CRANKWORX WHISTLER INTRODUCES RHAPSODY SLOPESTYLE
The Slopestyle event of the season gets a new name - and higher stakes than ever.
Whistler, BC - Crankworx is proud to announce the renaming of its premier Slopestyle competition at Crankworx Whistler: welcome to Rhapsody Slopestyle.
Taking place August 2 as the crown jewel of Crankworx Whistler (July 24–August 2), Rhapsody Slopestyle marks the latest evolution of the Slopestyle event that has defined the discipline for over two decades - held on the iconic Whistler Boneyard course, watched by thousands of fans on-site and millions more tuning in from around the world.
Crankworx Whistler returns this summer for its 21st edition: ten days of world-class racing, jaw-dropping Freestyle riding, and the energy of a global mountain bike community coming home. It is the birthplace of Crankworx, and the annual homecoming of the mountain bike community. For fans looking to elevate their experience, VIP passes are available now – with limited Early Bird pricing available until June 26.
A NAME THAT MEANS SOMETHING
Rhapsody. It stands for the rare state achieved when preparation, creativity, risk, style, and execution align perfectly. It cannot be forced. It cannot be repeated on demand. It can only be experienced.
Crossing the finish line at the base of the Whistler Boneyard in front of a roaring crowd and thousands of fans watching from across the globe is something all Slopestyle athletes aspire to. But only a few are ever able to truly achieve it. That moment of total alignment: that is Rhapsody.
The name reflects what this event has always represented: not just competition, but the pursuit of something beyond it.
BIGGER FEATURES. BIGGER STAKES
Work on the Rhapsody course is already well underway, and riders and fans alike can expect bigger features, more creative lines, and a course designed to push athletes to put down their absolute best riding. The stage is being set for Rhapsody.
But there is more on the line in 2026 than ever before. Rhapsody Slopestyle is a key event in the newly launched Slopestyle Super League (SSL) - and it closes out the Regular Season.
That means Rhapsody Slopestyle is the last opportunity for athletes to collect SSL points before the Playoff picture is decided. Results here will determine:
- Who advances to the Slopestyle Super League Playoffs at Crankworx SilverStar (August 6–9)
- Who earns a bye and goes straight to the Slopestyle Super League Finals at Crankworx Mont-Sainte-Anne (September 3–7)
- Whose Slopestyle Super League season ends here
The pressure is real. The stakes are high. And the Rhapsody course in the Whistler Boneyard will be the defining arena of the SSL season.
TEN DAYS. ONE COMMUNITY. ONE HOMECOMING.
Rhapsody Slopestyle is one event in a ten-day festival that once again brings the best of mountain biking to Whistler.
The full Crankworx Whistler 2026 line-up includes:
- Rhapsody Slopestyle - VIP Passes available; save up to $50 per ticket when purchasing now
- Specialized Canadian Open Downhill on the legendary 1199 track - VIP Passes available; save up to $50 per ticket when purchasing now
- Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC
- Dual Slalom
- NEW: Crabapple Hits World Championships
- Canadian Open Enduro - the classic that opens the festival
- Bosch eMTB Challenge - ride Whistler's most iconic trails with friends (uphill!)
- aMTB events – Downhill, Dual Slalom and community riding
- Kidsworx programming with racing and riding
- And more - see the preliminary schedule online: https://www.crankworx.com/schedule/#whistler
ABOUT THE CRANKWORX WORLD TOUR
Crankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, B.C. in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. The Crankworx World Tour brings together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines.
Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, CWNEXT categories for next gen athletes, Kidsworx contests for young riders, participatory events and celebrations of mountain bike culture, all while showcasing amazing destinations. For additional information, visit crankworx.com.
Sorry but it's always going to be called Joyride.
Also wtf is Crabapple Hits World Championships? Isn't that Whip-offs?
The whip-off worlds moved down to the Boneyard in 2024, so this is probably a jump comp with broader rules (there were always a few people throwing flips and such at whip-offs, sounds like this will give everybody an opportunity to dig into their bag of tricks while bringing a contest back to one of the more iconic sets of jumps around...).
Didn't realize that whip-offs moved to Boneyard.
https://www.crankworx.com/news/crankworx-whistler-legacy-returns-in-an-…
Crazy that Red Bull no longer wants their name associated with an event that raises important, totally relevant questions like;
Whose Slopestyle Super League season ends here
I know my favourite part of major slopestyle events is not knowing who's going to be prevented from competing in future, less prestigious slopestyle events. Because playoffs.
No Garbo DH this year...
Let’s take one of the most iconic names and branding in freeride mountain biking and change it to some word that is at best vaguely connected and much less convenient to say.
Whoever got paid to greenlight this definitely shouldn’t have.
Red Bull owns the Joyride name, when they left so did the name
Fair, but there had to be a better name than ‘Rhapsody’. Someone still got paid to think up that name.
It’s cumbersome to say and at least for me all it invokes is George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and United Airlines commercials from the 1990s
Why not just call it ‘Crankworx Whistler Slopestyle’.
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