Baseline Mountain Poker Rally: Ride, Rally, Repeat
A full day of downhill laps, shuttle trucks, dusty bikes, and a poker hand at the end. That’s the draw of the Baseline Mountain Poker Rally.
This annual event brings riders to Baseline Mountain for a relaxed fundraiser with real trail time behind it. You can come for the technical descents, the prizes, the people, or all three.
The rally is hosted by the Baseline Mountain Biking Club, better known as BMTBC. Here’s what to know before heading for David Thompson Country.
What Makes the Baseline Mountain Poker Rally Special?
The Baseline Mountain Poker Rally is an annual mountain bike fundraiser hosted by BMTBC. It’s a ride day first. The poker format adds a good excuse to get another lap in.
Riders shuttle or ride to eligible trail starts, collect playing cards at laps or checkpoints, then compare hands later in the day. The best hands win prizes. Rules can shift year to year, but the point stays the same: ride Baseline, meet people, and support the trails.
The event started in 2016 as a small local gathering. It has grown into a regional ride weekend that can bring in more than 100 riders. Past turnout has ranged from roughly 140 people to more than 200, with some years reaching close to 250 riders.
That growth says a lot about the place. Baseline has steep downhill terrain, a practical shuttle road, and a rider-built culture that makes a solo arrival feel less solo. The Baseline Mountain Biking Club keeps updates flowing through its social channels, including event details and trail news.
A Ride Day Built Around Community, Not Just Competition
Nobody needs a race plate or race pace to enjoy this rally. A strong hand is fun, but it isn’t the whole story.
Newer riders can take their time, choose terrain that fits, and ask questions at the trailhead. Families can ride the parts of the mountain that suit their day. Experienced downhill riders can chase repeat laps and bigger features.
Arriving without a shuttle crew? Ask around. Riders commonly have room for another bike or person. That open approach is a big part of the day.
Your entry supports BMTBC, the people doing the work between events. Trail maintenance isn’t glamorous. It means clearing blowdown, fixing drainage, repairing woodwork, and keeping lines safe to ride. Rally fees and sponsor support help keep that work moving.
The best poker hand may get a prize, but a good shuttle crew can make the whole weekend.
The Club Stewardship Behind Baseline Mountain
BMTBC is a nonprofit club with stewardship of Baseline Mountain. The club builds and maintains the trail network using the Whistler Trail Standard, with sustainability and rider safety built into the work.
Available trail coverage lists more than 20 trails, about 43 kilometers of total distance, 1,910 meters of elevation, and over 5,100 meters of descent. Those numbers explain why this is not a quick afternoon stop.
Baseline Mountain also has racing history. It was a Canada Cup downhill venue in the late 1990s and again in 2001. The poker rally has a different feel. No start gate. No clock. No pressure to prove anything.
For a closer look at the mountain’s history and restoration work, read about the Canada Cup downhill track makeover. The present-day trail system exists because club members and volunteers kept showing up.
How the Baseline Mountain Poker Rally Works From Registration to Prizes
The 10th annual rally was listed for Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Baseline Mountain. The posted fee was $40.
That fee included event entry, a BMTBC membership, stickers, and sponsor prize opportunities. Food was not included, so bring your own lunch, snacks, and enough water for a long day outside.
The published schedule listed registration starting at 9:30 a.m. A group photo at the summit followed at 10:00 a.m. Riders then spent the day collecting cards, riding laps, and connecting with other mountain bikers. Prize presentations were expected around 4:00 p.m.
Event schedules can change with weather, road access, volunteer needs, or trail conditions. Check the club’s latest post before leaving home. The older David Thompson Country rally listing is also useful for understanding the usual event format and weekend setup.
Registration, Group Photo, Riding Hours, and Sunday Freeride
Show up early enough to register, get oriented, and find a shuttle group. Some past event summaries have listed earlier registration windows, so don’t assume the previous year’s timing applies.
The summit group photo is a rally tradition. After that, the mountain opens up. The rest of Saturday is yours to ride within the event rules.
Sunday is usually a freeride day. No poker pressure. No need to build a hand. It is a chance to return to a favorite trail or try Rosies Delight, the well-known hike-and-bike line.
A second day helps, especially if Saturday gets busy. You can slow down, learn the mountain, and ride with people you met the day before.
