Tom "Pro" Prochazka speaks at the Ride Mountain Bike Congress about his experiences with the development of mountain bike resorts

Expertise from overseas
The kick-off to the second Ride Mountain Bike Congress on October 2 and 3, 2014 was similar to the overture to the first congress in 2013: there was experience from overseas to start with. After the 2013 expertise of US trail builder Shane Wilson, this year it is the turn of bike park guru Tom "Pro" Prochazka to explain to the congress participants how to achieve the quality and reputation of a mountain bike destination like Whistler. The Canadian biking mecca has been in operation for 15 years, during which time 1.4 million bikers have visited the park, a day ticket costs 63 dollars and a season pass costs 669 dollars.

Commitment right up to top management
Prochazka was bike park manager in Whistler from 2001 to 2007 and helped the destination achieve unprecedented growth during his tenure. Prochazka has been an enthusiastic biker since 1981. His passion was sparked by the expanding trail network around his home, North Vancouver, better known as "The North Shore". In his presentation, Prochazka explains that a commitment to biking is needed at all levels of management, because "only die-hard bikers build a good park". If the top management of a destination is only involved on the golf course, a park that attracts and fascinates mountain bikers in droves will never be built.

Trails simply have to be good
According to Prochazka, good trails form the basis for the success of a park and are simply a must. The best case scenario is when a trail even becomes a brand, as happened in Whistler with the legendary A-Line. Nothing works without maintenance, a park has to be maintained daily, it needs a trail crew and a bike patrol that is responsible for safety.

Training and rental
Whistler's recipe for success also includes so-called programs, i.e. private lessons or courses to introduce beginners or children to the sport and create customer loyalty. Well-organized bike rental (in Whistler, 10% of park visitors rent a mountain bike) and attractive events (as best practice à la Crankworx) are also part of Whistler's success matrix. Without bike lessons and rental offers, a bike destination runs the risk of losing potential beginners to other sports. Events can serve to attract novices and get them emotionally excited about the sport.

Community spirit
Prochazka also mentions good culinary catering for mountain bike guests as important. One key player in Whistler's hospitality business even earns more in summer than in winter. The fact that the destination is "a community you want to live in" is also crucial to Whistler's success. It needs a comprehensive infrastructure - beds, restaurants, bars, schools, community centers, events/festivals, other sports opportunities from fishing to golf, and other biking opportunities such as cross-country trails. This infrastructure ensures that workers feel comfortable in the destination and that good workers do not move elsewhere.

No fear of competition
Prochazka also looks beyond what is happening on site and emphasizes the importance of marketing via the destination website and Facebook as well as online scene locations such as Pinkbike or NSMB. According to the experienced park builder, trails in neighboring towns do not represent competition for a park; this trail riding can attract bikers to the park with increased riding ability, as is the case with the towns of Whistler and Squamish.

Are there roots?
It is also helpful for a destination if it already has a "mountain bike history" for expansion plans. The fact that North Shore riding became popular in Canada in the 80s and 90s was an important component in the rise of the summer business in Whistler. If there is a history of mountain biking in a destination, it is important to involve the protagonists or "old hands" for future projects.

Following the force of gravity
Today, Prochazka is involved in trail building and bike park projects worldwide - more precisely in Canada, the USA and Europe - with his company Gravity Logic and three employees. The company offers not only the construction of trails, but also a package that includes planning work, financing, marketing support, assistance in finding sponsors, the creation of a rental concept and a safety plan. Prochazka's expertise is in demand, so he also took the opportunity at the Ride Mountain Bike Congress to make new contacts with Swiss destination managers and refresh existing liaisons.

www.whistlergravitylogic.com
www.ridekongress.ch