Whistler Alpine
50°06′ N 123°01′ WWhistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA)By busSeasonal
Whistler's alpine trails on Mount Sproatt suit fit riders and hikers who want a long climb to open alpine terrain and a moderate descent home, from June to October only. The RMOW closes the network from November to May, and e-bikes and dogs stay below the Flank Trail all year.
Photo iwona_kellie · Flickr · CC BY 2.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Field card · Trail network · No. 007 · checked 16 Oct 2026
The alpine network closes from November to May.
See who looks after which ground
- Resort Municipality of Whistler
Runs the Alpine Trail Network on Mount Sproatt and the Rainbow Mountain trails, and has staffed an Alpine Trail Ranger Program seven days a week through every summer since 2017.
- Recreation Sites and Trails BC
Issued the Section 57 trail approvals that WORCA says bar e-bikes and dogs above the Flank Trail, and partners in the RMOW's alpine ranger program.
Is it for you?
The Sproatt alpine gives strong summer riders a long climb to open terrain above Whistler and a moderate descent home.
You’ll love Whistler Alpine if
- You have a full summer day and the legs for a long climb.
- You want alpine views from a non-assisted bike.
Think twice if
- You're visiting from November to May, when the network is closed.
- You ride an e-bike or bring a dog, since neither may go above the Flank Trail.
Plan how you reach the trailhead
The RMOW's Sproatt trail map marks the Sproatt Alpine trailhead above Function Junction and notes that it may have restricted access. The Rainbow trails start at the Alta Lake Road trailhead, which has a small parking area and a pit toilet. For the Skywalk Trail the RMOW suggests parking at Meadow Park off Camino Drive, since Mountain View Drive and Valley Drive have no parking. The Sproatt Ranger Cabin at the top of Into the Mystic works as a shelter while rangers are on duty during the day.
Ride and walk the way locals expect
- Cyclists travelling uphill have the right of way, and the climbing rider decides whether to stop and let you pass.
- Ride Lord of the Squirrels and LESS downhill, since the RMOW layer records both as descents.
- Leave no cairns or markers in the alpine, because WORCA says they concentrate traffic and scar the ground.
- Respect every sign in the 21 Mile Creek water supply area, where bikes and pets aren't allowed.
Ride the trails on Whistler Alpine
The Resort Municipality of Whistler runs the Alpine Trail Network on Mount Sproatt, where the trails are built mainly for mountain biking and also see hikers and trail runners. Into the Mystic is the main ascent, and the RMOW tells riders to allow at least two to three hours to reach the top and another two to three to come down. An emergency cabin stands at the junction of With a Twist and On the Rocks. The Sproatt Ranger Cabin at the top of Into the Mystic doubles as a shelter while rangers are on duty, and BC Parks and the BC Mountaineering Club helped build it.
From the top, On the Rocks heads west through the alpine toward Happy Hour and Last Call, and Lord of the Squirrels with Chipmunk Rebellion brings you back down to the Flank Trail. LESS gives a lower option between Into the Mystic and the Lord of the Squirrels descent. The RMOW's layer rates Into the Mystic a Moderate ascent and Lord of the Squirrels and LESS Moderate descents. WORCA maintains only those two descents inside the network.
Rainbow Mountain's trails next door are for hiking and trail running only. The Rainbow Falls Loop starts at the Alta Lake Road trailhead, and the Rainbow Lake Trail climbs into the 21 Mile Creek watershed that supplies Whistler's water, where bikes and dogs are banned and nobody swims in the lake. The Skywalk Trail is hiking only too. The RMOW warns that these routes enter grizzly bear territory as well as black bear and cougar country.
WORCA says the provincial Section 57 approvals for the network bar e-bikes and dogs above the Flank Trail, and an RMOW administrative report of July 2019 backed the ban with grizzly bear management among its reasons. Rangers have patrolled the alpine seven days a week every summer since 2017, with Recreation Sites and Trails BC and Whistler Search and Rescue among their partners.
Worth knowing
- Pack lights, food, water and spare tubes, since the RMOW warns that a mechanical or a slow walk down can keep you out late.
- Check Avalanche Canada and AdventureSmart before any trip outside the summer season, as the RMOW advises.
- Carry bear spray and make noise in the alpine, which the RMOW calls grizzly bear territory.
Quick answers about Whistler Alpine
When is the Whistler alpine trail network open?
The RMOW closes the Alpine Trail Network on Mount Sproatt to hiking and biking from November to May, so the riding season runs from June to October.
Can you ride an e-bike on Lord of the Squirrels?
No. The RMOW bars e-bikes from every Mount Sproatt and Rainbow Mountain alpine trail above the Flank Trail, including Lord of the Squirrels and Into the Mystic.
Can you take a dog on the Sproatt alpine trails?
No. The RMOW keeps dogs below the Flank Trail on Mount Sproatt and bars them from the Rainbow Mountain trails and the Skywalk Trail.
How long does it take to ride Into the Mystic?
The RMOW says to allow at least two to three hours to reach the top of Into the Mystic on Mount Sproatt and another two to three hours to descend, with more time for the optional alpine trails.
Who manages Whistler Alpine?
Resort Municipality of Whistler, Recreation Sites and Trails BC manage the ground on Whistler Alpine. Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) builds and maintains the trails with them.
Can you get to Whistler Alpine by bus?
Yes. The 20 and the 21 stop at Function Jct: Alpha Lk Rd Turnaround.
Is there a shuttle up Whistler Alpine?
No. Whistler Alpine has no shuttle or lift, so you pedal or push up. Riders climb Into the Mystic, which the RMOW names as the primary ascending trail on Mount Sproatt.
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