FATMAP by Strava

Classic Squamish Slab Ride

Squamish

Squamish is renowned for its slab riding, and this route connects many of the best-known slabs into one big ride.

Mountain Biking Extreme

Distance
10 km
Ascent
450 m
Descent
450 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
101 m
High Point
384 m
Gradient
10˚
Classic Squamish Slab Ride Map

When advanced mountain bikers rave about riding in Squamish, they tend to talk about one thing: the “slabs.” Squamish is renowned for its mountain bike routes that plummet straight down the slabs of exposed granite that cover the nearby mountainsides. 

Description

The grip from the rock is good… ish… but the incredible steepness of these rock plummets, some of which are near-vertical, means that you’ll never go slower than whatever speed you drop in at! Your bike will only continue to accelerate down the slab, so be prepared to hit the exit, which sometimes is filled with janky drops and abrupt hairpin turns, at an absurd rate of speed!

Most of the best slabs are found in the Garibaldi Heights and Alice Lake Provincial Park trail network. This trail network is incredibly complex, with singletrack running every which way. It can be very overwhelming for the uninitiated. So, if you want to sample some slabs without wandering around lost in the mountains, follow this recommended ride to some of the classic hits.

This route includes Entrails, Boney Elbows, Hueso, and most notably: In-N-Out Burger. In-N-Out isn’t the most technical slab in the region, but at roughly 100 feet tall, it’s one of the largest! The views of Squamish and the surrounding mountains from the top of the slab are to die for, but keep your eyes on your line once you drop in. After banking right off the ridge, your bike will accelerate obscenely fast as you race for the narrow exit!

Many of the smaller slabs on this route are jankier, more technical, and demand even sharper focus. Be sure to scope the lines in advance, ride with a local if possible, and bypass any lines that you aren’t confident of. 

Difficulty

Extreme

Very steep, difficult, narrow singletrack with widely variable and unpredictable trail conditions. Unavoidable obstacles could be 15in/38cm tall or greater, and unavoidable obstacles with serious consequences are likely to be present. Obstacles could include big rocks, difficult root sections, drops, jumps, sharp switchbacks, and more. Ideal for expert-level riders.

High Exposure

3 out of 4

Some trail sections have exposed ledges or steep ascents/descents where falling could cause serious injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between March and November

Features

  • Technical
  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Road sections
  • Drops
  • Roots
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens
  • Wooden Feature

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area