Mountain Biking at Ski Resorts this Summer

Summer is getting into full swing and as June progresses, many ski resorts will begin opening their mountain biking and hiking trails. There’s no better way to beat the lowland heat than gaining altitude and grabbing a deep breath of some crisp mountain air. A summer getaway to one of your favorite ski resorts is a perfect way to enjoy the mountains outside of the winter, especially if you’re looking for a full docket of outdoor activities.

Why skiers love mountain biking

Ski resorts across the globe are continuing to grow their lift-accessed mountain biking trails. This is great news for those of us who crave skiing—or the feeling of skiing—year-round, as downhill mountain biking is a similar experience in that you’re riding down the mountain and going with gravity, just on wheels and a full-suspension mountain bike rather than on skis or a snowboard. Just make sure to wear the appropriate protective equipment as dirt is a much less forgiving surface than snow and mountain biking downhill can reach similar speeds as skiing and snowboarding, which most resorts provide as part of a rental package.

Don’t think bike life is for you? Picture this:

• Start your day in the base area bike shop being fitted for a mountain bike, helmet and protective equipment for your size and ability level.
• Head to the lift line and load yourself and your bike into the gondola or chairlift, which are retrofitted in the summer with special racks to carry bikes.
• Step out of the gondola or off the chairlift and grab your bike, and at most resorts, the lift attendants will grab your bike off the chairlift for you.
• After adjusting your helmet and gloves you make your way towards the trailhead.
• Find a beginner green or intermediate blue trail to warm up on (ratings are just like you’ll see skiing and snowboarding in the winter).
• It’s smooth and flowy and takes you through beautiful aspen glades and meadows of wildflowers, which are far more plentiful this early in the summer than usual in most of the mountain west, thanks to the 2023 super bloom.
• You catch a bit of speed and feel the cool mountain breeze on your face.
• Midway down the trail, you stop for a break to take in beautiful mountain views.
• You take the gondola or chairlift back up for several more runs.
• The day ends in the base area village with a cold beer and a smile.

Sounds pretty familiar, right?

If you’re ready to experience mountain biking, or mtb riding, at ski resorts check out the list below. The featured resorts on our list are among North America’s most popular bike parks. See a full list of ski resorts that host lift-accessed mountain biking at the end of this post.

Note: Many of the bikers featured in the videos below are professionals and they are riding black and black-diamond trails. Every bike park on this list has world-class beginner and intermediate mountain biking, too.

What’s the difference between mountain biking at a ski resort vs. on Public Lands?

The primary difference between mountain biking at a resort vs. on Public Lands is that you’ll be able to utilize their lift systems and uphill bike hauls to get in more reps on the downhill routes. Granted, you’ll need to purchase lift tickets at the resorts, but they also have a myriad of trails that are specifically built and designated by level so mountain bikers can choose their own adventure and do so safely.

Alternatively, the main difference in mountain biking on Public Lands (where allowed and designated) is that you don’t have the option to take a lift to the top of the trail and need to bike uphill. Mountain biking can be a better beginner experience at ski resorts since there’s no need to bike uphill if you don’t want to, and you have the option to rent bikes and gear and take lessons. While public lands offer trails for all levels, accessibility-wise it will be a better experience for more advanced mountain bikers.

What is downhill mountain biking?

Downhill mountain biking is a style of mountain biking that’s practiced on rough, steep terrain and can feature jumps, rock gardens, drops and other obstacles. Riders will typically travel up to their descent point with a car or from a ski lift before riding down. Downhill mountain bikes are heavier than normal mountain bikes and will have front and rear suspension so riding over tree roots and rocks is less of a concern.

What are flow trails in mountain biking?

A flow trail is designed so mountain bikers can ride down and minimize both pedaling and braking along the way. They’re built to emphasize speed and rhythm and will feature berms (trails turned on their sides), rollers (a hump or series of humps on a trail) and jumps to help keep the rider’s momentum up.

What’s the difference between riding flow trails, single-track and cross-country trails?

• Flow trails will primarily take you down the mountain, and have different features within it making it more challenging but also keeping your momentum up so pedaling and braking can be kept to a minimum.
• Single-track trails are narrow without a hard limit for width, but generally around a foot wide.
• Cross-country trails can be a mix of rough forest paths and single-track, also referred to as double-track depending on the width. These trails can also be smooth fire roads or even paved paths and typically connect to other trails.

Featured Bike Parks at Ski Resorts:

Trestle Bike Park

Winter Park, CO

Renowned as Colorado’s best downhill mountain biking park, Winter Park is convenient to get to from just about anywhere in the world. The resort is 90 miles from Denver International Airport. Winter Park’s Trestle Bike Park has something for everyone, with over 70 trails to choose from, including 15 green trails and 20 blue trails, making Trestle Bike Park accessible for beginner mountain bike riders. Full or half-day lessons are available and the park’s opening day for the 2023 season is June 16.

Watch the video below to “get the dirt” on Trestle Bike Park.

