Dropping off the east side of Eagle Pass, BC on the Trans-Canada Highway, it’s only 13 miles to the small town of Revelstoke. Fenced on both sides by imposing pine and granite walls, it’s winding, narrow confines feel almost claustrophobic.

And then the highway makes one final curve, and the Columbia River is raging below and train rumbling across the road ahead. Two giant grizzly bear statues rear up on both sides of the main road as a welcome, and the town’s railroad origins are obvious in the massive rail yard bordering the highway. But at first glance, that’s all lost in the expansive valley spreading out beyond the town, the Columbia River threading like a zipper between two gargantuan mountain ranges.

It’s that vast openness—and the Selkirk and Monashee Ranges—that sets mountain biking in Revelstoke apart from the rest of the Kootenays, with alpine riding rarely seen in British Columbia. Old growth rainforest climbs towards high-country meadows, the wildflowers webbed with trails and surrounded by views of glaciated peaks. From a photo perspective, the colors and massive scenery is a dreamland. From a riding perspective, it’s the ultimate high-alpine playground.

Revelstoke’s fame as a mountain biking destination may be a recent phenomenon, but a deep bike culture and community has developed to keep up. Two of the most vocal advocates are Matt Yaki and Lorraine Blancher. Matt runs Wandering Wheels, a local shuttle company, and Lorraine is one of Canada’s most sought-after female mountain bike coaches. Both are adventurous riders who are keen to get out whatever the conditions, and both have beautiful style. And, to top it off, Matt’s dog seems to love single track as much as we do.

If there are two trails that can be credited as a huge part of Revelstoke’s recent notoriety, it’s Frisby Ridge and Keystone Standard. Both iconic high-alpine epics, Frisby is a perfectly graded climb that even passes an alpine lake (great for a mid-ride swim) before dropping into a wicked-fast descent. Keystone is one of the area’s more remote trails, with huge mountain views, sweeping basins and deliciously technical riding both out and back. One ride on either, and it’s immediately obvious their fame is deserved.

Closer to town is Flowdown, Revelstoke’s newest flow trail and one of it’s most popular. Built in 2011, Flowdown laces between Monashee rainforest old growth, connecting the Mount Macpherson trail network to town and the closest thing I’ve found to summer snowboarding. Not bad, considering you can get in a lap and still make it to work on time.

Among the pantheon of Kootenay hotspots like Nelson and Slocan, Revelstoke is relatively new—but that’s the exciting part for the mountain biking-minded souls who call the place home. Each year brings fresh trails, whether they be high-country epics or in-town pump tracks, but the classics still leave me with a grin after every lap, no matter how many times I’ve ridden them.