Summer has arrived at Snowshoe Mountain, bringing endless opportunities for adventure on the Snowshoe mountain biking trails. With nearly 40 trails and 1,500 feet of vertical descents, there’s plenty of stunning scenery and exciting challenges to enjoy. Whether you’re an experienced rider or just starting out, our trails are designed for all skill levels and ages. You can push your limits or take it slow as you learn to ride. The premier bike park opens for the 2019 season on May 23—we can’t wait to welcome you!
If you’ve never been to Snowshoe Mountain, now is the perfect time to visit. Nestled in beautiful Pocahontas County, Snowshoe Mountain is located in Snowshoe, WV. During the winter, it’s a premier ski resort, but from late spring through early fall, it transforms into an exciting mountain bike park. This makes it a year-round destination for outdoor fun that the whole family can enjoy.
Our award-winning bike park, ranked among the top on the East Coast and nationwide, offers something for everyone. It’s designed to welcome and challenge riders of all skill levels!
Chairlifts In The Summer?
When you arrive at Snowshoe Mountain, you’ll notice ski lifts that take you to both sides of the mountain. The steeper side, known as Western Territory, is a haven for expert and advanced mountain bikers. Here, you’ll encounter thrilling descents, sharp hairpin turns, and trails filled with obstacles. While some features are natural, there are also plenty of man-made challenges, including rock gardens and jumps. For those who love catching air, the Skyline trail is dedicated entirely to jumps, making it a must-ride for adrenaline seekers!
Skyline is a popular trail for intermediate riders and those wanting to do stunts, as it offers more gradual descents and lets riders practice getting air. Drops and gap jumps appear on some of our most technically challenging trails, such as Hareball and Pro DH. Be forewarned that these trails aren’t for the faint at heart! While the pros can go to town on the western slopes, the other side of the mountain is much more laid-back and beginner-friendly.
If you’re new to Snowshoe mountain biking or planning a family biking trip, the Basin Territory is the perfect place to begin. Accessible via the Ballhooter Lift, this side of the mountain offers plenty of beginner-friendly trails. For those looking to improve their skills, there are also intermediate trails with more challenging terrain. Riders will enjoy gentle slopes, easy grades, and fun flow trails like the fan-favorite Dreamweaver, making it an ideal spot for all skill levels to have a great time!
Rental Gear
If you think that Snowshoe mountain biking sounds fun, but you don’t have a bike of your own gear, worry not! We have plenty of mountain bikes for you to choose from, which you will find at the Mountain Adventure Center. They carry a number of Specialized bikes for riders of all ages and ability levels, which ensures a good fit for all. When you stop by the center, you’ll have a choice of downhill, freeride, and cross-country bikes to choose from.
Downhill bikes have a full suspension system for comfortable riding. They have a lower center of gravity than other types of mountain bikes, which makes them easier to steer. They’re also easier to control at higher speeds. Downhill bikes are quite durable too, which means they can withstand rougher play. While downhill bikes are good for maintaining control going down steep slopes, freeride bikes are better for tackling obstacles on the trail, like going over jumps, rocks, and roots. They’re comparatively lighter and more agile than downhill bikes, which makes them a better choice for handling technical terrain.
Many freeride bikes have shorter wheelbases than downhill bikes, which makes them easier to steer on more technical parts of trails.
Cross Country bikes are another option for mountain bikes to rent. They’re made for cross-country trails, which contain a combination of forested trails and smooth dirt trails. If you’re into road riding too, you can think of Cross Country bikes as the cyclocross equivalent of the mountain bike world. Cross Country bikes are some of the lightest weight bikes in the mountain bike family. Most have fork suspension systems, and some have rear suspension systems too. Ask about any of these bikes at our rental center, as well as options for children. Along with bicycles, we rent out protective equipment including full-face helmets, protective pads for knees, shins, and elbows, and protective body suits. For convenience, you can call or go online to ask about our bikes and gear and reserve whatever bikes and equipment you need.
Along with rentals, the resort also offers mountain biking lessons and tours. Snowshoe mountain biking lessons range from teaching the basics to beginning mountain bikers to working one-on-one with advanced riders to develop new skills and techniques. One of the most popular classes for novice riders is Mountain Biking 101, which teaches riders the skills they need to ride through the park’s trails with confidence and ease. In addition to lessons, we offer mountain bike tours, which are popular with families, couples, and those wanting to check out the mountain’s most beautiful and scenic trails at a relaxed pace.
Enjoy The Village
After a long day of riding, be sure to check out Snowshoe Mountain Village, where you can enjoy the other amenities that Snowshoe Mountain has to offer. Restaurants, hot tubs, bars, and shopping stores are some highlights of the village. At the end of the day, stop into the resort’s spa for a luxury treatment like a facial or well-deserved hot stone massage. Get a delicious meal at the family-friendly Foxfire Grille, or head to the beautiful Raven Grille for an elegant dinner and drinks. Then, head on over to your own trail-side condo. For lodging, check out trail-side accommodations from Mountaintop Condos. Lockers are available for rent (limited quantity).