MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMPS IN BANFF AND CANMORE
Sign up to the mailing list HERE to receive all our program information details.
BicyKids mountain bike camps are built on FUN. We incorporate all the fundamental skills of riding mountain bikes on trails, but Olympians your kids are not, upon completion of our camps.
Our certified, passionate instructors promote encouragement and share the stoke in a safe, supervised and positive environment. Our sessions consist of skills, games, some miles, snacks and most importantly the FUN-damentals. All kids participating in our Bicykids camps must already know how to ride a mountain bike and are familiar with riding on unpaved trails.
Bicykids Mountain Bike Camps currently take place in various locations in Canmore and Banff, AB. Kids typically experience mountain biking in Banff on various Banff mountain bike trails while also exploring some of the best mountain bike trails in Canmore. Each program typically offers two sessions in Banff and two sessions in Canmore. We offer BicyKids camps to kids aged 4-14 divided into groups based on suggested age and skill levels.
Click below for skill levels and equipment requirements for each group. Not sure about what group your ripper should join? Your kiddo not quite ready for camp? Contact us directly.
Click here for Bicykids Camp Safety and Cancellation Policies.
BICYKIDS CAMPS ON HOLD
We have been running these camps for 5, count em, 5 WHOLE YEARS! Who knew how popular these camps would become? We have decided to take a little break from our Kids program for the rest of 2024 and hit the reset button. Please keep your eyes peeled for updates via the newsletter for what the future holds. Private sessions will still be offered at this time – contact us directly to book.
STRIDER OR TRAINERS TO PEDAL BIKE
Do you have a little ripper that hasn’t quite managed to get a handle on pedalling two wheels on their own? Were they rocking’ the “coast” on a strider and now you can’t seem to get the training wheels off? You are not alone and we can help! Our passionate instructors have all the tips and tricks to get your little ripper stoked on bikes in order for them to join us (and have ALL the fun) at Bicykids camp. Contact us directly to book a one on one private session.
COASTBUSTERS – AGES 4 TO 5
PREREQUISITES AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
Coastbusters have recently graduated from their Strider bikes and know how to ride a bike. They really enjoy riding their bike but may or may not have ridden on any specific mountain bike trails, they can ride in a straight line, (or almost) have the fundamental skills to start, stop, steer and pedal independently. Coastbusters will continue to practice and improve their steering skills, body position, bike control, exploration skills, bike and forest safety and trail etiquette (in between game time, snack time and FUN, of course!)
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- 14” or 16" wheels on a freshly tuned bike!
- Hand Brakes mandatory (coaster brakes, not permitted!)
- Gears are recommended but not mandatory
- Full fingered gloves
- Raincoat
- CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved, adjustable helmet - this is mandatory. Helmets will be inspected on the 1st day of camp and if they do not fit your child’s head properly, you will be required to replace it with one that does.
- Small backpack with water bottle or hydration pack + packable, high carb, nut free snacks
- A good attitude
WHERE WE RIDE:
Tunnel Mountain Trail System, Spray River Trail, Marsh Loop, Sundance Trail, Fenland Loop and Bankhead trails in Banff. Quarry Lake Trails and Millennium Park Trails in Canmore.
COASTBUSTERS PRO – AGES 5 TO 6
PREREQUISITES AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
A new addition this year, Coastbusters PRO is for Coastbusters who have already completed a mountain bike kids camp or skills session before. They may not be hitting the double blacks but they are ready to go pro line on some easy greens. They've heard "flat feet, bum out of your seat" and know what it means. They really enjoy riding their bike, they can ride in a straight line, and have the fundamental skills to start, stop, steer and pedal independently. Coastbusters PRO will also continue to practice and improve their body position, bike control, exploration skills, bike and forest safety and trail etiquette (in between game time, snack time and FUN, of course!)
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- 16” or 20’ wheels on a freshly tuned bike!
- Hand Brakes are mandatory (no coaster brakes permitted!)
- Gears are recommended but not mandatory
- Full fingered gloves
- Raincoat
- CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved, adjustable Helmet - this is mandatory. Helmets will be inspected on the 1st day of camp and if they do not fit your child’s head properly, you will be required to replace it with one that does.
- Small backpack with water bottle or hydration pack + packable, high carb, nut free snacks
- A good attitude
WHERE WE RIDE:
Tunnel Mountain Trail System, Spray River Trail, Marsh Loop, Sundance Trail, Fenland Loop and Bankhead trails in Banff. Quarry Lake Trails and Millennium Park Trails in Canmore.
LOOK MA…NO BRAKES! – AGES 6 TO 8
PREREQUISITES AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
Can currently ride approximately 5kms on green (easy) trails. Has ridden in a group, knows how to mount & dismount, has some trail etiquette. Has the ability to brake and shift gears (or at least knows where they are). Climbing is ok but could use some motivation. Descending is the best, falling happens but it’s not the end of the world. Is comfortable riding over rocks and roots and some more technical terrain. Will come home with such skills as how to hike a bike, direction control, speed control, will be able to ride some obstacles and will have some really great trail etiquette.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- 20’ - 24' wheels on a freshly tuned bike!
