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Whistler Mountain Bike Park: First Chair Is 3 Days Away - Video

May 16, 2017
by WhistlerMountain BikePark  
Somewhere deep in the Whistler valley something has begun to stir. You can feel it in the dirt, hear it in the wind and see it in the forest. It feels like the Bike Park is awakening. Grab your buddies and hustle for opening day on May 19 because the trails are open in three days. So, who's got first chair?

FIRST CHAIR

by WhistlerMountainBikePark
Views: 22,841    Faves: 75    Comments: 9


Opening Details - May 19
Trails To Open
Although we had a long and deep winter, the white stuff has been disappearing quicker than expected. What was once thought to be a snowy opening, only the very upper portions of Fitz trails still have snow on the sides. Roughly 90% of Fitz zone will be open and running well once the rope drops on May 19. Expect favourites like:
- A-Line
- B-Line
- Crank It Up
- Ninja Cougar
- Karate Monkey
- Smoke & Mirrors
- Afternoon Delight
- Angry Pirate
- Whistler Downhill
- Fade To Black
- Dwayne Johnson

Schleyer will open but only to the rock garden where it'll be routed to Joyride via McSkimming's rock.

Joyride is on deck to open as well but the very upper needs work to the culvert ditches so this portion might not be an option.

Dirt Merchant, Crabapple Hits, and C-More won't open until some dry weather can reduce the moisture on these trails. Stay tuned!

Big thank you to the many volunteer diggers who came out this past Saturday to ensure we have a good opening with as many trails possible. Slap'em a high five if you know any and check out the photo gallery for an up-to-date view of the conditions.

GT Presents #SRSLYFUN at the GLC - Saturday May 20
Fun is serious business and no one takes it more seriously than GT Bicycles. Join the 2017 official opening party at the GLC from 8:30 to late. Bring your best Canadian tuxedo and feast on a poutine buffet and try your hand with the mechanical bull comp.

GT will also be set up at the base of the park offering tech support and a rider lounge for when arm pump gets the best of you.

Early Bird Season Pass Sale ends May 21
Still don't have your pass to bag lap after lap all summer long? The Early Bird Sale with bonus offers ends May 21. Buy an Unlimited Season Pass and get a free TOTW pass and Bring-A-Friend ticket. More offers on 10 and 5 day passes available at whistlerblackcomb.com/bike.

First Chair
The race is on! Paul sends it first on Crazy Train with Tristan and Trevor in tow.

First Chair
Trevor breaks away by smashing roots on a Blackcomb classic.

First Chair
Paul isn't afraid of a little rock roll if it means grabbing first chair.

First Chair
Tristan and Trevor slapping berms on AMPM.

First Chair
The boys are fully pinned trying to be first to Opening Day.

First Chair
Tristan shows some style while riding Tunnel Vision.

First Chair
Cheers to Scott Secco for his Whistler Mountain Bike Park debut film and edit of FIRST CHAIR.

First Chair
The guys were trying to figure out who was first if they were all sitting on the same chair...

See you awake in the lineup after a few last sleeps.

Video: Scott Secco and Good Fortune Collective
Sound Design and Mix: Keith White Audio
Song: Silly Savage by the Golden Toadstools
Photos: Robin O'Neil

#RideNowSleepLater
WMBP 2017

MENTIONS: @WhistlerMountainBikePark / @GTBicycles


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96 Comments
  • 98 3
 Whistler is so enduro now. What happened to dh bikes?
  • 43 5
 It's a conspiracy the industry is trying to get us to buy more bikes.
  • 49 3
 I noticed this the last couple of years. More and more "endure" bikes on the hill. Actually ran into a group of bro's in the lift line who were chastising everyone around them for being on DH bikes. I don't really get it, I look for every chance I can find to ride my DH rig... Whistler pretty much being the best excuse available.

