First Timers’ Guide

Where to Start

Safety First

When it comes to downhill mountain biking, making sure you know how to be safe is the best place to start. Here are a few of our safety tips:

Ride within your abilities and take your time.
Right hand brake is the RIGHT brake to use most of the time.
Constant pressure when braking is better than on/off or slamming the brakes.
Altitude is a factor. Trestle is about 10,000 feet above sea level. Drink water and take rests!
Your eyes guide where the bike goes. The faster you are going, the farther you should be looking ahead on the trail.

Riding with a buddy is always a better choice!

Trails may contain berms, rolls, drops, jumps, rocks, and roots.

Ride Smart

Slow Down Before You Speed Up

Crashes can happen on your first lap. Ride the trail multiple times to get familiar with the features and equipment you’re on so you can more confidently increase your skills without exceeding your limits. Jumping skills are required for freeride trails.

PRE-RIDE
Warm up the brain and body and inspect the trail at low speed.

RE-RIDE
Lap the trail a few times and get to know the flow of the features.

FREE-RIDE
Start small and work your way up to faster speeds and larger features.

For More Information, Check Out The Riders Responsibility Code

know your bike

We recommend downhill specific bikes

It's important that you choose the correct bike for the type of riding that you are doing. Mountain XC bikes often come up short on the following features:

Frame

Reinforced frame to withstand the forces of the trail.

Brakes

Disc brakes provide stopping power even in wet and muddy conditions. Rim brakes don't work well in wet or muddy conditions.

Suspension

Suspension in the front and rear help absorb bumps so you can roll over rough surfaces easily.

Cranks

Durable metal cranks with flat pedals provide a sturdy platform when riding.

When in doubt, get a rental

Know Your Gear

What to wear?

All gear is available for rent/purchase in our Rental Shop. Full armor is included in bike rentals.

Book Rental Gear

Helmet - Mandatory

A full face helmet will help protect your face and teeth in a fall.

Goggles - Highly Recommended

Protective goggles help protect your eyes from branches, rocks and other objects.

Closed Toe Shoes - Highly Recommended

Closed-toe shoes help prevent you from slipping off the pedals and protect your feet. Shoes with flat soles will have the best grip.

Upper Body Armor - Recommended

Body armor is a vest that protects the torso (back, chest, and abdomen). Long sleeves are recommended. Neck braces are also available.

Knee/Shin/Elbow Pads - Recommended

Pads are worn on knees, shins, and elbows. These are often hit first if you fall.

Gloves - Recommended

Full-finger gloves will not only help protect your hands, but also give you better control of the bike.

learning to ride

get a coach

Never tried Downhill Mountain Biking, but always wanted to? Try one of our private lessons to improve your skills quickly and safely. Confidence is the key to progression, and there is no better way to build confidence than by going out with a bike park pro.

private lessons

Intro to Downhill Lessons

Trail selection

Which Trail is best for me?

Picking the right trail is an important part of having a great day. Learn what each trail rating means below.

easiest

Trails designed for beginner Bike Park Riders. Expect smoother, wider surfaces with shallower trail grades than more difficult trails. These trails contain gentle corners and rolling terrain. Some beginner trail sections include technical or naturally-occurring terrain such as small rocks and tree roots. You may also encounter freeride or man-made enhanced terrain such as wider bridges and small rollers, jumps, and berms.

Intermediate

Trails designed for riders who have mastered all beginner trails. On blue terrain, riders can expect both smooth and rough surfaces on more steep terrain. You may encounter technically or naturally occurring terrain such as large roots and rock features. Freeride or man-made enhanced terrain exists as well including larger corners, big rollers, and medium jumps. Blue terrain features intended for progression to advanced skills include raised structures, bridges, wall-rides, and small gaps, which require jumping skills and speed.

More Difficult (Advanced Intermediate)

Trails designed for riders who have mastered all blue trails, but who are not quite ready for blacks. These intermediate-advanced trails are perfect for a gradual progression with freeride features such as medium-large jumps, drops, and gaps, which require jumping skills and speed; and with technical features such as large naturally-occurring rocks drops, rock gardens, and tree roots. Expect to find large bridges, wall-rides, and terrain features that will help a rider progress to be to ride black trails as well.

Most difficult

Trails designed for riders who have mastered all blues and blue-black trails. These advanced trails have large freeride features such as large jumps, tall drops, and wide gaps, which require advanced jumping skills and higher speeds. Technical, or natural, obstacles that can occur include large downhill rocks steps and rock gardens, and naturally occurring large difficult to navigate tree root sections. Expect, as well, to find larger raised structures such as bridges and wall-rides.

Expert Only

These runs are for expert riders who are comfortable on blue/blacks and looking to push themselves. Trails will have steep terrain and require jump skills and expert bike handling at top speeds. Suited for the expert riders only.

Pro Line (Banana Peel)

Most difficult technical terrain on the mountain mixed with freeride features. Proficient handling of all bike skills required. Largest gaps and mandatory jump features. Expert jumping skills required. Suited for highly skilled expert riders only. Liability release and separate Pro Line Pass required.

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