WHISTLER, BC - The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will be opening its first lift-accessed alpine mountain bike trail to riders this summer. The alpine trail named “Top of the World” will be accessible from the Peak Chair at the summit of Whistler Mountain and will lead riders into the Garbanzo Zone of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. The opening of the new trail will increase Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s vertical by 1,091 feet bringing the total vertical to 4,946 feet. With over 60 trails and 4,946 feet of vertical Whistler Mountain Bike Park offers more trails and more vertical feet than any other bike park in North America.
Beginning at the top of the Peak Chair on Whistler Mountain, Top of the World takes riders through one of the most visually spectacular alpine environments on the planet. A layer of soft tacky dirt covers the alpine trail as it winds its way through three climate zones including Whistler’s Alpine Tundra and Mountain Hemlock zones before finishing in a coastal rainforest. Riding in the alpine is a unique experience and Whistler’s expansive and vast mountains make it a visually spectacular setting.
“Top of the World will blow your mind,” says Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager Brian Finestone. ”It takes the flow Whistler Mountain Bike Park is famous for and drops it on the peak of Whistler Mountain. With some of the world’s best riding set against the granite spires of the Coast Range Top of the World is the pinnacle of alpine riding.”
One hundred riders each day will be granted access to this special trail. “We want to ensure riding in such a spectacular setting is an inspiring experience,” says Finestone.
Riding the Peak Chair will require a separate lift ticket which will cost riders $15 in addition to their Bike Park pass. The Peak Zone ticket will be valid for one upload of the Peak Chair and is recommended foradvanced riders.
“Top of the World is a technical downhill single-track trail and is suitable for advanced all-mountain, free-ride and downhill mountain bikers,” says Finestone.
The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is scheduled to open for the 2012 bike season on May 18, with the Peak Zone likely opening in mid -July. More information on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park can be found at www.whistlerbike.com
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Photos by Sterling Lorence
