Mountain Biking

Mountain Biker's Responsibility Code

The Mountain Biker's Responsibility Code has been developed to help inform riders about the information, decision-making and actions every rider should know and take prior to and while riding on the variety of trails within a ski area’s trail network.

Similar to the 10 points of Your Responsibility Code, this code reminds riders that there are elements of risk in mountain biking that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Check with area employees to see if there are other local considerations for which you should be aware, such as wildlife.

Lift Safety

MOUNTAIN BIKER'S RESPONSIBILITY CODE VIDEO

Mountain Bike Safety Checklist

Prepare for a safe and enjoyable ride with the right gear and knowledge, including learning about lift safety for mountain bikers.

Here’s a concise checklist for mountain bike safety:

The Essential Safety Gear

Helmet: Meets mountain bike helmet safety ratings.
Gloves: Durable and well-fitting.
Glasses: Shields eyes from debris and UV rays.
Protective Pads: Elbow and knee pads.
Sturdy Footwear: Good grip and support.

Additional Safety Equipment to Consider

Full-Face Helmet: Extra protection for downhill biking.
Body Armor: Chest and back protectors.
Hydration Pack: Easy access to water.
First Aid Kit: For minor injuries.
Multi-Tool: Quick repairs on the go.
Cell Phone: For emergencies.

Types of Trails

You may encounter or seek out different types of riding experiences. Trails are generally categorized as Technical or Freeride, although you may encounter blends of these on any given trail. No matter the trail, stay alert and stay aware as the riding conditions can change at any moment.

Technical Trails

Technical trails are often relatively narrow and contain features and characteristics that are both added and found naturally occurring on the slopes, trails and terrain. Technical trails may contain roots, gravel, rocks, logs, water crossings, jumps, drops and may also include some human-made obstacles and bridges.

Trails in this category may be shared with other types of trail users, such as hikers and equestrians.

mountain biking Basic Technical Trails sign

Green Circle with Wavy Line: This sign indicates an easier technical trail. The features on these trails, such as small roots and rocks, are suitable for beginners or riders with basic skills.

Blue Square with Wavy Line: Denotes a more difficult technical trail. These trails are intended for intermediate riders and include larger rocks and moderate gradients, presenting more of a challenge.

Black Diamond with Wavy Line: Marks a highly difficult technical trail for advanced riders. Expect steep gradients, large rocks and complex natural features requiring advanced skills.

Double Black Diamond with Wavy Line: Represents an extremely difficult technical trail for expert riders. These trails have very steep sections, significant drops and highly technical natural obstacles.

mountain biking Cross-Country Trails (XC) sign

Green Circle with XC: Indicates an easier cross-country trail. These trails are relatively flat and smooth, making them suitable for riders with basic skills.

Blue Square with XC: Denotes a more difficult cross-country trail. These trails include moderate gradients and larger obstacles, suited for intermediate riders.

Black Diamond with XC: Marks a highly difficult cross-country trail. These trails feature steep gradients and challenging obstacles, intended for advanced riders.

Double Black Diamond with XC: Represents an extremely difficult cross-country trail. These trails have very steep sections and technical features that demand expert-level skills.

mountain biking Technical Freeride Trails sign

Green Circle with Technical: Indicates an easier technical freeride trail. The features on these trails, such as small jumps and berms, are suitable for beginners or riders with basic skills.

Blue Square with Technical: Denotes a more difficult technical freeride trail. These trails are intended for intermediate riders and include larger jumps and more pronounced berms, presenting more of a challenge.

Black Diamond with Technical: Marks a highly difficult technical freeride trail for advanced riders. Expect steep gradients, large jumps and complex human-made features requiring advanced skills.

Double Black Diamond with Technical: Represents an extremely difficult technical freeride trail for expert riders. These trails have very steep sections, significant drops and highly technical human-made obstacles.

mountain biking Downhill Trails (DH) sign

Green Circle with DH: Indicates an easier downhill trail. These trails are relatively smooth with small features, suitable for beginners or riders with basic downhill skills.

Blue Square with DH: Denotes a more difficult downhill trail. These trails include moderate gradients and larger features, suited for intermediate downhill riders.

Black Diamond with DH: Marks a highly difficult downhill trail. These trails feature steep gradients and challenging features, intended for advanced downhill riders.

Double Black Diamond with DH: Represents an extremely difficult downhill trail. These trails have very steep sections and technical features that demand expert-level downhill skills.

Freeride Trails

Freeride trails are often wider than technical trails, containing constructed enhanced/modified terrain, obstacles and features, such as jumps, berms, banks, bridges, drops, etc. created from dirt, wood or other materials.

Freeride trails are distinguished from technical trails by the use of the orange oval with their difficulty symbol inside.

mountain biking Basic Freeride Trails sign

Green Circle Inside Orange Oval: This sign indicates an easier freeride trail. These trails are wider and contain beginner-friendly, human-made features, such as small jumps and berms, making them suitable for riders with basic skills.

Blue Square Inside Orange Oval: Denotes a more difficult freeride trail. These trails include intermediate features like larger jumps, more pronounced berms and technical human-made obstacles, suited for intermediate riders.

Black Diamond Inside Orange Oval: Marks a highly difficult freeride trail for advanced riders. These trails feature steep gradients, large jumps and complex human-made features that require advanced skills.

Double Black Diamond Inside Orange Oval: Represents an extremely difficult freeride trail for expert riders. These trails have very steep sections, significant drops and highly technical human-made obstacles, demanding expert-level skills.

mountain biking Downhill Trails (DH) sign

Green Circle with DH Inside Orange Oval: Indicates an easier downhill trail. These trails are relatively smooth with small features, suitable for beginners or riders with basic downhill skills.

Blue Square with DH Inside Orange Oval: Denotes a more difficult downhill trail. These trails include moderate gradients and larger features, suited for intermediate downhill riders.

Black Diamond with DH Inside Orange Oval: Marks a highly difficult downhill trail. These trails feature steep gradients and challenging features, intended for advanced downhill riders.

Double Black Diamond with DH Inside Orange Oval: Represents an extremely difficult downhill trail. These trails have very steep sections and technical features that demand expert-level downhill skills.

Signage for Mountain Bike Trails

The green circle, blue square and black diamond indicate different degrees of difficulty, relative to the trails in that area. See below for additional elements in the signage that indicate different types of trails.

Green Circle: Easier
Blue Square: More Difficult
Black Diamond: Most Difficult
Double-Black Diamond: Extremely Difficult, Use Extra Caution

It’s important to remember that trail ratings are relative to that area, meaning the easiest slope at one area may be considered a more difficult slope at another. If you are unsure about which trail is right for you, take the green trails until you are familiar with the mountain and the trail network.

The wrong choice could send you down a trail that you aren't ready for. Be sure to check out the trail and features before you ride them, start small and work your way up.

Other Trails Signs

Beyond expert or professional-level trails are those requiring professional competition-level skills. Before using these trails, riders may be required to sign specific releases or attend training. Consult the ski area before attempting to use these trails for the first time.

Skill development areas or skills parks are specifically designed to provide riders the opportunity to learn and develop new skills away from the trail environment. The features and obstacles in a skills park may or may not directly reflect the size or type of those you may encounter on all of the trails in the bike park.

Remember, it is your responsibility to inspect trails and features before attempting.