Where to stay: When it comes to the best Winter Park biking access, nothing can touch the bike-in, bike-out Zephyr Mountain Lodge.

Vail Mountain Biking

Vail, CO

Vail is home to 47 scenic trails, which can be accessed via the Eagle Bahn Gondola or Gondola One. Once you’re up on the mountain you can pedal for miles along Vail’s famous Back Bowls; the resort is especially known for its cross-country mountain bike trails. Bike rentals are available and lifts for bike hauls start running from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, on June 16. Spend all day on the mountain and stop for lunch at mid-Vail or Eagle’s Nest.

Watch the video below to see views of Vail’s back bowls in the summertime.

Where to stay: For a complete retreat in Vail Village, book your stay at Gravity Haus Vail. It’s a short walk from Gondola One, making getting on the mountain early for mtb riding easy while still having a secluded feel tucked alongside Gore Creek.

Keystone Bike Park

Keystone, CO

Keystone is another Colorado favorite and provides convenient access to Denver International Airport. Most of Keystone’s trails are green, although the resort has been known to hold professional downhill mountain bike races, making it appealing for beginners and experts in mountain biking. The Keystone Bike Park has a total of 29 trails, with 9 green, 5 blue and 11 black and double black. There is also a handful of service road trails that make for fun, easy mountain biking. Lessons and rentals are available, and the park opens for the 2023 season on June 23.

Watch the video below to meet one of Keystone’s bike patrollers and see footage of the park.

 

Where to stay: If you’re looking for unbeatable access to the trails and relaxing post-pedaling amenities, like an outdoor pool and hot tub, make Keystone Lodge & Spa your biking basecamp.

Crested Butte Bike Park

Crested Butte, CO

Known as one of mountain biking’s birthplaces, Crested Butte is nothing if not a world-class biking destination. Whether it’s your first or 400th-time mountain biking, Crested Butte has over 30 miles of trails to suit all abilities, including families. If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, the legendary 401 trail is a bucket list item for mountain bikers far and wide. The Crested Butte Bike Park opens for the summer 2023 season on June 17.

Watch the video below to see footage of the 401 mtb trail in Crested Butte.

Where to stay: After a big day on the dusty trail, take a soak in the Elevation Hotel and Spa’s outdoor hot tubs.

Snowmass Bike Park

Snowmass, CO

Snowmass’ bike park has over 25 miles of diverse trails within its mtb park that extends almost 3,000 vertical feet from the top of the Elk Camp Chairlift down to the base village. The park is more than just jumps and wooden features on its renowned Valhalla freeride downhill trail; it provides lift access to beginner, intermediate and cross-country trails. The Snowmass Bike Park is also located in the Roaring Fork Valley, a designated IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center, one of only seven in the world and the only Gold-Level Ride Center in Colorado. Lessons, clinics and downhill bike rentals are available. Mountain biking at Snowmass opens on June 21 for the summer 2023 season.

Watch the video below for a preview of this year’s mtb riding at Snowmass Bike Park

Where to stay: Stay at the recently renovated Viewline Resort Snowmass for bike-in, and bike-out access to the Elk Camp Gondola.

Steamboat Bike Park

Steamboat Springs, CO

The Steamboat Bike Park has an even split between difficulty on its 25 mtb trails, not including cross-country trails that are also available on the mountain. The park covers a vertical of nearly 2,200 feet and runs bike hauls from the Gondola and Christie Peak Express. Because of construction at the resort, in their Full Steam Ahead renovations, which include a top-to-bottom gondola, a new learning center for beginner skiers and enhanced snowmaking, just to mention a few improvements, some of the trails may be closed to construction when you visit. The bike park opens on June 16 for summer 2023, and both rentals and lessons are available.

Watch the video below for footage of Steamboat’s black diamond jump trail, the Bucking Bronc.

Where to stay: Get prime access to mountain bike trails by staying at Gravity Haus Steamboat for a bike-in, bike-out location complete with a hot tub.

Killington Mountain Bike Park

Killington, VT

Nestled in the lush summer mountains of New England is one of the East’s most acclaimed mountain biking resorts. This is in part due to its three high-speed lifts serving over 30 miles of trails. Descending 2,000 feet, the Killington Mountain Bike Park hosts notable professional-level downhill races, but also has a nice variety of trail types for riders to enjoy. There’s an entire beginner section on the Snowshed Slope and Ramshead is home to its signature freeride trails for intermediate and advanced riders. Lessons and rentals are available and the Snowshed and Ramshead areas open on June 9, then the rest of the bike park opens June 29 for the summer 2023 season.

Watch the video below for a preview of the Sideshow Bob trail at Killington this season.  

Where to stay: For the biker who wants to be within a couple hundred yards from the River Run Gondola and in the heart of the base village, River Run Condominiums are a top-of-mind lodging choice.

