When planning a ski trip to Utah, you know the deal. You obsess over OpenSnow for weeks in advance to figure out where to find the deepest base. Find a slopeside hotel in Park City with the best apres ski spa treatments, or book a remote cabin in Big Cottonwood Canyon for your entire family to gather. You diligently pack your layers, go through your mental gear checklist, grab your most colorful après sweater, and hop on a plane knowing that you only have a thirty-minute drive to the mountains when you land. On your flight, you imagine deep powder turns at Alta Ski Area, perfect corduroy at Deer Valley Resort, or a bluebird day at Snowbasin Resort.
But here’s the secret not many like to share: the same mountains that deliver The Greatest Snow on Earth® turn into a mountain biker’s dream as soon as the snow melts.
From the maticulously built flow trails of Deer Valley Resort to the gondola-accessed rocky terrain at Snowbasin Resort to evening laps at Solitude Mountain Resort, the Wasatch is home to world-class mountain biking that rivals its skiing. In the summer, the Wastatch offers it all from lift-served flow trails to backcountry high alpine singletrack. Just like planning a ski trip, executing the perfect summer bike vacation takes a bit of planning, and we are here to help!
Step 1) Choose Your Home Base
Much like picking your winter home base, where you stay in the summer can shape your entire trip. If you’re looking for access to the biggest trail network in Utah, Park City is the most convenient. With more than 450 miles of singletrack and lift-served riding at both Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort, Park City has something for everyone. It’s a great place to plan a sustainable bike trip as there is an expansive paved trail network through town and super fun electric bike rentals that give you access to all of the trails, grocery stores, and apres bars. If you choose to stay in Park City, you also have easy day trip access to rides such as Slate Creek in the Uinta Mountains or Dutch Hollow in Heber. (Note: skip to "Step 2" for tips on how to navigate these trails!)
If you’re looking for a quieter, more rural feeling trip, consider booking in Huntsville or Eden for access to Snowbasin Resort, Nordic Valley, and Powder Mountain. One of my favorite things about Snowbasin Resort in the summer is riding the gondola to their high alpine trails and finishing up the day at their weekend summer concert series. Live music, beers, and dogs every Sunday throughout the summer make for the perfect après ride environment to unwind and plan your ride for the next day. Outside of the lift-served trails, there is a great trail network at North Fork Park, which is also a Dark Sky Park if you’re looking for some stargazing to rejuvenate after your ride (read more about it here).
If you’re looking for a cozy resort vacation with a one-stop shop for biking, art, great food, and spa access, look no further than Sundance Mountain Resort. In the summers, Sundance Mountain Biking offers serene forest bathing-esque vibes next to over 25 miles of world-class mountain bike trails. Once you’re done riding for the day, you can unwind with Sundance Art Studio Classes, outdoor yoga classes or soak in Sundance Spa - Sundance Mountain Resort brand new outdoor pool and sauna. And don't forget about their summer theatre for an evening treat!
Looking to return to your favorite winter destinations in the summer for some riding? Big Cottonwood Canyon is a great high alpine home base for a mountain bike trip or staycation. There are several vacation rental homes to gather with a lot of people and tons of lift-served mountain bike trails. Solitude Mountain Resort offers machine-built trails for all levels and features live music regularly and other events such as the Big Cottonwood Canyon Brew Fest in June every year. Aside from lift-served trails, Honeycomb Canyon is a locals' favorite for technical riding in a high alpine environment.
In the Summer of 2024, Brighton started lift-served mountain bike trails, adding more terrain to what is currently available in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The first trail to open as part of Brighton bike park, Easy Rider is a very approachable green trail great for beginner riders. I can’t wait to see how the other trails in this bike park come together over the next few summers. Another benefit of staying up Big Cottonwood Canyon during the summer months is the quick connection over Guardsman's Pass to access the new Bonanza flats bike trails and even connect the WOW trail, which drops all the way down to Heber City. So many great options for all levels from summer in Big Cottonwood!
Step 2) Planning Each Day’s Objective
Once you’ve nailed down your basecamp, it’s time to build your ride plan. That’s where apps like Trailforks and MTB Project come in handy. These apps allow you to filter trails by difficulty, elevation gain, directionality, and rider reviews. You can build a custom route for each day or use curated ride plans that others have logged.
Make sure when planning that you take into account the weather, terrain, and skill level of the group you’re riding with. Packing enough food and water to make it through the ride is an incredibly important part of making a bike trip fun, rather than a suffer fest. If you are looking for more information on fueling for your bike trip - check out this blog here.
Step 3) Renting vs. Bringing Your Bike
Just like traveling with ski gear, bringing your bike has benefits. You’re familiar with the setup, the suspension is dialed, and you’re bike is perfectly fit to match your riding needs. But traveling with a bike can be a hassle. Make sure to check your airline's regulations before flying so you aren’t caught off guard with any extra baggage fees. If you’re flying Delta Air Lines - they allow you to check your bike as you would any other bag. Check out their website to learn more about traveling with sporting equipment. Also, make sure to find a rental car that fits your bike once it is fully assembled if you plan on driving to trailheads once you arrive.
If you want to skip the hassle, several shops across the Wasatch have high-end rentals that can give you a great riding experience without the complexities of traveling with your bike. In Park City, check out White Pine Touring, Storm Cycles, or Cole Sport for high-end demo bikes. The Bike Shoppe in Ogden has great high-end bikes for Snowbasin Mountain Biking/Ogden Valley riders, and Sundance Mountain Outfitters if you’re in Sundance Mountain Resort. Most of these shops can help you fine-tune your suspension and will swap in your pedals or saddle if you bring them.
Step 4) What to Pack
Packing for a summer trip to the Wasatch means being ready for any type of weather. Of course you’ll need your basic biking checklist: helmet, gloves, glasses, pack, shoes, moisture-wicking layers, chamois, tool kit and knee/elbow pads. I always wear pads for lift-served days to help me feel more confident in the event I take a fall while trying some technical terrain. I never leave for a ride in the summer without my Stio Second Light Windshell in my fannypack, and if there is weather in the forecast, I pack the Ender Jacket as well.
Don’t forget a hydration pack or hip pack with water, snacks, a multi-tool and a pump. For big days it is also a good idea to bring some extra electrolytes. And if you're using digital trail maps, download your routes in advance as cell service is not always guaranteed.
Step 5) How to Après
After a day in dirt church, nothing beats cracking open a Wasatch & Squatters Last One Down and celebrating your power output in the parking lot. If you’re looking for more of a classy meal to top off your day, High West Distillery and Saloon in Park City is an après classic with craft whiskey and delicious mountain fare. Wasatch Brew Puboffers a fun locals vibe with outdoor seating in the summer and cold beers on draft.
The historic Sundance Owl Bar is moody and intimate, with craft cocktails and live music on the weekends. If you’re in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Molly Greens offers the same great apres service in the summer as it’s known for in the winter.
Planning a mountain bike trip to the Wasatch is a lot like prepping for ski season except this time with less down and more sunscreen. Between lift-accessed resorts, backcountry trails, and high alpine ridgelines, you can ride a different kind of terrain every day of your trip to the Wasatch. Use your maps, stay flexible with your plan, and let it rip!