/watched a local smoke them on his Chromag hardtail for whatever that's worth. What do they need those full sus rigs for?
  • 11 1
 Back in 2013 I took my 140mm travel Turner 5 Spot to Whistler. People there through i was crazy. Now it seams like the norm.
  • 52 1
 It just has to do with the fact that most people can only afford one bike and the enduro rigs can pretty much handle everything well. Nothing against DH bikes... I miss my old glory but most people cant afford more than one!
  • 8 1
 @ryanmill: Oh man, I hear you. I gotta say though if I could only afford one bike I wouldn't destroy it at Whistler. Granted I'm a hack, but that place blows up my DH bike just about every time. I always take a big box full of spare parts and it never seems to be enough.
  • 6 1
 @Rucker10: True. I ride a YT Capra and it could handle it but the bike would be destroyed by the end of the day!
  • 9 0
 Enduro bikes are so much more capable these days than they used to be. Bike technology has caught up to the terrain. I rode Whistler in 2009, and I'd say enduro bikes today are up to snuff with DH bikes from back then. That said, enduro bikes can't do everything. There are places at Whistler where the DH is more appropriate, or just makes life easier. I guess it's kind of like skiing -- I personally don't need any ski wider than 100 under foot. I can ski everything with that. But there are some days where a big, fat 120 sure would be nice.
  • 7 0
 @TheR: I agree with that, trail bikes are getting pretty crazy. There's just something special about a full on DH rig though. I've road out some spectacular mistakes, cased some pretty damn big jumps, tried features that seemed impossible on other bikes and usually come out of it ok. Except for my pride anyways. Hard to beat I think.
  • 8 1
 @Rucker10: not about being a hack...constant bike park laps will destroy any bike, especially if you charge.

I don't bring my $7-8k nomad to the park haha...that's the purpose of the DH bike ffs
  • 10 1
 @ryanmill: Yep the One Bike problem rules supreme. We are not ALL dentists or SODODs (Sons or daughters of dentists).
  • 6 1
 @ryanmill: Yeah 5 or so years ago a good bike was like say $3,500 so people could afford a XC/AM bike and then a DH bike, but the bike industry seems to have doubled the prices of bikes over the recent past so now people can only afford one $7k bike and rarely would it make sense for someone to have a DH bike as their only bike.
  • 8 0
 The trails they are riding in this video are not in the park, they are enduro trails you have to climb to
  • 4 2
 I'm a broke dick machinist and have struggled to put together a couple OK bikes, but they get the job done. Between internet sales and doing random machine work for a couple local bike shops I made it happen. All of my friends are tradesmen(and women) and have put together descent bikes as well, not one of them is a dentist that walked into a shop with $8,000 burning on a hole in their pocket.
  • 12 1
 @Rucker10: This.

I am so tired of the dentist argument. If you can't afford multiple bikes, that is perfectly fine, however there are plenty of serious riders who see the value of a DH bike and can therefore justify the expense of having a second (or third) bike because of it.
  • 9 1
 @nvranka: yup, bought an "enduro" bike and took it to mammoth and just hammered the sht out of it. thought it was smarter to buy a used capable DH rig to trash 2 weeks out of the year. The whole, bro the new bikes are so capable now is something people that havn't ridden a proper DH rig say.
  • 2 0
 @bikeetc: That's what I think too. It took me a couple years to really come around on DH bikes, but when I did the lights came on. I've had to work at it to convince the others in my group of friends to get them, but each time they do there's no looking back.
  • 3 1
 The dental references never get old with the "Pinkies"

Start brushing they teef and dental work is cheap.
  • 4 0
 i'll ride my scooter on whistler bikepark 'cause i can't decide between Enduro//DH bike!!

i hope i won't take the inside on you fellaz!
  • 1 0
 @bull-dozer: 2015 YT tues (new at the time) $3k plus $1000 in parts, used 2016 stumpy $2k thats only $6k between two solid bikes
  • 3 0
 @bikeetc: funny thing is that two of my friends bought V10's for Mammoth. They both took them on 1 run and then got back on their Nomads. Simply more fun for some riders on Enduro bikes vs DH. Both V10's were sold with less than 5 hours on them. There is not much the new Enduro rigs can't do any longer and they are definitely faster on most trails. There are a very select few trails where a DH bike is close to mandatory, but you can count those trails on one hand and I hardly ever see traffic on them.
  • 3 0
 @nvranka: For real. I feel like a lot of the "dentist" ramblers are just trying to make excuses as to why they can't have all the bikes they want. Pick up a side-job at a LBS or make some connections and doors open far and wide. Then again..... One has to be WILLING to support a LBS and maybe pay a few dollars more on components to keep the doors open. I think what it comes down to are that most people are cheap and it's easier to bust someones balls than to bust their own ass and make things happen. (/endrant)
  • 3 0
 @salespunk:would be interesting to know what trails they were riding. there are definatly places where an enduro bike would be faster and more fun than my 50 lb session 10, i have ridden those trails on both bikes and stay off them on my dh bike because its too much pedaling and not much fun. Now on the other hand charging down a legit down hill trail with drops, that deeeeeeep mammoth kitty litter dirt, and rock gardens on a dh bike is what im talking about. i mean it could be done but, run after run of just on the gas proper DH riding, not just rolling down drops and takng the alternate route through a rock garden will trash an enduro bike and for me thats not what i go to a lift access resort for.
  • 2 2
 @Rucker10: sorry to hear that's the kind of machinist you are. Maybe spending money on a bike shouldn't be your priority.

