When the snow melts, mountain bikers in Utah don’t have to wait long to seek a fix for their adrenaline addiction...
While some of Utah's chairlifts do enjoy a well-deserved rest in the summer months, others continue spinning right round all year long. A handful of resorts continue to operate lifts for the enjoyment of foot passengers, hikers, and mountain bikers. Instead of laboriously pedaling uphill, riders and their steeds are whisked to the top of the mountain where they are free to choose their downhill destiny.
Here we have an overview of all the Utah resorts that offer lift-served mountain biking in the summer and fall. Keep in mind that lift-served mountain biking is weather dependent and opening and closing dates fluctuate yearly. Some resorts continue running lifts in the fall with reduced hours. Some resorts operate each day, others only welcome lift riders on the weekends.
Be sure to check the hours and operational status at any resort before you go for a ride!
Woodward Park City Bike Park
The Scene
Utah's newest action sports mecca can be found at Woodward Park City. Those huge piles of snow and park features in the winter melt out each summer to create a lift-served biking and progression paradise. In conjunction with their 66,000 square-foot indoor facility, Woodward offers 120 acres of outdoor terrain for action sport enthusiasts. A skate park compliments flowy bike trails meticulously crafted by Alpine Bike Parks. Sculpted to test and hone the skills of BMX and freeride mountain bikers, the trails at Woodward are awesome for those looking to boost their confidence or take their riding to the next level.
The summer terrain at Woodward is serviced by the Hot Laps chairlift. It includes Progression Parks catered to all skill levels are divided into Zones 1, 2, and 3 where riders can gradually build their skills from small log drops and jumps to wall rides and the larger jump lines with airbags for advanced riders in Zone 3. The trail network at Woodward is aimed at serving up features and technical skill building in a coherent manner. You can expect to encounter jumps, hips, banks, wall rides and more. BMX dirt jumps litter 3 different lines down the mountain featuring small, medium, and large jumps.
Woodward stacks their summer calendar with enough events, camps, clinics, and competitions to make your head spin. Expect a busy summer of ladies' rides, a race series, weekly clinics and special events, camps and coaching programs. Get ready to send! Find the events calendar here.
Access to Woodward is available in a multitude of time blocks, packages and options. From camps to memberships there are a lot of ways to experience Woodward. Membership options offer deals and discounts on rentals, camps, and clinics. Visit Woodward's Membership Page for current offerings.
Woodward focuses on providing an environment that fosters progression, so whether you'd like to try your first tabletop or you're gunning for that huge gap jump, this world-class facility and experienced coaches are there for you. See more below under the lessons section...
Hot Laps Quad Chair
Rentals
Woodward has a gear closet many would envy, maintaining a rental fleet for all the action sports that can be enjoyed at the facility. Bikes can be rented for the day or a four hour block. Packages for additional protective gear are offered and include helmet, chest, elbow, and knee pads. All items of protective gear, including full-face helmets, are available for rent. Woodward's rental closet offers the following gear:
- Specialized Enduro Mountain Bikes
- Helmets (full face helmets available)
- Skateboards
- Mountain Scooters
Near the Woodward Park City Action Sports Hub you'll find a skate park, several progression zones and a BMX pump track. Sample small, medium, and large airbags where gravity enthusiasts can practice hucking themselves into a soft and supportable inflatable pillow. Once dialed there, head for the dirt jumps and translate your airbag skills to real life!
EZPZ is where beginning riders will get cut their teeth with small rollers, gently angled berms and obstacles with optional ride-around paths. With wide sight lines, this trail allows newer riders to pick their line and ride with confidence. Next up is Steezy Rider, another green-rated trail. Parley's Way and Spiral Jetty offer more difficult features and options for riders who are looking for more technical descents and opportunities to air. Each trail consists of multiple lines or features to link together so riders won't get bored as they stitch together a creative variety of options.
