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MOUNTAIN BIKING What goes up must come down.
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Northwest Montana is cruising along the miles of cross country and lift-accessed mountain bike trails at Whitefish Mountain Resort. We have plenty of trails offering something for everyone. Pick up a map of the trails at the Base Lodge, Snow Ghost Outfitters or the Lift Plaza Ticket Center. Riding at WMR is just the start of the bike trail network in the Flathead Valley. From the cross country and family-friendly Whitefish Trail to the freeride scene at Spencer Lake, there are numerous options for days of riding. Check out Glacier Cyclery and Great Northern Cycles for area maps. Looking for mountain bike ticket pricing?
Two chairlifts are equipped with bike lifts to get you up the mountain from 10am - 5:30pm daily.

Chair 9 gives access from the Base Lodge to the Village and the network of Cross Country Trails - perfect for beginner and intermediate riders.

Chair 1 accesses the Summit Trail as well as the ability to link to many of the cross country trails creating multiple options for loops.

Please stay on designated bike trails in accordance with our Forest Service Permit.
Got Google Earth?

Download our trail system designed by head nerd Josh. Trouble with the KMZ file? Try this zip file instead.

Trail Descriptions
-- click on a trail for expanded information --
  Go Fish
Go Fish is the perfect introduction to mountain biking. Whether they are 5 or 85, all riders can appreciate Go Fish's 5 foot wide trail surface, mellow, up-and-down trail profile, and exciting views of WMR's zip lines. Go Fish starts at the Village Trailhead and ends at the Lift Plaza, and is open to uphill and downhill biking traffic. A quick warm up on Go Fish is recommended before heading up Chair 1, especially if you haven't been off-road on a bike in a while.

Total Distance: .95 miles

Average Ride Time: 5 to 10 minutes

Trail Rating: Easier (green)

  Gravy Train
Gravy Train is exactly what the name implies: sweet as Gravy. This trail serves as a great introduction to lift-served mountain biking, connects the Lift Plaza to the Base Lodge and cross country trail network, and gives riders the best option for climbing from the Base Lodge to the Upper Village. Like Go Fish, this trail is a 5 foot wide, machine built trail that bobs and weaves through the forest and is a beginner's paradise. Riders can take the Easy Rider chair up and ride this trail to the Village or all the way back down to the Base Lodge. It is a fun and flowy trail that makes a good warm-up before taking on the Summit Trail.

Total Distance: .6 miles to Go Fish , 1.3 Miles to the Base Lodge.

Average Ride Time: 5 minutes

Trail Rating: Easier (green)

  The Summit Trail
The trail that started it all! Our signature lift-served mountain bike trail, The Summit Trail starts at the Summit of Big Mountain. The Summit Trail is a two-way trail - downhill riders yield to uphill riders (they're working harder than you are!).

Total Distance: 7.8 Miles

Average Ride Time: Uphill ~2 hours, downhill ~45 minutes

Trail Rating: Difficult (blue)

  Question Mark
Question Mark is a downhill-only section of singletrack that forks from the Summit Trail 6.5 miles below the summit. This is one of the most technical trails on the mountain, as it ties together some banked turns, a few wooden features and tricky ladders, and a few samples of the roots the forest has to offer. This trail is a perfect progression trail for guys and girls who feel comfortable on the Summit Trail and Sidecar but don't know if they're ready for Dave's Dive or Runaway Train. This trail is often used for our TNRL race series, and does incorporate some climbs before hooking back into the Summit Trail. Look for the trail sign on the Summit Trail, just below the old half pipe.

Total Distance: .53 Miles

Average Ride Time: 10 Minutes

Trail Rating: Difficult (blue)

  Sidecar
Sidecar is a hand-cut section of singletrack that forks from the Summit Trail 6 miles below the summit. Riders on this trail enjoy a bit of climbing, a bunch of descending, 5 wooden features, a rock berm, and narrow singletrack. Sidecar is a downhill-only trail; all climbers should stay on the Summit Trail proper. Sidecar is a perfect trail for those riders who have conquered the Summit Trail but aren't ready for more difficult trails such as Dave's Dive and Question Mark.

Total Distance: .7 Miles

Average Ride Time: 5 minutes

Trail Rating: Difficult (blue)

  Runaway Train
Runaway Train is our answer to the dreams of all the freeride bikers out there. This Downhill-only trail, first opened in 2008, is for experts only and combines all the features of modern freeride mountain biking into one exciting package. Berms? Check. Rock drops? Check. Wall rides? Check. Jumps? Check. Flow? Check. A-line style radness? Big ol' check.

Total Distance: 3.6 miles

Average Ride Time: 15 minutes

Trail Rating: More Difficult (black)

  Dave's Dive
Originally constructed back in the late 90s, Dave's Dive has a bit of everything; it starts with a nice jump line then dives into the woods and into some high speed technical singletrack. Dave's has jumps - both wooden and dirt - as well as a few wooden features, all tied together with fun, technical, downhill-only singletrack. 'The Dive' itself is an expert level drop at the end of the jump line. Dave's starts off the Summit Trail, 6 miles down from the summit of Big Mountain. This trail will be reconstructed this summer, so if you haven't ridden it in a while go check it out!