Northstar Bike Park

Lake Tahoe, CA

Northstar is a great place for both cross-country bikers and gravity enthusiasts. The resort has hosted cross-country races and is the proving ground for Lake Tahoe’s more serious downhill mountain bikers. It’s also a great place to learn. Northstar’s biking instructors provide a comprehensive, two-hour beginner group class. In addition to lessons, camps and rentals are also available. The mtb park is considered some of the best mountain biking in California and fully opens for the summer 2023 season on June 16.

Watch the video below to get an overview of Northstar’s Bike Park.

 

Where to stay: For ultra-convenient access to the biking trails and a host of world-class services and amenities, keep One Village Place in mind.

Deer Valley Bike Park

Park City, UT

Deer Valley was one of the first resorts in the country to provide lift-accessed mountain biking. Since its inception in 1992, Deer Valley has been consistently ranked among the nation’s top mountain biking resorts with almost 70 miles of mtb trails to explore. Cross-country bikers will enjoy the Mid-Mountain Trail, a stunning single-track trail that traverses Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons. The Mid-Mountain Trail is currently undergoing an extension to connect it to the Snow Park Base Area. This season the resort also plans to add a new intermediate jump/flow trail and advanced/expert flow tail on Bald Eagle Mountain. Lessons and rentals are available, and the mountain bike park opens on June 23 for the summer 2023 season.

Watch the video below for an introduction to family mountain biking at Deer Valley Bike Park.

Where to stay: For the most access to biking trails and award-winning accommodations, you’ll want to stay at the famed Stein Eriksen Lodge in the Silver Lake Village.

Mt. Bachelor Bike Park

Mt. Bachelor, OR

Mt. Bachelor joined ski resorts with mtb parks in the summer of 2013 and is on its 10^th season of providing trails for all levels of riders. The park has 13 trails total with 3 trails for beginners and 10 trails for more advanced mountain bike riders. The Little Pine lift opens June 10 and the Pine Marten Lift, with access to the All-Mountain Bike Park, opens on July 1. Bike camps, riding lessons and rentals are all available at the resort.

Watch the video below for a taste of summer at Mt. Bachelor Bike Park.  

Where to stay: Enjoy a central location between Bend and Mt. Bachelor at the Sunriver Resort.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park

Whistler, B.C.

Whistler is far and away the most popular mountain biking destination in North America. If you’re new to mountain biking don’t let its storied reputation intimidate you. Whistler’s Mountain Bike Park dates back to 1999 with the Fitzsimmons Zone, which includes all 5 difficulty levels of terrain and all 5 skill centers. Since then, the mtb park has grown to include 4 additional bike zones as well as the Gatorade Skills Park Zone, with a 4,900-foot vertical of lift-serviced descending trails. As a biking mecca, you can bet Whistler has some seriously knowledgeable guides and instructors to teach you the ropes, with lessons, camps and rentals all available. There’s no better place to learn!

Because of construction this summer access to the bike park will look different. The Whistler Village Gondola opened back in May or the summer 2023 season and will run for bike hauls through early October.

Check out Whistler Mountain’s “Greatest Hits” from its famed mtb park.

Where to stay: For the most convenient access to the Whistler Mountain biking trails, you’ll want to stay in the Westin Resort and Spa. You’re just a pedal or two away from the bike-haul lifts.

Big Sky Mountain Bike Park

Big Sky, MT 

The bike park at Big Sky Resort saw additional expansion almost 10 years ago when more trails were added off of the Explorer and Swift Currents lifts. The resort is currently running all three lifts that provide mountain bike access for the summer and opening as many bike trails as the weather permits. There are 20+ trails on over 40 miles of terrain, plus 10 double black diamond expert trails for advanced mountain bikers seeking maximum thrills. Rentals, camps and lessons are also available at the resort so whether you’re just getting into mtb or are after all the jumps and drops, Big Sky won’t disappoint.

Get an idea of what you can expect at Big Sky from the video below.

Where to stay: Be one of the first on the mountain when you book your Big Sky stay at Huntley Lodge. The historic hotel has the Explorer Lift right out the back door and is in the heart of the base village for all the happenings before and after the lifts close for the day.

Need to get mountain biking gear for the summer?

Our brand partners are as stoked about mountain biking as we are, and all of them offer a wide array of equipment for you to stock up on before your next trip To The Mountains this summer.

• Dakine: is your stop for all wearables; shorts, shirts, gloves and protective pads.
• Giro: specializes in helmets and goggles.
• Namuk: clothing for kids including jackets, shirts, shorts and gloves. Plus, you can find backpacks for little ones and a co-branded helmet with our friends at Giro!
• Strafe: shorts, shirts and jackets for all weather conditions while mountain biking.

 

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If you’re ready to book a vacation to go mountain biking at ski resorts give us a call, start a chat, or start customizing your vacation details today with our online booking engine. We can help you plan and book everything from flights and lodging to ground transfers, car rentals (with bike racks) and even bike haul lift tickets. Our Mountain Travel Experts are as knowledgeable about skiing as they are in biking and can help you find year-round deals for staying at ski resorts. 

More ski resorts with mountain biking