Having previously explored the resurgence of mountain biking and skill development, the allure of lift-assisted bike parks has taken center stage in my riding adventures. For those unfamiliar, bike parks offer an incredible opportunity for “sessioning” – maximizing technical practice runs in a single day, far exceeding what’s achievable on typical cross-country trails. And let’s be honest, the pure exhilaration of non-stop jumps, berms, and fast singletrack descents is undeniably addictive. This enthusiasm is precisely why I’m embarking on a series of bike park reviews, starting with a detailed look at Blue Mountain Bike Park, to provide insights for your own two-wheeled explorations and perhaps even inspire a riding meet-up.
Located in Pennsylvania’s scenic Poconos region, Blue Mountain Bike Park might seem somewhat remote, yet it’s conveniently accessible – under two hours from major hubs like Philadelphia and New York City, and roughly 3.5 hours from Washington D.C. While marketed as “PA’s largest downhill MTB park,” it’s worth noting the limited competition in the state, primarily 7 Springs further west. However, the raw statistics – 27 trails and approximately 1000 feet of vertical descent – only hint at the true Blue Mountain Bike Park experience. The real magic lies in how they utilize that vertical. Unlike parks with steep, rapid descents, Blue Mountain excels at crafting meandering trails that expertly weave through the terrain, maximizing ride time with flowing berms and switchbacks. My average run clocked in at over 8 minutes, perfectly paired with the high-speed Comet quad lift whisking me back to the summit in under 5. In my bike park explorations thus far, this run-to-lift ratio is exceptionally efficient, ensuring more time shredding and less time waiting.
Detailed trail map of Blue Mountain Bike Park highlighting various downhill mountain biking trails.
Upon exiting the lift at the summit, a generously sized trail map immediately catches your eye – a welcome sight, as some parks frustratingly only display winter trail maps, useless for mountain bikers. Adding to the welcoming atmosphere at Blue Mountain Bike Park, friendly staff members in branded shirts were readily available to act as mountain ambassadors. During my initial run, a helpful ambassador pointed me towards Boulevard, the quintessential blue flow trail known for its berms and tabletops, as an ideal starting point. She then suggested linking onto Ewok Village for a similar flow experience but with progressively larger tables. Later, this same ambassador provided valuable insights into the nuances of trails like Miles of Smiles versus Wild Turkey, clarifying the technical challenges each presented. This personalized guidance significantly enhanced my day, steering me away from potentially underwhelming runs and ensuring I maximized my time on trails suited to my skill level. This level of on-mountain support from ambassadors is a standout feature of Blue Mountain Bike Park, unmatched in my experiences elsewhere.
Boulevard trail at Blue Mountain Bike Park, a signature machine-built flow trail perfect for downhill mountain biking.
While I dedicated time to exploring various corners of Blue Mountain Bike Park, I found myself gravitating towards the Boulevard-Ewok Village combination and El Camino, another flowing blue trail. These runs became my playground for jump refinement, particularly on El Camino where I encountered a series of well-designed, confidence-inspiring wooden drops near the top. Over the course of a dozen runs, my Garmin registered an impressive 312 instances of airborne moments. That translates to significant repetition and valuable time honing my jumping technique – a total of 152 seconds of airtime, according to my Garmin’s hang time tracking.
For those seeking a more technical challenge at Blue Mountain Bike Park, Wild Turkey stood out as my favorite. This trail delivered a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping experience weaving through the woods and along ridge lines. It presented a satisfying mix of rocks and drops, but thankfully avoided the dense root networks often prevalent in Northeast singletrack. I also ventured onto Miles of Smiles, a black-rated technical trail, a couple of times. The drops on the black trails at Blue Mountain definitely ramped up in size, perhaps better suited for riders with a different risk tolerance than myself, but I emerged unscathed and exhilarated.
My bike of choice for park days is my Yeti SB100, primarily used for XC racing. While not specifically designed for bike parks, its 120mm/100mm travel configuration strikes a versatile balance, handling both disciplines adequately. Many reviewers note its “big bike” feel, and I can attest to its capability. I only bottomed out the suspension once at Blue Mountain Bike Park, and that was during a poorly executed double jump landing at speed. Otherwise, the bike capably absorbed tabletops and drops. Indeed, I observed a wide range of bikes at the park, many seemingly under-sprung for dedicated downhill riding. While specialized equipment certainly exists, the beauty of Blue Mountain Bike Park is that you can have an absolute blast on almost any mountain bike.
The flow trails at Blue Mountain are exceptionally well-constructed. They boast ample width, perfectly sculpted berms to maintain speed, and tabletops with heights, angles, and lengths that harmoniously match the natural approach speeds dictated by the terrain. Initially, caution got the better of me, and I found myself scrubbing speed before the tabletops, resulting in less-than-ideal landings on the flat tops instead of the downslopes. However, by day’s end, I learned to trust the trail design, carrying speeds of 15-17mph and clearing the jumps with confidence and flow.
My only minor criticism of Blue Mountain Bike Park concerns the food options, or rather, the limited options available. The summit offers a sit-down restaurant with full table service, but a quick grab-and-go option was noticeably absent. The pro shop at the base mentioned occasional pre-made wraps, but their availability was uncertain, and none materialized during my visit. Consequently, lunch consisted of a Clif Bar and a Powerade. Despite this minor inconvenience, I am already planning my return to Blue Mountain Bike Park, fully prepared with a pre-packed bag of turkey jerky to supplement the on-mountain offerings.
