Feb 13, 2013 | Industry, MBTA Initiatives, Uncategorized
News BC Mountain Bike Tourism Symposium welcomes industry leaders and stakeholders - A symposium to progress mountain bike tourism in the province – Vancouver, BC - February 13, 2013 - The Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association (MBTA) in partnership with Recreation Sites and Trails BC, Tourism British Columbia, International Mountain Bicycling Association Canada, Royal Roads University, and District of Sooke is proud to present the BC Mountain Bike Tourism Symposium at the Best Western Premier - Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke, BC, May 26-28, 2013. British Columbia has gained much attention worldwide for its significant role in mountain biking. The program of the Symposium is entitled “Progression”. It speaks to the opportunity for stakeholders and experts to gather and share insights and knowledge about how to progress toward a more sustainable and viable mountain bike tourism sector. The Symposium is geared towards community leaders, land managers, trail advocates, adventure tourism operators, and government and industry representatives and will present lessons learned from BC and other parts of the world. Key initiatives will be highlighted that represent new opportunities for communities throughout the province. Topics will cover marketing mountain biking experiences, land use and product development considerations, environmental and risk management issues, partnerships and funding, as well as developing bike friendly communities and services. Our goal is to unify the voice of the BC mountain bike tourism industry, and discuss the opportunities we have to drive more tourism to the province. The symposium offers: Knowledgeable speakers and interactive panels of experts discussing key issues. Networking opportunities with stakeholders from around the province, plus a variety of social events. Announcements...
Oct 19, 2011 | Industry, MBTA Initiatives, Uncategorized
October 19, 2011 Earlier this morning we released the official trailer for From The Inside Out – the premiere film from SecondBase, a joint production company owned by Anthill Films and the Coastal Crew. From the Inside Out will be available December 1st, 2011 in a special edition DVD+BluRay combo pack and on over twenty iTunes stores world-wide. The world premiere will take place October 27th in Whistler BC and currently over forty premiere tour events are currently scheduled to take place before December 1st. Written, directed and edit by the Coastal Crew and produced by Anthill Films, From the Inside Out was filmed entirely in British Columbia, the birthplace of freeride, and features some of the sport’s best riders, including: Brandon Semenuk, Steve Smith, Thomas Vanderham, Matt Hunter, Graham Agassiz, Mike Hopkins, Kenny Smith & The Coastal Crew. This is a film by riders, for riders. As the Coastal Crew puts it: “Many past films, riders, and locations have inspired us. Some of those locations are now our backyards, and some of those riders are now our friends. From the Inside Out is our adventure to the places we’ve always wanted to ride, and our expression of the lines and styles that have influenced us. This is freeride mountain biking. This film is from us – the riders.” Fans can support the filmmakers direct by pre-ordering the DVD+BluRay combo pack now. Visit www.secondbasefilms.com to find out more and to view current premiere tour dates. From the Inside Out is made possible by Mountain Biking BC, Rock Shox, Sombrio, Evoc, Chromag, Pink Bike and SCOTT Sports. Additional support for...
May 27, 2011 | Industry, MBTA Initiatives, Partners, Uncategorized
A Week Exploring Seven Epic Destinations With Tour Company BC Bike Ride BRITISH COLUMBIA May 27, 2011 – This summer Mountain Biking BC will partner with BC Bike Ride, a mountain bike tour company specializing in providing the ultimate road trip experience, to make one rider’s dreams come true. Mountain bikers can enter to win a seven-day epic to seven destinations across British Columbia via mountain bike, B.C. Ferries and helicopter to explore the province’s awesome singletrack terrain. To enter riders just need to submit their name to www.mountainbikingbc.ca or on the Mountain Biking BC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mountainbikingbc.ca. Ten people will be randomly chosen from all entries to write a short essay explaining why they are the most deserving to win this once in a lifetime trip. Mountain Biking BC and BC Bike Ride is pulling out all the stops, taking the winner and a friend on an epic seven-day mountain biking adventure in some of the most challenging, thrilling and spectacular terrain British Columbia has to offer. The week-long odyssey includes Squamish, Pemberton, Whistler, Cumberland, Hornby Island and more, and will take place between July 22 and 30. Experiencing the Red Bull Joyride Finals at Kokanee Crankworx in Whistler on July 23, a heli-drop, B.C Ferries transportation and $1,000 cash to cover travel expenses keep the prize especially rockstar. For full contest details and to enter head to http://www.mountainbikingbc.ca or http://www.facebook.com/MountainBikingBC. Entries for the contest will close on June 26. On Monday, June 27 ten randomly selected finalists will be notified to explain in a short essay why they most deserve the trip. The grand prize winner...
