Black Diamond on Wheels

Black Diamond on Wheels

When the snow melts, mountain bikers head for the ski resorts

Ski resorts aren't just for ski bums anymore. In fact, many of the nation's ski resorts are keeping their doors and lifts open all summer long so that mountain bike enthusiasts can enjoy the same thrills, jumps, and speeds that skiers do during the winter months.

Capitalizing on the popularity of mountaing biking, 130 of the nation's ski resorts currently offer summer biking programs. Mountain bike aficionado Stan Zykowski of bicycling magazine has put together a best of the best list (below), but for a complete list of the ski resorts offering mountain biking, refer to the Bicycling magazine.

All of the resorts on Zukowki's list offer breathtaking scenery and challenging rides, not to mention a lift up the mountain (you may be adventuresome, but you're no fool). Shuttle service, gondolas, or chairlifts generally bring bikers to the top of the mountain, where they are free to roam the miles of ski trails, logging roads, and national parkland that adjoins many ski resorts. The riding ranges from intermediate to expert. If you've never been on a mountain bike before, 11, 000 feet above sea level on a narrow downhill trail is not a good place to learn.

No matter what your skill level, you may experience a flat tire or an accident while on a trail, and many of the resorts offer emergency repair and rescue. Besides the exhilarating rides, one of the biggest attractions of ski resort biking is the off-season prices. Lodging that would cost you several hundred dollars during prime ski season can run as little as $80 a night off-season.

A bike. Photo by Elena.

Taking Moguls on a Bike

Stan Zukowski of Bicycling magazine picks his favorite resorts biking.

Mount Snow, Vermont: Sixteen miles of trails on the mountain, but bikers also enjoy access to many miles of adjoining land. The vertical drop is 1,700 feet, all-day tickets.

Vail, Colorado: Four miles of downhill riding, many more miles of trails traversing the mountain and on access Roads.Vertical drop almost 3,000 feet., all-day gondola.

Crested Butte, Colorado: Adjacent to Gunnison National Forest, which offers bikers 600,000 acres of riding territory. Ranges by the hour or by the day for trail access only.

Brian Head Resort, Utah: Sixty miles of single-track trails from 11,300-foot summit. An all-day lift pas. 

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, California: Vertical drop of 3,100 feet. Over 55 miles of trails, half-day ticket, all-day ticket.