We recently asked our team of coaches what their favourite mountain bike trails were, in Rossland, the Kootenays and all time. We thought we would share their answers with you if you are looking for inspiration on where to mountain bike in Rossland, BC this summer as well as what to put on the bucket list.
I think for many of us our favourite trail is hard to narrow down, for me I'll always resort to the last trail I rode, because let's be honest whenever you're on your bike life is good! From the answers our team gave us I'd have to say we are all on that same page, but they were able to narrow it down to a few that always promise a good time!
Let's start with the Rossland mountain bike trails that ranked on top. Spring Cleaning, Redhead, Whiskey on the Rocks to Whiskey and Crown Point. Our team seem to really enjoy a good combo of steep techy DH and fun features, with a touch of flow.
And if you ask me deserving of a mention a good Milky Way run for the diversity and amount of fun downhill as well as SMD because it's one of those trails you can ride blind and feel like a local! Plus for just a whole lot of fun for all the family our new Cedar trail is a masterpiece worth rolling down for even the most advanced rider.
When it comes to trails outside of the local area Pete Burkitt our PMBIA level 3 coach has spent the last 16 years on his bike, his all time favourite places he's ridden include Salmon Run in Queenstown, NZ, Flying Whale in Squamish, BC and our own IMBA epic the Seven Summits rates up there too.
Riding since the early 90s Pat McCormick has clocked some serious miles on his bike, of all the trails he's ridden he ranks the Lord of the Squirrels in Whistler, Frisby Ridge in Revelstoke and Hyperventilation in Fernie with it's amazing climbs and views on the top of his all time favourites.
Shannon Martin comes from a BMX background so its no surprise that he loves to fly!
His favourites include the Whistler Flow trails! Dirt Merchant for big fun jumps and drops, Aline for jump after jump after jump, Crabapple for the biggest jumps he's ridden.
Our resident bike packing expert Chris Williams goal is to ride his bike on every continent and he's checked off quite a few already. When he's not traversing continents we can only expect him to love anything with a challenging climb and a view high on his list, and an excuse to play all day on his bike. For him Keystone ridge and the Seven summits are the best of these he's found. Plus the Trans Canada trail, because in his words 'its the best way to travel on a bike'.
Jana Scott is born and bred in Rossland has done some serious miles both racing and just exploring her backyard. She ranks Stalingrab in Spokane and Deadfish on Quadra Island for the best flow she's found. And for some good ol' rock slab fun Morning Sickness in Nelson.
And for Nicole Briggs she loves Purple People Pleaser in Kimberly because it's flowy and fast. And if you get her into the Silver Star bike park she loves to be pushed on the features as well as the old school technical Double Dog to get the heart racing!
When asked about their favourite trails outside of Rossland in the West Kootenays, Powerslave from the top in to Turnstyles! in Nelson, Shitaker in Nelson and Merry Creek Trail Network in Castlegar came in at the top of the list.
I think at the end of the day we all agree there are too many to choose from. It's hard to pick a favourite. And hopefully this list will help you narrow things down when you're planning your next ride.
