Thredbo Mountain Bike Park – Opening Weekend
Posted on 21 Nov, 2016 in Festivals & Events
Build the trails and they will come! And that is exactly what they did, in record numbers, for the opening of the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park over the weekend.
Friday night, bike laden cars snaked their way up the Alpine Way, the forecast was full of sunshine and anticipation was high. Chatter in Pub was a lot like winter on a powder day, who is lining up for first lifts?
Come Saturday morning and we were ready to roll – an hour before lifts opened, riders were lining up at the access gates and those who weren’t, were pushing up the hill to ride the fresh lines into the finish arena.
The lift spun and bikes were loading, the line meandered around the chair shed with pumped riders talking amongst themselves about bikes, parts, places they have been and the day ahead – everyone was eager to hit the slopes.
Over 350 riders ripped into a mountain of freshly built trails on opening day – what was great to see was the great mix of ages and abilities, full and open face helmets, downhill and all-mountain bikes, Thredbo had swung open the doors to everyone.
The Thredbo trail crew had a hectic lead in turning the mountain from winter to summer in a matter of weeks but they rewarded riders with stand-out opening conditions. Both long-time Thredbo riders and those here for the first time were enjoying the opening day vibe.
Australian pro-rider Thomas Crimmins was one of the first on the mountain.
“It’s probably the most fun I’ve had at Thredbo. All of the work the Thredbo trails crew and Dirt Art have done is amazing, and can’t believe how many riders are here. It’s by far the best trails I have ever seen at Thredbo” said Crimmins.
While others who have not visited in a while were equally as impressed at the calibre of trails.
“Last time I was in Thredbo was back in the early 2000’s and all I can say is WOW. The expansion of the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park is rad to see and I can’t wait to get down for some more laps this summer” said Andrew Threlfall – Intense Cycles Australia Brand Manager.
The Kosciuszko Flow Trail was the voted most popular on the day, all refreshed boasting more flow and features. The traverses have a line-up of rollers that can be pumped, doubled or tripled and the berms are massive, with plenty of riders ripping into them across the weekend.
The skilled up riders let loose on the Cannonball Downhill, they loved the new jumps lines with plenty of riders sending it into the perfect blue sky. With snow still covering the top section of the All-Mountain Trail, a steady flow of riders took to the lower eucalypt forests, switchbacks and berms – with one rider exclaiming it was the hidden gem of Australian mountain biking.
There is so much to look forward to in the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park this summer. Still to come:
- New Beginner Skills Park
- New Intermediate Skills Park
- Opening top to bottom of the All-Mountain Trail
- Upper section re-direction of the Cannonball Downhill from Kareela to Snakes & Ladders giving it double black diamond status
- New access to All-Mountain and Flow Trail eliminating the use of the fire road
- Kids skill park
- Huge line-up of events including the famous Cannonball MTB Festival and the new and exciting Thredbo Super Enduro.
- Gravity Girls Sessions
- Refreshed Pump Track
All this plus with a huge hire fleet and lessons, clinics and trails for all levels…Thredbo Mountain Bike Park has something for you to enjoy this summer.
To find out more check out – https://www.thredbo.com.au/activities/summer-activities/biking/
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Thredbo sits on the traditional land of the Monero – Ngarigo people who have looked after this land, water and community for over 60,000 years. We thank them for all they have done and continue to do to look after their country, a special place which we all love and respect.
