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Winter Park Offers Mountain Biking with Altitude
To get to the top of the slopes, riders can jump on the Zephyr Express chairlift which is specially equipped to carry bikes. Once on the mountain, bikers can choose from a variety of green, blue and black trails. Riders are not alone on the trails – a team of mountain bike patrollers cruise the mountain regularly to offer directions, assistance and first aid for both bikes and riders.
For those simply looking for tips on good routes, the resort’s guided mountain bike tours are ideal. The tour focuses on maximizing the riding experience and costs $20 for two hours or $32 for four hours. Like ski trails, bike trails are rated in difficulty by color – green is easiest, blue is more difficult and black is most difficult. For beginners, Lower Roof of the Rockies, Fantasy
For more information about mountain biking vacations in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley, call Winter Park Central Reservations at (800) 729-5813 or visit www.winterparkresort.com. Edited by Dave Shultz |
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From heart-pumping uphill climbs and exhilarating
single-track downhills to leisurely double-track trails through the forest,
Winter Park Resort has it all when it comes to mountain biking. Novice,
recreational and expert riders alike can appreciate Winter Park Resort’s 50
miles of varied terrain across a 7,600-acre permit area. 
Bikers at any level can brush up on their skills with
daily mountain bike clinics offered in either two- or four-hour
sessions. Beginner and intermediate clinics emphasize learning the
fundamental skills such as climbing, cornering and descending. Advanced
clinics focus on tips and techniques for improving skills on steep or
technical terrain. Cost is $20 for two hours or $32 for four hours. 
Meadow and Tunnel Hill provide a gentle introduction to
the sport while intermediate riders will want to tackle Upper Roof of the
Rockies or Long Trail. For advanced and expert riders, Mountain Goat, Lower
Arapahoe, Icarus and Jackalope are demanding single-track trails with plenty
of natural obstacles to challenge the most experienced bikers.
Since traveling with a bike is not an option for many
visitors, bike rentals are available at Slopeside Gear & Sport,
located at the base of Winter Park. Front-shock rentals cost $9/hour,
$23/half day or $33/full day. Full-suspension bikes run $14/hour, $31/half
day and $45/full day. Bike rental and lift packages are also available. For
those who bring their own bikes, Slopeside’s trained technicians can perform
repairs.