Eight Day Bike Holiday - Sea to Sky British Columbia

Bicycle holidays riding the best trails along the Sea To Sky corridor. Cycling trips led by mature, experienced guides from the Whistler Bike Guide, trusted since 1997. Join us for a bicycle adventure on some of the best mountain bike trails in the world.

Our focus is cross country mountain biking - we keep our wheels on the ground.

Itinerary

Day 1

Meet & greet at Vancouver airport and transfer to Squamish, dubbed the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada. The Sea to Sky highway is rated as one of the top drives in Canada with spectacular scenery from coastal Howe Sound to the Coastal Mountains. An orientation by your guide will outline the next 7 days of adventure. Overnight: Squamish – Executive Suites [Meals on own]

Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive in Squamish. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance. WBG Adventures will be providing one pick-up at YVR. If you are not able to join that pick-up a surcharge may apply to arrange alternate transportation.

Day 2

Let’s put you to the TEST. After breakfast we’ll warm up and get ready to ride the best of the Test of Metal. The 67-kilometre NSCU Squamish Test of Metal cross-country mountain bike race is the centrepiece of the Squamish Mountain Bike Festival. This is a very demanding course with over 1,200 metres of climbing and 35 kilometres of singletrack. The estimated time to complete the race is just under 3 hours for the fastest riders, and between 4-5 hours for the majority of competitors. We’ll enjoy a 5 to 6 hour ride on the best sections of this course. Overnight: Squamish – Executive Suites [BL]

Day 3

Up for the Challenge. Today we’ll see why our area is called Sea to Sky country as we head for the hills following the course for the “King of Classics” the Cheakamus Challenge. With over 2000M of climbing and 40KM of single-track trails this 70KM course has it all with the Cheakamus River running beside or below you for most of the duration. This race is a classic point to point format with big climbs, stunning views, high speed rolling terrain and of course the classic Sea to Sky single-track. The winning riders finish in about 3 hours but the average Joe takes some 5 plus. Our day will NOT be a march of pain as we’ll choose the best sections of this fantastic course for a full day ride to Whistler with plenty of great photo ops. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 4

Begin the day with Breakfast and head out on the a.m. ride through the Lost Lake Trails. Depending on how the group is doing we'll either spend our morning in Lost Lake (the 24 Hours of Adrenaline race ran on this network of trails) or go for a ride on some of the classic single-track trails such as Cut Yer Bars and Emerald Forest. 3-4 hour riding with around 500m. climbing. After lunch, on your own, get ready to fly on Skyline, Whistler's most exciting eco adventure! Skyline is an exhilarating cable line expedition through old growth forests on Cougar Mountain. Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [B]

Day 5

Today following breakfast we are going on a full day epic right out of the door. Depending on the groups level of riding, weather conditions and a whole bunch of other variables our guide makes a route choice that is never bad nor written in stone. Sample rides:

1. If it is dry we may ride the full pull on Comfortably Numb which should take us between 5-7 hours. We'll be bringing our lunch with us for this big day. The last hour is spent going down and we will pop out right at Lost Lake Park. This will be a big day. 5-7 hours riding with 1300 m. of climbing.
2. Another option is to sample the best of the West Side Wheel Up, a technical riding local’s event. The 15th annual West Side Wheel Up bike race returns in Sept.2008 and in addition to being an integral part of the “month of pain” it also raises funds for the B.C. Disabled Ski Team. We begin our ride on River Runs Through It which is a relatively flat trail that features tons of little ramps, bridges and teeter totters. This will be a great warm up for about an hour until we head south and head up Lower Sproatt to tackle the Beaver Pond and Beaver Pass Trails. We will have lunch on Alta Lake and maybe get in a short swim if it is warm enough. In the afternoon we will then cruise back through the Whip Me Snip Me and Rebob network of trails. 4-6 hours of riding with 600 m. of climbing.
3. We can head north to Emerald for a technical riding day. We will ride Shit Happens, No Girlie Man, Big Kahuna, Section 102 where we will have lunch. Following lunch we will cap off the day with Kill Me Thrill Me and Green Lake back to the site and a well deserved rest. 4-6 hours of riding with 900 m. of climbing.

After a day of excitement it's time for some culture with a visit to the new Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Designed in the forms of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (earthen dwelling with fire pit), this 30,400 square foot complex has been created by the Squamish and Lil’wat people to share their living cultures with the world.