Parking is readily available and straightforward. Simply snag a spot at the base area near the Action Sports Hub off Kilby Road near Jeremy Ranch outside of Park City, Utah. High Valley Transit offers transportation to Woodward Park City.
Deer Valley Lift-Served Mountain Biking
Deer Valley Resort offers the most comprehensive bike park of any Utah resort. They’ve been building features and trails to tickle any rider’s fancy for quite some time now. With nearly 60 miles of expertly crafted trail, there’s enough terrain to keep riders of every level engaged and excited about exploring the stands of quaking aspens, meadows, and conifers that dot Deer Valley’s slopes.
Check out extended hours on Twilight Tuesdays where riders can enjoy the evening air and utilize the lifts from 4-8pm - info here.
In addition to mountain biking, guests of Deer Valley can partake in horseback riding, hiking, scenic chairlift rides, concerts, standup paddleboarding, kids' adventure camps, patio dining, and more. The Deer Valley bike park typically opens in mid-June and spins lifts through mid to late September. Pair some time in the bike park with Deer Valley's many summer offerings including summer concerts, fine dining, horseback riding, hiking, paddleboarding, and more.
Silver Lake Express, Sterling Express and Homestake Express
Deer Valley E-Bike Policy
E-bikes are not permitted on any single-track trails per Park City regulations - ask staff for more information or click here.
Bike lessons, clinics, rentals, and guided tours are all offered at Deer Valley. Bike rentals are located at both the Snow Park and Silver Lake areas. Bikes and protective gear are available for both juniors and adults. Reservations are highly recommended for all gear rentals. Deer Valley offers downhill mountain bikes, enduro bikes, bikes for kids and E-bikes for pavement cruising.
Fun Fact: Park City was the first town to earn the coveted IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) Gold-Level Ride Center status.
- Private Bike Lessons
- Adult Afternoon Beginner Package
- Kid Afternoon Beginner Package
- Kid's Gravity Camp
- Twilight Clinics
- Clinics
- E-Bike Sunset Cruises
Ample parking is available at the lower Snow Park base area. Note that parking is limited at the Silver Lake Village area. A handful of private garages will offer paid parking for an upwards of $50.00 per day.
Brian Head Lift-Served Mountain Biking
Brian Head boasts a thrilling bike park and is a great destination to add to your weekend biking bucket list. The scenery alone makes the trek to Brian Head worth it. The high elevation also provides a welcome respite from the summer heat that scorches much of Utah’s big population centers. Brian Head is constantly making improvements to their 100+ mile trail network so it's a worthy destination for any biking enthusiast.
For a deeper dive, check out this Ski Utah article or catch the video above. Brian Head hosts a ton of summer events including BBQs, concerts, bike races, flower festivals and more, click here for info. Lifts operate Friday-Sunday beginning in mid-June. Brian Head also serves as an excellent gateway to explore the neighboring Cedar Breaks National Monument and a handful of National Parks. With plenty of affordable lodging options, Brian Head makes an excellent weekend destination.
Lift-serviced trails at Brian Head encompass beginner to advanced terrain, including gravity flow trails, technical singletrack, and access to hundreds of miles of backcountry trails. The Brian Head Shuttle also offers daily transit to popular local trails like Dark Hollow, Bunker Creek, and Blowhard Mountain. The trails of Brian Head Resort are downhill only and accessible only during operating hours.
Additional activities at Brian Head include hiking, scenic lift rides, disc golf, zip lines, archery, rock climbing, trampolines and more. The resort's summer schedule includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday but we recommend purchasing tickets and checking operational status in advance - click here.
Brian Head prices tickets purchased on current demand so you can save some cash by purchasing tickets or packages ahead of time!
Giant Steps Express (Fri-Sunday) just installed new bike haulers on their chairlift to simultaneously carry 4 bikes without any danger of damaging your frame or bike components.
