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One of the best ways to experience the beauty of northwest Montana is cruising along some of the 20+ miles of lift-accessed and cross country mountain bike trails at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Don't miss the Summit Trail - the most scenic trail in Montana; or Runaway Train - the most exciting freeride trail in Montana. We have some of the best and most plentiful trails in the state, offering something for everyone.Whitefish Mountain Resort
Mountain Bike rentals are available at Snow Ghost Outfitters, located in the Morning Eagle building on the Village boardwalk. Snow Ghost is open daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm during the Summer Season. Pick up a trail map at Snow Ghost, the Chair Plaza or Info Center. Call 406-862-1996 for more information.
Bike Lift Tickets are required for the lift accessed trails
Helmets required on all trails
Guided Tours available on request
Rental Rates 1/2 Day Full Day Full Suspension Kona Bikes $39 $46 Downhill Kona Bikes $50 $55 Children's Full Suspension $16 $19 Children's Downhill $39 $46 Giro Helmet only $5
Helmets included with bike rental
1/2 Day rental is any 3-hour period between 9am & 5pm
Bike rentals are on a first-come first-served basis
Not completely sure if an entire day of downhill biking is for you, but still want to check it out? Our One Ride Summit Trail Package includes one lift ride up, one ride down on the Summit Trail, and a 21/2-hour bike rental with helmet. It's a great way for families, young children, and the hesitant to experience lift-served mountain biking. Available at Snow Ghost Outfitters. $39/adult, $19/child.
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Two of our chairlifts are equipped with bike lifts to get you up the mountain. The Big Mountain Express (Chair 1) serves all the main trails from the Summit, while the Easy Rider (Chair 9) provides an easy way back to the Village from the Base Lodge, along with beginner level freeride bike trails.
Chair 1 - 10am - 6pm
(last ride up at 5:30)
Chair 9 - 10am - 5:30pm
Got Google Earth?
Download our trail system designed by head nerd Josh. Trouble with the KMZ file? Try this zip file instead.
-- click on a trail for expanded information --
Go Fish 
Go Fish is the perfect introduction to mountain biking. Whether they are 5 or 85, all riders can appreciate Go Fish's 5 foot wide trail surface, mellow, up-and-down trail profile, and exciting views of WMR's zip lines. Go Fish starts at the Village Trailhead and ends at the Lift Plaza, and is open to uphill and downhill biking traffic. A quick warm up on Go Fish is recommended before heading up Chair 1, especially if you haven't been off-road on a bike in a while.
.95 miles
5 to 10 minutes
Easier (green)
Gravy Train
Gravy Train is exactly what the name implies: sweet as Gravy. This trail serves as a great introduction to lift-served mountain biking, connects the Lift Plaza to the Base Lodge and cross country trail network, and gives riders the best option for climbing from the Base Lodge to the Upper Village. Like Go Fish, this trail is a 5 foot wide, machine built trail that bobs and weaves through the forest and is a beginner's paradise. Riders can take the Easy Rider chair up and ride this trail to the Village or all the way back down to the Base Lodge. It is a fun and flowy trail that makes a good warm-up before taking on the Summit Trail.
.6 miles to Go Fish , 1.3 Miles to the Baselodge.
5 minutes
Easier (green)
The Summit Trail
The trail that started lift-served mountain biking in Montana. Sweeping views of the Flathead Valley, Whitefish Lake, and Glacier National Park abound on this 8-mile long trail of singletrack bliss. Riders can choose to either climb or ride down this trail. The top half of the trail is marked by wide, open views at it traverses across the face of Big Mountain. The lower half of the trail winds through dense Montana forests and eventually ends at the Lift Plaza (Bottom of Chair 1). Downhill riders should always yield to uphill riders.
7.8 Miles
Uphill ~2 hours, downhill ~45 minutes
Difficult (blue)
Question Mark
Question Mark is a downhill-only section of singletrack that forks from the Summit Trail 6.5 miles below the summit. This is one of the most technical trails on the mountain, as it ties together some banked turns, a few wooden features and tricky ladders, and a few samples of the roots the forest has to offer. This trail is a perfect progression trail for guys and girls who feel comfortable on the Summit Trail and Sidecar but don't know if they're ready for Dave's Dive or Runaway Train. This trail is often used for our TNRL race series, and does incorporate some climbs before hooking back into the Summit Trail. Look for the trail sign on the Summit Trail, just below the old half pipe.
.53 Miles
10 Minutes
Difficult (blue)
Sidecar
Sidecar is a hand-cut section of singletrack that forks from the Summit Trail 6 miles below the summit. Riders on this trail enjoy a bit of climbing, a bunch of descending, 5 wooden features, a rock berm, and narrow singletrack. Sidecar is a downhill-only trail; all climbers should stay on the Summit Trail proper. Sidecar is a perfect trail for those riders who have conquered the Summit Trail but aren't ready for more difficult trails such as Dave's Dive and Question Mark.
