By Sheila Chapman
Big Sky Resort PR Manager
BIG SKY – Mountain biking is in full gear at Big Sky Resort with a new machine-built beginner downhill trail and a new flow trail connecting the Mountain Village to Moonlight Lodge. Lift-access mountain biking is now available on both the Swift Current and Explorer chairlifts.
The Explorer chairlift – operating in its first summer – accesses the new beginner mountain bike trail Easy Rider, which provides an introduction to downhill mountain biking with subtle rollers and gentle berms. The Explorer lift has been equipped this summer with sturdy hooks to safely transport bikes to the top.
For the advanced downhill mountain biker, the Swift Current chairlift has been outfitted with new bike-carrier trays that move up to three bikes at a time. The new trays are more efficient and safer to transport bikes to the top of the lift, which accesses 14 downhill trails.
A new connector trail, Otter Way, has been built by Terraflow Trails connecting Big Sky Resort’s Mountain Village and Moonlight Lodge. This wide, dual-direction two-mile intermediate trail through the forest has friendly berms and rollers. Otter Way enhances more than 20 miles of easy to moderate cross-country trails on the resort’s Moonlight terrain.
Different Spokes Bike Shop in the Mountain Village offers new Specialized FSR Comp EVO cross-country bike rentals as well as guided scenic bike tours on the Southside Road at Moonlight.
On Tuesdays, the resort hosts Hike, Bike, Barbeque on the Moonlight Lodge deck where Big Sky team members guide a 1.5-hour complimentary hike or bike followed by a casual barbeque with live music and family fun.
Lone Peak’s Revenge ENDURO Race, presented by Gallatin Alpine Sports, is Saturday, Aug. 16. The scenic, technically challenging and physically demanding course will link some of the best trails on Lone Mountain and Andesite. Timed descent stages will be linked with untimed climbs.
Visit bigskyresort.com/bikes for mountain bike season pass and lift ticket information, and find event information at bigskyresort.com/events.
