Trail Notes

How to Make Climbing More Fun for Kids (and Parents)

Tired legs and "are we there yet?" on every climb? A quick bike check and a handful of trail games can change the whole ride for young riders.

Family MTB Trip to Nelson

Nelson and the West Kootenays are well-known for MTB, but the family angle gets less coverage. Here's how a week split between Kokanee Creek Provincial Park and Castlegar played out with a 6 and 8-year-old along for the ride.

Learning to be a better coach

Takeaways from My Jumps + Drops Course

Coach Marie spent two days at Silver Star taking a GSMBC jumps and drops course — and came back with new skills, sharper feedback tools, and a reminder that good coaching never stops evolving.

Group Lessons vs. Private Lessons:

Which Is Right for Your Young Rider?

Group or private lessons? It depends on your kid. Here's a practical breakdown of all three formats — group, private, and semi-private — to help you figure out what fits your child and your schedule.

Mountain Biking as a Family

How to Make It Fun for Everyone

There’s a short window when kids decide whether mountain biking is their thing or not. A few years of coaching in Golden — and riding with my own two boys — taught me that what happens in that window rarely comes down to the trail. It comes down to a handful of things most families figure out too late. Here’s what they are.

Family MTB Trip to Nakusp/Mt Abriel

Mt. Abriel near Nakusp has trails that work for kids as young as 5 alongside adults looking for flow. Here's what we learned about the network, where to stay, and how to structure the trip.

Boulder Mountain Trails near Revelstoke

A Family Day Ride Guide

Boulder Mountain is one of Revelstoke's best riding areas for variety and shuttle opportunities. Here's how to make the most of a day there with family.

How kids build real confidence on the trail

A guide for Golden families ready to get their kids riding — and loving it.

Trail confidence and life confidence are the same thing in a helmet. Here's how to help your kid build both — one small win at a time.

Radium's Pump and Jump

A Skills Park Worth the Stop

Radium's Pump and Jump park in Sinclair Canyon is a legit family bike stop — grom loop, intermediate line, a creek to splash in, and one of the best playgrounds in the valley a short ride away.

Riding Kimberley with Kids

Nordic Centre, Bootleg Mountain, and a Great Campground

Kimberley has two solid riding areas for families — the Nordic Centre's Happy Hans loop for younger kids, and Bootleg Mountain if you're ready to shuttle. Here's how our family trip played out.

Swansea Mountain Bike Trails in Invermere

A Family Day Ride Report

Marie rides Swansea in Invermere for a spring lap on Hula Girl, Beyond Beef, and Meatgrinder — and finds dry, tacky trails. It’s the perfect spot for a family-friendly ride.

Golden - A Balance Bike Day Out

Golden isn't just for big-mountain riders. This half-day itinerary strings together the best stops for families with very young kids: the pump track on 9th Avenue South, the playground right across the street, a flat shaded spin along the Kicking Horse River on the Rotary Trail, and ice cream at Kicking Horse Movies. Everything's close, low-key, and balance-bike friendly.

Martha Creek Provincial Park

Family Bike Camping near Revelstoke

Martha Creek has sandy beach campsites, bike trails right in the campground, and Boulder Mountain 20 minutes away. Everyone rides, everyone swims — no compromises.