After five months of riding the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is
preparing to shut down for the season, but once again is planning to go out in
style with the fifth annual Harvest Huckfest.
Huckfest runs from Oct. 5 to 7, and features three events that
are open to the public and a movie premiere. The bike park will close on
Monday, Oct. 8.
The first event on the schedule is the Air Dome Jump Jam, which
will take place in the Air Dome at Base II on Friday, Oct. 5.
The Air Dome features a huge foam pit, as well as a variety of
other optional stunts, and participants will get as many chances to impress the
judges as they can fit into the two hour jam session qualifier, from 5 p.m. to
7 p.m. The finals will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with qualified rider getting a
set amount of time to ride for the judges. There are no age categories, but
there are pro, sport and amateur divisions. The entry fee is $25, and you can
pre-register at Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations in person or by calling
1-800-766-0449.
The next event on the schedule is the Team Air Downhill, taking
place on A-Line on Saturday afternoon. You must be a member of a team of four
to take part, and each team is required to have at least one female rider.
There will be a check-in from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the
base of the Bike Park, and the course will be open for training from 10 a.m. to
11 a.m. The race gets underway at noon. The winning team is the one with the lowest
combined time.
The cost is $25 per rider. Foreign riders will also need to
produce proof of travel insurance to be able to register.
Last but not least is the Huckfest Slopestyle, an amateur
freeride event in the Boneyard at the base of Whistler Mountain.
All events are expected to sell out, but if past years are any
indication this event will likely fill up first so pre-registration is strongly
recommended at Guest Relations. Again, the cost to enter is $25.
The Air Dome will also host the premiere of Smackdown by Nelson B.C.-based Freeride Entertainment. There are two shows on Saturday, an all-ages presentation at 5:30 p.m. and a licensed event at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, and are available in advance at Guest Relations.
