Tails from the trail: Day 2 & 3 in Italia

This is a place that i will return to. This town is called Triora and it's tucked way up a remote valley just a few clicks from the French border. Check out that view! It's pretty rare to be in Europe and see no evidence of mankind in any vista. We only just scratched the surface of the riding too. 

 Facebook. Twitter. Whatever. These ladies don't give two cents. Evan Schwartz taking a moment in the sun while daily life in rural Italy rolls along at it's own pace.

Triora is supposed to be one of the last places where witches were burnt in all of Europe. Crazy. I swear we could smell flesh burning when we rolled in.
 

Eating is like religion in Italy. This was lunch: five courses later and a bottle of the local red. Journalist Dave Smith and I ended up napping in the sun for a good hour afterwards. Then we went riding. When's the last time you napped in the sun after a bottle of wine and a big meal? Me too. It was nice.

If you could smell this photo it'd be a combination of sage and jasmine and sea salt and pine. There's something about the air around the Mediterranean that's intoxicating and dreamy.

Stephen Matthews, Evan Schwartz and photographer Dan Barham, deep thoughts. Or maybe not. Chilling on a jump waiting for the evening sun to do it's thing.

Schwartzy straight air into the blue.

Day 1, Exploring San Remo on Italy's Ligurian Coast.

The prospect of exploring a new region on the Italian coast was just too hard to refuse. Springtime in Italy; big mountain shuttles; the Mediterranean; great cuisine; super coffee and epic wine; it's on. I'm here with a tight and solid crew from B.C.: photographer Dan Barham, journalist Dave Smith and riders Stephen Matthews and Evan Schwartz. The goal of our trip is simple, to explore the region with the potential of launching a new downhill trip for Big Mountain Adventures in 2012. Tough job, I know. But someone's got to do it.

  We arrived into Nice, France yesterday to 15 celcius, grey bird weather and a little damp, not what we expected in this part of the world. We were met by Manuel, an Italian guide who assured us that this was a good thing as the trails needed some moisture. We hopped in his van and climbed along the coastline with views of mountains and Meditarranean and a perfect vista of Monaco where real estate costs $40,000 per square meter and where Bono and Elton John come to hang and epic roads are driven by Lamborginis and bought with new Russian rubbles. Just beyond Monaco lies San Remo, the first stop on our journey. 

  Today we logged seven big laps high above San Remo. The driving here is crazy with super narrow roads that wind up and down the mountain side and quick, assertive drivers. Our shutttle driver is the ultimate multi-tasker, his phone would blast Euro-techno as it's ring while he'd proceed to answer with a colourful «pronto», hands flailing in all directions and then talk a million miles a minute while honking around corners with the tunes pumping in the van and even a little TV going on the dash while each mirrow seemed mere centimeters from rock walls at any given time.

 

  The trails are fast and sandy with rocky sections and some super eroded sections too to keep you on your toes. The kind of ruts where you point your front wheel and let off the brakes and aim for the berm at the bottom, if there is one at all. We all stayed on our bikes today which is a good sign for the rest of the trip. The riding here is definitely fun.

 

  We had lunch today at a mountain restaurant who's owner was a former rally car driver and runs a team. These are all rally plaques behind Evan. We all had pesto pasta again, because it's so amazing here. And a few espressos to wash it all down of course. And then hit the trails again for the afternoon.

 

  I like this photo. It sums up our day nicely.

Canada represent. Matthew's and Schwartz' Devinci Wilsons ready for action, high in the clouds.

  For any of you who've driven this coastline you probaly remember the crazy autostrada highway that's tunnel then bridge, consecutively, for over an hour straight. I've driven it a bunch of times, t's been nice to see what lies beyond this highway and meet the locals. Our hosts have been amazing, driving us all day with nothing but big smiles and helping us whenever possible.

BM selected "The 20 Best New Trips."

We're honored that our new Sea to Sky mountain bike trip has been chosen as one of "the 20 Best New Trips of 2011" by Canada's Explore Magazine. "Bike BC's Secret Trails" On the eight day Sea to Sky trip from Big Mountain Bike Adventures, riders will discover awesome singletrack trail along the B.C. coast that only the locals know about. Riding locations include Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver's North Shore. There is also an optional extension in the Chilcotins. July 23-30, 2011."
Thank you Explore Magazine. We were among some truly amazing company in the top 20 - from stand-up paddleboarding down the Nahanni River to remote hiking adventures in the Torngat Mountains and more impressive adventures. For more information on our amazing mountain bike trip in our backyard (we're based in Whistler btw...), CLICK HERE and come join us this summer!

