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If you’re thinking about visiting Whistler during Crankworx, you’re in for a unique experience. We just spent a full week at Crankworx and it was quite the experience. While the excitement level was through the roof, there were also some challenges that visiting during Crankworx brought up. Here I’ll share the pros and cons of visiting Whistler during Crankworx.
Why Visit Whistler During Crankworx
There are a lot of reasons why people would visit Whistler for Crankworx. SOme want to watch their favorite events. Others want to compete in some sort of competition. For us, it was just the week that the timing worked out best. We have a big family and schedules can be difficult to shuffle, so when we found a week that worked for everyone, we started making plans.
Initially, I was a bit concerned that things would be too crazy and that visiting Whistler in the middle of Crankworx would be a disaster. After talking to several friends who have also been to Whistler during Crankworx, they reassured me that things would be fine…and some things were. But there were also some unexpected issues we ran into that I wish we would have anticipated. Hopefully, our experience, helps you decide if Whistler during Crankworx is right for you.
The Pros of Whistler during Crankworx
1. Electric Atmosphere
Crankworx transforms Whistler into a hub of energy, and that keeps building and building as the week goes on. The entire village is alive with the thrill of mountain biking, drawing in world-class athletes, excited spectators, and families like mine. There’s an incredible sense of community as everyone comes together to celebrate the world of biking. Whether you’re a die-hard mountain biker or just a casual fan, the atmosphere during Crankworx is something special.
2. Major Inspiration from the Pros
One of the most inspiring aspects of Crankworx is the constant presence of professional riders. Whether you’re watching them warm up while you’re riding the chairlift, standing next the them in the lift line or just passing them in the village, it’s a really fun feeling to have pros all around you. For our mtb obsessed kids,it was a chance to see their heroes up close and get autograph posters during the week (a couple pros even came to talke to the kids during their bike school lessons).
3. Events for All Ages and Disciplines
Crankworx is designed with everyone in mind, from little kids just starting out to seasoned pros. There are events for all ages and skill levels, which with some advanced planning can make it a fantastic experience for families in Whistler. Younger kids can participate in mini races, pump track challenges, and other activities tailored to their abilities. Meanwhile, older kids and adults can enjoy watching or even competing in more advanced events. Since this was our first year at Crankworx, we didn’t know that sign up deadlines are a couple weeks before the event, so sadly, our kids missed out on participating.
4. Off-Mountain Fun
In addition to the on-mountain events, Crankworx offers a range of off-mountain activities that add to the family fun. There are scavenger hunts, movie nights, and other family-friendly events that help round out the experience. These activities provide a nice break from the intensity of the biking events and offer families a chance to explore other aspects of Whistler.
5. Community Feeling
Crankworx is more than just a festival—it’s a community gathering. You’ll have the chance to meet people from all over the world who share your passion for mountain biking. It’s a great opportunity to network, whether you’re a rider, a fan, or someone involved in the biking industry. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and it’s easy to strike up conversations since you all have something in common.
6. Access to World Class Events
Crankworx is one of the top mountain bike events in the world, and just by being in Whistler, you’ll get a front row seat to watch them. I was shocked at how easy it was to watch so many of the events from the village or with just a short hike. A majority of the events happen in the afternoon and early evening, which made it easy for us to ride for the day and then watch events to wrap things up, or a s a break before some twilight riding. It was a great way to break up our days as Whistler and to add an extra level of excitement.
Downsides of Visiting Whistler During Crankworx
1. Big Groups of Aggressive Bikers
During Crankworx, the trails are full of fast, skilled riders, which can make it challenging to ride with kids or beginner and intermediate riders. This was our biggest complaint during Crankworx. Most of these groups were kids in their late teens and early 20’s and while they’re great riders, they were typically not courteous. Often, these groups would come up behind our kids on singletrack and ride behind them so closely that they were totally on edge. I can understand if that were on a black trail and we were going slow, but this regularly happened on green and easy blue trails.
Truthfully, I think that Whistler needs to have some sort of bike patrol out there as crowd control in bottleneck and beginner areas to prevent this, since it felt very dangerous. As a rider (I’m a solid advanced intermediate), I felt so much pressure to go really fast with so many people flying right behind me, so while there were areas that I would have loved to slowly work on, it almost felt unsafe to take my time. There were also multiple times that these groups caused our youngest to crash as he was following me down the trail (which I yelled at them for).
2. High Costs
Crankworx is a major event, and prices reflect that. Accommodations in and around Whistler are at a premium, often booking out months in advance and charging higher rates. If you’re on a tight budget, visiting during Crankworx might stretch your finances more than at other times of the year. Planning ahead is crucial if you want to avoid the steepest costs, but even then, expect to pay more than usual. We’ve even heard of many people booking a place to stay a full year in advance.
3. Limited Access to Trails
If you’re planning to ride the bike park yourself, be aware that access to some trails may be limited or closed entirely for Crankworx events. The best trails are often reserved for competitions, and the ones that remain open can be more crowded than usual, especially the beginner trails at Whistler. Most people had told us that it wouldn’t be an issue, but since we didn’t want to pay to ride the bike park every day, there were a couple of days where access to some of the most popular trails was closed off and that was really disappointing.
This can be frustrating if you came to Whistler specifically to ride. Additionally, the trails that are open felt less enjoyable due to the sheer number of people on them, making it hard to get in your groove. As an upsite, the trails outside of the Whistler Bike Park were pretty empty since most visitors are looking for some downhill riding.
4. Crowds and Congestion
With all the excitement comes one of the biggest drawbacks: the crowds. Whistler during Crankworx is packed, especially around the main events. The village can feel congested (mostly on Friday and Saturday), and getting around can be a challenge, particularly with kids in tow. Expect longer wait times at restaurants, crowded lifts (though usually not more than a 15-minute wait), and less elbow room on the trails. If you’re someone who prefers a quieter, more relaxed experience, the crowds during Crankworx might be overwhelming.
5. Popular Events Fill Up Quickly
With so much happening, the most popular events tend to fill up quickly. If you’re planning to attend a specific competition or activity, it’s essential to arrive early to secure a good spot. When we attended Joyride, we got there about 30 minutes before the competition started and it was PACKED! The announcer said they thought they had around 30,000 spectators there that day.
6. Crowded Lesson Groups
If you’re considering signing up for lessons during Crankworx, be prepared for larger groups. The festival draws in a lot of visitors, and this extends to the lesson programs as well. While the instructors are excellent, the larger group sizes can mean less one-on-one time, which might not be ideal if you’re hoping for more personalized instruction. We found this to be especially true in the kids intermediate classes, though not for more advanced classes.
Final Thoughts on Whistler Crankworx
Visiting Whistler during Crankworx is an experience like no other. The energy, the world-class events, and the sense of community make it a exciting time to be in the village. However, it’s important to weigh these positives against the challenges of crowds, higher costs, and potential disruptions. If you’re a mountain biking enthusiast or love being part of a high-energy event, Crankworx is absolutely worth it. But if you’re seeking a more relaxed and budget-friendly trip, you might want to consider visiting Whistler at a different time of year.
