trail advocacy

SORCA works closely with local landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maintain and expand access to Squamish’s world renowned trail network. While it often happens behind the scenes, trail and mountain bike advocacy are central to our mission and one of our primary focuses. Squamish’s Trail network is situated on a combination of private, crown and BC Parks lands all within the territory of the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw) 

In 2023, SORCA partnered with Larose Research to conduct Canada's largest (to date) Social, Cultural, and Economic Impact of Mountain Biking study. Some of the key outcomes of that study include:

  • Economic Impact: $60 million to our local economy through resident and visitor spending in 2023. This figure, which excludes marquee events and other recreation activities, significantly understates the total economic impact. During just a six-month study period in 2023, visitor spending from mountain biking directly injected $26 million into Squamish’s economy, $31 million regionally, and $44 million provincially.

  • Job Creation: Mountain biking supports 187 local jobs, with an additional 112 full-time-equivalent positions in industries such as manufacturing and technical apparel closely tied to this activity.

  • Community Appeal: Of the 834 Squamish residents surveyed, 79% stated that the mountain biking trail network was a key factor in their decision to move here, while nearly 10% of respondents—born in Squamish—emphasized the trails’ importance in their decision to stay.

  • Health and Community Benefits: Beyond economics, mountain biking fosters physical and mental well-being, strengthens social connections, and enhances our community’s cultural fabric.

Link to key finding (this)

If you are interested in reading the full report, please reach out to our Executive Director (ian.lowe@sorca.ca).

  • Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Memorandum of Understanding

    SORCA has made reconciliation with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw one of its top priorities over the past five years. In 2022 we reached a major stepping stone in this endeavor by signing a precedent setting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU recognizes the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw ’s right to self determination over their lands, allows for trail access to selected Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw private lands and sets forth a path for a continued growing partnership between the two groups. SORCA is honoured by the trust, confidence and generosity of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People and look forward to a prosperous shared future.

    View M.O.U

  • Private Lands

    We are grateful for the access that has been provided by the local landowners and believe that this has been paramount in transitioning Squamish from a resource based economy to one based on outdoor recreation. SORCA takes a collaborative approach with landowners and stakeholders to find reasonable solutions on a landbase with many competing interests.

    We would like to thank the following landowners (and more) for access to their private lands:

    • The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw

    • Diamond Head Land Co

    • The Cheema Family

    • Black Mount Logging

  • Forestry

    The majority of Squamish’s trail network is situated on lands that are still actively logged. On private lands, as with any development, SORCA supports landwoner’s rights to do what they choose on their lands within legislative limits. In these cases, while not necessary, we are grateful for any opportunity to provide input to cutblock design from a trails perspective and will work with landowners to find ways to reroute or replace trails that have been impacted.

    On public lands, SORCA works closely with BC Timber Sales and the newly tendered Squmish Community Forest to ensure the highest valued trails and trail features are maintained as very few of our trails have been given formal protection. SORCA will continue to work tirelessly to preserve Squamish as one of the best places on the planet to ride mountain bikes.

Click on the image above to enlarge, and to keep up to date and help out with our specific advocacy efforts, be sure to watch out for our bi-annual “Local Dirt” publication and other communication channels. More voices in support of Squamish’s trails make us stronger!