Mountain Biking at Predator Ridge: What Kelowna Riders Need to Know
By The Fresh Air Team | Based on an Interview with local BC Mountain Biker, Cody Cosens.
I thought Predator Ridge was a golf resort for retirees. Then I talked to Cody Cosens, a Predator Ridge homeowner in his 40’s. He’s a professional rider, and someone Predator Ridge sponsors to promote the trail network (view his Instagram here). By the end of the call, I was genuinely wondering why I hadn't driven out there yet!
The mountain bike (MTB) trails are open to the public. They run from easy green loops to slab rock trails that Cody compared to a mini Squamish. There are e-bike rentals, coaching clinics, community races, and a view above Okanagan Lake that he says beats Sparkling Hill. And the whole thing has been growing fast, because a few years ago Predator Ridge polled their homeowners, found out mountain biking ranked above golf as the amenity people cared about most, and started pouring resources into it.
Quick Answer: Predator Ridge is a public-access mountain bike destination near Vernon, with trail ratings from green to double-black, e-bike and mountain bike rentals, guided Okanagan Rail Trail excursions, and coaching clinics through Vanessa from Bold MTB. View the trail map to plan your parking and route.
Can You Rent a Bike at Predator Ridge?
Yes! The rental shop is up at the Commonage Road subdivision, attached to the indoor tennis facility, and stocks mountain bikes, e-bikes, and cruiser bikes from Norco.
“Ebikes are great for people who wouldn't otherwise have mountain biked… you see tons of grey-haired riders out on the trails now. The e-bike changed that." — Cody Cosens
Cody made the point more than once: Predator's climbs are not easy. There's no soft entry through a flat access road. An e-bike takes that barrier out without changing what you get at the top, and it's opened the trails to riders who would have written off the property entirely.
How to Understand Trail Difficulty Ratings
MTB trail ratings run on the same system as ski hills. The rating system at Predator Ridge runs slightly conservative because they get a lot of visitors who don't know local conditions. Cody's read on it is practical: nothing here has the gap jumps or blind drops you'd find at a dedicated bike park, because BC public trail standards don't allow it. An intermediate rider can handle most trails on the network, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
| Rating | What it means at Predator Ridge |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly, especially at the Ellison Landing end | |
| Intermediate. Everything is rideable, no real hazard zones | |
| Advanced. Potential hazards, but there's always a way around | |
| Expert. No easy route; solid skills needed |
Photo: Aaron Thiessen, Whisky Ginger Media
Where to Book Coaching or a Guided Ride
Vanessa from Bold MTB runs coaching clinics at Predator Ridge through the summer, about twice a month. You sign up through the Predator Ridge website, sessions run one to two hours, and she covers everything from getting comfortable on trail for the first time to working on steeper terrain. It's proper instruction.
For guided, leisurely bike rides, Predator offers Okanagan Rail Trail rides with shuttle service. The coaching and the guided rail trail excursions are separate programs, so check the Predator Ridge biking page for current schedules and availability.
How Predator Ridge Became an MTB Destination
A few years ago, Predator Ridge asked their homeowners what aspects of the lifestyle they were enjoying. They expected golf to top the list.
Then the results came back, and mountain biking had beaten golf!
"To their surprise, number one, which beat out golf, was mountain biking," Cody told me. The light bulb went off. Predator hired Cam Sorensen from Contour Trails, handed him the property, and told him to build. Because Predator owns the land outright, there's no Parks BC approval process, no red tape, no waiting. A new trail can go from idea to rideable in a matter of weeks.
That was three or four years ago. Since then, the network has grown fast enough that people are now driving out specifically to ride Predator Ridge, not just stopping in because it's early season and the snow hasn't melted anywhere else. The property is still actively building: new climb trails, a jump line in the works, the Ellison Landing outdoor village taking shape below. This is a community that figured out what it wanted to be.