Brian Head E-Bike Policy
Because Brian Head operates within the Dixie National Forest, E-bikes are prohibited on non-motorized trails. Guests with E-bikes must clearly demonstrate to lift operators that their E-bikes power source is disconnected prior to loading chairlifts. E-bike usage is highly discouraged in Brian Head's mountain bike park as their weight makes unloading from the lift difficult and damage to expensive components is possible. There is no uphill travel for bicycles at Brian Head resort.
The town of Brian Head contains three full-service bike shops with rentals, maps, gear, and shuttles to local trailheads. For convenience, visit the Brian Head Resort bike shop near the ticketing windows of the Giant Steps Lodge. This shop offers basic all-mountain and performance bike rentals for adults and children as well as rentals for protective gear and gloves. All bike rentals include a protective package of a helmet, knee and shin guards and elbow guards. Protective packages can also be purchased separately.
Parking
Park at the main base area adjacent to the Giant Steps Lodge.
Sundance Lift-Served Mountain Biking
Sundance encompasses over 25 miles of lift-served singletrack that can be accessed either by pedaling uphill or catching a ride on the lift. (Remember, always yield to riders climbing uphill.) These trails are best for intermediate and advanced riders with prior riding experience. Take a few laps and grab lunch at the Sundance Deli and savor the stunning views.
Riders of intermediate and above levels are welcome to come explore Sundance and enjoy the scenery and mountain air.
Sundance is a great destination for the whole family, as a plethora of activities are available from art classes, luxe spa treatments, and fly fishing lessons. Lodging guests can also take a dip in The Springs, Sundance's new rest and relaxation pools. It doesn't stop there, in the summer months, Sundance also offers hiking, scenic lift rides, twilight concerts, plays for children, savory dining experiences, the Sundance Zip Tour, horseback riding, and more. An ideal retreat for romantic couples, families or adventure seekers, there is no shortage of diversions available at Sundance in the summer months.
Lift-Served Chairlifts
Outlaw Express high-speed lift (daily)
Single rides, twilight passes, or all-day passes are available. Guests may also pedal uphill on nearly all of Sundance's bike trails—excluding the expert trails—but an uphill pass must be purchased.
Sundance Resort E-Bike Policy
Sundance does permit pedal-assist bikes but throttle-activated E-bikes are not permitted. Sundance will not load bikes weighing over 50 pounds on the lift, but they may be ridden uphill from the base area.
Rentals
Lessons
With the Outlaw Express upgrade completed in summer of 2022, Sundance constructed a few new flow trails like the Novice Flow Trail more suited to mountain bikers just getting the hang of things. The trails at Sundance are ideal for intermediate and advanced riders and cater to both cross country pedaling and downhill riders. Lower Lift Line is a newer blue square trail that offers fun flowy sections.
Parking
Park at the base area near the Lower Sundance Village.
Park City Mountain Lift-Served Mountain Biking
Park City Mountain is bustling in the summer months. In addition to mountain biking, you’ll find a huge alpine slide, golf, hiking, and a mountain coaster. Park City was the first town to earn IMBA’s (International Mountain Bicycling Association) Gold-Level Ride Center status. What this means is a plethora of trails—over 400 miles—for all ability levels alongside amazing biking amenities, dining, lodging, and entertainment opportunities. The mountain itself harbors a huge trail network that caters to just about every type of rider. Stay a week or book a weekend, you won’t find boredom when enjoying Park City Mountain's daily operations.
Lift-Served Chairlifts
Crescent Express (Park City Village) & Red Pine Gondola (Canyons Village)
Park City Mountain E-Bike Policy
E-bikes are not allowed at Park City Mountain due to a city-wide ordinance that e-bikes are not allowed on single-track trails within Park City limits.
