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 and The Whistler Development Team.
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 and Fall program, and all summer programs.
Unfortunately, no - all new passes are required for summer 2018, previous bike park passes will not work due to a change in scanning gate technology (RFID). You must sign a new release of liability waiver for your child in person at Whistler Village Guest Services before they visit the bike park.
For more information on new bike park passes, click here.
No! All abilities are welcome, from beginners right through to advanced and expert riders. Some programs are only available for more experienced riders.
- MINI SHREDDERS – ages 3 and 4 run bikes, transitioning to pedal bikes and kids already riding trails.
- DFX PARK – intermediate riders +, DH riding only.
- DFX RIDE – advanced and expert riders only, DH and XC riding. Children should be recommended by their previous DFX coach or contact the program supervisor.
- DFX RACE – Expert riders only, DH racing. Children should be recommended by their previous DFX coach or contact the program supervisor.
No, there are no exceptions on the age limits for Mini shredders, DFX club, DFX RIDE and Whistler Development Team. For DFX PARK the 8 year old age limit is our recommendation based on physical and emotional stamina required for a full day of riding the Whistler Bike Park. We recommend that all riders be confident in both XC and DH riding before they start to focus their development in one aspect of mountain biking. However some children under 8 are already riding at an intermediate level in the Bike Park. If you feel your child is ready for the challenge of riding solely DH then please contact the program supervisor to see if we can form a group 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 ski/ride with a team of coaches.
MINI SHREDDERS – groups will be a taught by a group of core coaches who all specialize in 3 and 4 year olds. All the coaches will know all the children and the groups may fluctuate as children progress.
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 – groups will be a taught by a group of core coaches who all specialize in 3 and 4 year olds. All the coaches will know all the children and the groups may fluctuate as children progress.
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 is available 3:30 to 5:30 Monday – Thursday at Creekside or Blackcomb Kids depending on the level of your child. Aftercare should be booked at the same location that your child is riding at. Season long pricing and drop in pricing are available.
MINI SHREDDERS – After care is available for the 2 day Spring and Fall program
Early Care is available 7:45 - 8:45 Monday – Thursday at Creekside or Blackcomb Kids depending on the level of your child, earlycare should be booked at the same location that your child is riding at. Season long pricing and drop in pricing are available.
MINI SHREDDERS – Early care is NOT available for the 2 day Spring and Fall program
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 the special rate of $69 plus tax ($117 plus tax if a lift ticket is needed). This is available for 5 – 16 year olds.
Lunch is included. 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 Logoistics
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 packs can be left inside and a fridge is accessible.
For DFX CLUB (strong intermediate and above) and DFX RIDE groups lunch on xc days should be suitable to be packed into your child's hydration pack and eaten on the trails. 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. For DFX CLUB (strong intermediate and above) and DFX RIDE the hydration pack should be large enough that lunch can be carried on the trail.
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 RACE, 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 or Garbanzo Kids 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 before the following cut off dates without penalty.
- Mini Shredders Spring 2 day program – April 16, 2018
- Spring Program – May 21, 2018
- Summer Program – June 18, 2018
- Mini Shredders Fall 2 day program – April 16, 2018
- Fall Program – August 27, 2018
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 your child's profile as a credit).
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 your child's profile as a credit), 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.
Yes!
- We have a $200 Down Payment Option. Guests who opt in for the down payment, will be required to pay a payment of $200 (+ tax) at time of purchase by April 30, 2018. Guests will need to provide a valid Credit Card and authorize that Credit Card to be charged for the remaining balance of the Season Pass product purchased, on June 4, 2018. Unfortunately down payment options are not available for the Spring and Fall Minis Shredder program. As this is a new program we don’t anticipate them selling out but please let us know if you are interested in these programs and we can let you know when we are getting close to capacity.
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?
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| Apr 22 - through Summer |
8:30am - 5:30pm |
1-800-766-0449
604-967-8950 (LOCAL)
wbreservations@vailresorts.com
