By Doug Hare EBS STAFF
Mountain
biking operations began on June 15 with riders lapping beginner and
intermediate flow trails off of Explorer lift, signaling the beginning of
summer for Mountain Village. Swift Current and Thunder Wolf lifts will begin
service on June 22.
A
bike haul pass offers access to all three lifts and over 40 miles of trails for
all levels and abilities. With the diversity of terrain that Big Sky’s biking
trails offer—from beginner flow trails to steep, technical trails off of Swift
Current and Thunder Wolf—every rider can find a trail that suits their ability.
Bike
haul passes will be available for pick up at the Basecamp building in the
center of Mountain Village during the summer season. New this year, The Sky Pack includes four days of
riding at the resort for $119 and 25 percent off the regular rate bike haul
lift ticket on any additional days.
Don’t
forget about the local favorite, Mountain to Meadow trail, which is open to the
public and consists of a series of scenic connector trails that allow bikers to
ride six miles of flow trail from the base area all the way to Big Sky Town
Center.
Many
existing trails are being improved this summer season, including a complete rework
on Tango to better fit in the progression between Rabbit Run and Gambler.
“We
are identifying gaps in our trail progression and adding trails to fill the
gaps. Tango, one of our existing trails, is being reworked as a machine-built
freeride trail, maintaining its current corridor and shifting corridors when
needed to maintain a lower grade,” said Christine Baker, manager of Mountain
Sports for Big Sky Resort. “The goal is to create an easier blue freeride
trail. Big Sky Resort is a family-friendly destination, so making our mountain
more accessible to everyone, especially those new to the sport, is essential.”
Bike
rentals are available at Different Spokes, the resort’s full-service bike shop
located in Mountain Village. Rentals include mountain bikes and Strider bikes
for children. Different Spokes also offers downhill bike coaching, bike haul
tickets and scenic lift tickets. RAD Bikes is another option in Mountain
Village for bike tuning, parts and repairs.
Swift
Current and Explorer lifts will operate from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., while Thunder
Wolf will run 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., depending on weather conditions.
Not
one for two-wheel adventures? With more than 30 miles of hiking trails around
Big Sky, escaping the rigors of everyday life is just a few steps away. Guided
hikes with expert guides are available for hikers of all ability levels to
experience tranquil summer trails and learn about local flora and fauna. Many
hiking trails connect to U.S. Forest Service land, allowing for full-day treks
into Montana’s beautiful backcountry.
Visit bigskyresort.com for more information.
