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base area were like ‘if she can do it, I can do it.’ It made biggest proponents of the bike park if they are asked to be
[the sport] seem more attainable,” he said. part of the process from the very beginning.
McSkimming noted that at Whistler Blackcomb, the
“Women’s Wednesdays” program has been successful ever since CONCLUSION
it was launched back in 2005, offering discounted lift passes,
rentals, and guides in a “drop-in” format, similar to a “pick-up”
game of basketball or football. Guides were originally offered Is dirt in the summer becoming as valuable as snow in the
free to these groups and are still offered for an inexpensive price winter? Time will tell, but there clearly is an opportunity
($33 for two hours with a discounted pre-book rate of $28). for resorts to generate revenue with a downhill bike park.
The process of developing and maintaining a park is clearly
PRIVATE VS. PUBLIC LAND evolving, and along with the evolution in technology and
trail design, the emergence of grooming machines for bike
park trails may soon follow. Hayes has been experiment-
Building a bike park can present some challenges depend- ing with machines at Highland, yet there is no manufacturer
ing on whether the resort is located on private or public working on this…yet.
land. Trestle, located on USFS land, made the wise deci- “Developing a bike park is an excellent way to engage
sion to invite key stakeholders to become involved early on in and retain a ski resort’s winter staff on a year-round basis,”
the design and planning stages—to walk trails, discuss trail said McSkimming. “It also provides an opportunity for an
building, and share input and advice. “Everyone involved improved return on capital as much of the infrastructure
wanted to protect the resource and enhance the experience required is already in place and underutilized during the
for the rider,” Holme said. “The overall relationship between summer months. Lastly, it is an activity much less influenced
Trestle and the USFS has been critical to Trestle’s success.” by possible climate change effects.”
For example, initially Trestle wanted to build a dirt berm These are all good reasons for resorts to consider
on one of its trails, “Cruel and Unusual,” but after brain- whether a downhill bike park merits the same attention and
storming and collaboration with the USFS, decided on an resources given to downhill skiing and snowboarding opera-
elevated wooden berm feature that would keep water running tions. If you haven’t visited a bike park, or you want to learn
in spring melt-off. As part of the process to build some of its how to up the game at your own park, consider attending
newer trails, Trestle has returned other trails in its network to the NSAA Mountain Bike Summit June 21–23 at Northstar
the USFS to be revegetated. In other words, trail negotiation California Resort. Even better, check out their park with
can be a good strategy for resorts located on public land. a guide or a coach. You may just find out you are having a
Resorts located on private land face their own set of “powder day” in June.
challenges, including homeowners or special interest groups
that may be opposed to the development or expansion of a Kevin Jordan is the children’s coordinator and bike park–bike
bike park. Again, there is resounding cry from many suc- school manager at Snowmass, Colo., He is an industry ambassador
cessful bike park operators to involve these groups early on. for Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, and an alpine, children’s,
They may be more open to future expansion and become the and freestyle examiner for PSIA-Rocky Mountain Division.

An experienced rider
launches off a feature
on Tombstone, a
double black diamond
freeride trail at
Highland Mountain.

Paul Kelly