There are trails you hear about.
There are trails you watch on repeat.
And then… there are trails you finally ride—after years of dreaming, hyping them up, and wondering if you’re ready.
For us, that trail was Fade to Black in the Whistler Bike Park.
What Is Fade to Black?
Fade to Black is a short but intense double black diamond trail located in the Fitzsimmons Zone of Whistler Bike Park. While it’s only a few hundred meters long, it packs a serious punch with features that include:
- A road gap drop
- A stump drop
- An intimidating on-off box jump
- Steep, fast transitions and little room for hesitation
This trail is a proving ground for advanced riders and a rite of passage for many who spend time in the park.
Our Fade to Black Story
We’ve wanted to ride this trail ever since we first saw a video of it. But every time we came close, something held us back—conditions weren’t right, we were too tired, or we just weren’t feeling “ready.”
That changed this season.
On our last day in Whistler, the friends we were riding with casually said:
“Let’s hit Fade to Black before we head out.”
Stars. Aligned.
We took the time to scope the road gap first—measured the speed, looked at the landing, ran through it in our heads. Then we dropped in.
First hit: smooth.
Second hit: dialed.
Then… we sent the whole trail top to bottom.
And it was amazing.
One of those runs you finish grinning ear to ear, buzzing with adrenaline, and wondering why you waited so long.
Tips If You Want to Ride Fade to Black
If this trail is on your list (and it should be if you’re riding at this level), here’s what helped us:
- Warm up. Get comfortable with bigger jumps and faster features before heading to Fade to Black.
- Scope it first. Walk the road gap and get a feel for your line and speed. Confidence comes from knowing.
- Ride with people you trust. Having a solid crew makes a huge difference in both motivation and safety.
- Commit. Once you’ve checked your lines and feel ready, trust your skills and go all in. This trail is not for half-sends.
Gear & Bike Setup
- Bike: Rocky Mountain Altitude (enduro setup)
- Tire pressure: Slightly firmer than normal to handle bigger landings
- Suspension: Dialed in for jump lines and drops (we softened rebound slightly for more control)
Why It’s Worth It
Fade to Black is one of those trails that stays with you. It challenges your line choice, tests your commitment, and rewards you with a feeling that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
If you’re heading to Whistler and you’ve got the skills, don’t miss it.
Just make sure to warm up first—and maybe bring a friend to film your first drop-in.
Have you ridden Fade to Black or is it still on your list? Drop a comment and let me know!
And if you want to see our run (and how we built up to it), check out our latest YouTube video here.
