Good skiers make good mountain bikers. So, it's no wonder that North America's best ski towns turn into the best mountain biking towns each summer.
Mountain biking isn’t only good for your legs and core, but also for your heart and lungs, which will help you on those top-to-bottom burners when ski season rolls around again. Mountain biking is also great for your balance, coordination and reaction time. Aside from the exercise, it’s the most fun way to explore the mountains in the summer. Need some inspiration? From Tahoe to Stowe, here is some of the best singletrack in ski country.
1. Rim Trail
Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
The Tahoe Rim Trail passes through two states (California and Nevada), six counties, one state park, three National Forests and three wilderness areas with riding itineraries that span lake and waterfall rides to wildflower and peak rides. Of the 165 miles of singletrack that encircle the largest alpine lake in North America, more than 80 miles are open to mountain bikes. The views are vast, the terrain varied and it’s one of those rides that can be enjoyed by bikers of all abilities. Many local bike shops provide shuttles for the point-to-point rides within the Rim Trail.
2. Phil’s Trail
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
Phil’s Trail, a network of intersecting trails, offers hundreds of miles of singletrack, only minutes from downtown Bend. Phil’s is all about flow—the descents don’t require constant breaking and the gradual climbs allow for fun cornering, even while going uphill. The opportunities for exploration are endless, as trails span out west toward Mt. Bachelor. From the trailhead, the first five miles or so are gradual and suitable for beginners. Beyond that, things get more interesting. The maze of trails can be challenging to navigate, but most of the intersections are marked with numbers and names that are on most local mountain bike maps.
3. Fisher Creek
Sun Valley, Idaho
The Ketchum-Hailey-Sun Valley area boasts more than 400 miles of singletrack, much of it some of the smoothest, buffest riding in the country. The area’s most famous mountain bike ride is the Fisher Creek loop, which rips one of the world’s great cross-country descents, Williams Creek. This 18-mile trail has no shortage of spectacular views, but the singletrack that winds through the burn area (from a 2005 fire) is some of the most unique. Try to time it with wildflower season.
4. Lower Rock Creek Trail
Mammoth, California
While most mountain bikers come to this area to bike at the popular Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, no trip to the Eastern Sierra would be complete without riding Lower Rock Creek Trail. The upper section of the trail is moderately difficult, while the lower section requires advanced skills. As the canyon walls get deeper, the rock gardens get more frequent as the trail descends nearly 2,000 feet (and climbs only 50 feet). There’s even a stream crossing at the end to cool off in. If you shuttle, arrange to be picked up at the bottom near Paradise Lodge. Or, you can ride the 8-mile, 2,000-foot climb on the rarely used Old Hwy 395.
5. Flying Dog
Park City, Utah
Flying Dog is a scenic, fairly non-technical IMBA-designated Epic Ride. It’s perfect for groups with intermediate mountain bikers, as well as experts, who can enjoy cruising down the fast, buffed out dirt and over bridges that cross ponds and streams. The shortest route is a 10-mile ride with a 1,500 vertical feet elevation change, so be prepared. Options include a 10-mile easier ride, a 16-mile moderate ride and a 23-mile ride with 3,000 feet of climbing.
6. Hermosa Creek
Durango, Colorado
Hermosa Creek is considered by many to be one of Durango's, and even one of Colorado's, top rides. The 20-mile straight shot begins from a meadow at the top of Durango Mountain Resort and follows Hermosa Creek down 3,000 feet (with some climbs mixed in) to the small town of Hermosa. It's almost always ridden as a shuttle, though hardcore locals and pros have been known to ride it from town as a 50-mile loop.
5. 401
Crested Butte, Colorado
Coming to Crested Butte with a mountain bike and not riding 401 is like skiing Squaw Valley and not riding KT-22. For decades, 401 has lured riders who come with visions of downhill switchbacks through head-high wildflowers. The middle-chain dirt road warm-up deposits riders into the alpine, where the rolling terrain gives way to a ridge with spectacular views. Finish up with the unmatched natural banked slalom to town (through the wildflowers, if you’re lucky).
