Ski season may be wrapping up, but the lifts at many Utah ski resorts are firing up this summer for mountain biking, and two (2) season passes are available that will increase the thrills while decreasing expenses, providing riders with economies of scale to scale the summits.
Wasatch Gravity Pass at Solitude and Deer Valley
New this summer, the Wasatch Gravity Pass ($450) provides unlimited lift-served access to mountain biking, hiking, and scenic lift riding at Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort. Both are renowned for their thrilling singletrack and flow trails, but with upgrades and additions at both resorts, the Gravity Pass aims to give those with a passion for brown pow direct-to-lift convenience with maximum value.
Expanding its daily access (summer season opens June 12), Solitude will keep its lifts and the bike park open until 8PM. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s also increasing the number of bike carriers on each lift to every other chair (instead of every third), getting more riders uphill faster. It’s also spreading them out over more of the mountain with the introduction of a new hybrid blue tech/jump trail. Bigger, faster, and longer unlimited days come with having the Gravity Pass at Solitude.
Deer Valley has also been expanding its mountain biking footprint in recent years, and will welcome downhill and enduro fans and newbies to the sport with the summer opening of its lift-served frontside flow trails: Ripple (green), Regulator (blue), and Undertow (black). These newly enhanced trails will get tamped down and receive the attention – and woohoos – they deserve with the temporary closure of the upper trails on Bald Mountain (due to installation of the Pinyon Express high-speed 6-pack lift). Explore more details about Deer Valley's trails during their expansion process this summer here. Compared to purchasing summer daily lift tickets at Deer Valley ($35) or Solitude ($38-$50), the Gravity Pass provides tremendous value for summerlong access to both resorts.
The Loam Pass
Founded in Utah, the Loam Pass ($299) calls itself “The Ultimate MTB Pass,” and it’s easy to understand why. This pass aims to provide access and value like its winter multipass cousins by offering over 100 days of lift-served and shuttle-based riding at resorts, bike parks, and destinations throughout North America. Passholders receive two days at each destination and a third day for 50% off the daily ticket price.
Locally, it provides access to lift-served mountain biking at Brian Head Ski Resort and Woodward Park City. Want to learn those rad skills on bumps, berms, rails and tables? Stage them (riding the lifts and features repeatedly) – or even take a lesson – at Woodward this summer. The closest resort to Salt Lake City, Woodward has become a favorite summer haunt for giggling groms and antigravity gurus looking to improve their skills. Then, head south to Brian Head, where its high-altitude climate – the base sits at over 8000’ – will make you forget you’re at the edge of a desert in summer. The Loam Pass will carry you to an oasis, filled with miles of singletrack and acres of spruce.
In addition, the Loam Pass provides mountain bikers with shuttle services to some of Utah’s most coveted locations and epic trails, including Raptor in Moab (Porcupine Shuttle), Spinal Tap in Richfield (Ride Richfield), and the Wasatch Crest Trail in Salt Lake City and Park City (Big Rack Shuttle).
Mountain biking in Utah just got even more exciting and economical this summer with the introduction of the Wasatch Gravity Pass and the Loam Pass. Check them out and discover why everyone in Utah says, “Come for winter. Stay for summer.”
