Now that the snow is falling it is time to put your mountain bike away and pull out the fatties! CMBC would like to update the bike community on this year’s arrangement with the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club and how to use your snow bike on the singletrack at Mt Mac.
You may have heard about a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the City of Whitehorse and the WCCSC. This MoU was developed to control winter access and to recognize the right of the ski club to charge fees for access. More information about this MoU can be found on the ski club’s website.
CMBC has met with the WCCSC board and has developed terms of access for winter biking. We are glad that the ski club has worked with us to figure out how to make the trails accessible to snow bikers and we appreciate that they recognize the stewardship role CMBC has taken with these and other Whitehorse trails. CMBC will be updating the winter biking information for Mt Mac as we work through logistics with the city and the ski club. Right now are asking the following of our members:
To ride the singletrack trails at Mt Mac, all riders must be members of either WCCSC or CMBC. If you are not a member of either organization, please buy a day pass from the ski club base.If you would like to use the Mt. McIntyre Recreational Center and its amenities (including sauna, washrooms, etc.) please purchase a day pass OR be a member of WCCSC.Purpose built snow bikes only please! Both tires must be wider than 3.7”. Absolutely no regular mountain bikes.Snow bikes yield to skiers at crossings.Stay on snow bike designated trails. DO NOT ride on any ski trails. Ski trails should only be crossed in order to access singletrack.Dogs are allowed only on Porcupine Ridge and the Hawk Ridge loop. Snow bikes can access Porcupine via the new Mt Mac connector from Copper Ridge.When crossing ski trails, stay on your bike. Do not walk across ski trails, this will leave punctures. Do not stop on ski trails. If you are waiting for colleagues, please wait on the singletrack.All trails are bi-directional. Keep your eyes and ears open for users that may be travelling towards you.
And, most importantly, Be an ambassador for the sport – stay polite, educate other bikers, discourage bad behavior, follow the rules, and we’ll all have a good time this winter.
We will work at getting a revised map (one that lists what trails are open to snow bikes) posted soon but you can find instructions on how to access trails and a map from last year here.