Best mountain bike knee pads

What to look for in the best mountain bike knee pads. Hard or soft? Pull-on or wrap-on? Which brands make the best? Why wear knee pads at all?
We’ll start straight in with the reviews and then follow up with our conclusions and finish this guide off with some general knee pad buying advice…

Our current pick of the best mountain bike knee pads

Alpinestars Paragon

Although mid-weight, the Paragon offers heavy-duty protection, and we actually put this to the test going down hard on loose gravel on one of the test rides. This scuffed a hole in the face fabric but we walked away without a scratch. With its contoured shape the Paragon has the best fit of any on test, there’s absolutely no folding or pad movement at the knee, even when pedalling hard. The mesh back panel offers good breathability and, while the seams are flat and inward facing, we did experience a little bit of uncomfortable bunching of the material at the back of the leg. Elastic at the bottom hem and silicone at the top, plus a couple of strips inside, stop the Paragon shifting out of wack. Overall this is a solid kneepad, available in a ton of sizes, what gets it our ‘best on test’ award is the price.

G-Form Pro-X

A lot of companies make G-Form knock offs but it was the first with this lightweight design and the Pro-X is second-generation pad with much meatier padding and the company’s new RPT (rate-dependent technology), self-hardening smart material. The pad on the MkII is shaped to fit better but there’s still a little bit of bunch on the sides of the pad. To save weight the sleeve is gets a Lycra face fabric with a technical mesh back panel to enhance breathability and moisture wicking. The Pro-X is available in six sizes, although the large tested did feel a too tight at the calf. And the silicone gripper on the top edge also pulled on the skin, leaving a red mark. The Pro-X is super lightweight, has a good level of protection and unlike other pads using smart materials is also machine washable, which is good because dirt does collect in all the channels.

Ion K-Sleeve

This is a long knee warmer style pad that you can literally tuck underneath you liner shorts to keep it in place. It is the longest pad we’ve ever tested but it’s also one of the lightest. Protection comes from high-density memory foam insert that extends across the top and down the sides. You can’t see it but this is actually stamped in a hex pattern allowing it to mould easier to the knee. The K_Sleeve is also side specific and Ion does the smart thing and writes this on the outside of the pad, so you don’t have to rummage about looking for the info on the label. To increase wicking there’s a super breathable mesh back panel, which is also none chafing and, if you do sweat buckets, it also gets an anti-odour treatment. Like the Race Face Charge tested elsewhere, the K_Sleeve only offers minimal protection but is super comfy and prefect as winter leg wear.

Leatt Airflex Pro

We tested Leatt’s original ultra slim AirFlex knee guard two years ago and it felt flimsy and didn’t fit snug. The Pro is much more meaty and now features additional side and upper knee impact protection. To increase airflow the centre kneecap is perforated and it’s built onto a sleeve made from Leatt’s new highly vented and breathable MoistureCool and AirMesh fabrics. Both are antimicrobial and so far have been pretty hardwearing. The Pro does bunch up where the side pads come together and, like all open designs, it does fill with dirt. However, the cap material is hardwearing, offers plenty of protection, even for gravity riding, and it’s doesn’t move due to printed silicon inside the cup and comfy grippers top and bottom. Just so you know what knee goes in what pad Leatt even writes left and right on the outside.

Six Six One Recon

With its lightweight sleeve with a waffle style protector, the Recon is a lot like the G-Form Pro-X. It even uses a smart urethane protector using the branded XRD Technology. Like the D3O, the idea is that it forms to your body shape in normal riding conditions but then freezes under impact. Fit round the back is great with a stretch mesh panel and an elastic strap over the calf. 661 also goes easy on the gripper, using a minimal strip on the inside of the elastic hems. A unique feature of the Recon is the Padlock connection, a simple press-stud system that lets you attach the kneepad to 661’s Evo Short to keep it in place. The Recon is less substantial than the TSG and G-form kneepads and does bunch up a bit at the sides but it is more affordable and is lighter.