New New Zealand video

A few weeks ago was our amazing New Zealand mountain bike holiday, Silver Fern. What a mountain bike trip! Wondering when we'll have our 2012 dates ready? Soon. Within a few weeks. Here's a little peek of what transpired..sit back, put it on full screen, and enjoy the ride.

Canadian Loonie buys $1.04 USD

Attention Canucks: according to the Bank of Canada one Loonie buys $1.04 USD today. This is the strongest Loonie seen since November 2007.
Hmmmm...let me think for a second...Big Mountain's trips are in USD...that means that with my Loonie im actually getting a discount! Canucks: if there was ever a time to book a mountain bike trip with us, it's today!

Ahhh, the trusty Loonie soars again....

Ancient Stone Forest in latest Bike Magazine.

Peru. Peru. Peru. Is it just me or has there been a lot of play about mountain biking in Peru lately? I've been saying this all along...the place is heaven for mountain biking. The latest Bike Magazine just published a two-pager taken from photographer Chris Christie from our Unforgettable Andes trip. Want to be in the picture? We've got Peru trips coming up next month, in June and September. CLICK HERE for info on our all-mountain trip and CLICK HERE for info on our new DH trips. Viva Peru!

Our group chillin' in the Ancient Stone Forest before a MASSIVE descent.

Mountain biking and barbeque...

Just down the road from Big Mountain Adventure's headquarters in Whistler BC lies a little known mecca for mountain biking with a peculiar name, Squamish. When i say mecca, i mean it is one of the best places to ride in Canada, if not #1. Next time you're on your way to Whistler, don't just drive through but pull over and get your bike off the roof. Turns out they're about to develop a National Mountain Bike Training facility there. Read about it in Canada's Pedal Magazine. Congratulations Squamish!

The lush and inviting Squamish Valley. Riddled with singletrack...

Want to ride Squamish with local guides? Either join us on our Sea to Sky trip July 23-30 this year, or get in touch and we can set you up with a guide to show you around.

"Images burnt into my mind," Derek Frankowski

"One of the best parts of being a photographer is being invited to document fun and interesting things. The idea of traveling to document huge descents and culture, in a place that has thousands of years of history, was an exciting one. In 2005 I was fortunate to go to Peru as a photographer for a Bike Magazine feature....CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY.

Two flavours one can expect in Peru.

Big Mountain Adventures is running some amazing trips in Peru this year....
Inca DH, June 3-12. click here.
Unforgettable Andes all-mountain trips, May 6-15 & Sept 30 - Oct 9. click here.

Etched in my mind.

I've had the pleasure of participating on many epic global adventures on mountain bikes and skis with great people over the years. What a blast. One trip that truly sticks out is mountain biking in Peru. Culture. Crazy fun mountain biking. Real adventure. I'm afraid to go back because my first trip was so freaking amazing.

Price reduced for South Africa & Botswana

Price reduced? Yes! This trip is a trip of a lifetime. Have you dreamed of an African safari? What about on a mountain bike? Groups of four to six per departure, leaving every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month out of Johannesburg. Click here for the details.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

"If this is a once-and-a-lifetime trip, I need more lifetimes."

Looking for an entertaining and refreshing story on a truly adventurous ride? Pick up a copy of the latest Bike Magazine and sit back after a ride with a cold beer of your choice and read away. "Trip of a Lifetime....cheating death in the Chilcotins" by Kristin Butcher, a hilarious and ripping rider who was a blast to hang out with on this trip that we hosted last summer. Enjoy.

New Morocco dates

"We begin this adventure in Marrakech, the stunning 1000 year-old ochre-colored city with a vibrant street life, a funky old Medina and chaos of cultures with a European flavour. Then it’s off to the highest mountain range in North Africa, the Atlas and their rugged, prehistoric, flat-topped peaks laced with dirt roads and trails still used by the nomadic Berbers. For eight days we’ll ride on singletrack, over passes that link small villages, at night we’ll sip mint tea and stare up at the blanket of stars in the desert sky." New 2001 dates: September 23 to October 2. Click here for all the details on this fantastic XC holiday.

A remote Berber town only accessable by trail.

Tunnel vision

That unique feeling when you walk through the door of your house after being away on a great mountain bike holiday. Not just any holiday, but one where you were challenged at times, screamed out loud with elation at times, met interesting people that you'd never otherwise meet and stared out at awe-inspiring vistas. You open that door...and you realize that your perspective has changed; taking an afternoon to cook a great meal for friends is a priority, driving in traffic is really not that big a deal, your love and appreciation for your family is at another level and sitting at a coffee shop and reading the paper on a Sunday afternoon is something that you make time for. I love that about travel.

