Mountain Bike Safety & Information

The information contained in the Safety and Risk Awareness section is intended to inform you of the risks, dangers and hazards that you may encounter at WinSport’s facilities and help you to stay safe while enjoying these activities. Whether you are a participant in these activities, a parent or guardian of a minor participant, or a spectator/visitor, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Safety and Risk Awareness information on this website.

Mountain Biking Safety and Risk Information

Progression in mountain bike terrain is a journey that requires patience, experience, and continuous skill development. Riders should focus on building a solid foundation before attempting to ride more difficult trails.

Gromville

• Short-loop, technical Green trails.
• Beginner area for fundamental skill development (I can maintain my balance and use my brakes to slow down).
• Open to the public.

Mountain Bike Skills Centre

• Progression-based network with 11 trails, 3 drops.
• Technical and Freeride features to build confidence through repetition.

East Trees

• Intermediate technical skill trails, that offer easier to more difficult trail features. Riders will experience narrower trails with sections of exposed roots and rocks.

West Trees

• More Difficult to Very Difficult technical and freeride trails (medium and large jumps and drops with progression of technical and freeride trails).

Green icon

• Focus on fundamental skills and build a strong foundation.
• Start with Green trails to gain experience and develop control.
• Learn biking handling, body positioning, cornering, climbing and descending techniques.

Green and Blue icons

• Progress to intermediate trails for minor skill growth.
• Incorporate trail features such as jumps, drops, rollers and berms.
• Improve line selection, speed management, pumping and jumping skills.
• Refine body positioning for technical features and improve flow on the trail.

Blue and Black icons

• Advanced terrain should only be used by experienced riders as it offers greater challenges and requires enhanced skills.
• Superior control, technique, and judgement are necessary for higher speeds, highly technical features, and medium and large jumps.

Remember to look for the visual aid, on the right side at the start of each trail, which illustrates the
three key categories for riders of all ages and skill levels: Pre-Ride, Re-Ride and Free-Ride. Embracing
these classifications will elevate your mountain biking experience.

Progress slowly! Trails change daily—Pre-Ride and Re-Ride steps before every trail during every visit.

Freeride Trails

Freeride trails are machine-cut and feature an array of man-made features such as berms, jumps and rollers. Jumping skills are required. These trails are noted on signage with an orange oval.

Downhill Lift Access Trails

Easiest

• Smooth, wide surfaces and gentle corners and rolling terrain such as Muscle Hamster.

More Difficult

• Smooth surfaces on steeper terrain with larger corners and rollers as well as small jumps.
• Raised features such as bridges requiring higher speeds and jumping skills.
• Suited for riders who have mastered Easiest freeride trails based on their developed skills.

Most Difficult

• Mix of smooth and rough riding surfaces on steep and fast grades.
• Larger man-made features such as significant jumps.
• Advanced jumping skills required.
• Suited for riders who have mastered More Difficult freeride trails.

Technical Trails

Technical trails are designed to embrace the rugged contours and natural terrain by incorporating the existing landscape of the WinSport Bike Park. These trails are noted on signage without an orange oval.

Learner

• Gromville trail network.
  • Short-loop, technical Green trails.
  • Low-angle trails for public use.

Downhill Lift Access Trails

Easiest

• Rough, single-track trails with small rocks and tree roots.
• Suited for riders who are comfortable on Easiest freeride trails.

More Difficult

• Rough terrain with tight corners and steep slopes.
• Larger natural obstacles such as rocks and tree roots.
• Suited for riders who have mastered Easiest technical trails.

Most Difficult

• Steep grades with large technical features such as rocks, roots, and drops.
• Technical handling with trees and uneven terrain.
• Suited for riders who have mastered More Difficult technical trails.

Gear Guide

Help protect your body against various elements and potential injuries by wearing specialized protective equipment specifically intended for downhill mountain biking. Serious injury including paralysis or death can result from both high and low-energy impacts, even when a helmet or other protective equipment is worn.

Wearing a properly fitted, approved bicycle helmet is mandatory for all riders, regardless of skill level. Riders are strongly recommended to wear additional protective gear when mountain biking.

For advice on choosing the correct mountain biking gear (helmets, protective wear, bikes and accessories) visit your local mountain bike store.

Helmet (mandatory) - Every rider in the WinSport Bike Park must wear a properly fitted, approved bicycle helmet. We strongly recommend using a full-face helmet, especially for intermediate and advanced riders, as it provides a broader range of protection for your head. 

Closed-toe Shoes (mandatory) - Shoes with a durable toe box help protect against foot injuries from pedals, rocks, roots, and crashes.

