Keystone Bike Park Provides Adventures for Downhill Riders of All Abilities

Whoop whoop! Another bike park scheduled to power up those lifts! - Fred

Opening June 12, Bike Park Offers Variety of Events, Upgrades and Challenges

Keystone, Colo. // May 5, 2015 - Keystone Resort’s Bike Park begins operations on Friday, June 12 at 10 a.m. and will remain open daily through September 7, with two additional weekends September 12-13 and 19-20. Featuring 100 miles of lift-serviced singletrack mountain biking terrain across 55 trails, the mountain’s progressive terrain welcomes riders of all ability levels. Signature Bike Park events such as the VIDA MTB Series (formerly the Betti All Ride Skills Clinic) and Big Mountain Enduro return, as does Women’s Wednesdays Clinics.

The 2015 Keystone Bike Park features a variety of upgrades and additions, including chairlift bike trays, a bigger and better skills park with improved jump lines, and new features, berms and jumps on select trails. The addition of self-loading bike trays to the Summit Express chairlift will increase uphill capacity while also providing riders with a more convenient and streamlined mountain biking adventure. These drop-in bike trays will be placed every fourth chair and hold three per carrier, providing an improved Bike Park experience.

Known by riders as trail-for-trail one of the best bike parks in Colorado, expert riders come for the rock gardens, drops, high speed features and the Drop Zone, an expert-only terrain park consisting of a series of ridgeline drops transformed into free falls, while novice riders appreciate that Keystone Bike Park’s beginner trails consist of open and forested areas with some rocks and roots, and intermediate trails contain some steeper grades, larger rocks and roots and some man-made wooden features.

The Keystone Bike Park’s dedicated trail crew – solely responsible for trail maintenance and upgrades, have completed a variety of upgrades and improvements to numerous trails over the last two seasons. Riders will find plenty of new berms, jumps and features throughout the Park. A few signature additions include a natural wood log feature to the expert trail Cowboy Up, a wall ride feature to the expert trail Paid In Full, a rhythm section to the intermediate trail Mosquito Coast, and a new flow trail with rollers and berms that is designed for all ages and abilities added to the beginner trail Girl Scouts. Additionally, even more new builds will be continued throughout the summer, including a planned remodel on the expert trail TNT and the beginning stages of construction for an entirely new trail.

Keystone offers beginner and intermediate riders a variety of clinics and lessons. The Bike 101 First Timers package is the ideal way to learn how to navigate the mountain via two wheels. Guests will ride away having learned the proper mountain biking technique while becoming more familiarized with the equipment and downhill mountain biking protocols. The Bike 201 Bumps and Bends package is a perfect way to further enhance riding skills and become more comfortable with navigating sharp corners and riding on loose dirt.

Both the 101 and 201 packages not only include instruction, but also bike rental, protective gear and a bike haul pass. Keystone’s Bike Park staff is friendly, encouraging and intimately familiar with the mountain’s terrain, key to creating an environment where riders will grow skill level and confidence.

For family, friends or like-minded people who are looking to try downhill mountain biking, a private clinic may be the way to go. Accommodating up to four people, Keystone’s professional mountain biking instructors will provide guests with instant feedback and personal attention. Private clinics are available in two-, four- and six-hour intervals and are recommended for a minimum age of 10 years and older.

Every Wednesday the Keystone Bike Park offers a Women’s Wednesday Mountain Bike Clinic, where a coach from the VIDA MTB Series leads a guided tour down the mountain and provides a great way for women to shred the mountain together. This clinic includes a bike haul pass, bike rental and protective gear, as well as new like-minded friends that are ready for adventure.

Family, friends, bachelor or bachelorette parties – however guests decide to roll, Keystone Bike Park’s clinics and lessons have them covered. A recent addition favored by all level riders is the Keystone Skills Park. Featuring beginner, intermediate and expert jump trail lines, the skills park consists of logs, rocks, rollers and a pump track – a new addition for 2015. This free feature is open to the public with no bike haul pass required, and provides the perfect area to warm up, fine tune, and learn new skills.

Bike and full downhill gear rentals are conveniently available at Keystone Sports locations in Keystone’s River Run Village. Keystone Bike Park Season Passes begin at just $159, with a variety of options available including Vail Resort’s FreeRide pass, offering unlimited riding in Colorado, Utah and California. Passes may be purchased by calling (800) 842-8062.

Keystone Resort has long been known as a place where families rule, and summers are no exception, where turning lifts carry mountain bikers, hikers and families seeking mountaintop summer adventures, rather than skiers and riders searching for fresh turns. From scenic lift rides and guided hikes to horseback riding and 36-holes of championship golf, the opportunities for summer adventures are endless. Sitting at 9,280-feet above elevation and just a short, scenic drive from Denver, Keystone is the ultimate location for families to enjoy the allure of the mountains this summer.

For more information about Keystone, visit keystoneresort.com or call (877) 204-7889. Follow the resort at @KeystoneMtn on Twitter or at Facebook.com.