Canyons Bike Park Opens June 14

PARK CITY, Utah – With five flow trails, more than 20 miles of singletrack, multiple lifts, a European-style Enduro race and the all-new Canyons Resort Mountain Bike Academy, the expanded Canyons Bike Park opens its 2012 summer season on Thursday, June 14. Canyons Bike Park now provides trail access via Red Pine Gondola, Short Cut and High Meadow lifts, challenging riders of all abilities.

All-new this summer is the Dark Hollow flow trail (more difficult) that connects Lookout Peak to the Red Pine Mid-mountain Adventure Area; and the White Rabbit trail (easiest) in the Red Pine area. This trail will be accessed via the Short Cut lift, adding a third lift to Canyons Bike Park offering. The existing Flying Salmon (less difficult), Wild Mouse (more difficult) and Rally Cat (very difficult) trails will undergo re-routes and expansion, adding even more territory to the broad system of flow trails.

The lifts also provide access to the 25-mile Mid Mountain Trail, one of just 51 “Epic” rated trails in North America according to IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association).

“Last summer, Canyons Bike Park introduced the flow park to Utah – and riders loved it,” said Canyons managing director Mike Goar. “There’s nothing like it in Utah.  If you can ride a bike, with proper instruction you can ride a gravity trail. Experienced riders attack the rollers, berms and jumps, while more casual riders enjoy a fun, exciting mountain descent without pedaling or braking.”

Also new this season, riders will spend more time on the trails and less time in lift lines thanks to new bike trays fabricated by Deason Built. High Meadow lift will be outfitted with trays handling three bikes and Short Cut lift will carry two bikes.

Another exciting addition to the park this season is the Canyons Resort Mountain Bike Academy, which offers riding instruction for all abilities with a focus on gravity and singletrack terrain. Group clinics and private coaching will be available seven days a week for adults and youth, ages eight and older. The clinics are designed to maximize enjoyment of the sport while building skills and confidence within a safe and progressive learning environment.  A comprehensive Bike 101 clinic is just $99 ($89 for youths 8-12) including instruction, lift ticket and rental bike.

With $12,000 in cash and prizes on the line, the inaugural Bell Wasatch Enduro race promises to be the most exciting event on the Canyons Bike park calendar.  Professional and amateur riders will compete on Saturday, July 21, in an event featuring a combination of 17 miles of grueling uphill “transfer stages” and timed downhill “competition” stages.

In partnership with GT and Cannondale, Canyons Bike Park introduces a high-performance, full-suspension bike rental program this season. The GT Fury and Cannondale Claymore are the featured bikes in the rental fleet at Canyon Mountain Sports in the Resort Village. A complete line of bike components is available for purchase, as well as gear from retail partners Dakine, Fox, Oakley, SixSixOne and Teva.

For the 2012 season, daily lift tickets start at $27 and season passes start at $149.

Be sure to follow Canyons Bike Park online at www.ridecanyons.com and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bikepark9990.

Canyons Resort launches its annual transformation to summer playground on June 14, rolling out an array of family and adventure activities. The 2012 Canyons summer schedule includes:

Fast-paced and high-flying adventures like Canyons Bike Park and Zip Tour
Memorable encounters with nature via an enhanced network of hiking trails or on a pedal boat on the Alpine Lake
Family favorites like fireworks, concerts, fishing, family putting course and disc golf
Award-winning culinary magic and “al fresco” dining from the Talisker Restaurant Collection.
Romance, bed-and-breakfast and adventure packages at five world-class lodging properties including the iconic Waldorf Astoria Park City and the AAA Four-Diamond Grand Summit Hotel.
        
For more information, visit www.canyonsresort.com or call 888-CANYONS.


Media Contacts:
Canyons Resort & Talisker Mountain Incorporated
Steve Pastorino, Director of Public Relations
(435) 615-3308; spastorino@taliskermountain.com