The downhill thrill of mountain biking

If you know at least three people whose mountain bikes are worth more than their cars, you're probably in Canmore.

This small Rocky Mountain town has earned a big reputation among mountain bikers as a knobby-tire nirvana.

The trails around Canmore are not for the fainthearted - you've got to earn those screaming
downhills through sweaty, lung-busting climbs. Descents are all the sweeter when the top of your climb offers you a stupendous valley view framed by towering peaks. Catch your breath, take it
all in … then lower your seat and get ready to holler.

Canmore is one of the finest places in North America to mountain bike, and the locals revel in
being able to access amazing terrain only minutes from downtown. Many riders head out after work - the Canmore version of happy hour - to enjoy the lengthy summer twilight. It's perfectly possible
to get in a three-hour ride after work in July and August.

Longer rides in Kananaskis Country to the south offer all-day adventure and the opportunity to travel through pristine wilderness - just be prepared and bring extra tubes, food and water, plus a jacket
for the changeable Rocky Mountain weather.

The Canmore Nordic Centre offers rolling doubletrack - 70 kilometres' worth - and lessons for those who want to ease into the sport gently. Don't be fooled by this description, though: the Nordic Centre also hosted a stop on the World Cup Cross-Country Circuit for three years (1998 to 2000) and offers some wicked singletrack that has challenged the best in the world. Incredibly, it costs nothing to ride the summer trails at the Nordic Centre.

Canmore Nordic Centre Mountain Biking Trails
Difficulty Rating: Light to Difficult
Distance: Over 70 km of trails.
Location: From Canmore, follow the signs from downtown.

"With the Bow River on one side and the jutting, snow-capped Canadian Rockies on the other, the Canmore Nordic Centre is the model venue for a World Cup cross-country event...Find seven more like this, and the World Cup would never have to go anywhere else."
-Velo News, August 14, 2000

It's also great fun for recreational riding.

Designed and developed for the cross-country ski and biathlon events of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the Canmore Nordic Centre offers you over 70 km of exhilarating trails, ranging from rolling doubletrack to plenty of steep and gnarly singletrack. A stop on the World Cup mountain bike
circuit from 1998-2000, the Nordic Centre has challenged the world's best riders. Rental bikes are available at Trail Sports across from the Day Lodge. They will also point you in the right direction of
the trails, hone your skills with a lesson, or guide you around the area.

Prairie View Trail
Difficulty Rating: Intermediate, lots of climbing!
Location: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 9 km south at the Barrier Lake Day Use area. Watch for hikers.

This trail starts out by climbing steadily through a lovely aspen forest on a wide doubletrack trail. Watch for grumpy grouse - this rider was followed once by a flapping and fearful mama bird. After
an hour or so of huffing and puffing, you emerge at a saddle overlooking the unreal blue of Barrier Lake and way down Highway 40. A little more climbing and a short carry over some steep rocky sections, and you've reached the top of the ride. After savoring the view, continue over the scree and get ready for a speedy, winding singletrack ride down through the trees. This trail is getting progressively choppier with increased use, but it is still lots of fun.

When you emerge from the dense trees, make a left and keep on enjoying the (mostly downhill) singletrack all the way back to Barrier Lake. There are a few small rocky or loose dusty sections
in here, but mostly this is good fast fun. Once you come out near the lake, there is another 20 minutes of scenic doubletrack to finish off the ride.


Jewell Pass - Prairie View Prairie View can also be combined with Jewell Pass. To do this, drive east along Highway 1 from Canmore to the Heart Creek parking lot just opposite Lac des Arcs (about 15 minutes). Follow the Heart Creek Trail straight over the creek. At the Quaite Valley fire road, make a right. You will climb steadily to the top of Jewell Pass, then turn right and enjoy
some well-deserved downhill. This singletrack comes out at Barrier Lake, which you follow for a short time before cutting left onto another doubletrack - the start of Prairie View. See above for
more description.

To get back to Heart Creek, when you emerge from the dense trees at the bottom of Prairie View, keep straight ahead instead of turning left. This will take you back down Jewell Pass at a much more appropriate pace than the way up. Hang on and enjoy the ride!

Goat Creek Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Distance: 18 km to Banff. Elevation gain: Minus 300 metres. Time: 3 hours one way.
Location: From Canmore, drive 9 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 - gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre. Turn right into the parking lot, where you will find the trailhead.

This is an exciting ride on a gravel and dirt doubletrack that is mostly downhill all the way to Banff. Leave a vehicle in Banff and another at the trailhead to make this is an easy ride for the novice or
the whole family.

Skogan Pass - North Approach Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty Rating: Difficult
Distance: 16.5 km return. Elevation gain: 670 metres. Time: 5 hours return.
Location: From Canmore, drive 7 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary and use Alpine Resort Haven exit. The trailhead parking lot is 1.25 km, just before the Resort.

200 metres from the trailhead use the left trail to the powerline and take the road to 1700 metres where the trail climbs steeply from here as it moves away from the powerlines. You will enjoy the great views of the Three Sisters Mountain.

Ribbon Falls Hiking / Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty Rating: Medium
Distance: 16.5 km return. Elevation gain: 300 metres. Time: 7 hours return.
Location: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 23 km. south at the Ribbon Creek Day Use area near Kananaskis Village.

The trail follows along Ribbon Creek up a narrow valley to a view of Ribbon Falls. The medium grade and several waterfalls has made it a great hike for families, with the first 4 km open to mountain bikes. There is a campground for those wishing to make this an overnight hike. 2 hours further (1.8 km / 200 metre rise) is Ribbon Lake, which also has a campground. Note: This section is
extremely strenuous with 3 chains that you must haul yourself up a cliff with.

Baldy Pass - North Approach Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty Rating: Difficult
Distance: 19.2 km return. Elevation gain: 620 metres. Time: 5 hours return.
Location: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 7.8 km. south to the Sibbald Creek Trail (Highway 68) and 1.5 km to the Lusk Creek Day Use area.

The demanding climb to Baldy Pass from the north is via dirt roads through trees. There are great views once you reach the pass.
 
Stoney Trail Mountain Biking Trail
Difficulty Rating: Light
Distance: 31 km return. Elevation gain: 50 metres. Time: 5 hours return.
Location: From Canmore, drive 35 km east on Highway 1 towards Calgary to the Highway 40 exit and drive south into Kananaskis Country. The trailhead is 9 km. south at the Barrier Dam Day Use area.

A leisurely ride on gravel and dirt roads with very little elevation gain. At the trailhead at the Barrier Dam Day Use area, cross the dam and head through an aspen grove to the powerline.

Mt. Shark Mountain Biking Trail System
Difficulty Rating: Light to Medium
Location: From Canmore, drive 39 km south on the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (Highway 742 -
gravel road) which begins just past the Canmore Nordic Centre. Turn right and continue 5 km. to
the Mount Shark parking lot, where you will find the trailhead. This system of trails offers scenic
and rolling riding on wide gravel and cinder fire roads.