Redesigned Bike Park opens for 2022 season with new trails, features, race events and bike carriers
May 17, 2022
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (May 17, 2022) – Let gravity take over on the new downhill mountain bike trails at Crystal Mountain. The new and improved Bike Park has five new trails from the top of the ski slopes to the bottom – 375 feet of vertical. From technical berms and rock gardens to flowy rollers, the Bike Park is built for all skill levels.
“The new Bike park is the perfect mix between machine-built and hand-cut trails,” Earl Whitney, Crystal Mountain trail builder, said. “We reached out to some riders who came to the sneak-peak event last fall and utilized their feedback when putting on the finishing touches, so we feel like it’s exactly what people are looking for.”
New this year, ride the high-speed Clipper chairlift to the top of the mountain and choose from two beginner paths, two intermediate trails, or the advanced route to get back on even ground. Riders will self-load their bikes onto the bike carriers and then self-load themselves onto a different chair and enjoy the ride up before the ride down. Lift-assisted biking will be available Saturday, May 21.
“Crystal Clipper is the fastest lift we have, so people can get in as many runs as they would like throughout the day,” Chris Remy, race and bike manager, said. “The cool part is, with all the offshoots, people can take a different way down every time.”
Some of the new features include rock gardens, wooden berm, bigger yet approachable jumps, and more “woo-hoo” trails, according to Remy. Pistachio is the longest downhill trail at Crystal Mountain’s Bike Park.
Crystal Mountain is celebrating the grand opening of the Bike Park Saturday, May 21 with the inaugural Grass Dual Slalom Mountain Bike Race. The side-by-side gated race routes will be set up on Main Street ski trail. Racers will ride down each run once and then choose which one they would like to re-run for the final time.
The top three finishers in the women’s men’s and junior’s categories (ages 10 and older) receive a prize:
- First place: One Bike Park Season Pass
- Second place: Two Bike Park Day Passes
- Third place: One Bike Park Day Pass
Crystal Mountain has the best value when it comes to bike parks in Michigan - $29 for a day pass and $129 for season pass. It is also one of the first Bike Parks to open in northern Michigan this season.
In addition to the downhill trails, guests can rent bikes for the whole family to pedal through the village core or explore 12 miles of wooded trails on property with access to the 8-mile Betsie River Pathway. Bike or hike a 3.1-mile loop on the Multi-Use Trail as well.
Bike rentals for the whole family are available April through October on a first-come first-served basis. Helmets and waivers are required, and maps are provided. Learn more about the chairlift bike carriers, schedule, trails and rentals.
More bike events:
- June 4: Cherry Roubaix Gran Fondo
- July 3: Firecracker Short Track Mountain Bike Race
- July 16: Wild Card Trifecta Series - Race 1
- Aug. 13: Wild Card Trifecta Series - Race 2
- Sept. 17: Wild Card Trifecta Series - Race 3
- Oct. 22: Founders Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic
# # #