Mountain biking is an exciting activity that attracts thrill-seekers of all ages. The sport consists of riding specially-designed bicycles off-road, usually over rough terrain. Winter Park, Colorado, is known as Mountain Bike Capital USA, offering over 600 miles of trails, two bike parks and many bike rental shops. It's the perfect place to test your skills! Read on to find out why Winter Park mountain biking should be on your bucket list.
There are so many incredible things to do in Colorado! Whether you're interested in Winter Park mountain biking, hiking, water activities or indoor fun, our Guest Services Team can help you plan the ultimate getaway.
Where to Enjoy Winter Park, CO Mountain Biking
With its towering mountains, dense forests, and unique elevation profile, Winter Park has mountain biking trails for all ability levels. Spend a few hours on the Idlewild System or choose a nearby bike park to explore. Some of our favorite mountain biking trails and parks are:
Trestle Bike Park
Situated in the heart of Winter Park, Trestle Bike Park is a full-service bike park that features over 40 miles of gravity-fed dirt. Here you'll find freeride, technical and cross-country trails for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. The park boasts the largest rental fleet in the country. All you have to do is show up and get ready for some fun! The park opens from late May through September.
Some of the best mountain biking trails are located within Trestle Bike Park. For the most experienced riders, the Banana Peel has demanding technical and slopestyle features to boost your adrenaline levels. Navigate extreme drops and gaps on this freeride, Signature Pro Line trail which requires a separate pass to access. The Trestle Downhill is another short but challenging ride at 1.4 miles long. It is one of the steepest trails in Trestle Bike Park and features difficult rock gardens for experienced riders only. Check out the Trestle Bike Park map for a full list of trails no matter what your skill level is!
Choose from a variety of learning programs such as private coaching or multi-day camps to ramp up your skills or receive a basic introduction to mountain biking. Trestle Bike Park offers many opportunities to work with experienced coaches seven days a week.
Each July, Trestle Bike Park hosts the Colorado Freeride Festival. This event is a must-see for mountain bikers and showcases athletes from all over the world. Be sure to check it out if you're in the area!
Granby Ranch Bike Park
Visitors who choose to bike Granby Ranch won't be disappointed. The ranch is located among Winter Park, Arapaho National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park, offering everything from unmarked singletrack paths to dirt roads. Experienced mountain bikers will love the downhill course with its black and double-black diamond trails featuring rock gardens, gap jumps and more. If you're a beginner, opt for an easier cross-country trail and focus on honing your skills. The options are endless! The trails are open from late May through September.
For beginners, consider the Bee Line trail with smooth terrain and minimal obstacles also well-suited for families. For a little more challenge, try the Strawberry Jam trail, rated as beginner/intermediate. Here, riders can work on their bike handling skills and navigate different features including berms and rollers. And on the opposite side of the spectrum, Stranger and Bucknasty are some of the most difficult trails in the park, rated as double-black diamonds.
Granby Ranch also offers lessons taught by mountain biking pros. Riders can learn the basics or refine their skills with tailored lessons.
Fraser River Trail
The Fraser River Trail is a cross-country mountain biking trail perfect for beginners, families or those looking for a less demanding ride. The 5-mile trail has minimal elevation gain and is paved all the way from Fraser to Winter Park Resort. This is a scenic trail with picnic tables, benches and educational signs along the way. Riders can start and stop on the trail at any point. Pack a lunch and enjoy the beautiful views of the Fraser River Valley and surrounding mountains.
Bike Rentals & Gear
Traveling with a ton of equipment can be tough. Luckily, there are many Winter Park bike rental options. Beavers Sports Shop can set you up for the ultimate mountain biking experience. Browse bikes from Trek, Cannondale, and Salsa, wheels from Mavic, Bontrager, and NoTubes, and other components from FSA, Shimano, SRAM, Avid, and more. You can also ask the staff for advice on how to tackle the best trails in town. Beavers Sports Shop is located inside the Best Western on Highway 40.
Both Trestle Bike Park and Granby Ranch offer convenient bike and accessory rentals on-site.
Biking Safety
All riders should know and follow the Mountain Biker's Responsibility Code to ensure safe and courteous riding for everyone. The ten elements to follow are: stay in control, know your limits, protect yourself, inspect and maintain your equipment, be lift smart, inspect the trails and features, obey signs and warning, be visible, look and yield to others, and cooperate,
It's also important to know the different difficulty ratings for each trail. Features such as trail width, obstacles and trail grade are used to determine rating. Learn the rating system to make the best trail choices for your skill level.
Book Your Stay With StayWinterPark
When it's time to start planning your Winter Park mountain biking adventure, make sure you book the best lodging available! Our condos and vacation rentals provide easy access to the trails and parks mentioned above. Best of all, they have everything you need to unwind after a long day outdoors.
Get ready for an unforgettable vacation! We look forward to hosting you.
