Biking in Vail
Vail is one of the biggest ski resorts in the world but don’t let their aurora as a ski mountain fool you. Once summer hits the lifts continue to spin but instead of skiers they are bringing up it’s bikers. With over 343 miles of mountain bike trails scattered throughout it’s mountains, Vail is one of the best and biggest places to ride in the summer. No matter what skill level you are at, they have got something for you. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the terrain while biking in Vail.
Uphill, Optional
One of the best things about biking at a ski resort is that going uphill is completely optional. It’s pretty much the closest you can get to skiing in the summer. Vail offers two different lifts that will carry your bike up the hill for you. These being Gondola One and Eagle Bahn, both which can be ridden any day of the week between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM. There are a few requirements when it comes to your bike, like that they must have functioning back and front handle brakes so make sure to check your bike out before you buy that ticket.
Tickets, Flexible
Speaking of tickets, those are also pretty reasonable, with a day bike haul ticket for an adult costing $65 online while kids between the ages of 5 and 12 can snag one for $45. Don’t worry if you don’t have a bike that can handle the terrain because Vail also sells bike haul tickets plus 4 and 8 hour bike rentals that range between $107 to $137 for the day. These varied prices totally depend on what kind of biking you’re trying to do and for how long. Looking to just do a bit of trail riding? Vail’s trail bikes are the way to go but if you’re trying to get a bit more sendy out there, pick up one of their freestyle bikes for a bit more money.
Skill Level, Learnable
One of the best things about Vail’s bike trails is that it doesn’t matter if you’re a world class downhill biker, or you’ve never ridden dirt before, there’s a little something for everyone. No matter which lift you take there are easy trails like Sidekick, Golden Gate Trail and Post Road that can get you down cautiously while still being able to take in the sites that the mountain offers. For the more experienced, checking out Magic Forest into Old 9 Line is a must that will have you feeling it throughout your legs and hands.
No matter what you’re into, there’s enough options that you’ll be able to find exactly what you’re comfortable with and can progress from there. Don’t forget to check out one of their many on-mountain restaurants for a bite to eat after you’re done. Vail truly is a perfect place for all types of bikers and if you’re trying to get that same rush you get during the ski season then you have to try out biking here this summer.