Total Distance: .5 Miles

Average Ride Time: 2 minutes

Chutes and Ladders Spur: .2 miles

Trail Ratings: More Difficult (black)

  Root Canal
This technical trail offers a short and steep alternate finish to Dave's Dive. Starting at the intersection of the Summit Trail and Dave's Dive, it breaks off to a short trail that rides like it sounds - It is tough, deep, rooted and you may want to be strapped in.

Total Distance: .4 Miles

Trail Ratings: Most Difficult (black)

  The Shire
The Shire was constructed to provide some wooden features to play on while you wait on your buddy to catch up or finish lunch at the Summit House. This stunt playground sports a handful of features, including a wooden berm, skinnies, and a few drops. These features are designed to be rideable by all ability levels and serve as a nice introduction to the world of freeriding and stunts. You can expect around 5-10 individual features to hit while taking in the glorious views of Glacier NP.

Total Distance: 200 square yards.

Average Ride Time: 2 minutes to 2 hours

Trail Rating: Bike Playground - More Difficult
The Cross Country trails wind throughout the Village area, and there is no lift ticket required! Two-Way traffic may be encountered at anytime, so remember to always yield to uphill riders.
Got Google Earth?

Download our trail system designed by head nerd Josh. Trouble with the KMZ file? Try this zip file instead.

Trail Descriptions
-- click on a trail for expanded information --
  Elks Club
Elks Club is actually part of the original Summit Trail from way back in the mid 90s. Like the Summit Trail, this trail has two-way traffic (see 'the Peddlers Loop'). Starting at the top, this trail descends down a Forest Service road and into the Elk Highlands Subdivision. From there, it re-enters the woods with some fun, forested singletrack that winds underneath the Homeowner's Chair. This trail intersects Wolverine and Borealis just east of Northern Lights Road.

Total Distance: 2.1 miles

Average Ride Time: Downhill: 8 minutes. Uphill: 20 minutes.

Trail Rating: Easier (green)

  Borealis
Borealis was built to connect our Cross Country trails to the Upper Village area. This bi-directional trail ties together logging roads with technical, cross country singletrack to form a trail that is the backbone of our Thursday Night Race League. Borealis starts in the Upper Village and ends at the intersection with Elks Club after crossing Northern Lights Road. Climbing Borealis to Elks' Club and descending on the lower Summit Trail makes a great cross country loop.

Total Distance: 1 mile

Average Ride Time: 15 minutes

Trail Rating: Difficult (blue)
  Wolverine
Wolverine truly has a bit of everything for a cross country rider. Starting at the intersection with Elks Club and Borealis, this one-way trail descends steeply down the Home Again ski trail, crosses the skier bridge, and continues down Home Again all the way to Pine Lot (about 1/2 Mile). Wolverine then crosses Pine Lot and Glades Drive and continues on a dirt road. Another 1/2 Mile down the dirt road, Wolverine breaks off to the left and becomes a winding, blazing fast, technical singletrack that includes a beautiful flagstone "armored" section of trail. After the initial descent, the trail climbs to the Rainbow Pond, meets up with Gopher to get back to the Base Lodge.

Total Distance: 1.7 Miles

Average Ride Time: 15 Minutes

Trail Rating: Difficult (Blue)

  Gopher
Gopher starts at the base of the Big Mountain Express at the Lift Plaza and travels out a dirt road, past the Barn and Chair 4, underneath Easy Rider and the zip lines, and drops into the Montana forest. The long doubletrack then winds from this dirt road all the way to Rainbow Pond and winds back to the Base Lodge on singletrack.

Total Distance: 3.0 miles

Average Ride Time: 30 minutes out Gopher to the Base Lodge.

Trail Rating: Difficult (blue)

Peddlers' Loops
Here are a few suggestions for how to put together a cross country loop on the Whitefish Mountain Resort trail network. These three loops serve as the primary courses for our famous Thursday Night Race League series. If you like these loops now, try it with friends and beer on Thursday Nights (yes, we have a beginners' heat)! These loops are all about 4 to 5.5 miles, and have about 500 ft of vertical rise/drop.

Elks Loop - From the village trailhead, head out Borealis, and climb Elk's Club to the top of the old half pipe. From there, descend down the Summit Trail back to the village trailhead.

For more info, check out this GPS info for this course (2 laps...thanks to Pete Derrick and Sportsman Skihaus)

Gopher Loop - Starting at the Village Trailhead, head down the Lower Summit Trail to the Lift Plaza, and head across the tennis courts to Gopher and follow it all the way to the Pond. From there, climb out Arnica Ridge and across the road to Gravy Train by the bottom of Ch 9. Climb Gravy train, go over the 2 bridges and follow it to Go Fish. Take the Upper Half of Go Fish back up the the Village Trailhead.

For more info, check out this GPS info for this course (2 laps)

Wolverine Loop - From the village trailhead, head out Borealis, and descend Wolverine (down home again, over the ski bridge, through pine lot and over Glades Drive). Continue down Wolverine to the Pond, and climb Arnica Ridge taking you to the Base Lodge. From there, across the road to Gravy Train by the bottom of Ch 9. Climb Gravy train, go over the 2 bridges and follow it to Go Fish. Take the Upper Half of Go Fish back up the the Village Trailhead.

