FATMAP by Strava

Gecko, Ace of Spades & Squirts

Big White Ski Resort

A rough and tough ride down some technical terrain

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
2.8 km
Ascent
0 m
Descent
384 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
1.8 km
High Point
2.1 km
Gradient
11˚
Gecko, Ace of Spades & Squirts Map

Despite what the Big White bike park map says, this trail is most certainly not the same difficulty level as Lightning Strike and the Bermslang & Shark Fin Soup combination! It's marked as a "blue" run, like those other 2 lines, but in reality it's a big step up in difficulty from either of them.

Description

The route is rocky (this is Big White, after all) and will keep you alert all the way down because it never stops rattling you! In addition to the constant rocky terrain there are some significant drops too, and some tight, technical sections as well. If you like your riding constantly rocky, interspersed with some really steep and challenging sections, this is the ride for you!

There's no doubt that this trail isn't quite of the quality of some of the others at Big White, but it does make a good middle ground between Lightning Strike and the Bermslang & Shark Fin Soup combination, and the much harder "black" graded routes. If you're finding the other blue lines not quite challenging enough, but aren't confident enough to move up a grade, give this one a go and see how you find it. If you ride this line and find that it's at your limit then take a few laps on it before moving on to tougher challenges. Many of the obstacles on the trail look more difficult than they actually prove to be, so lapping the line will enable you to master some of the more difficult sections.

Once you've got it nailed, it might be time to step up to one of Big White's tougher challenges - of which there are many!

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate 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 June and September

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area