Bike Parks seem to be the hot new thing in Colorado. They’re now in Boulder, Frisco, and Winter Park.
Valmont Bike Park in Boulder opened in June after many years of planning. There are 40 acres of trails for all ability levels and even an area for toddlers. It’s been in the planning stages since 1998. The cyclo-cross races have a 2 mile loop with jumps, berms, single track, sand pits, switchbacks and more.
They hosted the 2011 Cyclo Cross race which included age levels from 8-55 and up. Mountain bikers from all over the state participated.
The town of Frisco in Summit County has also opened it’s own, called the Frisco Peninsula Bike Park. There are three sculpted flow trails and a pump track where riders can practice jumps. In addition, there’s a day lodge, mountain bike trail, Nordic ski track, tubing hill, skateboard park, kids track and disc golf course. There are expert as well as beginner options. Local riders helped to design the park. Summit County feels it fits in well with all the outdoor activity options in the area.
Winter Park Trestle Bike Park
This park isn’t free. It costs $37 but that includes the lift ticket. They also offer lessons for an additional fee. The focus is on downhill, hence the need for a lift ticket. The number of downhillers has jumped 500% in the past five years. It’s close to the busiest park, behind the Whistler, BC park. There are 37 miles of trails of both downhill and freeride including around 200 features. The Green World trail is for beginners. Rainmaker is an expert jump trail. Three lifts run every day.
www.trestlebikepark.com
Keystone
Also specializes in downhill. The lift ticket is $36. The summit is at 11,640′ and the vertical drop is 2,360′. There are 55 trails to accomodate experts as well as families. And even jumps and bridges and tree roots.
SolVista
$28 lift ticket and optional lessons and bike rentals.
Crested Butte
$26 adult lift ticket. For $85 you get a bike rental, lift ticket and lessons.
Golden Bike Park, 4471 Salvia St, Golden
Castle Rock Bike Park