TSG Joint Knee Sleeve

The TSG Joint Knee Sleeve also features a waffle style PU foam pad. It’s not made from clever compared to G-form’s self-hardening smart material but it has a bit more meat to it and is supplemented via extra side pads. With the built in articulation it’s properly form fitting and moulds easily to the shape of your knee when bent. To save weight and to reduce irritation of the tendons on the back of the knee, TSG runs a flexible Lycra sleeve with vented mesh back complete with a cut-out. The Lycra material is sporting a few nicks in places but it’s quick drying, which is great because unlike most pads with D30 or similar, the TSG pad is machine washable. For a lightweight waffle pad the Joint offers a high level of protection, it’s also stays there due to some terry material directly over the patella area. Left and right specific, what stops it getting top marks is the lack of sizes and price.

Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee

Troy Lee makes a massive range of protection with the Speed Knee Sleeve being the lightest and least protective but it’s easily one of the most comfortable in the range. This is due to its 360degree seamless construction; which is sort of like an oversized sock. The only issue we had with the sleeve is the material is a little thick, there’s no mesh, so the pad runs hotter than most. Protection is via a 4mm D3O insert. In its inert state this smart material is soft and malleable but hit the deck and it stiffness significantly. It offers a decent level of impact protection and gets an abrasion-resistant cover but it’s not machine washable. The Speed Knee is really comfortable, even on long all day rides, but it’s a little short in length, the silicone gripper on the upper seam is a little too tight and the pad bunches a bit on the outside edge.

7iDP Transition mountain bike knee pads

The Transition has a light construction consisting of a thin Lycra sock with full-length ventilated panels, held in place by silicon gripper strips at both the top and bottom. The pad itself is heat-moldable foam and feels thicker and protective. It took slightly longer to conform to the knee when on, but once it’s shaped itself to the knee it proved super comfortable and I had no problems wearing the Transition on big rides. The Lycra sleeve goes quite a long way up your thigh, which can be useful for eliminating chilly breezes but it can also overlap with undershorts if they’re particularly long. In use the thin construction makes for good ventilation – only the area behind the pad gets sweaty on hot days. Without any extra straps to fine-tune the fit, correct sizing is important but the medium size tested felt snug and the pad didn’t move once on. It also never felt constrictive or uncomfortable.

Sweet Protection Bearsuit mountain bike knee pads

The Bearsuit is pretty much as basic a kneepad as you could design. It is essentially a perforated, stretchy tube that has a gripper strip along the top edge and a Sas-Tec pad over the kneecap for protection. No straps, no webbing: as I said simple. As such it pays to make sure it fits well around the thigh or you’ll forever be pulling it up. Thankfully the size medium fitted me well and I had no such issues – the Bearsuit staying firmly put over some seriously long days in the saddle. Sas-Tec is a Viscoelastic foam that moulds around the knee with your body heat. As kneepads go the level of protection is fairly light but suits the ride-all-day nature of the pad well and should be sufficient in all but the nastiest of crashes. A lighter stretch panel at the back of the knee stops bunching and adds a little extra ventilation but it still feels a little warm in hot weather. It doesn’t stop the Bearsuit from being a great lightweight option for trail riders though and, after a few months of regular use, it’s showing no signs of wear

Dainese Trail Skins 2 mountain bike knee pads

All the tweaks and improvements do add £20 (compared to the old trail Skins) to the price but the Trail Skin 2 is still very good value because it such great quality. It’s also comfortable, breathable and has the right level of on-trail protection for risk takers and the accident-prone.
Read the full review of the Dainese Trail Skins 2 knee pads

Specialized Atlas mountain bike knee pads

The Atlas pads make wearing kneepads just that little bit easier for general trail riding, being both light and comfortable. Whilst they certainly do not offer the protection of more substantial kneepads they help limit the damage from the inevitable. The price is possibly a tenner higher than some comparable products, but you’ll use these pads again and again and again.
Read the full review of Specialized Atlas knee pads