Wink
  • 3 1
 @rrolly: Maybe you're right, but I can't imagine a world where all of my extra income(?) doesn't go towards bikes or bike related traveling.
  • 4 0
 @Rucker10: I look at it as investing in my health.
  • 4 0
 @salespunk: they bought v10s for mammoth? First red flag...

Took one run and got back on their nomads? Second red flag....

You boys just lapping twilight zone or what?

If you are as fast on an AM bike as you are on a DH...you aren't riding a proper dh track or you're slow on both. This isn't akin to the wheel size argument; its black and white.
  • 3 0
 @salespunk: Hate to point out the obvious but Mammoth is not Whistler.
25% more suspension travel gives a far bigger safety and fun margin for a lot of (probably most) riders on a good number of our trails.

And that $6000 DH bike does not look so expensive when Mr "I can ride everything on my enduro bike Bro" drives back to the USA with a broken collar bone or wrist that is going to cost $10K (probably more) of surgery to fix.

But there are a lot of talented riders that can ride everything on their enduro bike and hats off to them and there are a lot of trails where 160 mm is more than enough.

Happy trails.
  • 1 0
 @nvranka @bikeetc on each of these segments they are Top 10 and usually Top 5. Not hacks or just lapping Twilight although they are Top 5 on that too. This list could go on much longer because it is the same for almost every segment up there. BTW they only get up there a few times per year so it is not local speed either.

www.strava.com/segments/2238544

www.strava.com/segments/1738896

www.strava.com/segments/2255660

www.strava.com/segments/1616863

www.strava.com/segments/1666720

Like I said there are a few trails where an Enduro bike doesn't make sense (Expert/Pro rock garden on the KBG DH course for example), but for most trails a Nomad or the like is more than enough.
  • 1 0
 @salespunk: how do we know what kind of bike their riding? got a 65 year old guy getting KOM until people found out he was on an E-Bike. also i have followed guys that have KOM on my locat trails and when their haveing fun there hitting all the trail features, when their riding for STRAVA time its a straight line, the path of least resistance. I am not discredditing these riders, ther are probably the exception and not the norm. pointing out a few top very talented riders out of thousands of normal joes like most people on PB that ride those trails is not a very good comparison.
  • 2 0
 @salespunk: dude...you just linked a bunch of trails where it of course makes sense someone would be faster on an AM bike.

how many times do I need to say "proper DH track". No one is arguing that DH>AM all the f*cking time...jesus christ man
  • 1 0
 Whats a dh? Wink
  • 24 1
 well, I know it won't be me who's getting that first chair... :'(
  • 4 0
 There's still time to fly from Germany to BC. The first chair lineup's only start a couple hours before the opening. You can do it Smile
  • 4 0
 How about me, can I do it?
Oh wait, I have work on the 19th, Cry
  • 4 0
 @nikoniko: It will be the 19th there and the 18th here. You have time!!
  • 3 0
 Ohhh thats right, I better pump up my tires and get packing! Razz
  • 1 0
 First chair? We still have *feet* of snow in the Utah mountains.
  • 19 1
 Enduro, DH, Hardtail....... Who cares get out and ride what you have even a tri-cycle would be better than sitting in front of this computer!!!!
  • 17 2
 Bring back the big downhill rigs!
  • 10 3
 Who needs a downhill rig? Well you my endubro who is slowing everybody down because you think enduro is the new dh...
  • 9 0
 Catfished. Here I was thinking that there was a bunch of new sweet trails in the park. Nope that's just the radness of the valley trails. It's a bit like advertising the I-5 with an image of the Sea to Sky.
  • 12 1
 What is McSkimming's rock?
  • 1 0
 Last big rock roll of upper joyride.
  • 1 0
 @nickel: The one with the little ledge you can pop off of and down onto the face of the rock?
  • 1 0
 WHOOP! Cant wait to hit the rock face. Errrrr I need some SLABWORK!
  • 2 0
 @mattsavage: The Rock roll that sends you into the right hand berm before you meet up with Crank it up
  • 10 2
 enduro bikes have become so capable these days that dh bikes have lost a lot of ground. For most people there's no need to buy a dh bike when they can have an enduro rig and use it on a wider variety of terrain.
  • 10 1
 Also, none of the trails they rode in this video are lift-accessed,,,
  • 7 1
 One of them should have been on a DH bike, he'd have got the first no bother.
  • 7 2
 Why wait til they open, Mountain Creek, Highland and Thunder is now/about to open?
  • 7 2
 I'm doing a mini bike vacation with the boys next week I'll be hitting highland for the first time and thunder for the second I'm pump ????
  • 3 0
 Angel Fire and Granby Ranch open up in a week or two as well.
  • 1 1
 Creek was my old stomping grounds, such a sick park! But I gotta say the move to Reno/Tahoe was an unreal decision!!
  • 1 0
 @ryanmill: Welcome to the neighborhood!
  • 4 0
 Saw the villiage webcam... the GLC drop is....GONE?!?!
Gonna miss that old drop. Then again, it had been neutered sooooo much in recent years........
  • 6 1
 are you kidding me? ...

