Crankworx Whistler is the pinnacle of mountain bike festivals, attracting riders and fans from around the world for a celebration of freeride, downhill, and enduro. Held annually in Whistler, British Columbia, this multi-day event offers competitions, movies, expos, and an atmosphere that every mountain biking enthusiast should experience at least once. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of your Crankworx Whistler adventure, from behind-the-scenes insights to lodging, tickets, event tips, and more. We wrote this post to help you navigate Crankworx and answer the following questions:
- Where is the venue?
- Where should we stay?
- Will it be too crowded to ride the bike park?
- My kid wants to race Kidsworx how do we sign up?
This guide gives you those answers and more. Read on if you plan to attend Crankworx.
Crankworx Behind the Scenes
Crankworx isn’t just a bike festival—it’s a showcase of the world’s best mountain biking talent, innovation, and passion. Behind the scenes, an army of event organizers, volunteers, and sponsors work to make the magic happen. From designing intricate course layouts for events like the Red Bull Joyride to coordinating athlete logistics, the effort that goes into planning and executing Crankworx is immense.
Schedule
In 2025 Crankworx will run from August 8 -17th. While the exact schedule varies each year, Crankworx typically follows this general structure:
- Day 1-3: Initial downhill events, amateur competitions/events.
- Day 4-6: Dual Slalom, Pump Track challenges, and kids’ events.
- Day 7-9: Air DH, dual-slalom and whip-off competitions.
- Final Day: Red Bull Joyride, and the grand finale party.
You can find the official, up-to-date schedule on the Crankworx website as the event approaches.
Parking
Day Lot 2 will not be available for parking, as they will be home to the Crankworx Tech and Demo Zones. Lots 1, 3, 4, and 5 will be extra busy but if you get there before 9am you can find spots without a problem. Lot 6 will also be available to park but there is no overnight parking allowed.
Creekside Parking: Free underground parking at 2051 Lake Placid Road
Public transportation is available. Take stop “Gondola Transit Exchange” to arrive at the base of Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
Getting Crankworx Tickets
Attending Crankworx Whistler offers a variety of ticket options to suit every budget and experience level. Here are the most common ticket types:
- Free Viewing Areas: Most events at Crankworx are accessible without a ticket, with designated free viewing zones along the courses.
- VIP Passes: For those looking for an upgraded experience, VIP passes often include premium seating, exclusive viewing areas, and access to hospitality tents.
- Event-Specific Tickets: Some of the most popular competitions, like Red Bull Joyride, might have special ticketing options for premium views.
- Multi-Day Passes: Perfect for fans planning to attend multiple days of competitions and activities.
Crankworx Camping and Lodging
Camping offers a budget-friendly way to Crankworx. Here are some camping options:
Riverside Resort: Located near Lost Lake, Riverside Resort provides both tent camping and RV hookups. This well-maintained campground includes showers, laundry, and a great Thai restaurant. The best part of this campground is you can ride the bike path to Lost Lake, the Village and the bike park.
Whistler RV Park & Campground is located about 20 min south of Whistler Village. The campground caters to RV campers as well as tent campers, and its facilities make it suitable for families or groups looking for convenience and easy access to Whistler’s attractions.
Cal-Cheak Recreation Site: About a 15-minute drive south of Whistler, this scenic camping area offers tent and RV sites near the Cheakamus River. Sites are basic, with no showers, but the setting is serene, surrounded by old-growth forest. We stay in the RV spots near the back. They are longer and have more space.
Whistler Village Hotels: Staying in Whistler Village offers proximity to the Bike Park, dining, and nightlife. Hotels like Aava Hotel , the Pangea Pod Hotel and The Westin provide convenient access, comfortable rooms, and bike-friendly amenities, including secure bike storage and wash.
Creekside Accommodations: For a quieter experience and to be near the Canadian Open DH race, Creekside Village is an excellent option, especially for those riding in the Creekside Bike Park zone. Legends Whistler and Evolution Whistler are popular for their peaceful atmosphere and easy access to Creekside lifts.
For other lodging check out our Mountain Biking in Whistler Guide.
The Expo at Crankworx Whistler
The Expo at Crankworx Whistler is a great place to talk to your favorite vendors and also score some swag and deals. Whistler Village comes alive with tents and displays. For all the latest information on products and services, you’ve gotta check out the Expo!
