Athlete FAQs

Click HERE to download the detailed schedule / descriptions and event formats.

HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO ENTER?
Minimum age is 13, calculated as of the race day.

CAN U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL CITIZENS RACE?
There are no restrictions.

DO I NEED A LICENSE?
None of the races or competitions are sanctioned and therefore UCI licenses are not required. Likewise, competitors will not be covered by their UCI insurance (if applicable) during training and competition.  It is strongly recommended that all out of province competitors have emergency medical / health insurance.  

DO I HAVE TO BE A PRO?
Both pro and amateur categories are offered for all competitions (except Best Trick / Slopestyle and Ultimate Pumptrack Challenge). Athletes can select to register either as an Amateur (Junior, Senior or Master as applicable) or a Pro (no age classes).

WHEN CAN I REGISTER?
Advance registration will be available online starting in June.

IS THERE ONSITE REGISTRATION?
Space permitting, onsite registration will be available. No day-of registration will be offered, only check-in for pre-registered competitors. Advance registration is strongly recommended as we anticipate that most events will sell out. Advance registration available online until 12pm PST, August 5.

Monster Energy Slopestyleand VW Trick Showdown are invitational events – no open registration

WHERE IS THE ATHLETE CENTRE LOCATED?
Athlete Centre will be located on the lower level of the Aava Hotel (next to the Whistler Golf Club Driving Range / across from the Whistler Conference Centre http://www.whistler.com/aava).  Athlete Centre will open on August 6 from 12-5pm, and then for the balance of the Festival from 9am-3pm.

DO I NEED A LIFT TICKET?
Lift tickets are required to access the start of the Air DH, Garbanzo DH, Canadian Open DH and Canadian Open Enduro courses. The Dual Slalom and Giant Slalom courses are located at the base of the mountain. Shuttles will be available on competition days. Discounted lift tickets for official training days and race days will be available at the Athlete Centre. Tickets must be purchased at time of race registration when you collect your race plate.

DO RIDERS GET LIFT LINE PRIORITY?
Racers in the Monster Energy Garbanzo DH, Air DH and Canadian Open will have lift line priority on the Fitzsimmons Chair on race day from 10am to 5pm daily. Entrance next to the Singles Line. Race plates displaying event must be attached to bike.

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT TIME I'LL BE RACING ?
Check the individual event pages for the schedule. Start Order will be as follows for all competitions: Junior Women, Amateur Women, Boys 13-15, Master Men 30+, Amateur Men 19-29, Junior Men 16-18, 4 Wheels (where applicable), Pro Women, Pro Men. Start Lists (indicating more precise start times) will be posted at the Athlete Centre on the morning of race day.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A FULL FACE HELMET?
With the exception of the Dual Slalom and Ultimate Pumptrack Challenge, full face helmets must be worn for all events (during both official training and during the race).

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES ?
There's $130,000 - with $80,000 cash for the pro categories and $50,000+ in prizes for the amateur categories (including prizing from Camelbak, Go Pro, Kokanee, Kona, Maxxis, Nintendo, Race Face, Oakley, Shimano, Sombrio, SRAM, and Yakima.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER DISCOUNTS FOR RIDERS ?
Pacific Coach provides shuttle services from Whistler to the Vancouver Airport / downtown Vancouver and offers special preferred rates for Festival VIPs, sponsors, athletes, .. (preferred rate is $40.00 + GST one way. Bike charges would be an additional charge of $10.50 for the regular sized boxes and $25.00 for the oversized boxes.) Please visit http://www.pacificcoach.com/whistler for schedule information. For reservations, either call the reservation centre 1-800-661-1725 or complete the online reservation form - quote identifier code "CRANKWORX" for the preferred rate.

ARE THERE PHYSIO / MASSAGE SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR THE ATHLETES ?
Registered Massage Therapists from Peak Performance will be providing complimentary taping, massage therapy and physiotherapy services on competition days - in a tent at the back of the deck of GLC (overlooking Skier's Plaza) during the following times. Sign up sheet (services available on a first come first serve basis) will be posted at the tent.
Times to be confirmed.

Peak Performance will also offer Local's Rate discounts to the Festival's athletes. Offices are located on the Village Stroll, next to Rocks&Gems in the breezeway behind Starbucks. Call 604.932.7555 for appointments.www.peakperformancephysio.com

Other questions? Send a message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it



athlete faq