- Hand Brakes
- Gears - Push levers recommended but not mandatory
- Full fingered gloves
- Raincoat
- CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved Helmet - this is mandatory. Helmets will be inspected on the 1st day of camp and if they do not fit your child’s head properly, you will be required to replace it with one that does.
- Small backpack with water bottle or hydration pack + packable, high carb, nut free snacks
- A good attitude
WHERE WE RIDE:
Tunnel Mountain Trail System, Spray River Trail, Marsh Loop, Sundance Trail, Fenland Loop and Bankhead trails in Banff. Quarry Lake Trails, Millennium Park Trails and horseshoe trails in Canmore.
WHEELIE AWESOMER’S – AGES 8 TO 10
PREREQUISITES AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
Can currently ride for approximately 10km on green and maybe some blue trails. May have ridden over rocks and roots. Feels confident changing gears, using brakes gradually and consistently and standing up on the pedals for any length of time. Can climb and descend under control. Wheelie Awesomer's continue to develop fundamental skills along with introducing ratcheting, obstacles, higher speed cornering, front wheel lifts and roll downs and small jumps and drops depending on skill level. Basic Bike Maintenance will be covered in these sessions.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- 24” - 26” wheels - on a freshly tuned bike!
- Gears - Push levers
- Hand Brakes
- Front suspension recommended but in no way required
- Full fingered gloves
- Raincoat
- CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved Helmet - this is mandatory. Helmets will be inspected on 1st day of camp and if they do not fit properly, you will need to replace it with one that does
- Small backpack with water bottle or hydration pack + packable, high carb, nut free snacks
- A good attitude
WHERE WE RIDE
Tunnel Mountain Trail System, Spray River Trail, Marsh Loop, Sundance Trail, Fenland Loop and Bankhead trails in Banff. Quarry Lake Trails, Millennium Park Trails, Midline and Lokis trail in Canmore.
FREEWHEELER’S - AGES 10 TO 12
PREREQUISITES AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
Free Wheelers must have been previously exposed to roots, rocks and trail features. FWer’s have good balance on their bikes and feel comfortable riding steeper terrain in control. Roll downs and TTF (technical trail features) front and rear wheel lifts, bunny hops and wheelies are on their list of things to dial in. FW'ers can ride all of the blue rated trails and have attempted some black rated trails.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- 26”-27.5" wheels on a freshly tuned bike!
- Gears
- Hand Brakes
- Front suspension and rear suspension recommended but in no way required
- Full fingered gloves
- Raincoat
- Small backpack with water bottle or hydration pack + packable, high carb, nut free snacks
- CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved Helmet - this is mandatory. Helmets will be inspected on 1st day of camp and if they do not fit properly, you will need to replace it with one that does.
- A good attitude
WHERE WE RIDE:
Tunnel Mountain Trail System, Spray River Trail, Marsh Loop, Sundance Trail, Fenland Loop and Bankhead trails in Banff. Quarry Lake Trails, Millennium Park Trails, Midline, Lokis and Horseshoe trails in Canmore.
GURLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN - AGES 10 TO 14
PREREQUISITES AND WHAT TO EXPECT:
May have previously taken a mountain bike skills session. These sessions are focused on skills, miles and smiles. There will be ZERO pressure to ride terrain that is anything out of your comfort zone. You have good balance on your bike and feel comfortable riding steeper terrain in control. Roll downs and TTF (technical trail features) front and rear wheel lifts, bunny hops and wheelies are on the list of things attempt. The name of the game is "hanging with the girls" in the hopes they retain that awesome connection for LIFE.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
- 24”-27.5" wheels on a freshly tuned bike!
- Gears
- Hand Brakes
- Front suspension and rear suspension recommended but in no way required
- Full fingered gloves
- Raincoat
- Small backpack with water bottle or hydration pack + packable, high carb, nut free snacks
- CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) approved Helmet - this is mandatory. Helmets will be inspected on 1st day of camp and if they do not fit properly, you will need to replace it with one that does.
- A good attitude
WHERE WE RIDE:
Tunnel Mountain Trail System, Spray River Trail, Marsh Loop, Sundance Trail, Fenland Loop and Bankhead trails in Banff. Quarry Lake Trails, Millennium Park Trails, Midline, Lokis and Horseshoe trails in Canmore.
KIDS PRIVATE SESSIONS
Looking for a specific set of skills or some focused attention to improve riding confidence? We can build a custom session on how to improve aspects of riding like climbing, descending, technical terrain, jumps, drops and cornering to suit your little ripper's needs from beginner to advanced. We also specialize in smooth transitions from strider or training wheels to a rider (pedal bike).
PRIVATE SESSIONS: $100.00/hour for up to 4 riders.
Contact us directly to book or for more information.