Rotorua: a little me-time in the forest

Just a few hours ago I was rolling my bike through the lushes greenest most beauty forest in Rotorua New Zealand on trails called Bunny Jugs, The Tickler and Te Ara Puna...chasing friends down these pump-track-esque singletrack descents sprinkled with root hits and berms and jumps. Truly seriously fun. And then i stopped, which one rarely does when riding these types of a-grade trails chasing friends...and I saw this fern lit up like only a fern can be. Hey there little fern. Click. Then i stomped on my pedals and howled to the forest and rode away...

NZ, people along the way...

I find with all trips that when you get home, unpack your bike, clean your clothes, rest up and the dust settles and you have time to reflect...that your best memories always come back to the people whom you met and the people that you got to know. This trip is no exception. Actually, it is exceptional - the people of New Zealand are downright top notch on all fronts. Thank you for the unreal hospitality...we look forward to coming back.

Glen from Napier. Guide extraordinaire. Dude.

Some of our crew, post ride lounging in hot springs on a summer afternoon.

Gary, our host at his farm in rural NZ. He was pumped and made a tasty pavlova.

North Island blisssssssssss....

Seriously fun. In a nutshell, this is New Zealand's North Island. We've all tossed around the words buffed, railing, bermed, rediculous, ripping...when describing trails. I'd have to say that this place is the true home to all of these over-used collections of letters. I'd like to write more but time is of the essence here as we ride day after day on our way north to Auckland and a one-way flight back to wintertime and reality. So, i'm going to keep this short, and as sweet as possible. Today is day nine in a row of pedalling, we're in Rotovegas now, one of the hot spots for NZ mountain biking. Tomorrow....we ride more...I'll be back soon with more news from the trails of this riding mecca.

One of the dreamiest shuttles. Ever. The ride rocked too.

Breakfast on the pier, great way to start the day.

Post ride dip in a refreshing lake.

Minties all around: greeting from windy Welly

Sorry that it’s been a few days since my last post. My plan was to upload a photo or two and some stories daily from the front lines on our Silver Fern trip but we’ve been on the move lately and internet has not been available. What a trip we’re having. Man. You those days where you feel like you’ve packed in two day’s worth of fun and memories? Well, we’ve been packing in what feels like a week’s worth each day here in New Zealand. Seriously. The riding in New Zealand is UNREAL. We’re now in Wellington, the capital, which is located on the southern tip of the North Island. Gone are the big grassy wide-open mountains mountains of the Southern Alps and now we’re riding in dense tropical forest with sweet sounds of songbirds and palm trees and ferns as big as cars. We just wrapped up day two here in Welly and I’d have to say that this place has to be one of the best out-of-the-door riding cities that I’ve ever ridden in. Hat’s off to Wellington, thank you so very much for letting us ride your sweet trails…we’ll be back.

OK, how much fun does this look like?

Hmmmmm Minties....

Scott, about to drop in on Welly...

Photographer Dan Milner in Morocco

"If you look a little further than the quick-fix buzz of our purpose-built trails you’ll find a world littered with new riding experiences. With a little know-how and a taste for riding something other than berms and pump-bumps, you can combine bike and adventure for an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your days. Now more accessible than ever, riding in wild places is easier than you might think. Armed with a bulging Camelbak, Dan Milner sets off to Morocco to see how easily such plans come together."
READ THE FULL STORY ON PINKBIKE.COM.

Alexandra, Clyde and Ohau.

Our great adventure continues in the land of the long cloud...as we move north the landscape morphs. As i write this im gazing out over teal green Lake Ohau and the surrounding peaks. We're near where Lord of the Rings was filmed, you can imagine how unreal this place looks. More to come....

Super fun riding in Alexandra. We didn't want to leave...

Robbie with Lake Ohau in the distance.

Riding Sticky Trees & helicopters in Wanaka

Have you heard of Wanaka before? It's in the south island of New Zealand; an absolutely beautiful town on the shores of a big blue lake surrounded by jagged peaks and grassy rolling hills. The locals are kind and layed way way back and the atmosphere is so cool that you just want to bottle it up and take it home to share with all your friends. Today we rode a killer playground just out of town called Sticky Trees, a web of berms and little jumps a la pump track meets mini-dh zone. Then it was time to get high and we boarded a helicopter to a blustery peak for a very fun 5000-foot descent, NZ's highest heli drop. The ride ended very conveniently at a quaint pub with very tasty beers. What a day.