Eye Protection (recommended) - Protect your eyes from dirt, branches, and other objects you may encounter on the trail during a fall. Wear suitable eye protection such as goggles or sunglasses to maintain clear vision and provide protection against potential hazards.

Body Armour (recommended) - This specialized gear includes hard-shell pads to cover your chest, ribs, spine, torso, shoulders, and arms.

Elbow Pads (recommended) - Protect one of the most vulnerable parts of your arm by wearing hard-shell elbow pads. These pads provide protection in the event of a fall or collision.

Gloves (recommended) - Improve bike control and shield your hands from blisters, abrasions and weather by wearing full-finger gloves. These will provide a better grip and help deliver a better riding experience.

Knee Pads or Shin Guards (recommended) - Protect your knees or shins from impacts by wearing hard-shell knee pads or shin guards.

Long Sleeves and Pants (recommended) - Choose long-sleeve shirts and pants to add a barrier between your skin and outdoor surfaces.

Please follow these guidelines to select a bike that is appropriate for both you and the terrain.

• Bike condition: Ensure your mountain bike is in good working condition, complete with operational brakes and suitable tires.
• Fit for the terrain: Chose a bike specifically for your intended terrain while considering suspension, frame geometry and tire tread.
• Tire size: Bikes with tire sizes between 18” and 29” are compatible with the chairlift.
• Brake requirements: All bikes must have one working brake per wheel.
• Suspension considerations: Opt for a full suspension bike for a smooth ride of chairlift-accessible trails.

Additional Bike Considerations and Limitations

• Adaptive mountain bikes: Not permitted on the chairlift but allowed on the designated up track.
• Fat bikes: Not permitted on the chairlift but allowed on the designated up track.
• E-bikes: Permitted on all trails and the chairlift if safely fit in the carrier.
• BMX bikes: Not permitted on trails.
• Road/gravel/CX drop bar bikes: Not permitted on trails.
• Unicycles: Not permitted on trails.

For advice on choosing the correct mountain bike, visit your local mountain bike
store.

Uphill Riding

• Riding uphill is only permitted on the designated up track.
• The hill road is not maintained on available for accessing trail.

Familiarize yourself with the trail features throughout the WinSport Bike Park.

Berm

A raised bank positioned on the outer edge of a corner, enabling riders to maintain speed without losing traction.

Drop

A sudden vertical descent along a trail, often found at the conclusion of a log, rock or steep slope which can be naturally occurring or man-made.

Ramp

The inclined takeoff or landing of a jump or other feature.

Ride-around

An alternative and more introductory route which typically avoids a technical obstacle.

Rollers

A series of small bumps which can either be rolled over or jumped across.

Slopestyle

A type of riding characterized by man-made features including jumps, wall rides, gaps and berms.

Step-down

A jump where the landing is lower than the takeoff.

Step-up

A jump designed with a landing positioned higher than its takeoff.

Tabletop

A jump featuring evenly spaced ramps on both sides and a flat, table-like deck in the centre.

Although you cannot predict accidents, being prepared is essential. In case of emergency at the WinSport Bike Park:

• Call Patrol at 403-247-5454 to provide your location for first aid assistance.
• Call 911 in the event of a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call WinSport Dispatch at 403-247-5454 to provide first aid and help Emergency Medical Services (EMS) locate the injured guests.
• If safe, move to the side of the trail to clear the way for others, or have a fellow rider close the trail until Patrol arrives.
• Seek out to a WinSport Team Member if there is an injury or medical incident, safety concern or hazard, missing child or guest acting in an unsafe manner.

Your safety is our priority, and we are here to help in any situation.

General

Access to lifts requires a summer season pass or day ticket (available later this summer). Lifts provide access to the downhill trail network. 

Smoking and consuming drugs or alcohol in the Bike Park is prohibited.

Please connect with our team members if there is: 

• An injury or incident within the park.
• A missing child.
• A safety concern or hazard.
• A guest misbehaving on the hill.

Weather

Weather has a significant impact on our trails and can cause daily or temporary closures. These include: 

• Significant rain could cause closure of the trail system or individual trails at any time.
• Storm warnings which could cause closure of the lifts. Depending on the storm, the trails may remain open and users are encouraged to use the Needatowie up track.
• In the case or more severe weather, guests will be informed by announcements over the speaker system. Guests must move indoors when informed by WinSport Team Members. No riding is permitted.

Guest Bike Security

WinSport is not responsible for the loss of personal equipment. The theft of bikes is on the rise; please lock your bike when not in use. Please bring a lock to use while at WinSport. Bikes left unlocked are left at the owner’s risk.