Jan 26, 2015 | Industry, MBTA Initiatives, Partners, Uncategorized
New collaborative effort will help create opportunities for communities along the Yellowhead Corridor Vancouver, BC – January 26, 2015 – The Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association (MBTA) in partnership with the Northern BC Tourism Association and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition is pleased to announce the release of a new strategy to support further development of mountain biking in the region. Northern BC is recognized for its vast wilderness and outdoor recreation opportunities and is increasingly gaining attention as a mountain biking destination. “Mountain biking represents a new opportunity to attract visitors to our region and collaboration among the key stakeholders will be critical”, said Clint Fraser, acting CEO of the Northern BC Tourism Association. Mountain biking advocates living in communities along the Yellowhead corridor have been building and maintaining trails for mountain biking for over a decade. “Valemount, Prince George, Burns Lake, Smithers, and Terrace have already created some amazing trail networks”, said Martin Littlejohn, Executive Director of the MBTA, “however, the capacity of the local mountain bike clubs and advocacy groups is limited by funding and volunteer support. We are recommending collaboration at a regional level among local governments, regional districts and other regional agencies to support mountain bike development for the social and economic benefits that it can provide.” Key recommendations include support for trail maintenance, entry level trails and skills parks for beginners and families, consistent signage, programming for youth, greater involvement with the tourism sector, and the creation of a regional brand. The Northern BC Mountain Bike Recreation and Tourism Strategy was supported by the following communities and organizations: Omineca Beetle Action Coalition...
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...
May 12, 2010 | Industry, MBTA Initiatives, Partners, Uncategorized
Experience It All With A Season Pass To Five B.C. Bike Parks To Be Awarded June 19 WHISTLER, BC May 12, 2010 – Inspiration for Anthill Film’s latest bike film “Follow Me” was easy to come by; the resorts of Bike Parks BC are the crew and athletes’ backyards. Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Silver Star Bike Park, Sun Peaks Resort, Fernie Alpine Resort and Mount Washington Bike Park showcase an unparalleled diversity of lift-accessed terrain. “One of the things we really wanted to show in ‘Follow Me’ was the variety of the trails and terrain Bike Parks BC has,” says Ian Dunn, Producer and Marketing Director of Anthill Films. “It’s really cool how mountains only a few hours apart can be so different - from views of the Pacific on Mount Washington and the perfectly groomed berms of Silverstar, to the fast and flowy runs on Sun Peaks, the technical descents at Fernie and the non-stop action of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park - each park has it’s own unique feel.” Bike Parks BC’s “Ultimate Summer of Free Ride” will give one rider a summer of access to B.C’s best bike parks with a season pass to Whistler Mountain Bike Park, Silver Star Bike Park, Sun Peaks Resort, Fernie Alpine Resort and Mount Washington Bike Park. The winner will also get two lift tickets, two nights accommodation, two days of bike rentals, and a half day of expert guiding to share with a friend at each resort during the 2010 summer season; not to mention $1,000 so they can create the most epic summer road trip ever. “Riding in...
Jun 12, 2009 | MBTA Initiatives, Partners, Uncategorized
June 12, 2009 Bike Parks BC’s 2009 “Ultimate Road Trip” is giving away the “vacation of a lifetime” at beautiful British Columbia’s world-class mountain biking destinations. Two lucky winners will be selected for the grand prize tour, operating August 1st to 8th. Each winner is entitled to bring one guest to share this incredible experience. The 2009 “Ultimate Road Trip” prize provides winners and their guest with accommodation, meals, lift passes, and ground transportation, plus use of high-performance full-suspension bikes, and professional guiding and coaching from two time World Masters Downhill Champ, Shaums March, of MMR Bike Camps. Bike Parks BC represents the most diverse selection of terrain in the highest concentration of lift-accessible bike parks in North America. Bike Parks BC’s premier mountain bike destinations are: Whistler Mountain Bike Park – Home of the original Kokanee Crankworx festival. This groundbreaking mountain biking destination offers new and improved riding every year on over 200km of high-speed, lift-serviced trails. Mount Washington - home to one of North America’s most progressive and exciting mountain bike parks. Two high-speed lifts allow riders to view the Pacific Ocean, Strathcona Provincial Park and the stunning Coast Mountain Range - all while negotiating a world-class network of downhill and freeride trails, one vertical mile above sea level. Silver Star Mountain Resort - offering over 1600 feet of acclaimed trails, the high-peed, detachable, roll-on bike carrier service provided on “Comet Six Pack” whisks riders to the summit in 7.5 minutes. Experience trails from gnarly downhill single track to scenic paved paths that wind peacefully through the sub-alpine forest. Sun Peaks - one of Interior British Columbia’s best riding destinations with over 2,000 vertical feet of downhill terrain located around a pristine...
