Whistler may be famous for its bike park, but there is a huge quantity of riding beyond the confines of the lift-accessed zones. We take a look at arguably five of the best areas and trails to turn the adventure up and leave the park!

Whistler, it's all about the Park yeah? Think again. What about the world outside the Park? We check out the five best trails in the wilderness!

1. Lost Lake

Just a quick pedal outside Whistler is the area of Lost Lake Park; used by snowshoes and skis in the winter, in summer it becomes a huge network of biking and hiking trails. Perhaps an ideal starting place for those venturing beyond the Bike Park, Lost Lake gives plenty of options for beginners and intermediate riders alike.

Trails such as Jelly Gum Drop Roll, Tin Pants and Grand Wazoo all offer up great fun and all the trails can be easily linked up into a huge ride if you want to cover some miles. With gentle ascents and good signage, Lost Lake aims to make your biking experience as smooth and easy as possible.

A trip to Lost Lake wouldn't be complete without a trip to the lake itself and what better way to finish a ride than a dip in the namesake lake for the quintessential Whistler experience. 

2. Danimal

On the west side, we have Danimal, a classic trail which takes some effort to get to, but is definitely worth the pedal. Perhaps the best way to get the most from Danimal is to climb Lower Sproatt trail before turning onto Danimal Middle and Danimal North. The Middle trail is a trail used to connect many of the routes in the area and offers a pleasant way to move around the trails.

A true Whistler classic, Danimal North is probably the most popular section, with plenty of wooden features and rock chutes to give you a classic Whistler experience. Tight through the trees, Danimal North still requires a little pedalling and definitely rewards the all-rounder with its technical mix of features throughout.

3. Cheakamus

The Cheakamus area is just South of Whistler Village, with trails for all riders, lake views and easy access. It might feel friendly, but don't forget to pack a bag as you won't be passing a bike shop.

For those intermediate riders in the Cheakamus area, the AM/PM and Business Time trails offer up a great ride combination. Business Time has it all, from steeps to flow and boardwalks to switchbacks, a physical trail that keeps coming at you. AM/PM changes things up with a faster pace and many more rock-rolls and slabs to keep you on your toes. 

Looking for something more mellow? Cheakamus offers accessible biking whilst still getting off the beaten track and away from the crowds. The Lakeside Trail offers a way of covering ground easily on a flowing and fun trail taking you to some epic views.

4. Howler

Now it's time for a climb, but it's worth it in the end. Ricks Roost trail links to Flank Trail in a huge climb with gradients of up to 20%. Cleaning this entire ascent is a huge challenge and a little pushing is par for the course. Once the ascent is done you're treated to one of the most epic descents in Whistler.

Rocks of all shapes and sizes, from bedrock rollers to small boulders that litter the trail, Howler has it all. Tight technical sections are interspersed with flowing singletrack and tight switchbacks to create a trail that requires full focus at all times.  A big committing black-grade trail, Howler deserves respect, but approach it with the right attitude and you'll be rewarded with one of Whistlers best trails

5. Lord of Squirrels  

Looking for a big day out? Then look no further than the Lord of the Squirrels trail. A relatively new addition to Whistlers network it features a huge 8km alpine flow descent, but this is as much about the climb as the descent.

Not to be underestimated, the climb is long and demands a high level of fitness, this is definitely the time to pack some food and water for the journey. Whether you're a wheels-on-the-ground type or a huck hungry hooligan, Lord of the Squirrels is enjoyable by any type of rider and guarantees smiles.

The beautiful climbing trail snakes it's way upwards before transitioning into alpine singletrack. This morphs into a 'blue' descent with enough challenge to keep even the most advanced riders happy, whilst being accessible to the vast majority of mountain bikers.

By Ewen Turner
Ewen Turner is a self-confessed bike geek from Kendal in the Lake District of England. He runs a coaching and guiding business up there and has a plethora of knowledge about bikes with an analytical approach to testing. His passion for bicycles is infectious, and he’s a ripper on the trails who prefers to fit his working life around his time on the bike.

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