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5.28.08
Happy Trails For You
Maine's Sunday River gears up for its first full season of
mountain biking in four years.
The
Sunday River Mountain
Bike Park is set to open for a full season on Friday, June 27. Sunday
River plans to offer mountain biking and scenic chairlift rides on
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Columbus Day Weekend.
Mountain Operations Manager Brian Jones said the resort is developing
more trails at different ability levels. "We have great natural terrain
to work with and are constantly striving to make the downhill terrain
that we’re famous for even better," said Jones. "This year we’ll also
begin taking steps toward developing cross-country terrain toward
Frenchman’s Hole.”
The Sunday River Mountain Bike Park first opened in 1991 and was one of
the first of its kind in the ski industry. It closed in 2003, but was
re-opened starting in late summer of 2007 with the arrival of new
ownership keen on expanding summer amenities.
"This summer we are looking into moving a bunch of dirt around on an
existing trail to build a bit of a downhill BMX style track with berms,
rhythm sections and table tops,” said Steve Boulanger, Mountain Bike
Park Trail Designer. "We'd also like to get in a skills park with skinny
ladder bridges, steep roll-downs, drops and other man-made obstacles
geared to let the riders practice some of the obstacles they find in the
woods in an area that has fewer consequences with less pitch and no
trees."
Boulanger said a pump
track is also in the works. There will also be more cross-country and
beginner terrain available throughout the summer.
A fleet of new Kona downhill mountain bikes will be available for rent,
with front suspension models also available. All rider services and
tickets will be available at the South Ridge Lodge with lift service on
nearby North Peak. Full details are available at
www.sundayriver.com.
Downhill mountain bike trails including Grease Monkey, Moose Tack,
Tombstone and the Crater Trail wind their way down from the summit of
North Peak. In total, Sunday River will offer 20 miles of trails at
varying levels of difficulty with lift service on the Perfect Turn
Express Quad.
In addition to mountain bikers, the lift will also be open to foot
traffic seeking to view the Mahoosuc Mountains up close during summer
and fall foliage season. Visible from the summit are Sunday River’s
Aurora Peak and Jordan Bowl, plus Old Speck Mountain, which towers over
the Sunday River Valley at a peak elevation of 4,170 feet. A resort
shuttle service will be in operation accommodating foot traffic and
bicyclists. The resort shuttle will service both Resort Hotels as well
as area tourist attractions including the covered bridge in Newry.
Trails and lift service is available Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. No trail access is allowed Monday through Thursday. All rider
services and tickets are available at South Ridge Lodge. Mountain Biking
Season Passes are available for $249. |
