It’s a common myth that bike parks are only for extreme daredevils and young adrenaline junkies. Many believe these lift-serviced mountain bike destinations are intimidating and not suitable for family fun. However, Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park, Colorado, shatters this misconception and offers an incredible experience for riders of all ages and skill levels.
Yes, Trestle Bike Park boasts challenging trails that attract professional freeriders and hosts the renowned annual Colorado Freeride Festival. But with an impressive 40 miles of trails accessible by chairlifts, this bike park, conveniently located just 90 miles from Denver International Airport, truly has something for everyone. You can explore the downloadable trail map to see the variety Trestle offers.
A perfect example of Trestle’s commitment to inclusivity is the recent addition of Green Horn-It, a free novice trail designed to introduce beginners to the joy of mountain biking in a relaxed environment. “The idea is to help first-time riders experience the fun of mountain biking, but do it in a non-intimidating environment,” explains Trestle Bike Park manager Devin Kearns. “The goal is to eventually graduate those people to the full bike park experience.”
To assist riders in progressing their skills, Trestle Bike Park features a certified bike park school. They offer progressive downhill mountain bike programs led by experienced coaches. These programs cover everything from basic downhill techniques to advanced skills necessary for tackling Trestle’s most challenging terrain, such as the expert-only Banana Peel trail, which requires a special pass. Excitingly, Trestle is continually expanding. The National Forest Service has approved the Trestle Phase II expansion, which will add 11 miles of new trails over five years. This expansion will provide access to a separate chairlift, further enhancing the experience for all ability levels. This dedication to both trail maintenance and expansion distinguishes Trestle from many other bike parks.
“From the beginning, our upper management team viewed Trestle as a capital expansion project that needs a long-term budget for operation and maintenance,” says Bob Holme, Winter Park’s director of mountain maintenance, who was instrumental in Trestle’s creation in the mid-2000s. “It’s a lesson we learned from partner resort Whistler and Gravity Logic. A lot of ski resorts will open a bike park and spend a ton of cash initially, but they’ll forget about the ongoing expenses. At places like Whistler and Trestle, maintenance is a huge part of what we do. That’s why we have a 10-person trail crew and three trail building machines working all summer.”
Trestle’s commitment to excellence extends beyond its trails. All three chairlifts are equipped with user-friendly roll-on racks, a significant upgrade from outdated bike carrying systems found at some parks. The bike rental fleet is equally impressive, featuring well-maintained bikes from top brands like Giant, Specialized, Transition, Scott, Pivot, Intense, and Norco. After a day of riding, the base area offers a variety of food, drink, and lodging options for a complete and convenient experience.
“From the beginning, we knew we could do something special,” Holme adds. “That meant creating a quality experience from arrival to departure. We take pride of ownership in the entire experience.” Winter Park’s appeal for mountain bikers goes beyond Trestle Bike Park. The Fraser River Valley boasts over 600 miles of singletrack, family-friendly bike paths, and numerous cycling events. With over 300 sunny days annually, Winter Park is a premier mountain bike destination for all riding styles.
“We’ve worked really hard to create a truly inclusive experience,” Holme concludes. “On any given weekend you’ll see everyone from 5-year-olds to pro-level riders out ripping the park. Our goal has always been to get more people on bikes – and keep them there. And anyone who comes to Trestle will understand that.”
To discover more about planning your visit, head to www.trestlebikepark.com and explore their YouTube channel for exciting video content.
