These Rocky Mountains are perfect for riding and the Bow Valley has plenty of trails offering world-class mountain biking adventures. Built to host the cross-country skiing events during the 1988 Winter Olympics, the Canmore Nordic Centre boasts 70 kilometres (42 miles) of dirt trails ranging from the mellow and gentle to the lung-busting and heart-stopping. If you’re new to mountain biking or looking to drop the ‘Coal Chutes’ without dabbing your foot, you can sign up for a lesson or a guided tour. Mountain bikers from all over North America take to the Nordic Centre trails every July for the 24 Hours of Adrenalin race. Bikers race up and down the trails from noon on Saturday until noon on Sunday, through sun and dark, rain and snow, thunder and predawn-quiet in teams of 10, five, four or even solo. Canmore’s own Ryan Draper has won the gruelling solo category the past three years, while members of the larger teams enjoyed the tent city camaraderie of the festival-like event.
Away from the Nordic Centre, the Bow Valley, particularly Kananaskis Country, is criss-crossed with trails waiting to be ridden by mountain bike. Classic K-Country jaunts such as Jewel Pass, Jumpingpound Ridge and Powderface Creek have all been featured in mountain bike magazines – and deservedly so. Long, strenuous climbs to panoramic views stretching halfway to Calgary lead to thrilling single-track descents through aspen groves. To experience the classic 19km (12.5ml) Goat Creek trail from Canmore to Banff, take advantage of a shuttle service that will deliver you and your bike to the trailhead. K-Country’s remote fire roads can be followed for days. In August, more than 150 mountain bikers from across North America and Europe leave the Trans Rockies Challenge start line in Fernie, B.C. and ride more than 700km (360ml) in seven days to cross the finish line on Canmore’s Main Street. Canmore racers Robin McKeever and Nicholas Christoffersson were the winning team in the inaugural 2002 event.
Most terrain in the Rocky Mountain National Parks, including Banff and Jasper, are off limits to mountain bikers but Canmore serves as a world-class base for the fat-tire style. State-of-the-art full suspension bikes and custom guiding services are available to satisfy your abilities and desires. Mountain bike rentals, including helmets, water bottles and maps range from $8 an hour to $59 a day.
