The Best Ski Resorts For Mountain Biking

The Killington Bike Park features 30-plus miles of trails that are served via three high-speed lifts, organizing their terrain into three standalone mountain areas.

Nestled in the heart of Vermont, Killington is perhaps best known for hosting the FIS World Cup each winter. But the resort isn’t just premier in skiing; it’s also a top-notch choice for bikers.

The Killington Bike Park features 30-plus miles of trails that are served via three high-speed lifts, organizing their terrain into three standalone mountain areas. For beginners looking to dip a pedal into the sport, head to Snowshed where beginner trails help stoke confidence and intermediate trails offer a chance to progress. Intermediate riders and the more freeride focused are best served at Ramshead, which is home to freeride and intermediate to advanced trails. And for those looking for a classic New England experience complete with challenging rocks and roots, Killington Peak presents all the twists, turns, and views this region is known for.

The gravity-accessed trails make lapping your favorite routes an option all day long, and Killington’s season passes are the best option for those looking to make the summer months count. To help inspire the next generation, the resort also offers a youth pass that’s valid every day throughout the summer season, with the option to add on a season bike rental.

For those looking to take in the views without an adrenaline rush on the descent, Killington also provides rides up and down the K1 Express Gondola. After a hard day riding or simply taking in the views, Killington offers options to dine and relax at The Foundry, Liquid Art Cafe and Eatery, and the Lookout Tavern.

Summer months at Deer Valley are best spent utilizing the resort’s bike park, which extends across six mountains and includes roughly 60 miles of trails.

Deer Valley keeps a high-class reputation throughout the winter months. Think luxury accommodations, top-notch customer service and their (somewhat outdated) skiers-only policy. In the summer, that same level of attention to detail and amenities applies, but in bike form.

Summer months at Deer Valley are best spent utilizing the resort’s bike park, which extends across six mountains and includes roughly 60 miles of trails. Three lifts, Silver Lake Express, Sterling Express, and Homestake Express, start at the base and mid-mountain, respectively, and make for an easy means for riders to access the high altitude trails of the Wasatch without spending energy entirely on the climb.

Deer Valley’s network spans roughly 60 miles and caters to all skill levels. Four of the available flow trails are designed by Gravity Logic, the Whistler, British Columbia-based team of operations specialists, builders, and riders responsible for some of the best trails and bike parks throughout North America.

From the smooth, flowing beginner trails to the technical, adrenaline-pumping black diamonds, there's something for everyone. Advanced riders can test their skill sets on the Tsunami, known for its large jumps and expertly crafted berms, and for those seeking a more relaxed ride, the Holy Roller provides an accessible experience with alpine views.

Park City, Utah is home to Deer Valley, Sundance, and Park City Mountain Resort, and between the resorts and the city’s own expanse of trails, there’s enough mountain biking trails to get you through this summer and the next.

As for Park City Mountain Resort, the trail network caters to both beginners and seasoned riders. With over 20 miles of dedicated mountain biking trails, the resort provides a mix of smooth, flowy singletrack and challenging technical trails. Popular trails like the Crescent Mine Grade (CMG) offer a not-to-miss ride with views of the surrounding Wasatch range.

Utah’s Sundance Resort Utah is tucked in the shadow of Mount Timpanogos, offering a network of singletrack, flow trails, and alpine views. 

Utah’s Sundance Resort is tucked in the shadow of Mount Timpanogos, the second highest mountain in the Wasatch Range. It’s a striking location, one best explored via mountain bike throughout the summer months.

The resort features a network of trails that’s approachable for all skill levels, thanks to its 25 miles of singletrack that range from flowy beginner trails to more challenging routes for advanced riders. Archie's Loop is a noted favorite, thanks to its mix of smooth and technical sections, all set against the Wasatch range. Sundance keeps their trails well maintained through the season, and the signage easily denotes trails.