Ion K-Lite Zip-off mountain bike knee pads

Part of a new breed of easy-to-remove kneepads, Ion’s K-Lite Zip is lightweight and relatively slim-line, but still packs loads of protection. On top of a hard shell cup (to better distribute any crash forces), Ion uses an impact-hardening German polymer called SAS-TEC.
Read the full review of Ion K-Lite Zip-off knee pads

Race Face Ambush mountain bike knee pads

Comfort is excellent — once the Ambush pads are on, you soon forget you’re wearing them and the terry-towelling lining capably mops up sweat and keeps you cool in hot weather. The Race Faces are a little bit heavier than some guards with DH levels of protection, but also extremely comfortable to hike, pedal or climb in, even for extended periods.

Read the full review of the Race face Ambush knee pads

Troy Lee Designs KG5400 Shock Doctor mountain bike knee pads

Troy Lee Designs KG5400 Shock Doctor mountain bike knee pads

There’s a good reason why you’ll see these puppies in this magazine so often — our staff repeatedly choose them above all others, and after completing thousands of trail miles, they still look decent, have held their shape and are working perfectly.
Read the full review of the Troy Lee Designs KG5400 knee pads

The best mountain bike knee pads

Kneepads didn’t used to be a common sight on the trails because we didn’t have the level of technicality we do now and most of the DH/gravity kneepads on offer we really uncomfortable if you had to pedal in them for any length of time. Now-a-days most trail riders can be seen sporting some form or armour and that’s because most of the lightweight kneepads can easily we worn all day in comfort but will still save you if things go pear shaped.
If you’re after the bare minimum then we’d recommend a knee warmer style pad like the Ion K_Sleeve. This design is so comfy that it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a kneepad at all and both are great in the winter because they offer extra warmth and can be peeled of after a muddy ride, taking all the clag with them. The downside of these ultra light kneepads is the lack of padding – these kneepads will protect from gravel rash but that’s about it.
If you want to go to the other end of the scale then the Leatt Airflx Pro offer the most protection. Again the trade off is they are the least comfortable. Most of this is down to the flexibility of the pad – if it doesn’t move with you it can chafe the ligaments at the back of the knee but conversely if it moves too much, it can also result in some soreness. The best pads are the ones that are snug at the top and bottom seams, with firmness rather than constriction at the back of the knee. A good kneepad also needs to form to the shape of your knee, where it can stay centred and be more effective if you crash. Some manufacturers actually place silicone gripper inside the knee to stop knee cap movement but we’re not convinced this is a good idea because silicone rubbing on your skin is more abrasive than plain Lycra.
Pads with a high comfort level and good stability include the 7idp Transition, G-Form Pro-X, TSG Joint Knee Sleeve and the Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeve. They’re all slightly different takes on the lightweight design but it was oly a couple of little details that stopped them from taking top honours. The Troy Lee and 7idp were both a little too warm, the G-Form lacked a little bit of lateral protection and the lack of sizes and price did for the TSG. The Troy Lee and G-Form pads both get smart materials and are more affordable than the TSG.
It was also the price, or lack of it in this case, that earned the Alpine Stars Paragon top marks. It wasn’t the most comfortable kneepad here.

Knee pads are the new helmets

What we mean by this is that it’s now standard to wear knee pads just like it is standard to wear a helmet.
Back in the early days of mountain biking the only protection seen on normal riders was a helmet – sometimes riders didn’t even bother with them! Nowadays knee pads are no longer an unusual sight on trail riders. Indeed, it’s becoming odd to see riders not wearing knee pads.

Mountain bike knee pads: why wear knee pads?