I found this mushroom in the Sticky Trees.

Mountain biker's nirvana.

Heli + Bikes= Fun.

Queenstown, NZ - a center of the universe

As the plane descended through the clouds and the mountains yesterday to idylic Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand, I was glued to the window taking in the spectacular views. I'd forgotten just how beautiful it is here -everywhere you look it's like a postcard. Queenstown is nearly perfect, set on the shore of a huge lake surrounded by impressive peaks. We built out bikes and went for a short spin just out of town and found a killer little stretch of singletrack and then the group converged on the beach in the evening sunshine for some wine and cheese and beer and a welcome to NZ cheers! Today we're off to Wanaka for a pedal on the Sticky Forest trails and then an afternoon heli drop and 5000-ft descent. It's going to be a great day...!

Bike-build stands at Auckland Airport...how civilized!

Dreamy.

Big!

BIG MOUNTAIN CAMPS LAUNCHED!

We've had our heads down here at Big Mountain for awhile now working diligently on a new project: Big Mountain Camps to be held this summer in our favorite European Alps' playground - Verbier, Switzerland - with none other than the master himself as the architect of the camp, Wade Simmons. Well, we're proud to open up the doors and invite you in to take a look around...CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE NEW SITE. And, we're giving away a spot at Big Mountain Camps, all you have to do is become a "fan" of our Facebook page. CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE SWEEPSTAKES! We hope to see you on a trail sometime soon....

Embracing Diversity: Wade Simmons

"Mountain biking seems to be a living, growing and evolving sport. It is extremely diverse. It’s hard to think of another sport that accommodates as many disciplines, and one that is constantly being shaped by technology and new product..." READ MORE FROM WADE ON PINKBIKE.COM HERE.

A young Wade proudly displaying his hardware.

Want to ride with Wade this summer and have him help you with your riding skills? CLICK HERE!

1% for the Planet partners with Big Mountain

BIG MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP

WITH 1% FOR THE PLANET

VANCOUVER, BC, January 25, 2011, - Big Mountain Adventures has joined 1% for the Planet, pledging a portion of its sales to support non-profit organizations focused on sustainability.

“Big Mountain is a great addition to the network. By signing on to 1%, it shows they’re really walking the walk in their sustainability efforts,” says Terry Kellogg, 1% CEO. “They’re using generosity as a tool with which to build their business and enabling valuable environmental work along the way. We’re excited to welcome them to the 1% family.”

“It feels fantastic to be supporting organizations who are committed to keeping our planet healthy. We visit so many beautiful places and meet special local people who support our trips wherever we go, ” says Big Mountain owner Chris Winter, “giving back is just right. And know that when you book one of our trips you’ll be giving back too.”

Members of 1% contribute one percent of revenue directly to any of the approved non-profit environment organizations in 1%’s network. Non-profits are chosen based on referrals, track record and environmental focus. Over 1,600 non-profits worldwide are included in the 1% program.

About 1% for the Planet

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder and CEO of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of over 1,200 member companies in 38 countries that donate 1% of their sales to environmental organizations worldwide. Each day, more than one new business joins the 1% for the Planet movement. As a network, the 1% community has become a global frontrunner in funding the work of environmental groups around the world. To learn more about 1% go to: www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

About Big Mountain Adventures

Founded in 2002, Big Mountain Bike Adventures Big offers worldclass all-mountain, XC and DH mountain bike trips to 11 countries on five continents. For additional information, visit www.ridebig.com <http://www.ridebig.com/> or call 1.866.894.0220 toll-free in North America / 604.730.2659. Blog: http://ridebig.blogspot.com/ and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/bigmountainbikeadventures

BM guide Ryan Sullivan speaking with a Taramuhara native in Copper Canyon, Mexico.

Vanderham, Shandro, Hunter and a bunch of Moroccan kids filming for The Collective.

 

The Economist: Vancouver, where the livin' is easiest

Vancouver was just voted #1 city to live in on the planet by The Economist. There's no doubt that living in Vancouver is very good. This time of the year: spring has sprung and the cherry blossoms are about to pop across the city, North Shore trails are good to go (as they are year-round), restaurants are worldclass, the locals are chilled but still spicy and the nearby mountains are choking on dry powder. It's good here. Read the article here.

Who dosen't like a good cherry blossom?

BTW, we're running a stellar all-mountain trip this summer out of Vancouver, Sea to Sky from July 23-30. Come check out this region for yourself!

