OTTAWA, ON (July 23, 2026) – Canada’s fastest downhill athletes will return to Sun Peaks, BC, from July 25 – 26, 2026, as the Canadian Downhill Mountain Bike Championships take over one of the country’s most iconic venues for a marquee weekend of racing. Hosted in partnership with Sun Peaks Resort and SE Racing, and integrated once again into the Dunbar Summer Series, the event will crown national champions across Elite, Junior, U17, and Masters categories.
“Every year we are thrilled to see the return of the Canadian Downhill Mountain Bike Championships return to Sun Peaks as part of the Dunbar Summer Series,” highlights Events and Officials Manager, Jacob Graper. “With the expertise of the Sun Peaks Resort and SE Racing teams along with the stunning venue, the championship promises an unforgettable weekend of racing for riders and spectators.”
Set within Sun Peaks renowned downhill terrain, known for its technical features, and beautiful alpine backdrop, the 2026 Canadian Downhill MTB Championships will run through the Insanity One, Sticky One, Honey Drop, and Resurrection trails at Sun Peak Bike Park, with an additional intersection on Low Boom. Saturday opens with official practice sessions for all categories, followed by seeding runs later in the day. Sunday features championship finals across every category, with award ceremonies to follow after.
A deep roster of returning athletes will headline this year’s Championships. Johnathan Helly, last year’s Elite Men’s national champion, is back to defend his title alongside Henry Sherry and Bodhi Kuhn, who rounded out the 2025 podium. On the Elite Women’s side, Andréane Lanthier Nadeau returns as 2025 national champion, joined by riders like Emmy Lan and Gracey Hemstreet, one of Canada’s most iconic downhill talents. The junior categories also bring strength, with Jack McCredie and Tayte Proulx‑Royds, 2025 Junior national champions, set to line up once again. With these names and more additional talent from U17 and Masters categories, the 2026 field is stacked for another high‑speed weekend at Sun Peaks.
Cycling Canada looks forward to welcoming athletes, supporters, and the wider mountain bike community to Sun Peaks for a weekend that showcases the depth and talent of Canadian downhill racing. With national titles and maple leaf jerseys on the line, the 2026 Canadian Downhill MTB Championships promise to be an exciting weekend packed of racing. For full event details, please visit the Cycling Canada event page.