Why has it become standard? Partly this is due to two things.
Firstly, riders are generally riding more technical trails than they used to and/or riding trails faster than they used to. Thus the frequency and consequences of coming off are higher.
The other reason is that modern knee pads are not uncomfortable to wear. Much like improvements in helmets, knee pads are lighter, more airy and less chafe-prone than pads of old.
Of course, you don’t have to wear knee pads. It’s entirely up to you. We’d recommend wearing them on every ride and just getting used to them and having it become second nature. You can never predict on what rides you’ll crash. Indeed, it’s often the casual local loops that see the worst crashes!
As well as protecting you from more serious injuries, knee pads main time is spent preventing your knees from the common scrapes and cuts you get from mountain biking. They also help to keep you a bit warmer in colder and wetter weather.

Mountain bike knee pads: what to look for

Knee pads don’t vary a great deal in general design or concept. Most pads are a tube of fabric with a hole in the back of the knee, some sort of pad or plastic at the front and a Velcro strap at the top and bottom cuffs.

Hard or soft mountain bike knee pads?

The biggest variation in them is whether they’re soft or hard. Hard pads have a rigid bit of plastic cupping around the knee. Although these can be bulkier and less breathable some riders do find that they stay in place better than softer pads.
There are also some knee pads that are both soft AND hard at the same time. These use ‘magic’ forms of material that are pliable and soft until they receive an impact, at which point they stiffen up and go hard. Pads with this sort of stuff in them can be more expensive and they aren’t as breathable as regular soft pads but they can be very comfy to wear and, well, they’re pretty trick.
Soft pads may seem a bit of an odd or risky choice. And although technically not as protective as a hard plastic cup, they do protect you from the vast majority of crash damage (cuts, scrapes, mild bruising).
Soft pads are typically more comfortable and less sweaty to wear than hard pads, which is actually a very good point to note. If you’re more likely to wear the pads in the first place because they’re comfy then that is inherently safe than owning a set of hard pads that you never actually wear because they’re too sweaty and stiff.

Pull-on or wrap-on mountain bike knee pads?

The other aspect that varies is how you put on or remove the pads. Pull-on or wrap-on are the options.
The more common variety is pull-on knee pads. As it says, you pull them on over your foot and up into place. These can be awkward to do if you’ve already got your riding shoes on (a handy hint here is to pull them on with the front at the rear; that way is passes over your heel easier).
Wrap-on pads can be removed or put on without having to remove your shoes. They’re a bit more user-friendly and the idea is that you can put the pads on as-and-when required ie. you can remove them when you know you have an extended bit of fireroad climbing or tarmac bashing to do.
Sizing is a key issue with knee pads. It’s good idea to check out the product listing details for leg opening sizing info – or visit the manufacturer’s website for info if it’s not listed on the retail shop’s page.

We’ve all been there – you’re bombing down a piece of rocky singletrack and suddenly you’re in slow-mo, arcing gracefully over the bars followed by the inevitable crunch of body on the trail. Spectacular crashes happen but often it’s just a small tumble and a bit of gravel rash or a cut which can really put the mockers on a ride. To stop this drama becoming a crisis, lightweight kneepads are the perfect solution.
Most usually have semi-flexible or mouldable kneecap mounted to a Lycra body with mesh panelling at the back for breathability and a large cut away or stretchy material to reduce chaffing when pedalling for long periods. Obviously a lightweight kneepad won’t stop really big impacts and they’re definitely no substitute for proper armour if you’re riding downhill or have paid for an uplift but they are great for general trail riding. They’re so comfortable and well fitted that you often don’t know you have them on.
Lightweight kneepads are also popular with enduro racers because they allow freedom of movement when pedalling but with just enough protection should you fall on the highly demanding technical courses. Due to their minimal construction lightweight kneepads are also relatively cheap, so there’s not really any excuse to get protected.

Used and Abused: How we test

One of the reasons for choosing a lightweight kneepad is because you want comfort while pedalling. To put these to the test we minimum ride time was two hours with each of the kneepads simply because it usually takes that long for any rubbing or chafing to become apparent. Also the silicone gripper, designed to hold the kneepads in place, only starts to irritate the skin once it’s sweaty. By accident rather than design we even crashed hard using a few of these pads, testing the effectiveness of the pad and it’s ability to stay in place.