Rentals
Mountain bike rentals are offered at Legacy Sports or Canyons Mountain Sports in addition to Breeze Rentals at Newpark and Breeze Rentals at Park City Mountain Village. Click here for rental info. Legacy Sports at the Park City base area offers the most convenience. Reserve your rental online to save a few bucks. Full-day and half-day rentals are available. Options range from downhill bikes to enduro models, to trail, and cruiser bikes for exploring the paved pathways. E-bikes are also for rent for use on paved trails within the city. Mountain bikes are also available for children. A helmet is included with the rental of any bike and there will be an option to add protective gear such as knee and elbow pads.
From the Park City Mountain Village side, advanced riders should check out John's Trail, a very old school, singletrack run with roots, technical sections, and sharp switchbacks, this is classic Park City mountain biking. Crescent Mine Grade (CMG) is a popular blue trail accessed by riding the Mid-Mountain Trail from the top of the Crescent Express chairlift. CMG offers great sight lines and it is fast, though not too technical aside from being rocky; watch out for uphill traffic on this trail. The new Silver Queen downhill trail is fast and flowy with big berms. It will dump out on the Mid-Mountain Trail where you can catch lower CMG. Spiro is a popular trail with a sustained grade throughout aspen groves, linking to the Mid-Mountain trail.
Adventurous riders should consider grinding up the Mid-Mountain Trail to Pinecone (also a hearty climb) as a way to access the famed Wasatch Crest Trail. This jewel of Wasatch biking is best ridden with the assistance of a shuttle.
Parking
You can park at either the Canyons Village or the Park City Mountain Village depending on which trails you’d like to access. The majority of family-friendly activities are located at the Park City Mountain Village. Park City also offers a robust, FREE public transit system and it's fairly easy to get around town with your bike in tow.
Solitude Mountain Lift-Served Mountain Biking
A mellow and serene place in the summer months, Solitude Mountain Resort offers more than 25+ miles of singletrack for your enjoyment. You can pedal uphill at Solitude any day of the week to enjoy cross country mountain biking or take advantage of their expanded hours for the bike park and lift haul. Solitude has been working hard to tackle a number of upgrades for mountain bikers. Bike carriers have been added to the Link chairlift and existing trails have been improved and enhanced for the ultimate mountain biking experience. Berms have been rebuilt, holes have been filled and the trails have been smoothed over for better riding.
For Summer 2024, Solitude will continue to expand their trail network with trail builders hitting the dirt as soon as the snow melts. Crews will be working on a blue jump line, a black jump trail, and a double black tech section. The bike park is anticipated to open in late June and will be open 7 days a week. Some trail closures are to be expected while the crew is actively working on the mountain. Check Solitude's website for current updates.
Sunrise, Moonbeam, and Link
Solitude E-Bike Policy
E-bikes are not permitted at Solitude.
Rentals
The Moonbeam base area offers Trek and Norco bike rentals and bicycle repairs 7 days a week. Rentals are offered in full-day or 2-hour blocks and helmets are included. Discounts are also provided for Twilight bike rentals after 4:00pm. It is recommended to book your rentals in advance on Solitude's website.
Lessons
The Trails
Give kiddos their first taste of dirt on the nicely sculpted Raptor Loop east of the Moonbeam Lodge. This tiny trail features a loop where you can practice on Down & Out before venturing up to more terrain along Raptor Loop. Beginners looking for a longer trail can try Raptor Road, a double track that can be pedaled uphill in a moderately challenging climb or accessed via the Sunrise chairlift. The newly crafted Mother Lodge trail is a winding green-rated Freeride trail that takes riders from the top of Moonbeam on down 2 miles to return to the base area.
For intermediate riders, Serenity is a popular choice and Easy Out is a great introduction to singletrack style riding through shady aspen groves, though riders should be prepared for the connection to black-rated Krüzr. For more mileage try Queen Bess or Silver Fork Canyon. The new blue-rated trails from Gravity Logic include the Cobalt Cruise and a more technical trail called Mine Shaft.
