FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR THE DFX KIDS PROGRAMS
DFX FAQs
You've got questions? We've got answers! Get yourself prepared and find the facts on some of the frequently asked questions for DFX Kids Bike programs; Mini Shredders, Club, Park, Ride, SheFX and DFX Dirt Sessions.
About the Program
Yes, book early! Availability is limited for all programs and do sell out quickly.
All listed prices for DFX SUMMER Club Programs include a full season pass to access the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. All DFX SUMMER program passes include unlimited daily lift access outside of the program dates as well (for when you want to ride with your child on non-program days!), and the option to purchase additional lesson days at a special rate.
A season pass is NOT included for spring and fall programs.
MINI SHREDDERS – a season pass is included in the 2 days week Spring program, and all summer programs. Please note children have to be aged 5+ to access the bike park when not in lessons.
We recommend that you use a summer pass as this will allow your child to get discounts at stores and restaurants. You can get a new summer graphic or you can use your pass from last year.
Their winter pass can also be used as all summer media will be added onto all passes, but unfortunately winter passes are not recognized for discounts but will work at the lift.
We recommend that you check your pass at Guest Relations before heading into the park on the first day.
If you have questions about which pass to use please go into Guest Relations or call the Reservation Centre on 1-800-766-0449.
No! All abilities are welcome, from beginner's right through to advanced and expert riders. Some programs are only available for more experienced riders.
- MINI SHREDDERS - Run Bikes, First Time Peddlers, Beginner and Novice riders. Ages 3 - 5.
- DFX CLUB – Beginner to advanced riders. DH and XC. Ages 5 - 12.
- DFX PARK – Intermediate riders +, DH riding only. Ages 7+.
- DFX RIDE – Advanced and expert riders only, ages 10 - 16. DH and XC riding. Children should be recommended by their previous DFX coach or contact the program supervisor.
- SHEFX – Beginner to expert riders. Ages 8 - 16. Girls only! DH and XC riding.
No, there are no exceptions on the minimum age limits. If your child is older than the stated age limit please contact us and we will see if there is a group available for them.
Groups are organized according to age and ability. Groups are pre-organized before the first day of the session, please fill in the DFX questionnaire that will be emailed to you to help form the groups. Groups are team-based: similar ability/age groups are matched to create a team of children who ride with a team of coaches.
MINI SHREDDERS – Groups will be a taught by set coach and will be organized by age, ability and bike type at enrollment. Please note that fluctuation and movement between groups is quite common as kids progress at different rates at this age. The coaches will work as a team, they all specialize in 3 - 5 year olds and they will all know all the children, this will allow transitions between groups to go smoothly. If this occurs please be understanding, we will do everything we can to make any changes run smoothly for you and your child.
All groups are designed to have the same coach and group for the duration of the season. However things do change throughout the season so your coach may change due to injury, differences in the rate that the children in the class are progressing or other unforeseen circumstances. If this occurs please be understanding, we will do everything we can to make any changes run smoothly for you and your child.
MINI SHREDDERS – All groups are designed to have the same coach and group for the duration of the season. Please note that fluctuation and movement between groups is quite common as kids progress at different rates at this age. The coaches will work as a team, they all specialize in 3 - 5 year olds and they will all know all the children, this will allow transitions between groups to go smoothly. If this occurs please be understanding, we will do everything we can to make any changes run smoothly for you and your child.
Yes! Evaluation and development of skills is ongoing throughout the season. Your child's coach will give you daily updates and you will receive an end of season progress card. If you have any questions about your child's progression and development please talk to your child's coach or the program supervisor.
All programs are full-day for all ages.
Aftercare for options for 2022 are currently being assessed.
Please connect with your program supervisor to discuss options.
Unfortunately not. Due to hundreds of children enrolled in these programs, if a day is missed, unfortunately we are not able to reschedule your child for another day.
Yes! Additional days in the DFX daily program are available at a discounted rate. Spring programs will also have discounted lift as part of the product. This is available for 5 – 16 year olds.
Lunch is included in DFX Daily and will be eaten at the CLC (Children’s Learning Centre) at mid station of the Village Gondola.
A variety of lunch options will be available. Please let the coach know at sign in if your child has any dietary requirements.
Additional days are available in the DFX Daily program only, which involves working on downhill skills in the Whistler Bike Park. Please call the Reservation Center on 1-800-766-0449 to book additional days. Please go into Guest Relations to pick up a lesson voucher, this can be done in advance.
Program Logistics
Programs are offered at a variety of base meeting locations dependent on program-type. Click on the Program Links Tab above for full details on base meeting locations for each program.
No Lunch is not included for any DFX club program. Lunch is not provided so a bagged lunch will be required with snacks suitable to be carried on the trails.Lunch should be package so it can be carried in your child pack as we will often eat lunch on the trails or at a park. Please do not send items that need to be heated up as we are not always back at base.
On park days lunch can be left at the base or dropped at the CLC – participants will not need to carry their lunch while in the park.