For more info, check out this GPS info for this course (2 laps)
Thursday Night Race League (TNRL) is a series of seven Cross Country mountain bike races held on Thursday evenings (starting mid-summer). The courses are held on a variety of trails above the village area and in our cross country trail network below the Base Lodge.

This race series will be held on one of three courses throughout the season to highlight different trails, different strengths of riders, and focusing on cross country style trials. All abilities and ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. Each race loop will be approximately 3.25 to 5.25 miles.

Schedule:

For more detailed information on each Thursday Night Race League and other mountain biking events visit our Calendar of Events.

Race League will have the same course and divisions as always, but each week will feature its own themed category. See schedule below. Riders who wish to will compete for prizes and bragging rights in the Theme division, separate from the txt divisions.

*2011 dates...

July
14th - Get here on time! First 10 to register get critical acclaim!
21st - Single Speeders Unite.
28th - Cyclocross - short spurs off the race course to create a mini cyclocross

August
4th - Clydesdales - bikes over 35lb
11th - Super D - short climbs amid a descent down Daves Dive
18th - Cross Country Costumes - anything goes...anything.
25th - Ski Costumes on Bikes - Winter is coming, bring your gear!

Support Our Sponsors
*2011 dates...

In partnership with Great Northern Cycles, we are offering multiple clinics for all ages and abilities through the summer. The goal of our team of bike coaches is to provide a fun and safe environment while teaching the skills necessary for a lifetime of biking. Whether you are new on a bike, or have been riding for years, we've got a clinic that is right for you and your riding style.

    •Bikes with front suspension is required, dual is recommended (required for Freeride 101).
    •Bike and protective equipment rental is available at Snowghost Outfitters in the Village.
    •Reservations for rentals are highly recommended. Call 406-862-1996 to reserve your bike.
    •Come prepared: Bring a Helmet, Water, Snacks/Lunch, Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Gloves.
    •Lift tickets are included in the price of registration.

Little Grom MTB Camp
Wednesdays: July 6, 13, August 3
10am-1pm
Ages 6-9
Complete information...

Maintaining the Modern Mountain Bike
Thursday July 7th
5:30-7:30pm
At Great Northern Cycles in Downtown Whitefish
All ages
Complete information...

Sunday Morning MTB Clinics
Sunday July 24 & Aug 7
10am-1pm
Ages 15 and up
Complete information...

Freeride 101
July 25-28
Noon-5pm
Ages 10-14
Complete information...

Women's MTB Clinic
Sunday July 31st
Noon-5pm
Ages 18 and up
Complete information...

The International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) program organizes and supports more than 60 volunteer bike patrol groups throughout the United States and the world. Whitefish Mountain Resort is proud to offer the program for the safety of our guests.

The NMBP consists of dedicated volunteers partnering with land mangers, land owners and emergency personnel, to assist, educate and inform all trail users in order to enhance their recreational experience by:

    Assisting in medical and mechanical emergencies
    Educating trail users reqarding proper etiquette
    Informing land managers, owners and trail
    users of trail conditions through monitoring efforts

Bike Patroller is always on-site during operating hours to respond to injuries, answer questions, and provide directions and guidance (including to non-bikers). If on a bike or hiking trail, please note which of the 10 posted bike patrol zones you are in when calling.

The Front Desk serves as the dispatch center for Bike Patrol. The phone number for patrol dispatch is 406-862-2940.

WMR's Bike Patrollers are all certified Wilderness First Responders and are able to respond to any emergency at the resort. If there is a life threatening situation, please call 911 first so that Big Mountain Firehouse's Paramedics may be dispatched as well.
Mountain Bike rentals are available at Snow Ghost Outfitters, located in the Morning Eagle building on the Village boardwalk. Snow Ghost is open daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm during the Summer Season. Pick up a trail map at Snow Ghost, the Chair Plaza or Info Center. Call 406-862-1996 for more information.

    Bike Lift Tickets are required for the lift accessed trails
    Helmets required on all trails
    Guided Tours available on request

*2011 prices...

Rental Rates 1/2 Day
Full Suspension Kona Bikes $40
Downhill Kona Bikes $65
Children's Front Suspension $20
Children's Downhill $40
Giro Helmet only $8 per day

    Helmets included with bike rental
    1/2 Day rental is any 4-hour period between 9:30am & 5:30pm
    Bike rentals are on a first-come first-served basis

One Ride "Try It Out" Trail Package

Not completely sure if an entire day of downhill biking is for you, but still want to check it out? Our One Ride Summit Trail Package includes one lift ride up Chair 2, one ride down on the Summit Trail, and a 2 1/2-hour bike rental with helmet. It's a great way for families, young children, and the hesitant to experience lift-served mountain biking. Available at Snow Ghost Outfitters. $40/adult, $20/child.

10AM - 5:30PM DAILY

$13 SINGLE RIDE,
$18 TWO RIDES

$23 FULL DAY ADULT

$135 SEASON PASS

877.SKI.FISH