Pad

Most lightweight kneepads use a soft kneecap or pad made from memory foam or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). This is flexible and often shaped or articulated to fit better round the knee. Some kneepads use D30, a self-hardening polymer that stiffens during a high-speed impact.

Side pads

Ideally the central pad absorbs most of the impact with smaller side pads adding extra protection if you slide down the trail. The whole knee is often covered with Kevlar or Cordura for abrasion resistance.

Cutaway

To stop chafing on the ligaments at the back of the knee lightweight pads are often totally cutaway in this area with a more gentle seam and finishing.

Gripper

To hold the pad up manufacturers often put a small strip of silicone on the top and bottom seams. It can irritate the skin however, so some manufacturers use slightly smaller strips or eliminate it all together, preferring a stretchy hem instead.

Strap

It’s not common on lightweight kneepads but a couple of models have straps on the top seam to adjust the fit and get the kneepad tight. Straps add weight and cost though, and the Velcro can often pick holes in the Lycra or mesh.

Side specific

Some kneepads are side specific and there’s usually a label inside with this written on. A clue is often in the logo – it always goes on the outside.

Sizes

The more sizes the better. Most manufacturers do at least two sizes but four offers a greater range of fit. Generally kneepad sizing is pretty accurate but it always pays to try before you buy.

The 5 Steps of Avalanche Safety

As the snow continues to pile up in Colorado Ski Country, we think it's as good a time as any to provide you with some resources for how to stay safe in the backcountry as well as in-bounds at certain resorts where avalanches could potentially be a hazard.
There are some fantastic resources out there to help you navigate snow hazards, medical hazards, and even human hazards such as poor judgement and decision-making skills in the face of massive lines and fresh tracks. Two great resources to start with are Backcountry Access (BCA) and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE).
BCA's website has a page called 'learn avalanche safety' where you can read up on tips for avoiding avalanches, rescuing victims, resources and trainings, as well as enlightening success stories. They also have an avalanche awareness guide for download. Both BCA and AIARE abide by a 5-step method to stay safe in any snow-heavy conditions.

1) Get the gear

Buy quality safety equipment if you're going into the backcountry (beacon, shovel, probe, avalanche airbag, emergency communication device), and have the best gear possible even in the front country in order to prevent potential hazards (first aid kit, extra layers, and maybe even a beacon, shovel, and probe in certain areas). Along with step 4, make sure you have terrain information and photos, a map, a gps device, and a charged smartphone or radio. Whether in the backcountry or front, make sure to practice with your equipment before heading out to avoid encountering an emergency situation and not knowing how to effectively, efficiently, and safely manage it.

2) Get the training

Take an avalanche safety and awareness course! They are held all over the state, usually put on by AIARE through community colleges, universities, community centers, gear shops, etc. These courses will help teach you how to read a slope and how to make the necessary decisions to keep you and your group safe in avalanche terrain. They will teach you the technical skills for using the required gear in rescue scenarios as well as the human influences that can change decisions, outlooks, and outcomes.
There are many different courses to choose from, including AIARE I: Three Day Course, AIARE I: Split Course, AIARE I: Hut Trip, AIARE Avalanche Rescue, AIARE II, Avalanche Field Review, and Avalanche Awareness Clinics. Check out avtraining.org for avalanche course dates, providers, resources for instructors, and scholarship opportunities for the training courses.
Another way to stay safe and ensure the best possible outcomes in any situation is to learn how to provide first aid to a victim, even if the injury was not from an avalanche. There are many different CPR courses happening around the state constantly, so make sure you chose the one that's best for you (courses for the public, for childcare, for healthcare professionals, etc). Search CPR courses in your area: the American Red Cross and CPR Choice Colorado are great websites to find courses all over the state.
Other trainings to obtain are in wilderness medicine such as Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR). The care required for crises in the backcountry differs from that in the front country because you are farther from immediate, definitive medical care and your contact time with patients is generally higher. These medical trainings, especially WFR, are amazing resources to have, even if you never have to use them in a real emergency. Knowing how to remain calm and feel confident in your training is almost as valuable as the medical knowledge itself. Even if you're shredding the frontcountry, most ski patrol will be grateful to have someone with a little medical knowledge keeping the patient calm and managing any life threats in the time it takes them to reach the scene.

