Two Colorado Ski Resorts Among 12 Best for Mountain Biking

Outdoor summer adventures in Colorado include getting on a mountain bike and taking on a great trail. Colorado can boast that it has two ski resorts on a list of only 12 that are the "best" for mountain biking.

Winter Park and Aspen Snowmass Among 12 Best Ski Resorts for Mountain Bikes

With the pandemic, many Coloradans got out their mountain bikes (or bought new ones,) to not only get outside, but for the exercise as well. Being on a bike is one of the best ways to take in Colorado's beauty; doing so on a mountain, adds adventure to the mix.

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Mountain biking in Colorado is believed to have started in Crested Butte in the mid-to-late 1970s. In 1983, they created the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, known as the oldest of its kind in the world. Crested Butte did not make this list, however

I'd love to have been around when ski resorts had a meeting and said, "Boys, there must be more ways we can make money with these mountains beside just skiing, right?" But then, I don't ski, so summer is the only time I do see a ski resort.

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I've been up to Copper Mountain more than a few times, when they used to have a disc golf course on the mountain. More recently, I tried out the disc golf course at Arapahoe Basin, and let it kick my butt; it was steep and hard. I think that's just what die-hard mountain bikers are looking for.

Winter Park and Aspen Snowmass Two of the 12 Best for Mountain Biking

In late March of 2025, Powder magazine released its list of the 12 best ski resorts in North America for mountain biking. Two of the 12 are in Canada, but Colorado is only U.S. state to have two resorts on the list.

What Makes Winter Park Great for Mountain Biking?

Powder magazine's list notes that Winter Park has the country's largest full-service bike park, Trestle, with over 40 miles of trails. I didn't know that, at all.

The park also:

...has extensive infrastructure to promote progression in DH biking.

"DH" meaning "downhill" for us non-mountain bikers.

Why is Aspen Snowmass Great for Mountain Biking?

According to Powder, Aspen Snowmass also has great trails with its own bike park, but also provides:

a nearly 3000-foot vertical drop from Elk Camp to Snowmass Village, this is an enduro rider’s dream.

"Enduro" meaning endurance for us non-eduro people.

MORE Colorado: Check Out the Beautiful Stone Mountain Ranch in Steamboat

The incredible Stone Mountain Ranch may be one of the largest in the state at 1100 acres. This amazing piece of Colorado real estate includes a barn, lodge, hideaway cabin, and some of the best views of the Yampa Valley and wildlife.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams