Montpelier, VT, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mountain enthusiasts can find a never-ending supply of downhill adventures in Vermont, just this season they’ll trade in their snow for dirt as they pedal down some of the country’s best mountain bike trails. With the ability to choose from lift-served, cross country and freestyle terrain with accessibility for all rider levels, visitors might just discover their newest athletic addiction this summer.
Burke Mountain
With close to one hundred miles of cross-country mountain biking trails all around Burke Mountain, the trails found in the Kingdom Trails network are considered to be some of the best in the country. The downhill mountain biking located right in the Burke Mountain Bike Park isn’t too shabby either. Voted one of the top five best regional bike parks by riders throughout the Northeast, the gravity fed downhill park and trail system offers riding for all ability levels from beginner to expert. A variety of terrain can be found at Burke Mountain including 3 downhill trails from the summit. Lower on the mountain, riders will find fun, flowing singletrack and machine-excavated flow and jump trails and new for this year is trailside lodging at the Burke Mountain Hotel and Conference Center.
Killington Resort
With over 35 miles of rugged single track, rock gardens, switchbacks and machine-built berms, hips and jumps, the Killington Bike Park is a great place to shred the brown pow this summer. The Snowshed Express Quad and the K-1 Express Gondola will be joined this summer by the Ramshead Express Quad, carrying riders and bikes to the top of the mountain for gravity-fed, adrenaline-pumping descents down nearly 3,000 vertical feet. Bike Park Season Passes mean unlimited access to Killington’s trail network and four new Gravity Logic-designed trails being added this summer. Whether you’re looking to build skills or send the big jump line, the Killington Bike Park, the east’s largest down hill park, is the place to be.
Mount Snow Resort
Since opening its lifts to mountain biking 31 years ago, Mount Snow has been putting smiles on dirt covered faces every summer. The terrain and trail system is rooted deep in the heritage of downhill mountain biking with the resort hosting dozens of major events including this season’s Eastern States Cup Downhill Finals in October. Looking to make a weekend out of it? Take advantage of the Dirt Cheap Deals for amazing savings on ride and stay packages.
Okemo Mountain Resort
The Evolution Bike Park at Okemo debuted in 2015 with lift-served mountain biking and several miles of trails from the top of Okemo’s South Ridge Quad. Okemo is taking it from the top this summer with a new flow trail accessible by the resort’s popular Sunburst Six orange bubble lift. More trails are planned from the summit with construction starting this summer. Okemo’s Evolution Bike Shop, featuring Scott bikes, is moving upward as well. All MTB operations, including rentals and retail, will be relocating to the Sugarhouse, Okemo’s mid-mountain lodge, accessible by Mountain Road.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort
The mountain biking experience at Smugglers’ Notch Resort continues to expand with a comprehensive focus on supporting all ages and abilities to best serve the resort’s family visitors. This year, in celebration of both Memorial Day and the opening weekend for the onsite Bike Shop and MTB Center, Smugglers’ is leading the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Bike-A-Thon on Saturday, May 27th. As a family friendly event, bikers can choose the length of their course and ride to help raise money for the Vermont Veterans Place and Cambridge Rotary. The success of past seasons’ mountain bike offerings leads to further development of Smugglers’ cross-country network. Programs offered include park sessions, a family clinic, group or individual skills sessions, a women's clinic and a session for ages 3-6 on Strider bikes (small bikes designed without pedals to promote balance and coordination at an introductory level for this age group). Resort visitors can choose to enjoy trails on site or access one of many nearby trail networks on their own or through a guided tour.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe has a vibrant mountain bike culture with a world-class multi-use trail network, managed by the Stowe Mountain Bike Club (SMBC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, supported by and engaged with the local community. With over 30 miles of maintained mountain bike trails, Stowe has one of the most extensive and vibrant networks in the Northeast. In the last year alone the SMBC has invested over $70,000 building two new trails in Cady Hill Forest, ‘Flo’ and ‘Snake,’ reworked the Charlie’s Trail, rebuilt the bridge on Tony’s Trail and updated signage at all the trail kiosks.
Sugarbush Resort
Sugarbush offers twenty miles of lift-served downhill, cross-country and freestyle mountain biking terrain leading to the base of Lincoln Peak. In addition, the Vermont Mountain Bike Association has connected nearly sixty miles of mapped trails to Sugarbush's own trails including technical trails throughout the Valley and less technical terrain at Blueberry Lake. Sugarbush is hosting the Vermont Mountain Bike Festival from Friday, July 21st to Sunday, July 23rd and it is packed with hosted rides, downhill access and more.
Woodstock Inn & Resort
The spirit of adventure is alive and well at the Woodstock Inn & Resort, and guests will find new things to do at every turn. Here, guests can wander miles of mountain biking trails with gradual single track and double track trails nearby that are suitable for all ability levels. Mountain bikes are available at the Woodstock Athletic Club.
About
Ski Vermont (Vermont Ski Areas Association) is a proud ambassador of the thriving winter tourism industry in Vermont, where the legislature has designated skiing and snowboarding as the official state sports. Vermont is not only the #1 ski state in the East and among the top ski states in the US, but also reigns supreme in snowmaking quality and coverage, variety of terrain and historical impact on the sports of skiing and snowboarding - making it one of the most significant ski and ride destinations in the world. Ski Vermont’s mission is to help create a legislative, economic and social environment in which the state's ski areas can grow and prosper. It serves over 20 Alpine and 30 Nordic member resorts in three major areas: Governmental Affairs, Marketing and Public Affairs.
###
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4435ae0f-83a5-41ba-a68a-7b8da702113a
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8e80178c-f553-4f08-b164-d45ba40303cb