Nestled in the mountains of West Virginia, Snowshoe Bike Park is the east coast’s premier bike park where your biking adrenaline needs are met. Snowshoe’s Bike Park has nearly 40 trails, 1500 feet of vertical drop, and trails ranging from beginners to experts. Whether you’re a beginner biker, cross country rider, or an avid downhiller, Snowshoe has your biking needs covered.
Snowshoe Bike Park has been in development for years. When I first started riding at Snowshoe I meet Mark Poore. He’s been a staple on the mountain for a long time. He is a photographer, avid skier and biker, and volunteers on the Ski and Bike Patrol. He’s always on the mountain doing something. Mark and some friends started the downhill scene at Snowshoe in the late ’80s and are amazed how it progressed. Mark said “never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined Snowshoe’s Mountain Biking would develop into what it is today. Hope I am around for the next 20 years to see what’s ahead.”
Snowshoe Bike Park has been around for years and is a great place to ride. Every year staff are working to make it better place for riders. Their dedication and commitment ensures the trails are primed so Snowshoe can keep its reputation as the primier bike spot on the east coast.
Bike Shop
When you walk into the bike shop you’ll notice that everything you need for your biking adventure is right at your fingertips. Bikes and protective gear are ready to rent, biking apparel and accessories such as Go Pros, bike parts, helmets, and all kinds of riding gear are available. It is a one shop stop.
The Bike Shop staff are experts in their field. The bikes are well maintained and the staff fits you with the equipment needed to have a great day on the mountain. Anything you need, the staff will guide you in the right direction.
In addition, if you want to take a class on bike riding, the Bike Shop will provide you training to get a good start on riding at Snowshoe. The Snowshoe Bike Shop trainers have years of experience and can accommodate any person at any skill level. If you are a beginner, it’s always good to get a lesson before you hit the trails. There are always some do’s and don’t when trying a new sport. The Bike Shop will provide you what you need.
Trails
The trails are designed for all riders depending on your skill set. If you are new to the realm of cross county or downhill biking, Snowshoe Bike Park has a trail for you. The trails range from easy to double diamond experts, the choice is yours. There are two sides of the mountain you can ride on, the Basin Side and the Western Territory. Both will provide hours of fun, and an unbelievable adrenaline rush.
The trail staff also ride bikes, so they know what riders look for in a good trail. They spend countless hours grooming, designing, and maintaining the trails to ensure they’re in peak condition.
Basin Area
The Basin Area trails are short and a great place to start your day. Depending on what trails you take, the ride on this side of the mountain average of five to ten minutes per run, depending on how you ride. If you are a beginner or just want to loosen up, the Easy Street trail is an excellent place to start. Once you feel comfortable with your riding skills, you can hit the blue trails which require more skill to get down the mountain, but are not overly difficult. Next up are the black diamond and the double black diamond trails that are labeled from A to S. These trails are very technical. You should be an experience rider when you hit these trails. You’ll have fun no matter what trails you hit on the Basin side.
Western Territory
If you want to go fast and get some air, then this is the side of the mountain you want to be on. If you ride as hard as you can and don’t stop, you can reach the bottom of the mountain in about six to ten minutes. However, you’ll be breathing hard and tired once you hit the bottom. The trails on this side are awesome. The blue trails in the Western Territory provides a training ground to improve your riding skills. The black diamond trails offer both technical and flowing trails. The technical trails will offer rock gardens, roots, and difficult lines to ride. The flowing trails offer speed, air, and tons of enjoyment. Skyline trail goes on forever and offers and abundance of table top jumps. This trail is very fun and a beginner can hit this trail as long as they go there own speed.
Snowshoe Bike Park is an awesome place to ride. No matter your skill set, there’s a trail for you. Snowshoe Bike Park is like none other. Get out and hit the trails and you won’t be disappointed.