Overnight: Whistler – Whistler Village Inn [BL]

Day 6

Get ready to Rumble! The Soo Valley Rumble had its inauguration this year adding to September’s “month of pain” events but is sure to become a classic. With a 1000M ascent and a gruelling course this was a classic WORCA (Whistler Offroad Cycling Association) single-track ride. Get set for a “tour de Soo” as we ride through the Soo Valley then set our course for Pemberton riding a number of trails en route. Overnight: Pemberton – Pemberton Valley Lodge [BL]

Day 7

The grand finale of your trip will be one of the "Ten Gnarliest Rides in North America" – Bike Magazine. Located some 4500 feet above the floor of the Pemberton valley, nestled amongst fields of wildflowers, Tenquille Lake provides a home to Black bear, moose, mountain goats, Grizzly and cougars. A long, tough climb up old logging roads leads to a system of singletrack that leads to the alpine areas. While the natural setting is stunning, the jewel in the crown of this ride is the descent, an almost incomprehensible 4000 vertical foot singletrack that takes over an hour to complete. Cut in 1917 to facilitate mining exploration, the Tenquille Lake Trail provides both stunning vistas and technical challenges and is one of the premier trails in North America. Riding Time: 5 to 6 hours to ride the basic loop, and at least another hour to go right to the lake. Overnight: Pemberton – Pemberton Valley Lodge [BL]

Day 8

Time to pack up and head for home. Transfer from Pemberton to Vancouver airport for your return flight. Depending on the time of your return flight, you may need to overnight in Vancouver which we will be happy to arrange.

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Note on Itinerary: Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions. Your guide has extensive knowledge of the region and may choose alternate trails or activities as conditions dictate.

Prices Include: Services as specified in the itinerary above include 07 nights accommodations; continental breakfast daily and lunches as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner]; 7 days guided riding with local guides; ground transportation from Vancouver airport (one departure time) to Squamish and from Pemberton to Vancouver airport; support vehicle for the duration of the trip; Skyline Eco Tour Adventure; entrance to Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre; cycling and related gear; High Performance Cross-Country Mountain Bike, helmet, snacks and bottled water; hotel taxes.

Not Included: Services unless specified otherwise in the itinerary above such as airfare to/from Vancouver; meals not specified in the above itinerary; alcoholic beverages; optional additional activities and services in Whistler Village; tips and gratuities and items of a personal nature; medical, hospitalization and evacuation costs; and any other extra expenses due to unanticipated changes in our itinerary for reasons beyond our control.

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Activity Level

This trip is rated BLACK . Trip members should be strong, experienced cyclists in excellent physical condition. Rider’s physical fitness level will be a very important factor to their success and enjoyment of this trip. A serious conditioning program should be undertaken several months ahead of departure in preparation for the demands of this itinerary. Time in the saddle during the trip ranges from 4 to 8 hours a day. Although options abound and a support vehicle will be available, trip members should feel comfortable in their capability of completing extended rides, approximately 50km per day, difficult climbs and technical riding most every day of the trip. Pace and speed are not important, as there is sufficient time each day to complete the rides. Climbs and technical features on the rides are extended over many kilometers with little relief. Many descents are technical and caution is mandatory.

BLACK A trip for experienced and very fit riders

• Riding: 4 - 8 Hours Per Day
• Distances: Half Day 15 – 25km; Full Day 40 - 60km
• Surfaces: Remote mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascents and challenging technical descents, uneven trails with loose features, rocks, roots and man made features
• Elevation Change: Up to 1400m per day
• Altitude: Max altitude will be approx 2200m

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Weather

The weather in and around Whistler is generally sunny during summer months, with daytime temperatures around 20-30C. Nights can be chilly (5-15C), especially in the mountains so plan to bring along some warm clothing. As in any mountainous region, weather can change rapidly and rain/wind storms are not uncommon so please pack adequate rain gear.

 

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Rates

Prices below are quoted Per Person in CANADIAN Dollars, excluding 5% Goods & Services Tax

Package Price

	June 14 & 28, 2008
Double Occupancy: Studio Suite - Squamish & Pemberton. Hotel Room - Whistler	$2949
Triple Occupancy: 1 Bedroom Ste - Squamish & Pemberton. Hotel Room - Whistler	$2869
Quad Occupancy: 2 Bedroom Ste - Squamish & Pemberton. Hotel Room - Whistler	$2859

Bringing Your Own Bike? $380 discount off above prices.