Building a Strong Hand While Riding at Your Own Pace
The basic format is simple. Each eligible lap or checkpoint earns a card. At the end of the day, riders use their best available cards to make a poker hand.
Don’t assume every year uses the same card stations, lap count, or prize rules. Ask event staff during registration where cards are collected, which trails count, and when cards need to be turned in.
Also ask about shuttle access. Baseline’s fire lookout access road makes shuttling possible, but the day runs smoother when you know the pickup flow and trail exits.
Ride the lines you want to ride. A poker rally shouldn’t push you into terrain above your comfort level. A safe lap with friends beats a sketchy lap for one extra card.
Where Baseline Mountain Is and What Riders Should Plan For
Baseline Mountain is in Clearwater County, in Alberta’s David Thompson Country. It sits about 60 kilometers southwest of Rocky Mountain House, near Highway 752.
The mountain’s fire lookout road gives shuttle crews access to the top. That road is a big reason riders can stack downhill laps without a huge climb between runs. It also makes the event approachable for solo riders who need to join a group.
Free random camping is available on nearby public land around Highway 752. Treat it like backcountry camping. Pack out food, garbage, damaged gear, and anything else you brought in.
Serviced campgrounds are within about 15 minutes of the mountain. Hotels and more services are available in Rocky Mountain House, roughly 45 minutes away. Build extra time into the drive. This isn’t a venue where you want to arrive late with a flat tire and no water.
Pack for a full day, not a quick park lap:
- A maintained bike, helmet, and the protection you normally use for downhill riding.
- Water, food, tools, tubes or plugs, a pump, and trail-side spare parts.
- Weather layers, since mountain conditions can change fast.
- A secure way to transport your bike, plus straps and padding for shuttle laps.
Choose Trails and Gear That Match Your Skill Level
Baseline is known for technical downhill riding. Trail features include wood bridges, ramps, jumps, lookout points, and progressive gaps in the skills park.
Bearded Lady, Jawbone, and Yoga Pants are names experienced riders will hear around camp. Yoga Pants is known for its hip jump. Rosies Delight adds a hike-and-bike option for riders looking for a different kind of day.
Check current trail ratings and conditions before dropping in. Many Baseline runs are black diamond or double black diamond. Start small if the terrain is new to you. Watch a line, follow a rider you trust, or ask a volunteer where to begin.
BMTBC has also been working toward more blue and green flow trails, along with permanent toilets. Those additions matter for families, newer riders, and anyone building confidence away from the steepest terrain.
How Get Lost Outfitters Helps Support the Rally Community
Get Lost Outfitters supported the rally as a sponsor because this is the kind of riding community worth backing. Local trails need local riders, local businesses, and people willing to pitch in.
Jeff from Get Lost Outfitters has attended the event for the previous six years. That time on the mountain matters. It means shared shuttle stories, trail-side problem solving, and seeing the rally grow year after year.
A bike shop’s support isn’t limited to a prize table. Riders need help before the drive out, whether that’s a brake check, fresh tires, a helmet, bike transport gear, spare parts, or a last-minute repair. The Get Lost Outfitters ethos is built for people who want to get outside and ride more.
The Baseline Mountain Poker Rally works because of that wider network. Club volunteers maintain the trails. Sponsors help support the day. Riders bring their friends, their trucks, and their patience at the shuttle line.
That is how mountain biking stays strong in Alberta. One weekend, one trail crew, one new riding friend at a time.
See You On The Moutain
The Baseline Mountain Poker Rally brings together excellent downhill terrain, a simple poker challenge, and a club that puts money back into the mountain. It is competitive enough to keep things interesting and relaxed enough to feel like a proper ride weekend.
Confirm the next event date, registration time, entry fee, trail rules, camping conditions, and food plans before you leave. BMTBC usually shares 2027 details in late winter or early spring.
Bring your gear, find a shuttle crew, and make room for a few new riding friends. Baseline Mountain is better when the whole community shows up.
See You On The Moutain
The Baseline Mountain Poker Rally brings together excellent downhill terrain, a simple poker challenge, and a club that puts money back into the mountain. It is competitive enough to keep things interesting and relaxed enough to feel like a proper ride weekend.
Confirm the next event date, registration time, entry fee, trail rules, camping conditions, and food plans before you leave. BMTBC usually shares 2027 details in late winter or early spring.
Bring your gear, find a shuttle crew, and make room for a few new riding friends. Baseline Mountain is better when the whole community shows up.