.7 Miles
5 minutes
Difficult (blue)
Runaway Train
Runaway Train is our answer to the dreams of all the freeride bikers out there. This Downhill-only trail, first opened in 2008, is for experts only and combines all the features of modern freeride mountain biking into one exciting package. Berms? Check. Rock drops? Check. Wall rides? Check. Jumps? Check. Flow? Check. A-line style radness? Big ol' check.
3.6 miles
15 minutes
More Difficult (black)
Dave's Dive
Originally constructed back in the late 90s, Dave's Dive has a bit of everything; it starts with a nice jump line then dives into the woods and into some high speed technical singletrack. Dave's has jumps - both wooden and dirt - as well as a few wooden features, all tied together with fun, technical, downhill-only singletrack. 'The Dive' itself is an expert level drop at the end of the jump line. Dave's starts off the Summit Trail, 6 miles down from the summit of Big Mountain. This trail will be reconstructed this summer, so if you haven't ridden it in a while go check it out!
Total Distance: .5 Miles
2 minutes
.2 miles
More Difficult (black)
The Shire
The Shire was constructed to provide some wooden features to play on while you wait on your buddy to catch up or finish lunch at the Summit House. This stunt playground sports a handful of features, including a wooden berm, skinnies, and a few drops. These features are designed to be rideable by all ability levels and serve as a nice introduction to the world of freeriding and stunts. You can expect around 5-10 individual features to hit while taking in the glorious views of Glacier NP.
200 square yards.
2 minutes to 2 hours
Bike Playground - More Difficult
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The Cross Country trails wind throughout the Village area, and there is no lift ticket required! Two-Way traffic may be encountered at anytime, so remember to always yield to uphill riders.
Got Google Earth?
Download our trail system designed by head nerd Josh. Trouble with the KMZ file? Try this zip file instead.
-- click on a trail for expanded information --
Elks Club
Elks Club is actually part of the original Summit Trail from way back in the mid 90s. Like the Summit Trail, this trail has two-way traffic (see ‘the Peddlers Loop'). Starting at the top, this trail descends down a Forest Service road and into the Elk Highlands Subdivision. From there, it re-enters the woods with some fun, forested singletrack that winds underneath the Homeowner's Chair. This trail intersects Wolverine and Borealis just east of Northern Lights Road.
2.1 miles
Downhill: 8 minutes. Uphill: 20 minutes.
Easier (green)
Borealis
Borealis was built to connect our Cross Country trails to the Upper Village area. This bi-directional trail ties together logging roads with technical, cross country singletrack to form a trail that is the backbone of our Thursday Night Race League. Borealis starts in the Upper Village and ends at the intersection with Elks Club after crossing Northern Lights Road. Climbing Borealis to Elks' Club and descending on the lower Summit Trail makes a great cross country loop.
1 mile
15 minutes
Difficult (blue)
Wolverine
Wolverine truly has a bit of everything for a cross country rider. Starting at the intersection with Elks Club and Borealis, this one-way trail descends steeply down the Home Again ski trail, crosses the skier bridge, and continues down Home Again all the way to Pine Lot (about 1/2 Mile). Wolverine then crosses Pine Lot and Glades Drive and continues on a dirt road. Another 1/2 Mile down the dirt road, Wolverine breaks off to the left and becomes a winding, blazing fast, technical singletrack that includes a beautiful flagstone "armored" section of trail. After the initial descent, the trail climbs to the Rainbow Pond, meets up with Gopher to get back to the Base Lodge.
1.7 Miles
15 Minutes
Difficult (Blue)
Gopher
Gopher starts at the base of the Big Mountain Express at the Lift Plaza and travels out a dirt road, past the Barn and Chair 4, underneath Easy Rider and the zip lines, and drops into the Montana forest. The long doubletrack then winds from this dirt road all the way to Rainbow Pond and winds back to the Base Lodge on singletrack.
3.0 miles
30 minutes out Gopher to the Baselodge.
Difficult (blue)
Here are a few suggestions for how to put together a cross country loop on the Whitefish Mountain Resort trail network. These three loops serve as the primary courses for our famous Thursday Night Race League series. If you like these loops now, try it with friends and beer on Thursday Nights (yes, we have a beginners' heat)! These loops are all about 4 to 5.5 miles, and have about 500 ft of vertical rise/drop.
Borealis -- Elks Club -- Summit Trail – Starting and finishing in the upper village, this loop offers a good mix of trail types. (5.1 miles)
Borealis -- Wolverine -- Gravy Train -- Go Fish
From the Upper village, after crossing Northern Lights Road, turn onto Wolverine and follow it all the way around to the Baselodge, and climb back to your car via Gravy Train and Go Fish. This loop is a bit more challenging. (4.4 miles)
Go Fish -- Gopher -- Gravy Train --Go Fish
Starting at the Lift Plaza, take gopher to the Rainbow Pond where you will ride Gopher back to the Baselodge. From there, take Gravy Train to Go Fish and you are right back to the start. (4.5 miles)
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Give your kids (ages 8-17) a day (or summer) of fun and expert mountain biking instruction. Our experienced team of coaches will teach the technical aspects of trail riding, braking and shifting over a variety of trails and terrain. More advanced riders will cover riding bridges and ladders, trail building and bike repair. Our main priority is to provide a fun and safe environment for kids to build a foundation for a life long love of biking.
