Ability & Fitness Level
You don’t need to be an expert rider, however, our terrain and trails are not for the inexperienced. You should consider yourself an intermediate mountain biker and be proficient with tight corners and steep tracks with technical sections. If you ride on trails more than two times per week and have previously ridden a lift-accessed bike park or trail marked as intermediate to advanced you will be fine.
Our guides take it upon themselves to inform you of what to expect on each upcoming section of trail and will offer you coaching and instruction on the best way to negotiate challenging sections. Some sections may be more difficult, but your guide will warn you beforehand. We will not be asking you to point yourself down super steep, rugged, loose and plunging trails, but some of our trails vary towards the advanced. All of our trails are well designed, and don’t feature any mandatory drops or bridges. The trails we ride are very diverse, but we try to offer our guests a consistent trail experience. We find that riding less difficult trails is actually more fun. Think serious flow.
Guest Training & Preparation
The safety briefings and training you receive upon arrival will explain the risks of backcountry mountain biking as well as safety in and around our off-road vehicle(s) and helicopter(s). These briefings are designed to enable you to understand our safety protocols and allow you to participate with us in managing them to the fullest extent possible.
At Retallack we take the safety of our guests and staff very seriously and we continuously strive to minimize the risks inherent to the backcountry. However, there are many risks that we cannot eliminate. Prior to your trip you will be asked to accept these risks in writing by signing the “Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement“. A properly and fully completed waiver is required from each guest prior to your trip. Each guest must be at least 19 years or older.
It is imperative that you give full attention to your guide’s instructions at all times. You and your guide are in a position of mutual trust. Your guide trusts you to follow their instructions, and to stay within the parametres they set. Following instructions and riding with caution and within your abilities are the best ways to prevent injury or an incident.