Mountain Biking on Mt. Werner 2003

Steamboat offers more than 50 miles of world-class mountain bike terrain on the mountain, plus access to hundreds more via National Forest trails. Mountain bikes are available for rent (both front or full-suspension mountain bikes), or bring your own bike. The resort’s knowledgeable mountain bike staff will assist with bike & helmet selection, basic mountain bike operation, general safety, and trail selection to suit your individual needs. Individual trails vary in length with the longest single trail being 6 miles long. Helmets are required on all mountain trails.

View trail maps and descriptions here.

The resort's Women's Mountain Bike Clinics feature Katie Lindquist, an expert biker, certified cycling coach, 2000 World Champion and 24-hour mountain bike racer. They are designed to help women gain confidence on their bikes while learning riding technique and maintenance, and building skills. Clinics are for beginner- to intermediate-level female bikers ages 16 and up who are ready to move from a dirt road to a trail, and want to learn how to change a flat tire, get a better fit on their bike, and navigate obstacles, as well as ride switchbacks, climb hills and ride downhill. The clinics will be offered on every Friday from 10 am – 2 pm beginning June 27th through August 29th (excluding July 4th). Two 3-day camps are scheduled for July 15th, 17th & 19th and August 12th, 14th & 16th. Call 970-871-5382 for more information.

Mountain Bike Ticket.............................................$8
2002/03 & 2003/04 Season Passholder......................$6
2002/03 Steamboat Cardholder................................$6
Season Pass Holder Mtn Bike Ten Book......................$50
Season Passholder Summer Mtn Bike Season Pass........$85
Helmet Rental.......................................................$4

Mountain Bike tickets can be purchased at the Main Ticket Office and are valid all day, weather permitting. There are no bike trailers or similar devices allowed on the gondola. All mountain bikers must have a gondola ride daily ticket or pass. Check with the Steamboat Ambassadors at the Information Center, located in Gondola Square, for additional trail information and status.

                                           Suspension      Full Suspension
One-hour Package..................$13                         $20
Three-hour Package................$26                         $34
Additional hours, each.............$10                         $11

Mountain Bike Rental-Base Area/Town: (includes helmet & bike rental)

Half-day rental (three hours)......$12
All-day rental (return by 4pm).....$17
Additional hour(s).....................$6

With 15 mountain bike trails and over 50 miles of terrain, you may need some direction. Steamboat’s private and semi-private clinics for all ability levels run from June 21st to September 1st. Reservations are required, and participants must provide their own bike, (970) 871-5252.

Private Clinic (Mtn. Bike not included)......$39/hour
Semi-Private (Mtn. Bikes not included).....$39/hour plus $9/hour each additional person

Cathy’s Cut-Off: A single track trail though aspens and meadows conveniently connecting Pete’s Wicked Trail and the Sunshine loop.

Storm Peak Challenge/Pete’s Wicked Trail: This extremely challenging ride takes you to the top of the Continental Divide. Start at Thunderhead and head up to the summit of Storm Peak. This trail will test your physical strength with steep terrain, sharp switchbacks, and rugged trail conditions. The view from the top is all worth it! Return via the same trail or descend on Pete’s Wicked Trail. Pete’s is a 4-mile adventure that continues to the Sunshine Lift base, then up to Rendezvous Saddle. The trail consists mostly of single track and includes creek-crossings, switchbacks, expansive views and scores of wildflowers around

Zig Zag Trail: Starting at Thunderhead Peak, Zig Zag descends on both double-track and single-track. With over four miles of fun, it is the most popular trail on the mountain for both descending and climbing, so keep an eye out for fellow riders (and hikers).

Valley View Trail: This trail is primarily a single-track to the bottom of the mountain and provides a more difficult alternative to the Zig Zag trail. Valley View is one of Steamboat’s most spectacular single-track trails. While descending, the beauty of the Yampa Valley unfolds before you, but remember to keep your eyes on the trail as this is a very popular uphill route as well. For an added twist, try taking the Elkhead trail to Moonlight, which starts with up-and-down terrain, then continues into a series of downhill switchbacks. Riding Elkhead to Valley View avoids double track roads, making it single track nearly all the way to the bottom. Another trail to Valley View is Huffman’s, that starts at the top of the gondola.

Creekside: This incredible single-track takes you through thick aspen and evergreen groves while paralleling and then crossing Burgess Creek four times. This trail is for downhill mountain bike traffic only. Creekside trail intersects with Burgess Creek Road briefly before returning to the mountain. This ride includes an elevation gain of over 1,000 feet with very steep uphill and downhill sections.

Short Cut, Tenderfoot, & Yoo Hoo Loops: Starting at the base of the mountain, you may try any of these loops, which share some of the same terrain weaving in and out of single- and double-track trails. Yoo Hoo includes a challenging downhill. These loops offer something for just about any rider in good physical condition. These trails are perfect for a quick aerobic workout.

Note: Trail configurations may change at any time. An OEC is on-duty during gondola operating hours. This is just a sampling of the mountain bike trails on the mountain.