There’s another reason the singletrack trails are so enjoyable: they can be ridden via the resort's lifts. The Outlaw Express Lift provides easy access to higher elevation trails, complete with a midway dropoff for beginner riders—intermediate and advanced riders should continue to Mandan Summit to take advantage of the entirety of the terrain.The lift access is enhanced by Sundance’s additional amenities, including bike rentals, guided tours, and repair services.

Best of all, Sundance opened a handful of flow trails this season—a new addition to what was previously only singletrack riding. Bikers can rip through jumps, rollers, and bermed turns at their own pace, no matter skill level.

California dreams come true at Northstar, located on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe, California. Think long days in the sun, singletrack, downhill adventure, all under the Sierra mountains.

California dreams come true at Northstar, located on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe, California. Think long days in the sun, singletrack, downhill adventure, all under the Sierra mountains.

The Northstar Bike Park offers a range of riding, including everything from cross country trails to singletrack and lift-served downhill riding, totaling roughly 40 miles of trails to choose from. The resort’s lift-served biking stands as a huge draw to the region—with chair lifts like the Big Springs Gondola and Vista Express allowing riders to focus on the descent rather than the slog of reaching the top of the trail.

As with most bike parks, the complexity and difficulty of trails varies, including everything from downhill runs complete with jumps to gentle trails with wide, forgiving paths. Live Wire, as the name suggests, is a spicy one thanks to its large berms and jumps—it’s also one of the few mountain biking trails in the U.S. to be fully irrigated to help mitigate dirt and maintain quality of the trail.

For those not quite ready to send it on Live Wire, consider Boondocks, which offers a blend of tech and flow with some rock gardens and tight turns, or Gypsy, which stands out for its creative lines and playful features best suited for intermediate to advanced riders. Trying to take it easy? Easy Rider is your route, thanks to its gentler intro downhill riding, complete with wide paths, mild grades, and smooth turns.

No matter your route, all riding is conducted under the Sierra range and with lots of California sunshine, making a mountain biking adventure for anyone and everyone.

Mountain biking at Burke Mountain offers a quintessential Vermont experience, complete with miles of singletrack, a lift-served bike park, rolling green mountains, and a lively, authentic culture.

Burke Mountain is home to the Kingdom Trails network, which boasts over 100 miles of some of the best singletrack in the Northeast. The extensive trail system is impeccably maintained and winds through forests and fields, giving plenty of views of Vermont’s lush green landscape.

At Burke Mountain, the resort’s lift-accessed bike park provides classic rides including Ridge trail, which offers a mix of smooth flow and technical sections, and caters to the intermediate crowd thanks to its rolling terrain, berms, and a few small jumps. J-Bar is another popular one; it’s a downhill trail with some tricky rock gardens, a few drops, and tight turns—all of which is alluring and best suited for advanced riders. Those looking to take ‘er easy can head to Troll Stroll, which is part of the Kingdom Trail network and is a gentle cruiser that treks through woods on smooth singletrack.

As a testament to the enthusiastic culture in the region, the Kingdom Trails network is made possible thanks to private landowners granting access and throughways to their property. About 100 landowners grant usage, totaling about 240 acres of rideable terrain. Those trails are then managed by the Kingdom Trails Association, a nonprofit composed of volunteers and riders who do everything from trail maintenance to coordinating with landowners.

Renoun Skis Reviews team has over a decade of ski design and manufacturing experience, and decades of combined ski-industry experience ranging from certified PSIA ski instructors to shop technicians, racers, and coaches. We also have a deep passion for and love of all things skiing. The team utilizes this experience to provide unparalleled reviews that dive deep to help guide your purchase for just about any ski-related item and help inform you of any ski-focused tips and tricks about maintenance, on-hill performance, and even the best places to enjoy your Après-Ski. Through written and video content, the Renoun Skis Reviews team is here to help inform you on all things ski-related.

Our team curates recommendations based on an intensive research and review process and leverages our unique expertise in the industry. A product must be exceptional in quality and have unique features to qualify for consideration in our review process. For all tips and tricks, all advice is based on on-hill and ski manufacturing knowledge, as well as intensive research to ensure accuracy and help skiers like you stay informed.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at info@renoun.com.