The Southern Chilcotin Mountains of British Columbia are a mountain biking mecca. Blessed with sky-high mountaintops, turquoise glacier-fed lakes, and lofty alpine meadows rich in wildflowers and wildlife, this range offers some of the best mountain biking trails in Canada. Explore the backcountry of the wilds by mountain bike and pedal through remote mountain passes where few cyclists have been before. There is something freeing about riding a bike in the heart of the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a backpack on your shoulders. Our multi-day tours are open for beginners and advanced riders alike.
Mountain biking is an adventurous and fun activity, which involves riding a bicycle off-road. For this type of activity, you need a mountain bike that is designed to ride on more rugged terrain. While most mountain biking enthusiasts flock to the backcountry for their climbs, they also are known to hit the challenging terrain in rock deserts or national parks for a change of scenery.
There’s a good chance that you’ve heard about professional mountain bikers. For these guys, it’s all about maneuvering over natural and man-made obstacles at adrenaline-pumping speeds. There are different types of mountain biking such as cross country, downhill, and trail riding and really enthusiastic mountain bikers can even compete in the Olympics.
While mountain biking is a thrilling sport, it’s also a great way to reconnect with nature. We offer recreational mountain biking options paired up with fishing, canoeing or swimming. This means days of riding out in an unspoiled wilderness refuge, pedaling at our own pace, with mountain views as far as the eye can see.
To put it simply, a mountain bike is designed to cover a broad range of different terrains and take you to some remote and awe-inspiring places - inaccessible by other vehicles such as a road bike or car. To access these rough territories, a mountain bike is designed differently than a road bike.
The most immediate difference between the two bikes lies in the wheels. While a road bicycle is a lightweight vehicle with narrow tires designed to ride on a smooth surface, a mountain bike is equipped with wide, knobby tires to handle dirt trails and unpaved roads.
A mountain bike also has a heavier frame than a road bike and is designed for durability rather than speed. The style of handlebars also differs. While road bikes have drop handlebars to allow for a variety of hand positions, mountain bikes feature flat handlebars for balance and control.
Traversing wild areas on a bike might get really bumpy. Mountain bikes have enhanced suspension to absorb shocks so you’re wrists are spared the impact of rugged terrain. Entry-level mountain bikes also typically come equipped with flat or platform pedals that help with stability and maneuverability.
We bet you already have your beloved four-wheeled travel companion, but if don’t or if you prefer to travel light there is no need to worry, you can rent one from us.
The wheel is considered to be one of the greatest inventions in human history. Today, it’s hard to imagine what our lives would look like without this remarkable technological breakthrough, but one thing is for sure: without it we wouldn’t know the joy of riding a bike. Read on and find out how mountain biking became a beloved sport worldwide.
The first bicycle was introduced in 1817 by German Baron Karl von Drais, but it took more than 160 years for any mountain bike to surface in the daylight.
American bicycle designer Joe Breeze is responsible for introducing the first mountain bike to the world in 1977. Along with other like-minded pioneers, Breeze built the first prototype and released the first series of bikes that were designed for trail riding. Known as the Breezers, one of these original bikes now sits in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. By the 1980s, road bicycle companies started to manufacture mountain bikes worldwide.
Over the passage of time, mountain bikes have advanced and gained popularity in North America and beyond. Today mountain biking is a sport that anyone can enjoy and brings ah-inducing moments to people all around the world.
If you’ve ever dreamed about trail biking in a truly remote place, surrounded by eye-opening landscapes, then Chilcotin is the right place. In British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, the beautiful Chilcotin Mountains reign supreme. These sun-washed peaks create vistas akin to the glorious sky-high cathedrals of cities around the world.
Chilcotin is home to a pristine parkland called the South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park. If you zoom in on a map of the park, you’ll see a fantastic network of mountain bike trails crisscrossing the alpine landscape. Known for its singletracks of various difficulties, the park is a pilgrimage site for cyclists around the world.
Singletrack trails are approximately the width of your bike, allowing you to access some truly remote territories. The Chilcotin paths are some of the most remote singletracks in the whole of British Columbia, offering the unique opportunity to explore unspoiled wilderness in the flesh.
One of the best things about the South Chilcotins is that they’re perfect for beginners and advanced bikers alike. Novices can have their first taste of true Canadian wilderness, and more experienced mountain bikers will find plenty of challenging and hair-raising adventures.
In addition to spectacular nature, the park offers the opportunity to travel back in time. Thousands of years ago these same routes, that today are rutted with lines from mountain bike tires, were used for trading goods (mainly fur) by indigenous peoples.
With sigh-inducing scenery, diverse terrain, intriguing history, and a world-class mountain bike trail network, the South Chilcotin Mountains are one of the finest places to mountain bike in the world.
Still got questions about mountain biking? Find the answer here!
Trips are available both for beginners and advanced riders. However, make sure you’re reasonably fit as we’ll be on the road most of the time.
Mountain biking trips are family-friendly. We recommend going with children no younger than 14 years old. Be aware that our mountain biking tours are rated as moderate, meaning trips require certain skills and stamina.
If you’re traveling solo, the minimum age for our bike trips is 19 years old.
All the trips begin and end at the Chilcotin Holiday Guest Ranch, located near the Gold Bridge in British Columbia. During the summer season, take Highway 99 from Vancouver to Whistler and then Pemberton. Then, take the Hurley Pass Forestry Road to the ranch.
Alternatively, transfer from Vancouver to the Chilcotin Holiday Guest Ranch can be added at an additional cost.
Mountain biking trips in the Southern Chilcotin Mountains are available from May to October. This time of year grants us the best of the weather conditions in the area and allows us to combine cycling with other activities such as swimming, canoeing, and fishing.
Usually, clients bring their own mountain bikes and equipment but if you don’t have your own mountain bike or don’t want to bring one, it’s possible to arrange rentals at an extra cost.
We prefer small groups for organized tours as this allows us to be more flexible and cover more ground in a given time period. The maximum group size for our mountain biking trips is 20 persons. We believe this is the optimal number to feel as comfortable as possible while still enjoying the company of like-minded adventure seekers.
We provide all the equipment for ranch-based activities. If you don’t own some specific items related to the tour such as a sleeping bag, gloves or rubber boots, you can rent them from us. However, our supplies are limited so please book in advance.
You need to bring a mountain bike (you can rent a bike at an extra cost), bike repair kit, helmet, cycling gear and footwear, medication for allergies, day pack, water bottle, towel, face cloth, flashlight, extra batteries, warm sleeping bag (good for -10 degree Celsius), and an empty pillowcase (for making a pillow of your jacket at camp).
As the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, be prepared for various weather conditions. We suggest bringing your best pair of hiking shoes, warm socks, 2 pairs of gloves (one for biking and one insulated), a warm jacket, rain gear, personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoo are required for use at camps), toque or headband. We also recommend bringing at least two complete changes of clothes in case you get wet.
A recommended packing list will be provided upon booking.
Your safety is our number one priority. We provide you with top-level gear to ensure your safety and comfort during the trip. Your guide will give you safety instructions and answer any questions you might have before embarking on your mountain biking adventure.
