PROGRAM DETAILS

Meeting Location: Spruce Grove overflow parking lot.

Spring Afterschool Program: May 4 -June 25

Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm

• Riders aged 6 - 12 years who:

  • are comfortable riding bikes for extended periods on dirt/mountain bike trails.

  • are able to stand up while maintaining balance and have comfortable control of the bike.

  • can control speed using hand brakes on and off road, including during sustained descents.

  • have a basic understanding of how and when to change gear.

  • have some experience riding beginner features such as rollers, over small roots, or small berms.

*Must turn 6 by March 31st to enrol in the ZEP 2026 Kids Shred Programs

• Afterschool - 8 week - 1 days per week x 2 hr sessions - Available on Monday OR Thursday with sessions running from 3:30pm - 5:30pm

• Sessions take place in the Whistler Valley Trails, using a wide variety of terrain from singletrack, pump tracks, open areas and skills areas to develop a fun, safe skills progression.

• Each session begins with a bike check and set up info session, followed by a warm up.

• Coaching is on the amzing trails in the Whsitler Valley, including Lost Lake and Westside trails, visits to the pump tracks and riverside skills park. Depending on your child's age and skill, the groups have the options of exploring additional trails throughout the Whistler Valley.

• Safety, fun and learning for the kids is our priority (in that order). Groups take regular rests to ensure physical and mental well-being, and ensure the kids finish each day pumped!

• ZEP Coaches always maximize sessions for safety, risk management and skill progression, so kids can build the skills without the spills.

• Common student goals include:

  • Confidence

  • Balance

  • Speed Control

  • Roll downs, drops and tech

  • Pumping rollers, berms and jumps

  • Creativity, style and fun!

Well-fitted, quality helmets, gloves, knee and elbow pads are mandatory. Kids must carry their own water, lunch, snacks and spare clothes.

Mountain bikes should be in good working condition and fit the child well. Bikes should be fitted with disc brakes, with quality gears and mountain bike tires, as a minimum.

All equipment will be inspected to ensure safety and risk management.

Q. I want to ride with my friends but they're better than me... can we still be in the same group?

A. ZEP's priority is to ensure every rider has an amazing riding experience during any ZEP program. Often friends can and do ride together as this social connection can really help build a positive, friendly environment to feel safe to push your skills and learn new things.

However, Kids Shred is a skills development program and while the ZEP coaches can and do cater to ability level splits, if the split is too large we risk reducing the ablity to ensure every student is getting the appropriate skills development and terrain they need to genuinely progress. In this case, we would recommend riding in a group that is better suited to your experience level, to ensure your learning experience is maximized and its a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.