Mar 7, 2011 | Industry, MBTA Initiatives, Partners, Uncategorized
Goal To Have BC Recognized As Top Riding Destination In The World BRITISH COLUMBIA – March 7, 2011 – The Mountain Bike Tourism Association (MBTA) has launched a new website designed to provide information and inspiration for all things mountain biking in British Columbia. “This province is arguably the hub of the mountain biking market for North America in regards to concentration of riders and the incredible amount of trail access we enjoy,” says Martin Littlejohn, Executive Director of MBTA. “There is simply so much inspiring terrain in BC, and within most communities around the province, there are passionate people helping to drive the development and awareness of these riding opportunities from the grassroots up.” The website www.mountainbikingbc.ca makes riding experiences more accessible to visitors exploring British Columbia. The Mountain Biking BC website allows active and committed riding communities across the province to consolidate their information, share it with the global mountain bike world and build awareness for British Columbia as the most diverse biking destination in the world. For its initial launch, Mountain Biking BC features eight riding destinations within the province’s six tourism regions. The MBTA is working with many more communities in the province that could benefit and as new community destinations come on board, more BC riding opportunities will be featured on the site. Currently the site features information for: Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region – Williams Lake Northern British Columbia region – Burns Lake Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region – Powell River, Squamish and Whistler Kootenay Rockies region – Rossland Thompson Okanagan region – Shuswap Vancouver Island region – Sooke Each community partner is in...
Dec 1, 2010 | MBTA Initiatives, Partners, Uncategorized
Communities around the province are joining the Mountain Biking BC tourism initiative. The thrust of the initiative is centered around the creation of a new website which will feature communities with authorized mountain bike trails and experiences suitable for promoting to the growing mtb tourism market. The new website will be launched in February 2011. Some of the essential elements that communities need to consider in order to participate include… Basic requirements for community partners: Authorized Trails - Signature trail experiences with appropriate land-use authorization and management framework in place (minimum 2-3 iconic trails or an established trail network to feature on the Mountain Biking BC website). Visitor Ready - Tourism infrastructure with complementary services and attractions (accommodation, food & beverage, bike shop, tourist information resources). Stakeholder Engagement - Coordinated group of stakeholders willing to work with industry to develop and maintain local mountain biking experiences. Online Content Provisioning - Designated local group or individual for updating community online information. Partnership Funding - Funding source for the mountain bike tourism initiative’s community partnership fee. Basic partnership includes a dedicated community page on new mtb tourism website with location map, images and video gallery, featured trails, news, events and services directory. Basic requirements for featured trails: Management - Regular maintenance and monitoring by local trail group and/or land management staff. Permission - Featured trails must be authorized and have the appropriate land manager’s permision to be promoted as a tourism experience. Signage - Easily recognized trail head with frequent way finding markers especially at trail intersections/branches. Map - Trail maps should be based on accurate GIS data and in pdf...
Jun 22, 2010 | MBTA Initiatives, Uncategorized
Vinay Menon’s Drive To Promote Freeride Mountain Biking Wins Judges’ Votes WHISTLER, BC June 22, 2010 – Bike Parks BC’s panel of celebrity judges has awarded Vinay Menon of India with the Ultimate Summer of Free Ride. Vinay’s pioneering spirit and drive to develop freeride mountain biking in his homeland set his entry apart out of over 140 blog and photo entries. “It sounds like he’s been working hard to spread the good word of mountain bike for a long time now…and he shreds!” says judge and freeride athlete Darcy Turenne. “Bike parks are non-existent in India and riding in British Columbia would be a chance of a lifetime for him, as well as being an inspirational and educational experience for trail building in India. Go Vinay!” “Vinay only has videos and magazines from other countries to guide him in developing freeride trails and lines in India. The fact that he developed his own team to promote freeride mountain biking in a country where freeriding is at its infancy really shows his commitment to the sport,” says judge and professional photographer Harookz. “Vinay experiencing the best bike parks in the world first hand will help the growth of our sport in other areas of the world.” Vinay is already organizing his visa for travel to Canada so he can take advantage of the prize as well as the incredible experiences and learning opportunities available to him through Bike Parks BC. “Winning feels surreal! I came across this contest while looking for information on bike parks in Canada on the web,” says Vinay Menon. “I thought it’d be fun to...