If your child is staying for aftercare please provided extra snacks.
Water will be available at lunch but while we are on the trails they will need to carry their own water, a hydration pack is required. This can also be used to carry snacks and swim gear. There are many places that water can be refilled throughout the day. Ice cubes inside the bladder helps keep water cold all day and acts as an ice pack for lunches.
EQUIPMENT INFORMATION
Yes. Children must provide their own equipment for all programs. A well-fitting, well maintained bike is essential for the program. See each DFX page for specifics on the bike requirements for each program.
BIKES MUST BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
We suggest taking the time to take your child's bike to your local bike shop and get it tuned up ready for the summer. Bike shops are very busy at the start of summer so make sure you leave plenty of time to get this done before your child starts riding.
- BRAKES – The brakes are working well, your child should be able to pull the brakes levers easily to bring the bike to a complete stop when travelling at speed. Your child should be able to reach the brake levers easily.
- SUSPENSION – The suspension is working; not leaking oil and can be moved up and down when weight is applied.
- CHAIN – is oiled and is free of rust.
- GEARS – can be changed easily and do not skip.
- TIRES – are not bald, have lots of tread left and are pumped up firmly.
- BOLTS – all bolts and nuts should be tight and secure.
You may be asked throughout the season to get your child's bike tuned up or modified. It is important that this is done before the next session to allow your child to ride safely on the trails.
Hand brakes (front and back) are essential for riding trails safely, as they give a much greater level of control than coaster brakes. We have found that if kids have both coaster brakes and hand brakes they will always use the coaster brakes and as soon as that choice is removed they progress quickly with the hand brakes. The coaches will help teach the correct braking techniques to allow independent use and finesse for controlling speed. We are hoping to progress all groups to single track trails with roots, rocks, ladder bridges and maybe even a rock face or two, hand brakes are critical for safe descending down such features. Even going on the Tin Pants trails (the wider gravel trails at Lost Lake) using coaster brakes would give less control as on gravel they skid and slide very easily.
Hand brakes (front and back) can be added and coaster brakes removed from some bikes that come with coaster brakes. Please see your local bike shop to see if this is possible for your child's bike.
MINI SHREDDERS – Children in this program can use a run bike or a 2 wheel bike with coaster brakes (training wheels are not permitted) but we do encourage you to use a 14” or 16” wheel bike with hand brakes. Children progressing onto dirt trails will need to have hand brakes. We will help children learn to use their hand brakes.
Gears are recommended as we do a fair amount of climbing but as the gearing ratio on kids bikes aren't always ideal they can do without if necessary for beginner and novice levels. BMX bikes fitted with front and back hand brakes work well for smaller children.
For riding regular shorts and t-shirt work well, with a sweater for the colder days. Closed toes shoes and socks, no flip flops or sandals please.
A well-fitting helmet is mandatory. Please ensure that your child's helmet fits well and covers the forehead.
Full face helmets are required for DFX CLUB (intermediate and above) and DFX RIDE on park days. Full face helmets can be used for trail riding but can be hot on warm days.
Arm and leg armor are required every day for all groups (full body armor is recommended for DFX PARK, DFX CLUB (intermediate and above) and DFX RIDE on park days)
Wet weather gear (jacket and pants) is recommended as we will be riding if it is raining.
Please apply sunscreen in the morning and have some available so the coaches can help them re-apply at lunch.
Please label all equipment and clothing.
Try at the Garbanzo Bike and Bean located at the base of Whistler Mountain or Can Ski Marketplace when they change over to the summer products. Small armor can be hard to find but the selection is improving. In the past we have recommended using adult arm pads for leg pads, BMX or skateboard pads are an option for small arms.
The DFX Mountain Bike Camps Parents Info Page on Facebook is also a great place to pick up used equipment.
ADMINISTRATION DETAILS
Yes! DFX Club programs can be cancelled 3 weeks before the start of the program without penalty.
After these dates, as long as the program hasn't started, a $50 cancellation fee will apply (you can avoid the $50 cancellation fee by having the refund applied to a Whistler Blackcomb Gift Card).
If you have been receiving emails from the program supervisor before you cancel please email them and let them know that you will no longer be joining the program.
No. DFX Club Programs are NOT refundable. However, there are some circumstances, such as an injury, when we might be able to issue you a refund.
PLEASE NOTE: For any refund request, a cancellation fee of $50 will be applied (you can avoid the $50 cancellation fee by having the refund applied to a Whistler Blackcomb Gift Card), and usage rates will be charged for club program days used, bike days used outside of the club program.
Refunds are not available for illness or missed days.
We will use this information in case of an emergency (phone numbers) and to email you upcoming event information (parents' email addresses added to your child's profile please). You will also be asked to fill in an emergency contact form on the first day of the program.
Need assistance?
| CALL CENTRE HOURS | |
|---|---|
| May 21 - October 11 |
9:00am - 5:00pm PST |
1-800-766-0449
604-967-8950 (LOCAL)
wbreservations@vailresorts.com
