The wait is over: Crankworx officially kicks off in Whistler today.
As usual, the world’s biggest mountain biking festival will provide spectators with good times and high-flying action rain or shine, but anyone who’s ever spent hours outside in pouring rain or scorching heat knows how much conditions can dampen the mood—literally.
Fortunately, Crankworx organizers are seemingly on Mother Nature’s good side. The next 10 days should serve up ideal conditions for mountain bikers and fans, with the dry conditions the resort (and much of B.C.) has experienced so far this month expected to continue, for the most part, with temperatures hovering around the low-20s.
Environment Canada meteorologists are, however, predicting a few showers to fall in Whistler throughout the week—fingers crossed for just the right amount of rain to turn bike park dust to hero dirt. We can also be grateful Whistler has so far managed to escape being engulfed in heavy smoke this wildfire season (anyone else remember 2018, when spectators and bikers put their lungs on the line?).
To help you plan the next 10 days, we thought we’d break down the forecast by Crankworx event—when to throw a rain jacket in your pack, and when to swap out the clear goggles for tinted lenses.
But as we all know, weather predictions are anything but certain, so stay tuned to your favourite weather site or app (*insert shameless plug for Pique’s new weatherhood page here*) before heading out for the day.
What's the best way to get around Whistler during Crankworx?
Before we dive into the weather, here’s your reminder that Crankworx is one of the busiest weeks in Whistler each year. Even if it’s just to save yourself the hassle of finding a parking spot, consider taking advantage of the additional bus service BC Transit and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) are implementing to accommodate more passengers throughout the rest of the month.
Local routes will see increased service on Sunday, July 23 between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.; Tuesday, July 25 between 6 and 10 p.m.; Thursday, July 27 between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Saturday, July 29 (also known as Joyride Day) between 11 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.
In a release, BC Transit said, “This additional service will help with anticipated large passenger volumes and provide better transportation options for residents and visitors,” but cautioned customers to factor in some additional travel time for their transit trip due to heavier-than-usual traffic on Highway 99.
Whistler Transit’s free summer weekends will also continue through Crankworx, with locals and visitors invited to ride the bus for free on Saturdays and Sundays.
It seems obvious, but biking is also a great way to get around during a mountain biking festival.
For those without a bike, or anyone who’d rather leave their wheels at home (no judgment if that’s only to avoid the struggle of pedalling a downhill rig up Valley Trail hills), a total of 100 electric bikes are available to rent from several pick-up and drop-off zones throughout Whistler. They’re intended for quick trips around town through the Evolve E-Bike Share program. If you’re after a full-day or longer-time e-bike rental instead, we recommend getting in touch with one of the many bike rental shops in Creekside or Whistler Village.
But now, back to the weather.
Friday, July 21
In case you haven’t already noticed, it’s hot out. The temperature in Whistler on Friday afternoon is currently sitting at 28 degrees C as of 2 p.m., but rest assured the days will only get cooler from here on out—at least until the calendar flips to August.
The pros are hopefully beating the heat as they train for the Rockshox Canadian Open DH on the brand-new 1199 Trail in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s Creekside Zone.
Spectators can catch the action from the timing flats above Creekside, (feel free to walk uphill from the base, or catch the free shuttle running between the timing flats and Legends Hotel), or head into Whistler Village to check out the Crankworx expo and demo activations on the Village Stroll and Day Lot 2.
If apres is more your scene, Nita Lake Lodge is hosting a Crankworx Kickoff BBQ at Fix Cafe from 3 to 6 p.m., before the opening-day celebrations continue with a Pinkbike party at Longhorn Saloon from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday, July 22
The second day of Crankworx gets off to a hot start with the Kidsworx Enduro race in the bike park at 9 a.m., as the action continues with more training runs on Creekside’s new downhill trail. Saturday wraps up with Group A riders taking to the 1199 Trail for seeding runs at 4 p.m., before the Whistler BMX club holds a gates training session at the Cheakamus track beginning at 5:30 p.m.
If you’re heading out, don’t skip the SPF: racers and spectators should enjoy clear, mainly sunny skies throughout the day and a high of 25 C.
