Whistler Mountain Bike Park in Whistler BC is a sprawling mountain biking paradise, boasting over 4,900 vertical feet of lift-serviced trails. To truly experience all that Whistler Mountain Bike Park has to offer, you’ll discover it’s thoughtfully divided into four distinct zones, each presenting its own unique character, trails, and riding challenges, from the alpine heights down to the valley floor. A single weekend simply isn’t enough to explore it all; a well-planned trip is essential to maximize your adventure at Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
Fitzsimmons Zone: The Heart of Whistler Mountain Bike Park for All Riders
Fitzsimmons Zone is where it all began and remains a vibrant hub within Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Serviced by the Fitzsimmons Lift, this zone descends directly to Skier’s Plaza in Whistler Village. Fitzsimmons is renowned for its incredibly diverse trails, welcoming everyone from first-time mountain bikers to seasoned professionals. Beyond the trails, five dedicated skills centers provide spaces to hone your technique. Within Fitzsimmons, you’ll find legendary trails that have become synonymous with Whistler Mountain Bike Park, such as the iconic A-Line and B-Line, the flowy Dirt Merchant, and the exhilarating Crabapple Hits. Importantly, Fitzsimmons Zone is also home to the Boneyard, a custom-built slopestyle course that is redesigned annually for the prestigious Red Bull Joyride event during Crankworx Whistler. For riders of all levels seeking progression and fun, the Fitzsimmons Zone is the perfect starting point at Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
Garbanzo Zone: Stepping Up the Challenge at Whistler Bike Park
For intermediate and advanced riders seeking a more demanding experience within Whistler Mountain Bike Park, the Garbanzo Zone awaits. Accessed via the Garbanzo Lift, this zone elevates riders a further 2,700 vertical feet above the Fitzsimmons Zone, earning its reputation as the ‘big brother of Fitz’. Garbanzo presents steeper slopes, greater vertical drops, and more technically challenging terrain, pushing riders to elevate their skills. Expect a thrilling mix of trail styles, from the progressive jumps and berms of Blue Velvet to the root-latticed and rock-strewn challenges of Goat’s Gully. For those seeking airtime, Freight Train delivers with larger, farther-spaced jumps that will keep advanced riders returning to Whistler Mountain Bike Park year after year for the Garbanzo experience.
Creek Zone: Expert Terrain and Creekside Access at Whistler Bike Park
The Creek Zone of Whistler Mountain Bike Park caters to advanced and expert riders, offering a unique access point from Creekside Village. Starting your ascent from the Creekside Gondola, you connect into the bike park at Raven’s Nest. The trail network here allows riders to loop back down to ‘The Creek’ base, making it easy to grab another lap or enjoy après-ride refreshments at Dusty’s. Strategically, the Creekside Gondola also provides access to both the Fitzsimmons and Garbanzo Zones via connector trails like Expressway, Lower Freight Train, and the aptly named No Joke. Notably, the Creek Zone is home to the formidable 1199 trail, which was featured in the Canadian Open DH race during Crankworx Whistler, highlighting the expert-level riding available in this zone of Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
Peak Zone: Alpine Majesty and Expert Trails at Whistler Mountain Bike Park
The pinnacle of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park experience is undoubtedly the Peak Zone. Reaching this zone requires a separate ticket and access via an additional lift, but the reward is an unforgettable alpine adventure. Here, the signature flow trails that Whistler Mountain Bike Park is famous for are elevated to the breathtaking heights of Whistler Mountain’s peak. Riding amidst the dramatic granite spires of the Coast Range, the Top of the World trail represents the ultimate alpine riding experience. Carefully constructed to minimize environmental impact in this sensitive alpine ecosystem, access to the Top of the World trail is limited daily and is subject to weather conditions and snowmelt. Riders planning to conquer the Peak Zone should check opening dates and prepare for an extended ride, rewarded with some of the most spectacular views imaginable within Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
