September 4, 2025 - (Beaupre, Que.) The inaugural Symposium 2025 got underway on Sept. 3 in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec welcoming over 200 cycling advocates, trail designers and builders, tourism and municipal officials, along with media players including visitors from Ontario, Atlantic Canada, Vermont and more.
Frédéric Asselin, General Manager of Vallée Bras-du-Nord and President of the Québec Mountain Biking Alliance, set the tone with a memorable kickoff and a bold and playful analogy about the creation of the Alliance, “First, we’ll sleep together, then we’ll get married. This symposium is our wedding!”
In a warm yet unifying atmosphere, he reminded everyone that every challenge is an opportunity — and that this gathering is our chance to find answers together. An opening address that was both inspiring and unifying, creating a strong sense of belonging from the very first moments.
Mountain Biking in Québec – Past, Present & Future
The arrival of the panelists on vintage bikes said it all: authenticity, passion, and camaraderie. Gilles Morneau led a fascinating journey through time, exploring the early days of mountain biking in Québec. Patrice Drouin and Chantal Lachance shared a heartfelt testimony about the beginnings of the legendary UCI MTB World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne and the birth of Vélirium festival along with the renowned first races — a presentation steeped in nostalgia and collective pride, highlighting how local pioneers paved the way for today’s thriving scene.
Asselin, also part of the panel, recounted the origins of Vallée Bras-du-Nord, the arrival of mountain biking on this wild territory, and how, over time, strong alliances were forged between industry players, creating an unprecedented collaborative ecosystem. A powerful demonstration of the strength of the collective — and how it continues to propel the sport forward in Québec.
Showcasing the Tourism, Social, and Economic Value of Trails
The presentation by Australian Glen Jacobs of World Trail brilliantly broke down what makes a “perfect trail,” using a clear and practical framework.
The takeaway? A simple yet powerful equation: 15% easy – 70% intermediate – 15% advanced as the key formula to building trail networks that are accessible, sustainable (up to 2,000 riders/week!), and safe.
The key? Designing trails that welcome everyone — sometimes even within the same line — with fun always at the core. A highly relevant talk for both trail designers and land managers.
The “Veloconomy”
Mountain biking is a true economic engine for regions in Canada, the USA and around the globe.
With the catchy concept of the After-Ride Guide (Ride, eat, sleep, repeat), this session backed by real data proved that building trails can drive more economic impact than a highway.
The numbers speak for themselves: bike tourists — especially mountain bikers — spend more than average visitors. Québec boasts a vibrant ecosystem: over 130 trail centers, 3,000 km of trails, 700,000 riders. A compelling session that positioned Québec’s industry as a true pillar of regional development.
Destination Marketing Panel: United for Success
The day wrapped up with a strategic and inspiring session featuring Joe Fox (Bike Borderlands), Samantha Bosence (MTB Atlantic), and Nicolas Labrecque-Sauvé (Québec Mountain Biking), each representing interregional mountain biking alliances.
Together, they showed how “co-opetition” — collaboration among competitors — is a powerful lever to attract visitors and shine internationally.
The audience engagement was undeniable: the long line for questions at the end spoke volumes about the collective interest in shared marketing strategies and the momentum toward a unified approach to tourism development.
A powerful close to a day full of insight.
The Symposium 2025 runs until Sept. 5 and includes more sessions on the fast-growing mountain bike community, sustainability best practices, professionalizing coaches, fatbike trails, attracting tourists, trail maintenance, group rides and more.
Read more about the Symposium here.
