It's All Downhill From HereMountain Biking in Deer ValleyThis summer, trade in your skis for mountain bikes and enjoy Deer Valley, Utah's pristine beauty by rolling through its alpine wonders instead of gliding over its snow. Deer Valley has long been associated with the finest in skiing, snow conditions, gourmet fare and white-glove service in the winter months. Now, the resort offers the first lift-served mountain biking program in Park City, and it has met with rave reviews since its debut season in 1992. Most recently, Mountain Bike Action magazine named Deer Valley Resort one of the Top Five Mountain Bike Destinations in the United States. “This is a thrilling ranking,” says Resort Mountain Bike Manager Don Taylor, “because it places Deer Valley in the same arena as other highly respected mountain bike operations. We are being held in the same esteem as Mammoth, Vail, Mt. Snow and Traverse City, all resorts that have been doing this longer than we have. This is a big honor.” In a continual effort to provide an exceptional, quality experience to its guests and to keep “rolling” with the demands of mountain bike enthusiasts, the Resort has implemented two changes for the upcoming biking season. First, a new section of cross-country trail has been cut on Flagstaff mountain. The approximately 5-mile course has been dubbed “TBB” after Team Big Bear, the organization that produces Deer Valley’s annual NORBA (National Off-Road Bicycle Association) National Championship Series race. “The Team Big Bear guys got out there themselves to help us cut that trail for the NORBA race,” says Taylor, “so we named it in honor of their hard work.” The addition of “TBB” increases Deer Valley’s total mountain bike terrain to over 50 miles of both single- and double-track trails. Further trail maintenance plans for summer ’99 include repairing, restoring and re-signing trails in the Resort’s new Empire Canyon area. One of the new mountain bike improvements at the Resort is the introduction of their own line of rental bikes this season. A new fleet of full-suspension K2 bicycles has been purchased and will be available for rent at the mountain bike corral and ticket office located outside Silver Lake Lodge at the base of the Sterling lift. The rental shop is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cross-country bike rentals are $40 for a full day, $30 for a half day (4 hours) or $12/hour. Downhill bike rentals are $45 for a full day, $35 for a half day (4 hours) or $15/hour. Bike rental includes helmet and a complimentary water bottle. Other accessories are also available for a fee. Deer Valley continues to provide a first-class lift-served mountain biking program including access to the top of the 9,400 foot Bald mountain via the Sterling lift. The service includes mountain bike lessons, tours, rentals and the “bike patrol,” which monitors the mountain terrain daily and is always available for questions or guest assistance. The Sterling lift at Silver Lake Lodge will operate 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays and holidays, mid-June through Labor Day, weekends only in September (conditions permitting). All-day lift-served mountain bike passes are $15, and single-ride passes are $8. Purchasing a $175 season’s pass allows riders unlimited access to the chairlift all summer long. Scenic chairlift rides are $7 for adults and $6 for seniors, with kids six and under free. Beginner trails at Deer Valley meander through trees and offer riders a chance to become accustomed to their bikes. More difficult trails require bikers to test their technical expertise through demanding hairpin turns, switchbacks and steep vertical inclines. Expert riders will enjoy the steep and winding “Twist and Shout” single-track trail. This 1.7-mile ride on Bald mountain features dense trees and tight curves. “Naildriver” is ideal for intermediate riders as it winds down from the top of the mountainside and over the historic Naildriver mine dump. “Tour des Suds” is a challenging six-mile cross-country trail encircling Flagstaff mountain on primarily single-track trail. Riders can also traverse the wide single-track course around Ontario Bowl on the Ontario Loop. Deer Valley will again host a variety of mountain bike events on its grounds this year, including the cross-country portion of Park City’s town-wide PedalFest on June 19 and the NORBA National Championship Series event July 22 – 25. Whether riders have taken a leisurely mountain bike tour through Deer Valley’s aspen groves or an exhilarating spin on the downhill course, they will be happy to round out their experience by grabbing a snack at Snowshoe Tommy’s at the top of the Sterling lift, or sitting down to a scrumptious burger, specialty pizzette, a creative salad or sandwich on the deck of McHenry’s restaurant. For more information on Deer Valley’s lift-served mountain biking program, contact the Resort at 800-424-DEER (3337) or view their website at www.deervalley.com Edited by Dave Shultz |
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