What Makes Predator Ridge Mountain Biking Different
Two things Cody brought up that you don't hear about most Okanagan trail systems.
The slab rock. Predator has a lot of exposed granite riding, the kind of technical surface that's common in Squamish and Whistler but rare in the Interior. Cody said riders from the coast show up and are surprised by it: "This is kind of like a mini Squamish, with all the rock and slabs."
The view. A trail called Rock Garden Playground climbs to a cliff edge above Okanagan Lake, roughly level with Sparkling Hill but slightly further along the ridge.
"It's as high as Sparkling Hill... and I think an even better view than what Sparkling Hill has. And you can mountain bike right to the edge." — Cody Cosens
Community Events and What Predator Hosts
Trail Ninjas and Sprockids, two local youth riding programs, hold sessions and races at Predator regularly. Predator provides the venue, a barbecue, and ice cream.
Predator also hosts Trail Jam: a free event where local bike shops and brands set up tents to demo and display gear, with a DJ and a full barbecue, all covered by Predator.
"I don't know anywhere else that's like that, actually. They're always so generous." — Cody Cosens
The private land status is a big reason events keep landing there. Getting a permit to race in a provincial park involves real red tape. At Predator, you ask, and the answer is usually “yes.”
Where Predator Ridge Is Headed
Ellison Landing, at the lower edge of the property near the Ellison Provincial Park boundary, already has around 30 homes built and a community of people settling in. There's a pump track, a biking parking lot, and trail access down to Ellison Park. The long-term plan is a full-blown outdoor lifestyle village.
"They are basically building the village of Whistler down in there. The exact same size… shops, indoor climbing walls, you name it." — Cody Cosens
The full-time bike shop and retail space are still in the planning stage. Right now, rentals and sales run out of the Commonage Road facility. One of the show homes at Ellison Landing has been used as a pop-up rental spot, with bikes lined up in the garage.
Gear Before You Go
Fresh Air carries mountain bikes, e-bikes, and cycling gear at both Kelowna locations. For Predator Ridge, a trail or all-mountain bike works well across the network. If the climbing is a concern, the e-bike selection is worth a look before you drive up.
Browse mountain bikes at Fresh Air or come in to get fitted before your first ride. Our staff ride locally and know what's working on Okanagan terrain.
FAQ
Q: Is mountain biking at Predator Ridge free?
A: Trail access is free for the public. Rentals, coaching clinics, and guided excursions are priced separately. Parking is available at the Sparkling Hill mountain bike lot and at the Ellison Landing parking area.
Q: How difficult are the mountain bike trails at Predator Ridge?
A: Green, blue, black, and double-black trails are available. Ratings run conservatively; a black at Predator may be closer to a blue at most other Okanagan trail systems. Approachable beginner terrain is at the Ellison Landing end. Check the Predator Ridge trail map and Trailforks for current conditions.
Q: Can I rent a bike at Predator Ridge if I don't own one?
A: Yes. Mountain bikes, e-bikes, and cruiser bikes are available to rent through the Predator Ridge bike shop on Commonage Road. Fresh Air previously supplied the rental fleet; the current fleet is Norco. Book through the Predator Ridge bike rentals page.
Q: What is Ellison Landing?
A: Ellison Landing is a residential development at the lower edge of Predator Ridge property, near Ellison Provincial Park. It has a mountain bike parking lot, trail access, and a pump track. Predator Ridge is planning a full outdoor village there, including a permanent bike shop, though that is still in development.
Fresh Air Kelowna has been the Okanagan's local outdoor gear shop since 1981, carrying mountain bikes, e-bikes, and cycling gear for riders at every level. Visit us in-store for advice on the right setup for Okanagan trails, or browse the mountain bike collection at freshair.ca.
Sources: Predator Ridge Trail Map | Trailforks – Predator Ridge | Predator Ridge Bike Rentals | Bold MTB Coaching at Predator Ridge | Interview with Cody Cosens, June 9, 2026.
Share Post: