Places for downhill in NM or Colo

**schmity** · 03-20-2007, 11:11 PM

So im pretty new to downhill mountain biking but i love it. I live in abq new mexico and was planning on goin a ton this summer. Where should i go for mountain biking in New Mexico or south Colorado? I also really liked the moab biking stuff when i went there and was wondering if there was anything like it. Thanks a ton guys.

**Big Blue** · 03-21-2007, 07:22 AM

I think Angelfire has lift-served.

**brettf** · 03-21-2007, 08:39 AM

Angelfire is cool. Pajarito ran the lift last year in Los Alamos, but it was only on a few weekends.

Get to know the NM guys at the MTBR.com forums (http://forums.mtbr.com). There are some shuttle rides near Abq with a lot of other stuff around. I wish I could spend more time down there in the spring and the fall... there is great riding and good shuttle riding if you know the right folks. Get to know the MTBR crew and expand on it from there. I don't think (take with grain of salt) that the guys who post a ton are typically running shuttles, but I think some are, and I know those guys know others... you know how it is...

ANd I dunno about CO. Maybe Silverton is running the list this summer?

I'm sure there are a bunch of shuttle rides in SO CO, but I don't know anyone who rides DH down there... so don't know anything about it...

Good luck!

**icanseeformiles(andmiles)** · 03-21-2007, 08:45 AM

Purg usually runs the lifts. Anyone know if you can still use the gondi at TRide?

**brettf** · 03-21-2007, 10:33 AM

didn't know about purgatory. cool.

t-ride still lets you use the gondola as far as I know, but as has been well documented here, they shut down the gnarly "renegade" trails.... which is still a shame

**Big Blue** · 03-21-2007, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by brettf

Pajarito ran the lift last year in Los Alamos, but it was only on a few weekends.

brettf, or anyone else, have you done much riding around LA recently? I'm wondering how the trails are holding up since the fire. I grew up there and used to ride just about every day in HS. There were so many good trails, and they all linked together, so you could ride all day. Is the riding still that good? My parents moved away, so I'm wondering if it would be worth it to go camp out and ride for a few days.

**maniloff** · 03-21-2007, 11:14 AM

Silverton. But don't do what this guy did:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsjMxVgBWEA

**Shredhead** · 03-21-2007, 12:17 PM

Between shots and beers, I was trying to talk the executives at the Aspen Ski Co. into allowing MTB's on the Aspen Mt. Gondi. Not much success, but they did promise the Snowmass would be much improved in the next couple of years.

**brettf** · 03-21-2007, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Big Blue

brettf, or anyone else, have you done much riding around LA recently? I'm wondering how the trails are holding up since the fire. I grew up there and used to ride just about every day in HS. There were so many good trails, and they all linked together, so you could ride all day. Is the riding still that good? My parents moved away, so I'm wondering if it would be worth it to go camp out and ride for a few days.

My GF is from there. She also went to HS there... when did you gradumacate? I haven't ridden anything there up in the burn areas, but hear that guaje (spelling?) ridge is back open and in good shape. Supposedly Cabra is in great shape. I hear that most of the trails look and feel different, but are still good... in a "different" way. But that's all second hand. So basically, I don't know shit.

edit: the "new" trails that were built as part of the new effort to use the lifts there look good. I'll dig up some pictures that some friends sent. But these are only the DH stuff I think.

**Big Blue** · 03-21-2007, 03:35 PM

I graduated in '96. Glad to hear the trails are getting to be rideable again. I might have to head that direction sometime this summer.

**schmity** · 03-21-2007, 04:11 PM

so anyone from abq and know of any good biking areas around here? i dont really like the foothills because of all the people on em

**brettf** · 03-21-2007, 04:20 PM

emptybeer. seriously.

**brettf** · 03-21-2007, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Big Blue

I graduated in '96. Glad to hear the trails are getting to be rideable again. I might have to head that direction sometime this summer.

i'll probably be headed out there a few times this summer. we still have yet to hook up in moab, but i'll post up when heading to LA.

