absolute must in my books, I make a point of riding it every year. My favourite way to experience it? Pedalling up in the dark (make sure you have a solid lighting setup if you’re going for a sunrise mission) and soaking in the incredible alpine views before dropping into the mega descent down to Function Junction. The perfect way to cap it off? Breakfast at Camp Coffee Co and a stop at Pure Bread for some well-earned treats.
This is a big ride in a remote location, so come prepared. Pack plenty of food, water, and a jacket, as the weather can change quickly up high. WORCA (Whistler’s Trail Association) recommends allowing anywhere from 4 to 10 hours, depending on your fitness level. Check out WORCA’s guide and download the info sheet before heading out. To get there, you’ll need to make your way to Into the Mystic and climb up to On the Rocks. This whole loop a mix of blue and black riding, but the 22km loop sees over 1,100m of climbing, so you’ll need to make sure you have the fitness to get you through the ride.
If you’re up for an unforgettable backcountry adventure, this one’s for you!
Outside the Bike Park | Westside Rainbow and Whistler North | More classic BC Tech
As you head north of Whistler Village towards Pemberton, you’ll find more trails near Green Lake. These trails have a similar raw and technical feel to the Westside network mentioned above but are located further north. The zone is either side of Meadow Park, which is about a 15-minute pedal from Whistler Village.
Tom’s pick north of the Village
One of my top picks in these zones is Green Monster, which features some incredible slabs. BC’s slabs are truly iconic—while we have plenty of rocky trails in Australia, the slab riding here is on another level!
A little further along the highway, just on the outskirts of Whistler heading towards Pemberton, you’ll find the Wedge Mountain trails. It’s probably a bit far to ride out to, so having a car is the best way to access them. But I have to mention it because the trails out there are fantastic, and it’s a great way to escape the hustle and bustle. My favourite trail in that network is Out There—it links a ton of slabs together with loads of line choices. The climb to the top is short but steep, making multiple laps totally doable!
The Whistler Heli-biking Experience
Back in 2022, Whistler put in a purpose-built Heli-bike trail starting way up in the alpine and descending down the valley floor. Unfortunately the helicopter provider (AlpX, in partnership with Blackcomb Helicopters) has paused this service for the time being. However I’ll still mention as if it ever starts up again it’s certainly worth considering!
While there may not be any heli-biking options available at the moment, you can still have an incredible adventure by taking a floatplane to the trails! Tyax Adventures offers floatplane trips deep into the Chilcotin Mountains, departing from Green Lake in Whistler. If you’re looking to splurge on a truly unique experience, this day trip is well worth considering. The Chilcotins are stunningly beautiful, remote, and offer a dramatically different landscape compared to the main range around Whistler.
You’ll take off from Whistler, soaring through the mountains before touching down on a remote backcountry lake in the Chilcotins. From there, some of the best alpine singletrack awaits, offering an unforgettable ride. I’ve ridden in the Chilcotins once before, but I pedalled in from our campsite—adding a floatplane into the mix takes it to another level. This will allow you to cover more ground and experience even more of this stunning landscape.
As you’d expect, an experience like this comes with a hefty price tag—$1,490 CAD per person. It won’t fit everyone’s budget, but it’s a great option to keep in mind for a special occasion or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
You’re basically getting a two-for-one deal with both of these experiences—an incredible scenic flight over breathtaking mountains, followed by an epic mountain bike descent. Each on its own is amazing, but together, it’s about as good as it gets!
Wise words from a pro | Josh Carlson’s top picks
Getting insights from pro riders is always fascinating. Mountain biking is unique in that we, as amateurs, often get the chance to ride the same tracks as the pros. It’s not like a sport such as tennis, where only the elite get to play on courts like Wimbledon. If a pro recommends a trail, in most cases, we can actually go and ride it. Pretty cool if you ask me!
Josh Carlson, a good friend of Flow, spent a significant portion of his pro career living in BC. Whistler was one of his main training grounds, so he had plenty of great insights to share. His favourite bike park trail? Angry Pirate—his go-to for training laps. He also loved an extended jump trail lap, typically linking Freight Train from the top into A-Line or Dirt Merchant.
For intermediate bike park trails, Carlson recommended Crank It Up in the Fitz zone and Blue Velvet in Garbo. However, he noted that Blue Velvet is only advisable if the braking bumps aren’t too severe—it’s notorious for being tough on the hands!
Outside the bike park, Carlson’s enthusiasm really kicked into high gear. His top picks? Any of the fantastic trails in the Blackcomb network. Over in the West Side network, he was a big fan of Danimal and, of course, the epic Lord of the Squirrels.
But Josh had one particularly ambitious recommendation—a mega ride that links some of Whistler’s best zones into one enormous day on the bike. Be warned: this one is seriously demanding. You’ll need to be fit and strong to take it on.
“If you want a mega day, take the lift up to the very top, drop into Top of the World, then into Khybers, exiting the bike park through Creekside. Then head over to Howler (a West Side trail) for a lap. After that, pedal over to Blackcomb for a cheeky Micro Climate or Dark Crystal lap. Now that’s a big day!” he says.
Bonus pro tips from Ryan Gilchrist and Luke Meier-Smith
Ryan Gilchrist and Luke Meier-Smith are two of the brightest stars in Aussie mountain biking right now, and they had some great tips to share as well. Like Josh, Gilchrist is a big fan of the Blackcomb trails, but he also had some valuable insights for the bike park.
“My other soft spot in Whistler is the long tracks in Creekside. Tracks like Delayed Fuse offer a long descent and get you away from the lift lines,” Gilly tells us.
Meier-Smith didn’t have quite as much detailed advice as Carlson or Gilchrist, but his take was refreshingly simple and, commercially speaking, probably the best you could ask for.
“I’m not great with trail names, I just get out there and ride!” Meier-Smith admitted. Gilchrist was quick to jump in: “He’s a Garbo guy—he loves the tech!”
Sometimes, the best advice is the simplest; you heard it, folks, just get out there and ride!
Final thoughts before you hit the trails
This was by far the hardest article I’ve ever written for Flow—trying to summarise a place as diverse as Whistler in terms of trails and zones is no easy task! But, like I said earlier, it’s a fantastic problem to have!
Final Advice? Just go! The best thing you can do is get yourself here. Once you arrive, everything will start to fall into place. The time you’ll get on the chairlift is perfect for chatting with locals, and you’ll find plenty of riders keen to share tips on what’s running well.
Essential Prep:
Download Trailforks to check trail reports and conditions before heading out. Since this is such a popular area, reports are updated regularly, weekly in a lot of cases. Keep in mind that some trails won’t open until later in the season, depending on snowmelt — the riding season runs from about May to October. Check the trail status and route on the map, then check again!
Another great tip is to watch GoPro videos for useful trail beta. There’s no shortage of Whistler footage online to help you plan your ride and avoid diving in too deep too soon. It’s an incredible place!
There is also so much to do off the bike, from hiking to fishing, canoeing, tours on the glacier, ziplining, a bustling Village and a packed events calendar with concerts and festivals galore. You definitely won’t be bored.
See you out here this summer!
To start planning your trip or to learn more head over to the Whistler Bike website.
This project was made possible by Tourism Whistler.
Photos: Justa Jeskova, Clint Trahan, Robin O’Neill, Christie Fitzpatrick, Mike Crane, Mark Mackay, Flow MTB, Jay French / Redbull Content Pool.
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