8 World-Class Mountain Bike Havens
Riding Sun-Kissed Trails at 4-Season Resorts
Compiled by Diane Rudholm
Photo at right: Summer lifts carry cyclists to trails through iconic beargrass blooms at Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Mont. Photo by Brian Schott, courtesy of Whitefish Visitor Bureau
Wherever you go in the Northwest, chances are good you’re not far from some epic mountain biking. We’ve rounded up eight super bike-friendly areas in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and B.C. that are full-service, four-season destinations. Whatever your style, whatever your experience level—they’ve got a little bit of everything, including great on-the-mountain amenities.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Whitefish, Mont.
Photo by Brian Schott, courtesy of Whitefish Visitor Bureau
Last summer, Whitefish Mountain Resort added five new mountain bike trails, which more than doubled the resort’s lift-accessed downhill biking terrain. The new trails add five miles to the bike park bringing the total to nearly 27 miles of free-ride and cross-country trails.
Whitefish, Mont., continues to grow as a mountain biking destination. Whitefish Legacy Partners and the City of Whitefish have built 22 miles of trail accessed by five trailheads close to town. Eventually, the Whitefish Trail will evolve into a 55-mile recreational trail system through state, federal and private lands.
The Whitefish Bike Retreat—a unique hostel-style lodge—opened its doors to adventurers. It is centrally located on the town’s Whitefish Trail and close to the
area’s many downhill, cross-country and wilderness single-track trails.
Schweitzer Mountain
Sandpoint, Idaho
Schweitzer Resort Mountain Bike Park in Sandpoint, Idaho, offers up more than 20 miles of colorful cross-country bike trails, along with plenty of downhill trails to keep your heart racing. Downhill trails begin at the top of the Great Escape Quad and descend 1,700 feet to the Schweitzer Village. Chairlifts run Thursday through Monday all summer, and bicycle amenities and rentals are just a stone’s throw away.
Sandpoint is accessible directly by Amtrak, and is about 80 miles northeast of the Spokane International Airport.
www.schweitzer.com/events-activities/mountain-biking
Sun Valley
Ketchum, Idaho
The Sun Valley area is home to more than 30 miles of paved bike paths and hundreds of miles of single-track mountain bike trails—including the infamous Bald Mountain at Sun Valley Resort, which offers cyclists scenic paths through wildflowers, as well as more challenging downhill terrain.
Family-friends lodging, bike rentals and services, and trails of all levels are easy to access throughout the summer months.
www.sunvalley.com/mountain/hiking-biking
Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Whistler Blackcomb offers miles of lift-served trails. Photo by Carolyn Price
Whistler-Blackcomb, B.C.
Whistler has an extensive range of trails, services, lessons and programing for cross-country and downhill mountain-biking enthusiasts. Cyclists can explore more almost 5,000 feet of lift-served descending mountain bike trails ranging from gentle to pure gnar. No question about it: There are plenty of options for testing limits, catching air or soaking up glorious views. Lodging and world-class dining are also easy to reach.
At the end of the day, the people at Whistler-Blackcomb want you to “have a great day and go home tired, dirty and happy.”
Whistler-Blackcomb is located about 85 miles northeast of Vancouver, B.C.
Silver Star Mountain Resort
Vernon, B.C.
While Silver Star Mountain Resort in B.C. has a range of stunning cross-country trails, it is also a downhill mountain-biking dream. The resort offers 18 distinct hand-crafted trails that do not join or cut into other trails—lessening the likelihood of other cyclists cutting through. Summer activities are scheduled to open in late June.
The High Speed Six-Person Chair runs all summer and can take four bikes up the mountain in less than eight minutes. Other amenities include bike rentals and services, dining and pubs, and an array of lodging options.
Silver Star will host the BC Cup and BC Championships DH Race this summer. The mountain is 40 miles northeast of the Kelowna International Airport, where frequent
shuttle service is provided, and about 13 miles north of the town of Kelowna.
Crystal Mountain
Greenwater, Wash.
With epic views of Mount Rainier and the White River Valley at nearly every single- and double-track turn, the Crystal Mountain area is no doubt one of the most scenic
in the Northwest. Starting from 2,000 feet on Highway 410 to Crystal’s summit at 6,872 feet, classic trails such Skookum Flats, Ranger Creek, Crystal Mountain Loop, The Palisades,
Sun Top and Deep Creek will take downhillers through curvy, twisty trails and fields of densely-packed wildflowers.
For hotter weather, try Chinook Pass and a fun trail, Little Bald Mountain. Local hotels offer trails from their back door.
www.crystalhotels.com/mountain-biking
www.cascadesingletrack.com/BakerNF/Crystal/trail.html
Stevens Pass Bike Park
Skykomish, Wash.
Located a two-hour drive from Seattle, the Stevens Pass Bike Park will begin its third season in June, depending on snowpack. Operating on a weekend-only schedule (Friday–Sunday) the lift-serviced Bike Park offers several advanced trails including a two-mile beginner trail from the top of Hogsback. There is also a skills park located at the base area with wooden features for all levels.
At press time, adult lift tickets were known to be $35 and $29 for kids. On-mountain services include a bike shop with rentals, repair and gear; and food/snack concessions.
www.stevenspass.com/site/summer
Mt. Bachelor Downhill Bike Park
Bend, Ore.
The new Mt. Bachelor Downhill Bike Park had an auspicious beginning last year when it opened for about a month beginning Sept. 13. Crews will be working this spring and summer to add more trails and features as it readies for a mid-July opening in 2014. Depending on snow melt, the Park will be open through mid-October. All trails promise to have at least 1,300 feet of vertical drop.
Bike Park participants must purchase a daily Bike Park Lift Ticket, which allows access to the Pine Marten chairlift and any open bike trails. No uphill travel is allowed via bike. Due to limited capacity on the lift and trail network, there may be days when tickets sell out. Bike rentals and gear are available on site, as is a service shop. Lessons will be offered for novice downhill and freeride mountain bikers.
The Park, when fully built as approved, will offer more than 13 miles of excavated and singletrack downhill mountain bike trails. During 2014, the Bike Park will be open daily during the summer months and Fridays through Sundays in the fall.
www.mtbachelor.com/winter/services_activities/bike_park/info
www.mtbachelor.com/winter/services_activities/bike_park/construction
Editor’s Note: Which is your favorite four-season destination?
>> Let us know via email…
