by Jeremy Derksen for SnowSeekers, May 16, 2022.
Slush cups, Hawaiian shirts, bluebird skies and soft snow, it’s always bittersweet bidding goodbye to another ski season, and waiting out spring until the downhill mountain biking season kicks in. Then it’s time to trade those skis for pedals and hit the trails.
There’s something about flowing the berms, rolling the bumps and sailing off a boardwalk drop into the sweet alpine air that nicely parallels the sensation of skiing. The patina of chain grease, sweat and dust from regular rides is one of my annual rites of summer.
Across Alberta and B.C., mountain resorts are swapping out snow farming for trail maintenance. But if you’re new to lift-accessed riding, it can all feel a bit overwhelming, from the chunky full-face helmets and the body armour to the alloy-frame, full suspension 29ers with their beefy, knobby tires. (Pro tip: even if you think you know how to ride, a lesson can help level up your technical riding game, and resorts make it easy to learn on a variety of terrain.)
Even if you’ve been into the scene awhile, it’s not always easy to know where to start or how to make the best of your trip. However, if you’re looking for a thrill, it’s hard to beat the rush of bombing downhill on your bike. Check out our rundown of mountain bike parks in Alberta and B.C. to help you discover where to send it this season.
Read the full article, including a list of resort bike parks in B.C. and Alberta, at SnowSeekers.
