Coast Gravity Park is what big-air and flow-seeking mountain bikers dream of. Located 10 kilometres from Sechelt, this bike park is a dirt playground that's built for riders, by riders.
You'll find everything from berm-laden speed lines to cruise-y technical trails to pro-level big jumps. The park's casual, grassroots vibe is a welcome change from busy resort towns. Instead, a dirt parking lot is where you gather for post-ride tailgate cheers and high fives. And in place of a lift, you'll be shuttled up the mountain on a truck big enough to tow you, your friends and all your bikes.
Ready to ride? Read on for everything you need to know about mountain biking at Coast Gravity Park.
Trails at Coast Gravity Park
Coast Gravity Park is home to 17 (and growing) downhill trails. Fast and flowy, they cut through pristine, low-elevation forest over 160-acres and 4,448 metres of elevation.
New to riding park? Don't worry. The trails at Coast Gravity are designed to suit every level of rider, including beginners. Ease into the day on “Mr. Green,” a machine-built, mellow-grade line with no obstacles. It's the perfect warm-up and will get you acclimatized to the terrain and experience at Coast Gravity. Progress to other easy-flow trails like Dirt Wave and Hot Lap and you'll soon find your rhythm. These trails are complemented by more technical routes like Devil’s Elbow and Dynamite Panther. From the park's upper trails, you'll connect into its lower half on rollercoaster routes like Doggers, Auto Pilot, and Zig Zag, all of which shoot you back out into the shuttle zone.
Pro riders come to the park for advanced trails like Flight Deck, a mandatory (meaning no ride around options available) jump line that features gaps of 40-50 feet, massive steps downs, and stomach-lurching drops. Lift Off and Pay Dirt are two other black diamond runs that offer a challenge of berms, jumps, and gap jumps. Coastal Cruise is a tech-ier singletrack and the only trail in the park that you can ride up.
Shuttling Laps: How It Works
The park operates on a shuttle system, which means you'll need to purchase a half-, full-, or multi-day ticket to access the trails.
It's not hard to miss the shuttle. Sitting just above the park base, the shuttle leaves from an unassuming area that’s home to a wood shelter, a handful of picnic tables, a well-worn couch, and a small campfire pit. Shuttles run frequently, and you'll often find the truck parked at the base before you're even down the mountain.
The shuttle itself is a big truck with an open-air cab, outfitted with benches and railings, and a tow-behind bike trailer that can accommodate about 15 riders. When you're ready to load your bike, hitch it to the rack (or get one of the park crew to help you load it on) and then take a seat on one of the benches for your shuttle up the mountain.
When is Coast Gravity Park Open?
While you can ride here year-round, Coast Gravity Park is publicly open from April 2 to December 1, 2023 (weather permitting). Registration starts at 9:30am and the shuttle operates from 10am to 4pm. During spring and fall, the park is open on Saturdays and Sundays, and during peak summer season it’s open Friday to Monday. Ladies and locals' nights start from 4pm and run until sundown.
There is a cap on riders each day, so you'll want to book tickets ahead of time. Keep an eye on the website or Coast Gravity Park's Instagram for updates or notices of closure.
Ladies & Local Nights
It doesn't matter if you're a first-timer or simply looking to progress to more challenging features—sharing the bike park with a host of other gravity-hungry riders can be an intimidating endeavor. Enter: Ladies and Locals' nights. Throughout the summer, Coast Gravity Park hosts a series of small-group sessions specifically for female riders and locals. These nights offer discounted tickets and a safe, inviting atmosphere for like-minded riders to come together and try their hand at riding the park. They're usually held from 4pm to sundown, and depending on the season, come with a courtesy cider or beer and snack post-ride. You'll want to reserve your tickets in advance.
Tickets, Rentals, Gear
Currently, there are no bike rentals available, so you'll need to bring your own bike, plus protective gear. Coast Gravity Park has half-, full- and multi-day tickets available. Walk-ins are available as long as the park isn't at capacity. You can also purchase a season pass if you plan on riding the park frequently. Day passes start at $84 and half day passes at $63. Discounted rates are available for multiple days.
Want to earn bragging rights among your friends? Book out the entire park for you and your friends and enjoy private access to the park.
Looking for an extra boost of confidence and support? Coast Gravity offers coaching through a local company, Salty Sea Dog Mountain Bike. They offer youth, half-day or full-day coaching and guiding, all designed to help you feel more comfortable on a bike and in the park.
What Amenities Are at Coast Gravity Park?
What makes Coast Gravity Park adored by pros, locals, riders-in-the-know, and everyone in between, is the casual atmosphere and chill vibes. The focus here isn't on creating a resort-like destination, but rather good old-fashioned, two-wheel fun.
Apart from basic amenities, like washrooms, a ticket office, and some picnic tables, there's nothing else to distract you from riding lap after lap. You might find the occasional truck food on site (season permitting), but for the most part, you'll need to be prepared with water, snacks, and anything else you might need—otherwise, you'll need to make the trek back to Sechelt.
The Backwoods Jam
If you're a fan of big-air competitions like Cranworx, you won't want to miss Backwoods Jam. Every August, this local event attracts some of the world's top riders who, fresh off their competition at Red Bull Joyride in Whistler, compete for….. nothing. (Ok, maybe bragging rights).
The event is meant to celebrate the sport itself, rather than the competition. In keeping with the overall vibe of Coast Gravity Park, Backwoods Jam is fun, community-oriented, and always a good time. Expect live music, food vendors, an enthusiastic crowd, a beer garden, and an incredible display of sport.
Where to Stay Near Coast Gravity Park
There are several options for accommodations near Coast Gravity Park. Prefer quick access and budget-friendly accom? There are several campsites and RV parks in the area, including Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. You can stay at a hotel such as The Oceanside, located in Davis Bay, which comes with close proximity to The Wobbly Canoe, a great post-Coast Gravity Park spot for burgers and beer. Or, book a cottage or cabin rental with space to store your bikes.
Tip: make sure to reserve in advance. Accommodations on the Sunshine Coast fill up fast, especially during the peak summer season.
Post-Ride Food and Drink
Sechelt is home to plenty of good eats and drinks. Cap off your day at the park with a pint and burger at Batch 44 Brewery or TwentyTwo Taphouse. Nearby El Segundo offers a tropical-infused happy hour. You'll find tacos, BBQ, small bites, and pub favourites at places like Taco Republic, Lucky's Smokehouse, Shift Kitchen & Tapas Bar, and The Lighthouse Pub (or sister restaurant, the youth-friendly Buccaneer.)
Further down the road, you'll find the Wobbly Canoe and Joe’s On The Beach in Davis Bay, and plenty of local beer, cider, and restaurants in Gibsons.
Getting to Coast Gravity Park
Coast Gravity Park is located along Sechelt Inlet, about 10 kilometres from downtown. From Vancouver, you'll take a 40-minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay Terminal in West Vancouver to Langdale Terminal in Gibsons. To get to Sechelt, drive along the Sunshine Coast Highway 101 for about 30 minutes.
If you're coming from Vancouver Island, you can take the ferry (85 minutes) from Comox over to Powell River on the Northern Sunshine Coast, and follow the Sunshine Coast Highway to the Saltery Bay Terminal. A second ferry to Earls Cove (50 minutes) will get you to the Southern Sunshine Coast. Follow the Sunshine Coast Highway 101 to get to Sechelt.