Sunday, July 23
Blue skies and a high of 26 C will set the scene for a jam-packed Day 3. Events include a Kidsworx Scavenger Hunt at the Westin Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Liv A-Line Women’s Session from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the bike park, all culminating in the Rockshox Canadian Open DH Group A Finals in Creekside at 4 p.m. Racers won’t have to travel far for the official DH after-party, scheduled to take place at Dusty’s from 6 to 9 p.m.
Monday, July 24
Monday blues may not apply during Crankworx, but meteorologists didn’t seem to get that memo. Environment Canada’s forecast currently calls for cloudy skies and a high of just 17 C, with light rain (or a 60 per cent chance showers, more specifically) throughout the day.
A few raindrops are no deterrent for Crankworx events like the Kidsworx B-Line DH Race at 9 a.m., the Whistler Adaptive DH (10:30 to 11:15 a.m.), and Dual Slalom training runs in the Boneyard at the base of Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
Tuesday, July 25
Skies will clear up as Crankworx action continues on Day 5. Red Bull Joyride training officially kicks off in the Boneyard—that will continue throughout the week—alongside the SCOR Air DH event. Whistlerites will grab their lawn chairs and make their way to Olympic Plaza on Tuesday evening for one of the community’s favourite Crankworx events: the Deep Summer Photo Challenge, set to begin at 8:30 p.m. before wrapping up at 10 p.m.
Consider bringing a sweater with you if you’re heading to the village to check out the show. After a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 21 C during the day, forecasters predict the temperature in Whistler will drop to a low of just 12 C Tuesday night.
Wednesday, July 26
Crankworx fans can expect much of the same from Mother Nature on Wednesday. Environment Canada calls for a mix of sun and cloud to continue, with daytime temperatures topping out at 22 C.
Another packed day of Crankworx action includes a Kidsworx Dual Slalom Clinic at 1 p.m., all capped off with Ultimate Pump Track Challenge Pro Finals in the Boneyard from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 27
Joyride might be the Crankworx Crown Jewel, but Day 7 is arguably shaping up to be the most exciting day of the festival, in terms of volume if nothing else. Crankworx’s Thursday schedule includes more than a couple of highlights : the high-flying Official Whip-Off World Championships at Crabapple Hits in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park at 1 p.m., plus Dual Slalom action in the Boneyard all afternoon, before finals at 6 p.m. Another day of sunny/cloudy skies and a high of 22 C should make for a bearable trek to Crabapple Hits, at least.
Thursday evening brings the second cultural event of the festival to Whistler Olympic Plaza when the Dirt Diaries Video Competition begins at 8:30 p.m. But that’s just the warm-up to an evening of mind-blowing mountain biking footage. Thursday’s schedule caps off with the Ride or Die Road Trip premier, presented by SRAM, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday, July 28
Friday is where Environment Canada’s public forecast ends, but have no fear: the Weather Network is here to offer up its best long-range guess. The network’s meteorologists currently predict cloudy, drizzly conditions and a daytime high of 21 C on July 28. Crankworx organizers have another full-day of events in store for mountain bike enthusiasts, highlighted by the Outdoor Research Speed & Style finals in the Boneyard at 5:30 p.m. Following the event, spectators can head back up the Village Stroll to Whistler Olympic Plaza, where Outside & Pinkbike are slated to present the “Nothing’s for Free” World Film Premiere from 8 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 29
The schedule is slightly shorter for the penultimate day of Crankworx Whistler 2023, but there’s a very good reason why: everything centres around the Red Bull Joyride, the mind-blowing slopestyle contest that draws tens of thousands of spectators to Skiers Plaza to watch some of the world’s bravest mountain bikers throw down their best tricks. The finals are scheduled to take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Conditions on Saturday should be perfect for sitting on a patio or beside the course to take in all the action, if the Weather Network is to be believed. Its meteorologists predict a mix of sun and clouds and a high of 21 C on July 29.
Sunday, July 30
All good things have to come to an end. Crankwork will close with its usual grand finale, the lengthy Canadian Open Enduro race from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., during which spectators can catch the pros ripping through multiple stages in the bike park and valley trails in Whistler (Crankworx will announce the course on July 28). With sunny skies and a high of about 23 C, at least those riders won’t need to contend with a heat wave.
However you choose to celebrate this year’s edition of Crankworx, we hope you enjoy it! Stay tuned to Pique’s sports section for up-to-date race recaps, athlete features, event previews and other Crankworx content, and check out the Crankworx Whistler website for its full events schedule.
