Whitehorse resident, Sylvain Turcotte is hoping to turn his passion into a business opportunity and at the same time showcase what the community has to offer.

Turcotte is an avid mountain biker, who is, along with partner Marsha Cameron, offering his services this season as a guide in the sport.

Along with being a guide, Turcotte will provide overnight accommodations for individuals visiting the Yukon with his new business venture called Boreale Mountain Biking.

"The Yukon is such a gorgeous area," he said. "We have the trails, we just need some people to be able to guide the tourists and maybe more accommodations specific for mountain biking."

Turcotte's base of operation is located on Long Lake Road and includes multiple yurt accommodations.

Among the services offered with the overnight yurt is a bike workshop, secure bike storage, and just being in close proximity to community trails. The fully furnished sleeping yurts can accommodate as many as six individuals.

There is a $80 fee per night based on double occupancy, while extra guests are $15 for each person. If an individual or group stays three or more consecutive nights they get a 10 per cent discount.

There are two different types of tours being offered. The first is for a half day trip, which is a two to three hour ride. The prices range according to how many people take part.

A one person-tour costs $90, while two people pay $85 per person and three or more individuals is $75 per person.

Full day trips are four to six hours and the prices include $175 for one rider; $150, per person for two riders; and $130 per person for three or more riders.

Mountain bike rentals are available for an additional fee.

The guiding tours can be anywhere around Whitehorse and involve Turcotte selecting a trail after discussing the details of what type of ride a client is interested in going on. He would then customize a ride according to his client's personal preference.

Turcotte, who has been mountain biking for 10 years, said there are benefits to employing the services of a guide.

"The advantages of hiring a guide is there are tons of trails here, so it's easy to get lost or it's hard to find the nice, single track," he said.

"So if they were to be (here) a week, they could hire us maybe a couple of days and then they kind of know the area. Then, with a map, they could probably go out by themselves no problem."

He said there is a lot of potential for this type of service in the Yukon.

"I think we are going to be really busy with accommodation and then mountain biking will probably pick up after a little while, but I am sure it is going to pick up because there is lots of potential," Turcotte said.

"Mountain biking has been a growing sport in the last five, 10 years and it is super big down south. It's just a matter of time before it gets up here. We have the potential. All of the trails are there."

For more information about Boreale Mountain Biking services go to www.borealebiking.ca or contact Turcotte at 332-1722.