Call the Information Center at 406-862-2900 to register.
- Wednesday & Fridays, July 7 - August 20th
- Noon - 5pm. Meet at Chair 1 Lift Plaza
- Weeks 5 & 7 are Field Trips - no drop-ins please
- Daily Drop in Rate: $40 (beginners encouraged to come on Wednesdays)
- 1 Day/week for 7 weeks: $210
- 2 Days/week for 7 weeks: $310
Click Here for Weekly Program Schedule
Mountain Bike Academy riders need to come prepared for on-mountain fun each day – water, food (or lunch money if not a field trip day), sunscreen, sunglasses and a bike helmet. Bikes with suspension and gloves are recommended.
Registration Info:
Please call 406-862-2900 to register. You may also register each day at the Base Lodge or the Chair 1 Lift Plaza.
Download registration forms here.
Participants are divided into two groups depending on skill level. Coaches will determine placement daily.
Focused more on Cross Country riding and getting to know trail riding in general.
More experienced riders who love riding bikes, getting dirty and going fast. Full suspension, full-face helmet, gloves and additional protection recommended.
Rentals available at Snow Ghost Outfitters. Please have bike rented prior to meeting time.
406-862-1996
12 ages under: 1/2 day $12, full day $14
13 yrs & up: 1/2 day $29, full day $35
Helmet only: $5
*Daily rates only. No seasonal rates available. Special pricing not available on Kona Stinky or Stinky Jr.
Cancelation Policy
–Dates are flexible to accommodate families' schedules for travel, or other summer activities. Therefore we allow those who register for the 1 day program to choose any 7 sessions over the course of Mountain Bike Academy.
–Daily program refunds are broken into per-session charge of $30 for the $210 program fee, or $20 for the $310 program fee.
–Fees are refunded accordingly up to $150. This applies to both the one day and two day MBA programs.
–Full refunds may only be given for injury/illness, documentable by a doctor. Any and all other requests may be considered on a case by case basis.
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Starting July 15, drop in for Thursday Night Race League. Don't let all the spandex fool you, this is a fun, low-key cross country race. Race starts at 6pm at the events building in the Village - just follow the music. The race series will be on one of three courses throughout the season to highlight different trails and rider strengths while focusing on cross country style trials. All abilities and ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. Beginner race loops will be approximately 3-4.5 miles, Sport and Pro racers completing multiple laps on the same loop. See the Cross Country tabs Peddlers' Loops for more information on the loops. Oh, and don't forget the free party with awards and door prize drawings after each race (about 8pm) at the Bierstube.
For more detailed information on each Thursday Night Race League and other mountain biking events visit our Calendar of Events.
** New this year! ** Race League will have the same course and divisions as always, but each week will feature its own themed category. See schedule below. Riders who wish to will compete for prizes and bragging rights in the Theme division, separate from the normal divisions.
15 Get here on time! First 10 to register get critical acclaim!
22 Single Speeders - one gear only
29 Cyclocross - short spurs off the race course to create a mini cyclocross
5 Clydesdales - bikes over 35lb
12 Super D - short climbs amid a descent down Dave's Dive
19 Cross Country Costumes - anything goes
26 Ski Costumes on Bikes - Winter is coming, bring your gear!
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The International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) program organizes and supports more than 60 volunteer bike patrol groups throughout the United States and the world. Whitefish Mountain Resort is proud to offer the program for the safety of our guests.
The NMBP consists of dedicated volunteers partnering with land mangers, land owners and emergency personnel, to assist, educate and inform all trail users in order to enhance their recreational experience by:
Assisting in medical and mechanical emergencies
Educating trail users reqarding proper etiquette
Informing land managers, owners and trail
users of trail conditions through monitoring efforts
Two Bike Patrollers are always on-site during operating hours to respond to injuries, answer questions, and provide directions and guidance (including to non-bikers). If on a bike or hiking trail, please note which of the 10 posted bike patrol zones you are in when calling.
The Front Desk serves as the dispatch center for Bike Patrol. Two patrollers are on duty during operating hours, with one always at the summit bike patrol hut for quick dispatch in case of emergency. The phone number for patrol dispatch is 406-862-3687.
WMR's Bike Patrollers are all certified Wilderness First Responders and are able to respond to any emergency at the resort. If there is a life threatening situation, please call 911 first so that Big Mountain Firehouse's Paramedics may be dispatched as well.
Explore our lift-served mountain bike trails with a Bike Patroller*.
Meet at the Summit at 1pm - Saturdays & Sundays
*In event of a dispatch emergency, tours will be canceled for the day
Winter
Summer