Getting up at 6am to save a few bucks on some newfangled object doesn’t make the sense it used to. Years ago I would get up early for the A&B Sound Boxing Day sale, but that was before online shopping, price protection and competitive prices year round.

We hooked up with some of our regular riding partners for a shuttle run on Forbidden Plateau to help burn off a few of the calories consumed over the holiday dinners.

Snow covered much of the upper trails, but the hardness tricked us into thinking it might be somewhat rideable… It ended up being anything but.

As the elevation dropped so did the snow coverage, and the riding improved. A flat (with a DH tube no less) and a few raindrops later, we returned to the cars filled with joy at our persistence and accomplishment. Looking forward to making this an annual event.

Oh, and I did get the Boxing Day deals I wanted in about 30 minutes at 5pm

The many views of The kootenays

As resource industries fade and regions need to find other forms of economic stimulus, tourism has become a strong component of revitalization. From historic tours to recreation sites, rails to trails, summer chairlift operations and bike parks, many communities are diversifying.

Our recent trip to the Kootenays showed these changes in spades. We often saw views of quiet sawmills, mining sites, equipment and empty buildings. We also saw many tourists, people enjoying outdoor recreation and great heritage and tourism related sites.

The Kootenays have been so enthralled by the opportunity for mountain biking that they have created a great guide and websites for your travel planning.

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“They copied our idea!”

Well not really, but upon our arrival home we checked out the interweb to find that the Pinkbike Crew had embarked on a trip called “Hurtin’ for Vert”

They honestly had way more mileage on the bikes and some awesome photographers along with them. So I thought I’d hook up some links to their articles so you can see just how great mountain biking in the Kootenay’s of BC really is! Read the rest of this entry »

“Um yeah, really everything in Nelson is steep” – staff member at The Sacred Ride

The Queen's City

Not really what we wanted to hear, but somewhat what we expected after driving into town. Nelson BC is located at the tip of Kootenay Lake and is flanked on both sides by steep hills and mountains. The streets remind one of the view in San Francisco, but the upper reaches of the streets merge into more forest rather than the sky above. Historically termed the “Queen’s City” Nelson is blessed with many very beautiful heritage buildings and homes, grand oak trees and great views. What it doesn’t boast is easy fireroad climbs to cross country trails. Bring your DH bike! Read the rest of this entry »

Not sure where to ride? Looking for some new riding partners? Check out some of the local riding groups heading out on our local trails each week. Check with the hosting organization regarding requirements for participation. Read the rest of this entry »

Forbidden Plateau was once site of the Wood Mountain Ski Park and Forbidden Plateau Ski Area until late 1980′s when the unfortunate accident occurred crushing the main lodge. Fire later ravaged the sunken timbers and the remaining chairlifts and structures remain rusting away as each rain passes. Read the rest of this entry »