What It Is: Another emerging mountain bike destination, the Sunshine Coast is nestled on the northeast shore of the Strait of Georgia and takes its name from the 2,400 hours of annual sunshine the area receives.

You Should Go If: You love ripping endless swoopy singletrack under rainforest canopy, meaning even when it rains the trails are rideable.

Don't Miss: Highway 102 and 103, which are not roads, but grin-inducing cross-country trails that finish with a six-mile downhill that plummets into Langdale.

Local Knowledge: Almost all the trails are on the side of a mountain, making it hard to get lost. If you do get turned around, just head downhill and you'll come out on the highway.

Quotable: "Beginners, intermediates, and experts will have fun here," says Rob Camposano, former director of the local Rat Race event, which annually draws upwards of 500 competitors. "If you're a beginner it will challenge you. An intermediate will have a blast, and an expert will smile all day. But you need to be a cross-country rider for the most part. There's not a lot of shuttle riding here."

Shoptalk: For informed local knowledge, repairs and rentals check out On the Edge bike shop on Cowrie Street in Sechelt (604-885-4888).

Crash Pad: If you're on a budget try Up the Creek Backpackers B&B on Roberts Creek Road in centrally located Roberts Creek (604-885-0384). For a few more Loonies head to the Country Escape Cottage on Huckleberry Road (604-885-3623) in Roberts Creek, which has affordable single-bedroom cabins that are walking distance from a pebbly beach.

Getting There: From Vancouver International Airport, make the 50-minute drive or take a bus across the city and up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, then sail 40 minutes across the bay to the Langdale ferry stop, which sits on the Sunshine Coast's southern tip.