**Big Blue** · 03-21-2007, 04:49 PM

For sure man, I'll be out in Moab starting May 1 (or maybe a little sooner if all the snow melts here). Let me know when you're headed either place.

**funkendrenchman** · 03-21-2007, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Shredhead

Between shots and beers, I was trying to talk the executives at the Aspen Ski Co. into allowing MTB's on the Aspen Mt. Gondi. Not much success, but they did promise the Snowmass would be much improved in the next couple of years.

Give me a shout if you want any help with this. I am all for any improvement in DH biking in the Aspen/Snowmass area. I would love to see bike trails on Ajax, but if they wanna put some more effort into stuff at Snowmass that would be great. It would be huge if they could at least run the 6 pack all summer instead of the ridiculous double. I will commit loads of trailwork time if it looks like it will be worth the effort in the long run.

**SLSki** · 03-21-2007, 07:25 PM

How often do they run the six pack at Snowmass? Its a pretty short ride on that double.

**mtnbikerskierchick** · 03-21-2007, 07:30 PM

Angelfire? Do they leave the DH course open all summer??? That course can be pretty gnarly!

**ANON-505** · 03-21-2007, 07:38 PM

Rumor has it that Ski Santa Fe is going to have some lift-accessed mtn biking this summer, maybe even a park. I just heard from a friend on patrol... It would be unreal if that was the case, and I might have to cough up some cash and buy that Knolly for sale.

Otherwise, there is a ton of good mtn biking right around you. The foothills around ABQ are known for being crowded, but moreso right now as the higher elevations are still snowy and muddy. Seriously, if you don't mind riding up hill (or you have a car to do shuttles, I suppose) there is a lifetime worth of excellent, empty singletrack within a 2 hour drive from your doorsep.

Big Blue: Guaje Ridge is "open" and can be really really good. It can also be a nightmare if you try to ride it right after a bunch of wind. A majority of the trail goes through the burn area and the deadfall can be wicked.

Otherwise in the Sangres it's still mostly ski season above 9000'. I'd wait on the Jemez for another few weeks too. That being said, it's been super warm, and I've been on riding everyday this week, just below 8000'. Shorts and a T shirt, lots of empty singletrack and sun.

**funkendrenchman** · 03-21-2007, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by SLSki

How often do they run the six pack at Snowmass? Its a pretty short ride on that double.

Never and Coney Glade is open only for races. Yea, they will never make any money off biking until they start using other lifts.

MBSC, Angel Fire should have the course open all year. They didn't last summer cause of lift construction.

**Shredhead** · 03-22-2007, 08:28 AM

I'll confirm this weekend, but I think their plan is to run the new Elk Camp Gondi in the summer.

**Rontele** · 03-22-2007, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Shredhead

I'll confirm this weekend, but I think their plan is to run the new Elk Camp Gondi in the summer.

That would be pretty decent.

**Big Blue** · 03-22-2007, 11:22 AM

For anyone interested in Los Alamos here's an article about the trail restoration effort. A little hard to read because whoever scanned it in did a pretty lousy job, but definitely interesting. Makes me want to go back and check it out even more.

**ANON-505** · 03-22-2007, 08:07 PM

^^^^^yeppp, the Lost Almost folks are very civic. Lots of bike clubs and trail crews and volunteer organizations...

I'm sure you know, but there is great singletrack in LA. But today, it's snowing. yayyy

**grskier** · 05-01-2007, 04:18 PM

Any updates on the Snowmass lift serve?

**Nitro** · 05-02-2007, 11:31 AM

Snowmass Summer lift service will continue this year as it has in the past. Burlingame will run this summer with Coney Glade running for Blast the Mass. A new Downhill Course has been submitted to the Forrest Service for use during the Nationals only, but we are pending approval and cannot comment until approved.

A decision has not been made as of yet for 2008, but it would seem very certain that the 6 pack or Gondola will be running in 2008 as the Burlingame Chair will be taken out.