Conveniently, the same gondolas and chairlifts that whisk skiers up the mountains in winter avail themselves to cyclists and their bikes all summer long, so riders can gain altitude fast and discover the thrill of bombing down singletrack, cross-country and technical trails all summer long. Sound fun? Here’s where to find a ride to suit your experience level at major ski areas-turned-biking havens across Colorado.
1. Arapahoe Basin Trails
Affectionately called A-Basin and loved by skiers for its late-season snow, this resort also offers some mountain-bike-magical singletrack once the powder melts. Its intermediate Beavers Loop debuted in 2023, treating bikers to a high-alpine trail that's MTB only. Earn your two-wheeled turns as you climb 3 miles to the ski area summit at 12,500 feet. Here, you'll catch sick views of craggy peaks in every direction before diving down 2,000 feet and connecting with Wheels Up for 5 total miles of thrilling descent.
2. Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park
Debatably one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, Crested Butte is a must-ride destination. Cycle culture is everywhere: You’ll see fleets of locals cruising through downtown and pickup trucks stacked high with dust-covered downhill rigs. Hit up the epic 401 Trail Loop, a dream run for many an alpine biker. Or shred at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s bike park, boasting 30-plus miles of lift-served routes — smooth, technical and everything in between. And as Colorado’s wildflower paradise, it’s also one of the prettiest places to bike, with Indian paintbrush, lupine and daisies lining the trails in mid-summer.
3. Bike Granby Ranch
Bike Granby Ranch commands major mountain-bike cred, thanks to an avid population of bikers practically born clipped into their pedals — plus an ideal high-alpine location between the wild reaches of Arapaho National Forest, Winter Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Adored for its relatively ungroomed terrain and lack of crowds, the area is a favorite for both flowy, berm-laden trails like Silky Johnson and Drifter, whose stomach-flipping loose drifts and gaps promise plenty of whooping. The bike park has worked hard to make the area accessible to beginners, too; and with the addition of several cross-country, family-friendly trails, we declare “mission accomplished.”
4. Trestle Bike Park at Winter Park
Just utter the word “Trestle," and mountain bikers smile knowingly. The park is legendary for its namesake wooden trestles and an enviable pro design by Gravity Logic (the folks also responsible for Whistler Mountain Bike Park in British Columbia). While Trestle is just 20 or so miles away from Bike Granby Ranch, the trails here are notably more manicured. There’s a bit of something for everyone, from the beginner- and kid-friendly Green Horn-It! to the gnarly leaps on double-black diamond Cruel and Unusual. There’s even a pro section, called Banana Peel, accessible only with a separate pass. If you’re new to the sport or want to improve your skills, the Trestle Bike Park School has lessons at all levels.
5. Keystone Bike Park
Nearly 30 trails crisscross the storied Keystone Bike Park. And they’re filled with handlebar-gripping rock gardens, jumps, free falls and human-made wooden features. One of the more rugged parks around, it is a go-to spot for progressive downhill riders. Don't miss Holy Diver, an old logging trail that the resort has turned into a jump line with six berms and a huge wooden ramp. There also happen to be more than 100 miles of singletrack for touring, plus gentle beginner trails for easy riding.
6. Steamboat Bike Park
Once known solely for its placid cross-country riding, Steamboat Bike Park is upping the ante, greatly expanding its downhill terrain with 2,200 vertical feet of lift-served trails. Take a relatively easy cruise down Tenderfoot’s 3 miles, or tackle the rollers, berms and drops at the park’s most popular blue trail, Rustler’s Ridge. The cherry on top? A day of thigh-burning action can be soothed away by a dip in the steaming mineral waters at Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
