Deer Valley has long been the undisputed king of lift-served mountain biking among Utah’s ski resorts, and it’s going to get a whole lot bigger when the resort expands its summer operations to include new chairlifts and trails to an already impressive network. Cross country and downhill riders will all have something new to look forward to when they fire up the Ruby Express chairlift to access a new singletrack system on Flagstaff Mountain.
Here’s the full press release from Deer Valley:
DEER VALLEY RESORT, PARK CITY, UTAH (May 3, 2011) – Deer Valley Resort has announced a significant expansion to its summer mountain biking, hiking and scenic chairlift operations for the summer 2011 season. Aside from running both the Silver Lake Express (from the Resort base) and Sterling Express chairlifts (from mid-mountain) as it has for years now, the Resort will also run the Ruby Express chairlift from the Empire Canyon Lodge area; build “The Road to Ruby,” a three- to four-mile connecting trail from Bald Mountain to the Flagstaff Mountain area; and add a new intermediate trail system in the Flagstaff Mountain area.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to add new trails to our already existing network of over 55 miles,” says Steve Graff, Resort mountain biking manager. “We will have a crew dedicated to building our new Flagstaff Mountain trail system working all summer long. Flagstaff offers gentler terrain than our Bald Mountain area; so we’ll be able to construct trails that have an easier flow than switchbacks, with more berms and rollers, making for a really enjoyable intermediate biking and hiking experience. As for running the Ruby Express chairlift, it gives people one more option for access to our mountain, especially for guests staying at The Montage and other Empire Canyon lodging locations. Tickets, bike rentals and guided tours will all be operated from our yurt at the base of Ruby Express next to Empire Canyon Lodge. ”
Deer Valley’s lift-served mountain biking and hiking and scenic chairlift rides will begin seven days a week starting June 17 through Labor Day. Lift-accessed mountain biking, hiking and scenic rides will continue to be offered on September 10 and 11, weather and conditions permitting. Guests have the option of starting at the Resort base on the Silver Lake Express chairlift, the Sterling Express chairlift at the Resort’s mid-mountain area, or the Ruby Express chairlift in Empire Canyon. All three chairlifts will operate seven days a week during Deer Valley’s summer season, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (conditions permitting). Free parking is available at either Snow Park or Silver Lake Lodges.
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Sounds like the new trails being built at Deer Valley will be more mountain bike specific with banked turns and better flow, rather than the hiking-trail feel of the singletrack that’s been available over the years.
For lift ticket prices, info about bike rentals, and more about the resort’s expanded summer operations, visit www.deervalley.com