Contributed by Ben Napolitano
Alyeska Resort’s downhill mountain bike park is scheduled to open Friday, June 3rd for its sixth summer season of lift access mountain biking. The ski resort is the only area in the state that offers mountain biking access via chair lifts. The resort is also the only downhill mountain bike park in the state where riders can get instructional lessons.
The resort will be running mountain bike operations off of its Bear Cub Quad chairlift only for the opening weekend then will expand onto terrain accessible via Ted’s Express the following weekends. Lift tickets, rentals, lessons and information about the bike park are located at the Alyeska Day Lodge. The park will be open Friday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. from June 3rd to September 5th.
“The sixth year of bike operations is about to kick off and that’s really exciting for us,” describes Brian Burnett, Mountain General Manager. “It’s been really fun to watch the progression of the bike park grow over the past six years. We’ve seen more and more riders come out to enjoy the lift accessible trails year after year and we’ve seen those riders continue to get better and better. The trails and trail builders have progressed as well, making for fun times and a great, alternative form of exercise; it’s another fantastic way to get out and be active in Southcentral!”
The mountain bike park is based out of the resort’s Day Lodge base facility where riders can buy lift tickets, season passes, rental bikes or sign up for lessons or tours. The resort rents Kona Precept, Kona Operator and Kona Stinky downhill specific, full suspension bikes. Disc brakes along with helmets and pads are required to ride the chairlifts.
In addition to weekly mountain bike operations, the resort will be hosting races and events geared towards the mountin bike crowd. There are women’s specific riding clinics as well as skills camps specifically for younger riders. The popular Alyeska Cup downhill race series will be held the final Sunday of June, July and August. The Mountain Bike Festival will be held the first weekend in September and will feature live music, races, jump contests, enduro races and the popular Pond Crossing, where riders cross a floating bridge across The Hotel Alyeska pond.
About Alyeska Resort:
Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s premier year-round destination featuring the Hotel Alyeska, an award-winning 300 room full-service property. Located just 40 miles from Anchorage, Alyeska Resort is your base camp for summer and winter excursions.
Learn more at www.AlyeskaResort.com or 800.880.3880.