But what of all these mythical trails I’ve spoken of? What are they like and where are they? Well, they are everywhere. Maps are printed and detailed guidebooks exist (even if they go out of date so quickly due to the rapid alterations and expansion of the network) that document the 275 kilometres of trail in the valley but the network can still seem pretty awkward to navigate for first time visitors. The best bet is to start in Lost Lake, these are all officially sanctioned, extremely high quality, all weather trails (not just pea gravel) that are close to town. It is here that riders often get a fair idea of the kinds of riding that Whistler has without getting in over their heads. After that it is worth lapping into Cut Yer Bars because there are some tasty rock rolls that demonstrate the kinds of terrain and obstacles that are commonplace on the trails. There is also no real climbing required. If you feel comfortable after that then the Westside is calling. Head for Danimal, 99er, Beaver Pass, Bobs Rebob and Get Over It for a sample, or go balls deep and grind up to the Flank trail to classic experience descents like Cheap Thrills, High Society, Billy’s Epic and A Rockwork Orange. For more hairy descents look further south on Westside for AC/DC, 3Birds, and Bush Doctor. For mind–bendingly frustrating trails look to Emerald’s No Flow Zone. For classic link–ups look north to Kill Me Thrill Me or south to Tunnel Vision, Big Timber, and Business Time. These trails contain steep and deep manoeuvres with burly granite rolls and drops but are more than manageable on trail bikes, in fact, to get to any of these you must have something that can pedal because pushing a downhill bike that far will just make you bitter.

Generally the trails in Whistler are rugged and technical even if the locals call them “cross-country trails”. They are rocky, rooty sinews of often frustrating technicality. A term I think suits well is Whisgnar. There maybe far more technical trails in the world, but for sustained gnarl and burl Whistler has you covered. Locals will more than likely be seen on punishing pinner rigs on entirely unsuited trails. Rather than lug heavy freeride bikes or bulky All–Marketing bikes about, the locals have learnt to craft themselves a deft touch of fine handling. And, subsequently, keep local businesses in pocket due to regular repair and replacement bills. Just because you see a local hero disappear into the entrance of, say Gargamel, on a 120mm race bike, doesn’t mean you should follow suit. The best kind of bike for Whistler visits and exploration is a light 160mm or burly 140mm bike.

The Whistler Bike Park is the jewel in the crown of British Columbia’s incredibly glittery treasure trove. But it isn’t where the riding starts or stops. Every town in BC seems to have extensive networks of hard–wrought singletrack that amazes and astonishes. In Whistler, the goods are right under your nose, it’s just not so easy to sniff them out when the alluring pheromones of the Bike Park takes over your libido. You see, the Whistler valley is home to far more kilometres of trail than the Bike Park and most of it is fine, loamy, rocky, technical, flowy heaven.

It’s easy to not catch sight of the obvious. My first season in Whistler was a blur of A–Line trains, Garbanzo laps and Wildcats. I shared a house with other riders attracted to easy circuits on real downhill trails so that’s all we did and all we knew. We looped the Fitz filling our boots with Dirt Merchant and Schleyer. It never occurred to us that there was more. Sure, we explored the three or four trails that were not on the official Whistler Bike Park map but started inbounds and descended far away from the sanctity of the GLC (there was always Dusty’s for Butt Rub Mayo and Pulled Pork après though) but we had no idea that the mountains that ringed Whistler village were chock–a–block of prime BC trail real estate. Years later and I’m still exploring, and in doing so have discovered a whole different realm of life and people that has made my lust for Whistler turn into a lifetime love.