Mountain biking and skiing share a profound connection at many ski resorts, drawing adventurers who relish the thrill of both sports. When winter transitions into spring, the snowy slopes transform into a haven for mountain bikers seeking exhilarating trails, breathtaking views, and heart-pounding descents. For those ready to embrace the daring world of mountain biking, we present some of the best ski resorts in North America that offer exceptional mountain biking experiences (in no particular order).

Deer Valley Resort, Utah

Deer Valley Resort, nestled amidst the picturesque Utah mountains, promises mountain biking enthusiasts an extraordinary experience. Extending over six peaks, the resort boasts up to 3,000 vertical feet of elevation changes, offering an exhilarating challenge to riders. With an impressive 70 miles of mountain bike trails, including four expertly crafted flow trails by Gravity Logic, the variety of trails caters to all skill levels. Accessing the trails is a breeze with three chairlifts – Silver Lake Express at the base and Sterling Express and Homestake Express mid-mountain. Additionally, several trails at Deer Valley Resort connect with Park City Mountain Resort’s extensive 400-mile network of singletrack mountain biking trails, making it a paradise for biking enthusiasts.

Big Bear Resort, California

Set in the stunning San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Resort’s Summit Bike Park offers a captivating blend of gravity-fed trails and scenic singletrack routes. The downhill trails are a delight for riders as they require minimal pedaling or braking, allowing bikers to embrace the adrenaline rush without restraint. Boasting over 60 miles of cross-country trails, riders are treated to awe-inspiring views of the San Bernardino range and Big Bear Lake. The park’s diverse natural and artificial features, such as step-ups, berms, and bridges, challenge all skill-level bikers. While beginners can explore the Small Wonder features, the Skill Builder Park offers more advanced runs like 10-ply and Party Wave for the daring riders seeking an extra dose of thrill.

Boreal, California

Boreal’s The Slabs beckons mountain biking enthusiasts to an exciting lift-accessed downhill mountain bike park in Soda Springs. Providing access to thrilling downhill mountain bike trails, dirt jumps, a pump track, and indoor/outdoor concrete parks, The Slabs ensures an unforgettable experience for all. The park offers five trails of varying difficulty levels, catering to riders with different skill sets. The Trenches, in particular, is a haven for dirt lovers looking to explore trickery and push their boundaries, while riders of all abilities can find their rhythm in the diverse trails of The Slabs.

Northstar, California

Nestled near Truckee, Northstar is Northern California’s largest mountain bike park, promising a host of exhilarating experiences. Offering a plethora of beginner to advanced cross-country and downhill mountain biking trails, the park ensures riders of all levels have a fantastic time. Technical descents such as Sticks N’ Stones and Boondocks enthrall experienced riders, while the jumps of Livewire and Gypsy beckon gravity-defying stunts. Warm up with a lap on the Big Springs Gondola before exploring more adventures via the Vista Express or Zephyr Express.

Whistler, Canada

Widely acclaimed as the world’s top lift-accessed bike park, Whistler Mountain Bike Park in Canada is an absolute must for mountain biking enthusiasts. Spanning an astonishing 70 trails over about 50 miles of lift-served terrain, the park offers an impressive 4,900 feet of vertical drop. Separated into four main zones – Fitzsimmons, Garbanzo, Creekside, and Peak – each zone offers unique trails with natural features, ensuring a diverse and exciting biking experience.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort, West Virginia

Snowshoe Mountain Resort’s Bike Park boasts one of the largest trail systems in the East, with nearly 40 trails and a thrilling 1,500 feet of vertical descent. Legendary berms, jumps, drops, and flow trails cater to riders of every ability level. The park’s stellar reputation is further solidified by hosting prestigious events like the 2023 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. From first-time riders to pro downhillers and cross-country enthusiasts, everyone can find their perfect trail at Snowshoe Bike Park.

Angel Fire, New Mexico

Voted Best in the Southwest for seven consecutive years by MTBparks.com, Angel Fire Bike Park in the Rocky Mountains stands as the largest bike park in the region. With over 2,000 vertical feet and 60 miles of lift-served terrain featuring skinnies, jump lines, manicured flow trails, and super chunk trails, the park caters to riders of varying skill levels. With personalized attention and small group sizes, beginner riders feel at ease as they embark on their mountain biking journey.

Crested Butte, Colorado

The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park, established in 2009, is thoughtfully designed to accommodate riders of all skill levels, from beginners to gravity experts. Via the Red Lady Express lift-served bike haul, the park offers an extensive network of trails comprising lift-served downhill trails and cross-country rides, connecting to popular routes in and around Crested Butte. With 30 miles of lift-served singletrack, Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park invites riders to explore the pristine Colorado trails from June through September.

Snowmass, Colorado

Come summer, the base of Snowmass Mountain transforms into a mountain biker’s paradise with the enchanting Snowmass Bike Park. Boasting nearly 3,000 feet of vertical, the park offers challenging trails such as Viking, Vapor, and Valhalla that push riders to test their technical capabilities. The Midweek Bonus Bike Nights in July and August extend the biking fun until dusk on select Tuesdays, while bike rentals are readily available for all adventure-seekers.

Winter Park, Colorado

Affectionately known as Mountain Bike Capital USA, Winter Park’s biking realm is a sprawling network of over 600 miles of trails throughout the Winter Park and Fraser areas. Trestle Bike Park, part of Winter Park, offers exciting riding options and enjoys the distinction of being North America’s fastest-growing bike park. With more than 40 miles of lift-served trails, riders can dive headfirst into thrilling adventures.

Killington, Vermont

With its three high-speed lifts, Killington Mountain Bike Park ensures mountain bikers enjoy over 30 miles of classic New England singletrack and Gravity Logic flow trails. From beginners to intermediate and expert riders, the park caters to all with nearly 2,000 feet of vertical descent. Killington’s gravity-fueled bike park encompasses three unique mountain areas – Snowshed, Ramshead, and Killington Peak – each presenting exciting terrain and challenges.

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