The freeride season kicked off in Whistler on the weekend of 16/17 May. While skiing was still in full swing on Blackcomb Mountain, the Fitzsimmons gondola was already transporting the first rush of freeriders up Whistler Mountain.
The ubiquitous juxtaposition of skiers and snowboarders and bikers seemed bizarre. The winter sports enthusiasts in functional clothing, the bikers in shorts, shirts and armour.
Many Canadians took advantage of the long weekend (Monday = public holiday) for a trip and the place was bursting at the seams. The bike park only made some of its trails available due to the large amounts of snow still present. The Fitzsimmons gondola is the end of the line for the time being, with A-Line, Schleyer, B-Line, Crank it up and other routes of varying difficulty starting from here.
The lifestyle of the Canadians is particularly impressive. Casual outfits, lots of women in the saddle, the infrastructure with cafés, bike shops, hire stations and everything you could wish for.
The conclusion of this short trip: Whistler is a must-see!
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BIKEPARK AT:
www.whistlerblackcomb.com
There are just as many older riders in Whistler as there are younger ones. And the number of women in the bike park is impressive!