Parking
Snowbasin Lift-Served Mountain Biking
Snowbasin Resort is the perfect place to fritter away a summer afternoon or evening. On weekends Snowbasin offers gondola rides to access invigorating climbs and novice to moderate downhill trails. While the trails are open to the public seven days a week, lift access via the gondola is only available on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer biking season.
There are over 26 miles of mountain bike trails at Snowbasin that connect to over 50 miles of singletrack fun in the neighboring Forest Service. Snowbasin's trails wind through glades of aspens and pines while incorporating the phenomenal terrain the resort is known for. All levels of riding are offered at Snowbasin from the Needles Gondola which also offers hiking and scenic gondola rides.
Snowbasin offers a ton of diversions in the summer months including scenic lift rides, summit dining, yoga, hiking, wildlife viewing, concerts, BBQ, mini golf and an annual Oktoberfest. The very popular Blues, Brews, & BBQ offers a concert each Sunday accompanied by savory BBQ food. It's great to head to Snowbasin early, make a few laps and stick around for the fun on the resort's big lawn.
Lift-Served Chairlifts
The Needles Gondola (Saturdays and Sundays, 9am to 4pm)
It is permitted to use E-bikes only within the Snowbasin resort boundary. Due to the heavy weight of E-bikes, it will be the guest's responsibility to load them onto the Needles Gondola without assistance from Snowbasin staff. The trails beyond the resort boundary are managed by the US Forest Service, which does not permit e-bikes or motorized vehicles. These trails where e-bikes are NOT permitted include Sardine Peak, Wheeler Canyon, East Fork, and Middle Fork.
Rentals
Head to the Grizzly Center for mountain bike and helmet rentals.
Riders can find in-depth info about trails at Snowbasin on the Trailforks website.
Parking
Ample parking in the base area in Earl's Lots is available.
Powder Mountain Lift-Served Mountain Biking
The Scene
Powder Mountain began offering lift-assisted mountain biking for the first time in summer of 2022 and has built out an impressive master plan for the future of 2-wheeled fun. The bike park consists of one chairlift and over 10 miles of downhill flow trails with plans to construct many more miles of dirty fun in the coming years. Please note that foot passengers are not permitted on the chairlift. Powder Mountain also boasts 13 trails with over 30 miles of open access cross country biking/hiking trails.
(Suspended for Summer 2024, Hidden Lake Chairlift )
The only biking traills will be cross country trails not impacted by construction.
Powder Mountain does permit Class 1 E-bikes in the Hidden Lake Bike Park, however they cannot weigh more than 60 lbs. and uphill traffic is not permitted.
E-bikes are permitted on cross-country and multi-use trails. Please note that fat tire bikes DO NOT fit on Powder Mountain's chairlift trays.
Rentals
Summer rentals are available at Powder Mountain Thursdays through Sunday. A 24-hour advance reservation is required for gear rental. The rental bike fleet includes the following: Giant Reign SX, Giant Reign, Commencal Clash, LIV Intrigue, Giant Stance and LIV Embolden electric mountain bikes. Helmets and protective gear are also available for rent at the Hidden Lake Hub.
Lessons
Lift-served mountain biking may fairly new to Powder Mountain, but the trail network will only get better with age. With grand plans for the build-out of many trails, the mountain is committed to creating new terrain and flow in the years to come.
The bike park offers 1,268 feet of vertical drop and over 10 miles of downhill flow trails. Powder Mountain will ease riders into its lift serve scene with a green rated flow lengthy trail called Falkor. A more direct blue-rated trail for intermediate riders called Big Ern will incorporate slightly more tech and faster descents. Be sure to check Powder Mountain's website for current updates as a huge amount of summer construction projects will result in some trail closures.
Parking
Park at the Hidden Lake Lodge to utilize the lift-served mountain biking trails. Parking for cross-country and trail riding will be near the Brim Trail at the end of Summit Pass Road.
For more mountain biking info from Ski Utah, see our Summer Adventures page or check out the articles below!
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