Rated Top 75 Adventures in the World by National Geographic Adventure magazine! We’ve run this popular trip since 1996 and it’s got it all: mountain biking with spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery, hundreds of kilometres of amazing British Columbia singletrack, long climbs, technical descents, the world-famous Nipika Mountain Resort, cold rivers, hot tubs, Banff National Park and more.
Stand on top of Prairie View Ridge and you’ll feel the awe of the Rocky Mountains. Your legs and lungs will be aching from the climb but your spirit will soar over the 100-mile view across the prairies, the jagged peaks of the front range providing the backdrop for your personal hero story.
Somewhere along the way you might have misplaced that wild unbridled spirit of your youth, but don’t worry – the Rockies will help you find it and bring it back into your life like a big ‘ol stampede. Join us in the Rockies and escape the drone of phones, traffic, emails and your whining boss, to a place where the only sound you hear is the wild beating heart of the Rocky Mountains.
Is This Ride For You?
Mountain biking in the Rocky Mountains is for you if long, steep climbs don’t phase you, and technical, steep descents excite you! You can handle rocky terrain (climbing and descending), narrow singletrack, and some exposure. You’re comfortable and confident riding a blend of cross country and all-mountain trails. Riding multiple days in a row, 3–5 hours per day is no biggie for you. You live for long days on the bike, rewarded by the comforts of a post-ride hot tub soak, a gorgeous lodge and a chilled beer.
Itinerary
Day 1. Welcome to the Rocky Mountains!
Our private shuttle will meet you at the Calgary International Airport and drive the group to our lodge in beautiful Fernie.
Upon arrival, we encourage you to unpack, settle in and rest up for the week of adventure ahead. The lodge will be our home base for the next few days of Fernie trail riding.
Tonight, we’ll dine at The Bridge Bistro and enjoy the patio overlooking the Elk River.
Day 2. Fernie Epics
After a good night of rest, you’ll awaken to the smell of fresh brewed coffee, with views of the Rockies to accompany our hearty group breakfast at the lodge.
This morning, we’ll review the incredible weeks itinerary, build our bikes and pick up rentals. We’ll provide bike stands, tools, and helping hands for anyone needing assistance.
We’ll cruise over to the amazing local bike park and spend an hour warming up with some skill review (believe us, there is always something to learn!).
Once we’ve cleared the cobwebs, it’s off to the trails we go, heading out into the massive mountain bike trail network of Fernie with over 80 trails to choose from. We’ll hit up some classics such as Eco-Terrorist, Sidewinder and maybe throw in some new locals favourites as well.
Early afternoon, we’ll head back to the lodge for lunch and a quick rest, then head back out for a solid afternoon ride — Swine Flu, Mad Cow, or Far Side? You decide.
Of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without a cool beverage by the river to top it off.
Day 3. Mt. Fernie and the Valley of Island Lake
Today’s trail of choice is called “Slunt” like slog and grunt had a baby. It’s not all leg burn and heavy breathing, as this trail ends with a 470M descent!
We’ll work our way along the valley and tackle one more big climb up to Island Lake Lodge for a top quality lunch with unbelievable views. Afterwards, it’s all downhill on the new Lazy Lizard flow trail. We guarantee you’ll be satisfied after this day of pedalling!
There’s usually time to pop into town and cruise the strip or relax in the hot tub before we dine in one of Fernie’s excellent restaurants — maybe some sushi, maybe a local pub on the main street?
Day 4. Castle Mountain
After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll have another hour long skills session at the Fernie Bike Park, including some coaching on high-speed cornering, the pump track, small dirt jumps and drops!
We’ll then head up Castle Mountain for another challenging enduro style ride; as in a BIG climb followed by a HUGE descent! We’ll enjoy some more all-time views, including a summit hike to really take your breath away. Then it’s on to Southern Comfort (the trail, not the drink) — 500 meters of pure downhill bliss.
We’ll head back to the lodge for a late lunch and some well deserved R&R. This afternoon is yours to enjoy off the bike. We love to hang out on the shores of the Elk River with a refreshing beverage, and even jump in on a hot summer day.
Tonight, enjoy another dinner in the town of Fernie or order it in. Perhaps a hot tub and massage are on the menu for you this evening?! This is our last night at our lodge in Fernie.
