Kamloops, British Columbia, is renowned as the “birthplace of freeride,” but over the years, the trail network has expanded dramatically, with legitimate trail systems surrounding the town of 104,000 people. Today, riders can still find massive freeride hits, but there are also plenty of trails accessible to mere mortal mountain bikers.
And those accessible and entertaining trails are paying off — big time. In 2024 and 2025, Kamloops conducted a “Mountain Biking Socio-Economic Impact Analysis” (SEIA) conducted by Larose Research & Pacific Analytics, and they found that mountain biking contributes $18 million CAD to the economy per year.
$13.6 million of direct spending in Kamloops, BC
Of that $18 million annual economic impact, a whopping $13.6 million is direct spending in the community. Think: trips to the bike shop, post-ride burritos and beers, hotel stays, and more. The remaining $4.4 million consists of “ripple effects on suppliers, service providers, and wages re-spent in the local economy,” according to Tourism Kamloops.
During a survey period between March and November 2024, they found that Kamloops’ five legitimate trail systems saw 104,000 rider days, with 38% being out-of-town visitors. They found that “an average travel party of three spends $831 per trip, staying 1.9 nights, and dropping $149 per person per day. Two-thirds of that outlay goes to accommodations plus food & beverage.”
“An average travel party of three spends $831 per trip, staying 1.9 nights, and dropping $149 per person per day.”
Tourism Kamloops
This $18 million of economic impact supports 87 jobs, 63 of which are full-time positions. Finally, the SEIA found that mountain biking generates $2.6 million in local tax revenue.
Residents spend big $$ on MTB
Unlike some economic impact surveys that only track visitor spending, the SEIA focused on local spending as well. They found that “the average local rider spends around $5,700 a year,” with the majority of that spent at local bike shops. Tourism Kamloops notes that 74% of that $5,700 spending ($4,071) goes toward maintaining and buying gear, although they didn’t specify if any of those dollars are spent online.
Positive impact on the local community
“This report puts numbers to what we already know—Kamloops’ trail system is a powerful asset,” said Erik Fisher, CEO of Tourism Kamloops. “It drives meaningful economic return, strengthens our community, and enhances quality of life for an abundance of people.”
“A staggering 97% of resident riders credit mountain biking for better mental and physical health.”
Tourism Kamloops
But the impact goes deeper than just dollars spent. 97% of riders who responded to the survey said that mountain biking supports their mental and physical health, and 94% said it deepens their connection to nature.
Establishing the ‘Freeride Fund’ to fund trail maintenance
Like everywhere else in the world, funding trail maintenance is a challenge in Kamloops. To address this issue, Kamloops has launched the Freeride Fund to tackle ongoing maintenance issues, such as erosion after rain events, dusty brake bumps, and outdated signage.
Tourism Kamloops has seeded the fund with $50,000 over the course of three years to leverage grants and partner contributions. Local businesses are incorporating micro-donations to the fund at checkout, and some bike brands, breweries, and other service providers are putting up corporate matches. On top of that, anyone who loves the trails in Kamloops can donate to the fund here.
100% of all money donated to the Freeride Fund will go directly to the trails, with Tourism Kamloops and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association covering all administrative costs.
The riding in Kamloops is spectacular, and it will only keep getting better
While Kamloops still has some renegade freeride lines hidden in the sagebrush, with five legitimate trail systems, riders traveling to Kamloops will find plenty to explore and love. Pineview is the largest network, with diverse terrain. Kamloops Bike Ranch is a free municipal bike park that’s rideable early in the season, and as such, it has the highest percentage of visitors (53%) of any of the trail systems. The Kenna Cartwright trails provide family-friendly flow, Harper Mountain is also popular with the tourists, and Lac Du Bois (aka “Batch“) provides great early-season riding.
“Kamloops is a shining star,” wrote one survey respondent. “I make several trips every year just for the flow.” Thanks to continued community investment in top-tier trails through the Freeride Fund, stoked visitors and locals alike will be able to enjoy superb trails for years to come.
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