In the parking lots, brands will be in the demo zone with their latest Trail, DH and Freeride bikes for you to try for free. On your way, check out the Tech Zone, where you can check out rider’s bikes.
Crankworx Event Details
There are a lot of events at Crankworx and I’m not going to cover them all. Here are the details about the top events.
RockShox Canadian Open DH
The Canadian Open DH is a relentless, root-filled descent, demanding precision and speed. Kicking off Crankworx’s opening weekend, this event draws elite downhill racers from around the globe.
Location: Creekside at Whistler Mountain Bike Park on the 1199 trail.
- For Spectators with Bikes: Grab a Whistler Bike Park lift ticket and ride down adjacent trails to catch the race action up close.
- For Spectators Without Bikes: Head to the Timing Flats Finish area above Creekside for a prime view of the finish line or hike up and watch the action. The areas near the large drops and rock gardens have the most crowds.
- Note: Open alcohol is not permitted on-site.
- Racers: Check the Crankworx website for registration details.
Tip: Ride your bike up to the timing area as the wait to take the bus can be long.
Kidsworx
Kidsworx is a series of events designed for the groms with races and skills sessions throughout the week. They include all levels of riders with a dual slalom clinic and race, a pump track clinic and race, scavenger hunts, as well as enduro and DH races. The enduro and DH races do have a fun vibe but they are also intense. There are tons of kids and logistics are crazy. Kids come from around the world and parents are ready to show off their kids skills. So be aware of this and prepare to your child accordingly to plan for the best experience. Also, these entries can sell out quickly so make sure you keep an eye on the registration and get registered before June.
Note: All events are based on year of birth, not age at date of race.
Minimum age is 7 years old for Competition Events – Enduro, B-Line, Dirt Pump Track Challenge, Dual Slalom Challenge
Minimum age is 5 years old for Dirt Pump Track Clinic and Dual Slalom Clinic. There is no minimum age for the Scavenger Hunt.
Tip: Pay careful attention to the Crankworx website for details and check your email. The day before the race they will post start times/list with more details. Emails come from a person (Carly Fox as of this posting) and not the event itself so check your Junk folders if you don’t see anything.
Red Bull Joyride
Often described as “The Super Bowl of the mountain biking world,” Red Bull Joyride is the flagship event of the Crankworx World Tour. It’s a high-stakes competition where the world’s top 20 Slopestyle riders battle for championship points, the prestigious Triple Crown of Slopestyle, and global recognition. With over 35,000 fans attending in person and millions tuning in worldwide, this event is the heartbeat of Crankworx.
Location: The Boneyard at the base of Whistler Mountain Bike Park, near Skier’s Plaza. Spectators have two prime options for viewing—either from Skier’s Plaza or by hiking up the mountain to line the fences along the course. Please note that open alcohol is strictly prohibited in viewing areas.
Format: The custom-designed Slopestyle course is a playground of massive jumps, technical features, and creative lines. Each rider gets two runs—two chances to showcase their boldest tricks, secure top scores, and etch their names into mountain biking history.
Whether you’re watching from the plaza or along the track, Red Bull Joyride offers an unforgettable experience filled with gravity-defying stunts, roaring crowds, and moments that define the future of freeride mountain biking. Don’t miss this!
Movies, Parties and Entertainment
There are a number of other events that happen at Crankworx outside of the bike park.
Movies: In 2024 there was a movie premiere of Anytime where you could mingle with athletes and industry heavy weights. Look for these as the date gets closer.
Women Only: There are also events just for women. Some of these events are on the official schedule but others pop up via brand’s social media. Keep an eye out from LIV, Juliana, and Ladies All Ride.
Parties: Pinkbike Crankworx Kickoff Party at the Longhorn Saloon.
Riding at Whistler Bike Park
Whistler Bike Park will be crowded but don’t let that stop you from getting lift tickets during Crankworx. It’s a great time to ride and you just might share the chair lift with a pro rider. It’s also fun to watch competitions from the chair lift or stop and cheer racers on from the side lines. Head to Creekside (other than the day of the Canadian Open DH) for less crowds.
Final Thoughts
Crankworx is an amazing event to attend. It’s well organized and super fun to see in person. It’s very well organized and there’s a lot to see and do. Hope this helps you plan and good luck if you race!
Have you been to Crankworx? What tips do you have? Comment below.