3) Get the forecast

Read the snow report for the last few days: CSCUSA's snow report page is a great resource for this! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a good spot to find the weather forecast, and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) gives avalanche reports for all areas of the state with new snow, as well as accident reports if there was an avalanche.

4) Get the picture

Make sure you know the route and research it thoroughly. CalTopo is a great resource for finding and creating personalized topographic maps of your planned route, as well as potential plan B, C, etc. Make a plan before you go of what terrain you aim to be on, what terrain you absolutely will avoid, as well as where you might need to make critical decisions once you get to the slopes.
This point also applies to the front country: know your group's skill level and comfort zones. Taking people out who are not prepared or comfortable in more advanced terrain is the first way that bad stories can happen. Keep everyone safe and happy both in-bounds and out-!

5) Get out of harm's way

This step mostly entails knowing the dangers and off-limits terrain and avoiding them. If you take any medical courses, one of the first things you will learn is to not create any more victims by putting yourself in danger to rescue someone else. This is good advice while skiing in-bounds as well: don't duck ropes. It's not worth potentially losing your pass and it's certainly not worth a life lost to carelessness. Just because it's still on the resort, doesn't mean it's maintained for avalanche safety. Stay in-bounds if you're in-bounds, and stay safe with as much training and know-how as possible if you're in the backcountry.

3 "Fourteeners" for Beginners

Whether you live in Colorado or just love to visit, climbing a “fourteener” — a mountain of 14,000 feet elevation or more — is a huge and exciting feat. There are 54 fourteeners in Colorado, ranging from “easy” to incredibly difficult. The views from the top are unbeatable, and you’ll be proud to say you’ve summited a 14,000-foot mountain. We’ve got a great list of the three fourteeners you should start with if you’re looking to get above 14,000 feet, and some helpful information as you plan your trip!
Grays & Torreys – the “Two for One”!
Grays Elevation: 14,270 feet (gain of 3,000 feet)
Torreys Elevation: 14,267 feet (gain of 3,000 feet)
Roundtrip length: 8.5 miles
Getting there: Take I-70 to the Bakerville exit (exit 221). Leave the highway and drive south to the dirt parking area near the start of Forest Road 189. From here, it's about 3 miles to the trailhead; a fairly rough road for low-clearance vehicles. You’ll reach a junction after 1 mile, stay straight and follow the sign 2 miles to the trailhead.
Grays and Torreys peaks are right next to each other, making it a perfect opportunity to climb two fourteeners at once! The trail is fairly short and gentle, and it’s very well-traveled, making it easy for moderate hikers to accomplish both peaks in one day. The hike starts in a perfect location right off I-70, and it’s not too far from Denver or Summit County. The hardest part is making it up to the peak of the first one, then you’ll take the saddle over to the second one before heading back down.
Quandary Peak
Elevation: 14,265 feet (gain of 3,450 feet)
Roundtrip length: 6.75 miles
Getting there: From Breckenridge, drive eight miles south on Colorado 9. Turn right on Blue Lakes Road (FDR 850). Drive approximately .1 miles, then turn right on McCollough Gulch Road (FDR 851). This trailhead can get crowded, so many hikers end up parking along the road and hiking to the trailhead.
Quandary Peak is a very well-marked trail that takes hikers on a relatively tame ascent. One thing to be prepared for is the numerous “false peaks” (rises that you’ll think are the top of the mountain, but aren’t) as you approach the summit, but it’s all worth it when you reach the top and take in the spectacular views!
The first two miles of the trail are mostly boulder free, but there is a boulder field as you approach the summit that you’ll want to take slowly. Make sure to keep an eye out for mountain goats on this trail; you’ll most likely see a lot of them!
Mount Bierstadt
Elevation: 14,060 feet (gain of 2,850 feet)
Roundtrip length: 7 miles
Getting there: Take I-70 to Georgetown (exit 228), then follow the signs to Guanella Pass. Take Guanella Pass Road, an easily passable but bumpy dirt road, 11 miles to the top of the pass. The trailhead is marked clearly on the left.
Mount Bierstadt is known to many hikers as Colorado’s easiest fourteener due to a mostly gentle climb. Although there are still several steep sections, this is a great option for the whole family to enjoy. The trail is mostly free of scree and boulders until the top. Mount Bierstadt’s proximity to Denver is another reason this is one of the most popular fourteeners around!
More fourteener tips
As you prepare to climb your first fourteener, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. No matter how warm it is in the summer, it’s going to be a lot colder at 14,000+ feet! Don’t forget to dress in layers — we highly recommend bringing a windbreaker with, too! You’ll want to pack a lunch to eat at the top, specifically something filled with protein. You’ll be burning a lot of calories, so bringing a lot of snacks is going to help you tremendously with keeping your energy up.
Also, make sure to check the weather closely before you leave for your hike. If there are any chances of rain, you may want to hold off, as lightning is very dangerous at the top. You’re going to want to leave very early in the morning, so keep checking the weather and looking around during your hike. Last, remember to bring LOTS of water and a camera — and most of all, have a blast!

