Singletrack in the Wilderness: Why Carcross is a World-Class MTB Destination
65 km of hand-built trail on Montana Mountain, built largely by First Nations youth.
High above the historic village of Carcross, Montana Mountain holds a secret: more than 65 kilometres of hand-built, flowing singletrack winding through subalpine forest and old mining trails. Built largely by local First Nations youth, this network has turned a tiny northern community into a bucket-list destination for mountain bikers worldwide. Here’s what it’s like to ride at 60° north.
A trail network with a story
The trails are the work of the Single Track to Success program, which employed and trained Carcross/Tagish First Nation youth to design and build them. The result is more than recreation: it’s a source of pride, employment, and connection to the land, and it shows in the care and quality of the riding.
The riding
Montana Mountain offers everything from flowy, machine-smooth descents to technical alpine lines, with a shuttle road and climbing trails to access the top. Long, sustained descents drop through changing terrain — rock, root, and berm — with views over Bennett Lake and the surrounding peaks. There’s terrain for strong intermediates up to expert riders.
When to ride
The season runs through the snow-free months, roughly late spring to early autumn, with high-summer’s long daylight allowing marathon days in the saddle. Trails higher up melt out later, so early-season riders should check conditions.
Practicalities
Bring your own bike or arrange a rental in Whitehorse, an hour north. Carry water, tools, spare tube, layers, and bear spray — this is genuine backcountry, and wildlife is present. Ride within your limits, as help is not close at hand, and tell someone your plans.
Beyond the bike
Carcross itself rewards a stop, with its restored commons, First Nations carvings, the shore of Bennett Lake, and the nearby Carcross Desert. Combine a morning ride with an afternoon exploring the village and the Southern Lakes for a superb day out.
World-class trails, a genuinely inspiring backstory, and scenery few bike parks can match — Montana Mountain is proof that some of the best riding on the continent is hiding in a village of a few hundred people in the southern Yukon.