When you think of Park City, Utah, you usually think about skiing or snowboarding. But in the last 10 years or so, the community has really put a ton of effort into making Park City one of the best mountain biking destinations in the nation. The IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) and National Geographic both think that Park City is in the top five, and us locals definitely agree. We’ve got so many bike parks, mountains that support ridership in the summer, and singletrack, it’s really hard to know where to start writing about Park City mountain biking.
Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Resort has lots of great runs for beginners, experts, and gonzo downhill riders. During the summer, they open up lifts to assist riders getting to the top so we can expend all of our energy bombing down the hills and hitting the jumps. Deer Valley Resort has even started a series of twilight sessions this year where the lifts will be open much later; it will be coupled with live music and food.
The Canyons
On the other side of town is the Canyons. Gravity hounds commonly head over this direction so they can experience some serious freefall at high-speed. There’s 20 miles of super step downhills that will satisfy the biggest of daredevils. The gondola takes riders up from the base of the Canyons, virtually all the way to the top of the mountain and into some amazing bike parks and well-groomed runs.
Singletrack
They say there’s 400 miles of singletrack in and around Park City; we think there’s much more than that! If you add in the backsides of the mountains like Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood, we venture to guess there’s 1000 miles of singletrack to explore.
Tips from the Locals
Our concierge and sales teams here at Park City vacation rentals are comprised of many different types of extreme athletes, including lots of mountain bikers. If you’re thinking of coming out to Park City to stay in one of our vacation rentals, make sure to pick up the phone and give us a call so we can give you some local pro tips on where to go to keep away from the crowds and help design you the perfect mountain biking experience.
Pro Park City Mountain Biking Tip #1
Leave a car at the base of the canyons and shadow your bikes just above the Montage hotel and park around the next bend past the Montage. Jump on the Mid Mountain Trail and head north. You’ll get about 20 miles of rolling Park City mountain biking singletrack with unbeatable views of the entire area. When you reach the gondola area in the Canyons, go just passed Red Pine Lodge and look for the sign to Holly’s Trail. Take Holly down until you reach the Canyons Gravity Park. Pick a run that best suits your ability and charge down the mountain. You’ll wind up at the base of the canyon where the shuttle car is located. If you are interested in some extra credit, don’t use the shuttle car and just ride back up the main street, finishing with a super steep climb up to the Montage that will definitely have your legs singing for recovery.
Pro Tip #2
Take a spin class! If for some reason you show up and the weather is less than perfect, check out The Basin Recreational Center morning spin classes. There are some very enthusiastic ride leaders who start classes at 6 AM, and you can drop in for just a few bucks. It’s the best way to start your day, especially when you’re bummed out because you’re not going to be able to get the mileage you’d hoped for. This is also a great way to supplement building your legs and lungs in the high mountains. You definitely suck a bit more wind here in Park City due to the altitude, so tossing in a few spin classes is never a bad idea to get your lungs used to the thin air.