Whistler is getting progressively tamer every year

f*cking sad if you ask me
  • 1 0
 @nvranka: It absolutely is. What other surprises are people gonna find gone up on the hill this summer?
  • 3 0
 I'm pretty sure it got replaced with a jump at the end of A-line
  • 2 0
 @Rucker10: too tame? Lap Canadian open and crabapple hits (which got bigger last year). The bike park is far from tame
  • 1 0
 @kevin267: You're right, I didn't mean to say it wasn't. It does seem like things here and there are getting buffed out though. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong.
  • 1 0
 @kevin267: Nowhere did I say the park has become entirely tame...and please don't misunderstand me: I f*cking LOVE whistler BP
  • 2 1
 vail... they totally f*cked up canyons bike park (granted that wasnt great to begin with)
  • 2 0
 Waaa? No GLC drop? Soo sad. : (
Vail did the same thing in Utah to The Canyons bp when they bought it. Took out drops, added unnecessary landings...
  • 1 0
 There's a new hip to step up it looks like (from instagram posts). They've also re-routed EZ Does It under Fitz chair so that slower riders are not coming out right beside the end of A-Line.

Both positive changes I think, the new jumps look sick. GLC drop was iconic and will be missed but the new jumps look bigger than the final version of the drop which was small unless you boosted.
  • 1 0
 Yeah the drop will be missed, kind of. I never loved it, but it was fun.

This new exit will be awesome, at least this way we won't have people from EZ-Does It (I think) A-line and Canadian Open all merging into one hit. Kinda got chaotic when a bunch of people are coming out of both A-line and Canadian open, but the chaos was also kinda fun.
  • 5 0
 Those guys got first chair.
  • 5 0
 Wait wait so theres a trail called dwayne johnson? Lmao
  • 8 0
 It's best feature is 'the rock' drop
  • 1 0
 And it's gnarly af! Big creek jumps and good sized rock drop! Gets the blood going for sure
  • 1 0
 So Excited! Gonna be there for opening weekend and have never been before. Can't believe it's finally happening! Oh yeah and bikes are priority one in my world, a trail bike and a dh are a must. Took out a loan against my car to get my latest dh rig, yes bikes are ridiculously expensive but worth every penny.
  • 1 0
 Bike Park laps with the Vancouver "got to be there on opening day" hordes or superb loam on awesome trails in Williams Lake. Not even a competition. The bike park will still be there on Tuesday when everyone else has gone home after their long weekend. Those that are partaking have a great time though.
  • 3 0
 Fuck only another 56 weeks to go
  • 2 0
 Whistler opens 3 days after Queenstown bike park closes, just enough time for a quick hop over the pacific!
  • 2 0
 I miss Whistler soooo much.
  • 1 0
 what trail are they riding? 0:41 looks sick
  • 1 0
 so wish the answer to this question was "me".
  • 2 1
 Never got first chair but did get 3rd chair in 2014 Smile
  • 1 0
 The classic fast walk back when you were in school LOL.
  • 1 0
 Does anybody know what valley trails they were riding in the beginning?
  • 2 1
 ^ Go explore Blackcomb mountain and you'll find what you seek. Wink
  • 3 0
 Or just read the article...
  • 2 0
 @boxxerace: Not all on Blackcomb - Tunnel is on Whistler just not in the bike park.
  • 1 0
 Dude this is crazy! At my local Mountain its snowing today. #WhisterLife
  • 1 0
 To be a GT sponsored bikepark, I saw too many Giant bikes Big Grin
  • 1 0
 I'm so jealous
  • 1 0
 "Walk your bike!"
  • 1 0
 Nice fun video Smile
  • 1 1
 crabapple hits closed... I STILL GO FOR IT..or not
  • 1 0
 Sadly those jumps need to be rock hard with pretty much no moisture to hit comfortably... probably a bit too sloppy this weekend Frown
  • 1 1
 EndurOMG everywhere.
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