Mountain bike visitor spending in Squamish has increased from approximately $9.9 million in 2016 to $26 million in 2023, according to a new report commissioned by the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA).
The report was prepared by Larose Research and Strategy, which conducted 1,193 surveys between May and October of last year.
When economic multipliers, also known as economic “spinoffs,” are included, the $26 million grows to a regional economic impact of $31 million and a total provincial economic impact of $44 million for mountain biking tourism in Squamish, the report says. These figures do not include local spending on mountain biking by residents. “If resident spending were included, the total economic impacts of mountain biking in Squamish are estimated to be approximately 1.5X to 2.0X higher than visitor spending.”
Mountain biking is no longer a marginal economic activity in British Columbia, and Squamish is widely believed to be leading the growth in this area. According to Trailforks™ statistics, Squamish is ranked as the third-best riding area in B.C., behind only Whistler and Vancouver’s North Shore.
Of the 834 resident respondents to the survey, nearly four in five (79%) indicated that the mountain biking trail network was a “very important” or “somewhat important” factor in their decision to move to Squamish. In addition, nearly 10% of total respondents were born in Squamish and indicated that the biking trails are a significant factor in their remaining in Squamish.
Mountain biking tourism also directly supports 184 jobs in the immediate Squamish area, corresponding to 139 Full-Time Equivalent positions. The report notes that when economic spinoffs are included, mountain bike tourism creates an additional 45 jobs for businesses supplying products and services to mountain biking tourists in Squamish.
Tax revenues for mountain biking tourism in Squamish amount to $8.4 million annually, including $3.6 million to the Government of Canada, $3.8 million to the Government of British Columbia, and $ 1 million to the Municipality of Squamish and Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD).
The report also outlines concerns about mountain biking, which were related to the impacts of rapid growth on crowding and congestion at trailheads, in parking and staging areas, and on the more popular trails during the busiest periods. There also appear to be growing concerns amongst resident riders about occasional but significant impacts of activities such as rogue trail building, informal “bush camping,” parking and access challenges, and lack of trail etiquette during busiest periods.
The report notes that SORCA has been focusing on these recently, including advocating for improved connectivity from neighbourhoods to trails and expanding staging and parking areas.