MBUK mag: Inca DH trip, "the ultimate MTB holiday?"

Mountain Biking UK has published a sweet piece on our Inca DH trip in Peru, one of the only big bike specific guided trips in South America. "The huge Andes mountain range divides the country into three areas of coast, highland and jungle, which make it a veritable Crystal Maze of a freeriding experience," says MBUK. Click here to find out more about Inca DH holiday.

Culture, big mountains, ripping trails - Peru has it all!

A Cow's Demise: riding the Alps with Joe

“Ding, ding, ding”, the omnipresent sound of cowbells waft through the Swiss air. If there is one thing I relate directly to my travels in Switzerland, it is the sound of these large bells, attached to even larger bovines. Seriously, these cows make our North American hormone-infused versions look pretty puny...
Read more about Joe Schwartz' Alpen exploits on NSMB.com.

Big Mountain's shuttle rig in Switzerland.

 

 

Want to ride with Joe Schwartz in the Alps this summer? He's working out his schedule now but stay tuned... In the meantime, check out out our Alpenrock DH trips and all-mountain Cloudraker trips.

Joe Schwartz: Perspectives on Adventure

Anyone who's ridden with mountain biker Joe Schwartz can appreciate quality. As a guide, he's in a class of his own melding his heli-ski guiding background, language skills, travel experience and safety skills into a seamless day or a seamless week. As a coach, he's calm and collective and rich with all the things to do on a bike. Oh, you wouldn't know it if you met him, but he competed in several Red Bull Rampage events and was a force in the pro freeride scene not long ago. Now you can enjoy all things Joe Schwartz, from skiing exploits to mountain bike trips with Big Mountain, on his newly launched blog "Perspectives on Adventure."

He has been known to ride with a briefcase. It's true.

don't be mistaken, Joe Schwartz is not a doctor.

Our most beautiful planet.

This inspiring short captures the awesome diversity and awe-inspiring beauty of planet earth. We must not give up on doing our best to keep our home liveable.

It's summer somewhere.

The Big Mountain Adventures' office is abuzz these days. This week Lorraine Blancher will be packing up her bike in snowy Revelstoke BC and unpacking it in sunny tropical San Jose. On Friday her and local guide and trail builder Paulo Valle will be picking up the group for our first Pura Vida DH trips. Hmmmm, downhill mountain biking in Costa Rica. Meanwhile owner Chris Winter is getting prepped for New Zealand and the highly anticipated Silver Fern all-mountain trip which debuts on March 1. "I'm so excited for this trip because it explores a big chunk of NZ. And the country is do diverse and beautiful, like a postcard view around every turn - I can't wait." says Winter.
Here's a clip from our friends at Anthill Productions of a recent NZ trip:

Follow Me - Behind the Scenes New Zealand from Anthill Films on Vimeo.

Dear Pedro

Our friends at NSMB.com revived a funny story from the Dear Wade Costa Rica contest that we did in 2009 on our Costa Rica DH trips. Check it out here.

Mid-descent, mid-afternoon with the San Jose valley in the distance.

Want to go to Costa Rica soon! Feb 18 and Feb 26 departures...a few spots left! Get in touch!

Lance Armstrong does drugs...he rides bikes for a living!

Thanks to our friends at Chromag Bikes for this groundbreaking piece.

Good thoughts.

"I thought of that while riding my bike"
Albert Einstein.

Are you like me, do you find that you have some of your best thoughts while on your bike? Those, clear "a ha" thoughts that you almost wish that you could stop and carve into a tree so that you don't forget it? We're canvasing our Facebook Fans to find out what some of their best thoughts are while riding; why don't you become a Fan and share your best thought? Or at least head over to our FB page and take a read, it should be entertaining. Click here.

Happy thoughts!

Stoked!

The backyard: ride Vancouver, Whistler and beyond this summer.

"Sea to Sky," an 8-day all-mountain trip out of Vancouver that uncovers the barely-known riding gems beyond the world-renowned Whistler Bike Park. This trip explores Whistler’s secret trails, the cult riding town of Squamish and it’s endless web of singletrack, the eclectic and arid Pemberton Valley, the Sunshine Coast via ferry and influential North Shore of Vancouver. We’ve also got an optional sea plane extension in the Chilcotins. The community of mountain bikers in this area is like nowhere else – trail builders, event organizers, industry leaders - passionate mountain bikers. You've been to Whistler, now come back and let us show you around...

A Whistler post-ride staple: chillin' at the lake.