Day 5. Invermere, Toby Creek and Nipika Mountain Resort
After an early breakfast, we’ll pack up and hop in the van for a scenic 2 ½ hour drive to Invermere.
In the town of Invermere, we’ll check out a cute café for lunch.
We’ll then head to the trailhead to ride The Johnson and Kloosifier trail. Hold on tight for this rolling cross country mountain bike ride with amazing views skirting along the edge of Toby Creek Canyon. Cold beverages await at the finish!
There’s another hour of Rocky Mountain scenery to enjoy, as we drive to Nipika Mountain Resort — a back country paradise with horses roaming free, rustic log cabins, and the sweet sound of the Kootenay River.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy a BBQ dinner prepared by your guides.
Day 6. Pedaling and Paddling in the Rocky Mountains
After breakfast in our log cabin, we’ll enjoy a full day of activities in this vast and wild playground. The private singletrack paradise of Nipika is set along the Kootenay River valley, bordering Kootenay National Park (part of the chain of National Parks that includes world-famous Banff and Jasper), and is surrounded by jagged peaks and unlimited wilderness.
After a quality morning ride, we’ll enjoy lunch at the cabin, then suit up for some whitewater action! That’s right, we’ve got a 3‑hour paddle in store for you down the majestic, glacier fed Kootenay River! Prepare yourself for some mind-blowing scenery. We’ll follow a river guide in stable, easy handling inflatable canoes and pass several Class 1 and 2 rapids along the way. The river takes us right back to Nipika where, you guessed it, cold beverages await.
You’ll have time to relax while dinner is prepared, then maybe play horseshoes or have an evening game of disc golf, and a campfire under the stars.
Day 7. Banff National Park and Canmore, Alberta
After breakfast, you’ll have a little time to chill out before hopping in the van for a spectacular drive through Kootenay National Park.
We’ll stop in the town of Banff to get our tourist kicks, and lunch (Banff is a must-see on any traveller’s list!).
After lunch, it’s only 20 minutes to Canmore, where we’ll check into the centrally located Canadian Rockies Chalets. Then it’s time to sample some more trails on an afternoon ride on the G8/Horseshoe trail network, with incredible views of giant mountains including the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy our final dinner and post-ride celebration together at a local patio in the town of Canmore.
Day 8. One More Summit in Kananaskis Country!
We’ll wake up in Canmore and enjoy a simple breakfast at the condo.
Then, have we got a treat for you… The ‘pot of gold’ ride, this is the incredible, amazing, scintillating and stunning Prairie View/Jewel Pass mountain bike trail. This super fun and scenic ride starts with a 6 km gravel road climb to a short hike-a-bike section near the top of Barrier Mountain. The sweet panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, prairies, and rivers will make it all worth it. We’ll be rewarded with a fast and technical descent down to Jewel Pass, an incredibly fun and challenging piece of singletrack, looping us back to the parking lot.
When it’s all over, we’ll pack up bikes and enjoy a picnic lunch on the shores of Barrier Lake, then finish the journey back to Calgary.
We can drop you off at the Calgary International Airport or at the Acclaim Hotel Calgary Airport.
The following data represents a typical itinerary, but adventure travel can be unpredictable and our Guides may need to make last-minute changes to ensure your enjoyment. Inclement weather, road closures, changes to the itinerary to accommodate requests, and other issues may affect the itinerary. The ride data represents an ‘average’ itinerary, and may differ when you actually show up to ride. Our guides make every effort to stick to the itinerary as posted, but your safety is our #1 priority.
Day | Hours of riding | Distance ridden | Elevation gained | Elevation lost | Highest elevation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2 | 4.5 | 27 | 660 | 660 | 1344 |
3 | 4.5 | 25 | 1494 | 1494 | 1595 |
4 | 4.5 | 29 | 900 | 900 | 1600 |
5 | 3.5 | 22 | 640 | 640 | 970 |
6 | 3.5 | 16 | 420 | 420 | 1145 |
7 | 4.5 | 29 | 640 | 640 | 1490 |
8 | 3 | 14 | 550 | 550 | 1848 |
Totals | 28 HRS |
Picture Yourself Here…

























