Related Guides

Popular Cities in California

Most Popular

Travel Resources

ShoulderSeason

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

Screensavers
share this article del.icio.us DIGG Facebook StumbleUpon

From Away.com
Page:
1 2 

Summer Biking at Ski Resorts
All Tired out on the Slopes

By Paul McMenamin

As the spring sun melts away the last of the winter's snow, the ski resorts of North America adjust their award-winning resorts to attract a different kind of alpine thrill-seeker. Ski resorts in the Alps have been opening their lifts to summer hikers and glacier skiers since the mid-1980s. North American resorts, meanwhile, have taken that move one step further, inviting mountain bikers and their machines to hop aboard their chairlifts in summer.

Most resorts offer services amendable to two-wheel enthusiasts, including bike rentals, free (or low-cost) trail access, and full chair-lift support. Below are a smattering of some of the best of the best, spots where you and your wheels can crest the mountain and crank through the swooping descents without getting cranky.



Deer Valley Resort
Wednesdays through Sundays from mid-June to Labor Day, Deer Valley Resort (P.O. Box 889, Park City, UT 84060; 1.800.424.3337 or 435.649.1000. www.deervalley.com) throws open i19 trails for mountain bikers of all ability levels. Cost is $16 per day for lift use, $9 for a single ride, and no charge for trail access only.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
Mammoth Mountain—70 miles of snowcat trails, single tracks, and fire roads—is open for mountain biking from June 21 through October. An unlimited all-day pass (gondola and bike shuttle) is $29 per day, a two-ride pass is $25, and trail access is only $10 per day. Mammoth Adventure Connections (Box 24, Mammoth Lake, CA 93546; 1.800.228.4947 or 760.934.0606. www.mammothmountain.com)

Mt. Snow Resort
Mountain biking on more than 100 miles of trails is a reality here from June through mid-October. Lift tickets are $30 per day; trail access is only $10 per day. Contact Mt. Snow Vacation Services (Mt. Snow, VT 05356; 1.245.7669 or 802.464.8501. www.mountsnow.com)




Next Page
Page:
1 2 


Paul McMenamin is the author, editor, and photo director of the original Ultimate Adventure Sourcebook.