It’s better than Christmas. It’s better than birthdays. It’s Bike Park Season, and we uncover the favorite bike parks of the YT MOB.
When the snow nerds hibernate for another summer, and the white powder turns back into tacky brown dirt, the roar of freshly serviced hubs rolls up to the resorts for another season of pure, unadulterated Good Times. There’s nothing like the buzz of getting those first laps in on your favorite trails, jetting off on riding holidays far and wide, and sending trains with your mates as you ride from dusk till dawn.
To get you hyped for the 2023 bike park season, we’re checking with some of our YT MOB riders to find out what their favorite bike parks are around the world. So if you need some destination inspiration, look no further than insights from the athletes who know how to live uncaged.
The Ranch, Kamloops, Canada
The Ranch, Kamloops, Canada
Breeding the talents of Graham Agassiz and Brett Tippie, it’s no surprise that The Ranch Bike Park is a firm favourite amongst the YT MOB freeriders. With flow trails, techy steeps and big features catering for all abilities, Aggy’s favourite bike park is shared with fellow MOBsters, Ethan Nell and Dakoda Osusky.
Klinovec Bike Park, Czechia
With some of the longest trails in Europe, Klinovec Bike Park is Czechia’s holy grail for mountain biking. With some steep and technical tracks, it’s no wonder this bike park is top of the list for downhill shredders Erik Irmisch and Johann Potgieter.
Portes du Soleil, France
Nothing beats high-alpine riding than the PDS
Hailed as the European Whistler, the PDS is a treasure trove of high-alpine trails. Ok, so it’s not technically a stand-alone bike park, but the PDS life pass grants access and connects Les Gets, Super Morzine, Pleney, Champery, Chatel and more. It’s the new home of YT MOB adventure rider Sami Sauri, and it’s a destination favorite for Josh Lowe, Jack Moir, Billy Pugh, and downhill rider Oisin O’Callaghan.
Leogang Bike Park, Austria
Leogang is one of the top stops for the UCI and World Championships.
Leogang’s bike park plays host to iconic events, such as the UCI downhill and cross-country world series, and the newly established EDR world cup. Home to a 10,000m2 Riders playground, Hot Shots pro jump line, and enough trails to keep you sessioning all day long, Leogang Bike Park is a favorite for slopestyle steeze artist Erik Fedko and Moto-legend Manuel Lettenbichler.
Thredbo Bike Park, Australia
After taking the win at this year’s Cannonball Australian Open Downhill, Sian A’Hern‘s favorite bike park is Thredbo, with its dry, dusty ruts, fast-rolling trails. There are over 40km of trails in its network, all accessible by lift, saving your legs for more laps.
Whistler Bike Park, Canada
Brooke Anderson sends it into P2 at Crankworx Whip-Off 2022
What kind of bike park list would this be without the iconic, Disneyland-like destination of Whistler Bike Park? A stop on the Crankworx Summer Series and the destination for hordes of mountain bikers and holiday-makers, home to bears and just a stone’s throw away from the idyllic Squamish trails, Whistler has it all… and we mean all. It’s a favorite for the likes of Brooke Anderson, Cami Bragg, Kasper Woolley, Christian Textor, Eme Cosh, Micayala Gatto, Emma Olofsson, and Brett Tippie.
So there you have it, straight from the Goat’s mouth. If you’re planning your bike park adventures this year or updating your MTB bucket list, these tried and tested parks from the YT MOB are ones you ought to visit.
Not sure what bike to shred this bike park season? Worry not! Why not check out the freeride-ripper TUES, the enduro-slaying CAPRA, and the amplitude-loving DIRT LOVE? Head to the YT Industries shop now and bag your 2023 bike park whip.