Colorado Ski Country's Most Challenging Mountain Bike Trails

If you've been practicing your mountain biking skills all summer, you might be ready to tackle these extremely challenging downhill and cross-country biking trails at Colorado ski resorts.

Winter Park Resort

At Winter Park Resort, expert mountain bikers head for Rainmaker, the signature jump trail of Trestle Bike Park. The jumps may start small, but by the end, you’ll feel like you’re flying as you hit the doubles. This trail is ranked #1 at Trestle Bike Park and is the most famous of the advanced mountain biking terrain at Winter Park.

Telluride

Telluride’s most difficult mountain biking trail, World Cup Downhill, features multiple mandatory airs, steep descent and advanced level features top to bottom. The Prospect Trail is Telluride’s most difficult cross-country trail as it gains over 1,000 feet with technical climbing sections along a narrow, single-track trail system with natural and unmarked obstacles scattered start to finish.

Steamboat

For cross-country mountain biking at Steamboat Resort, expert riders flock to Creekside, which has a constant and steep gradient with multiple creek crossings and many natural obstacles and flow-type features.
Downhill mountain bikers in the Steamboat Bike Park practice for Rawhide, a technical trail that incorporates natural features like rocks, roots, stumps and other challenging obstacles. The trail is steep and tight, requiring the bike handling skills of an expert rider.

Purgatory

Purgatory re-opened a double black diamond expert trail this summer, the World Cup Downhill Trail, which is the original 1.8-mile World Cup Downhill course that was first established for the 2001 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup races.

Powderhorn

Powderhorn’s Pinball Alley is the toughest trail with step sections, rock drops, and jumps that will make any advanced rider challenged.

Granby Ranch

At Granby Ranch, Stranger is a rocky technical downhill trail suited for expert riders.

Crested Butte

At Crested Butte, Psycho Rocks is the most challenging mountain bike trail. The name says it all, right? Psycho Rocks is the Evolution Bike Park’s most technical trail and starts with a series of technical features and then fast and flowing trail until riders must be prepared to select lines through massive boulders and extensive bridging.

Aspen Snowmass

Valhalla is the most difficult bike trail located in the Bike Park on Snowmass. The trail includes jumps, steep declines, technical turns and fun, dynamic terrain.

Uphilling

A few years ago I started a brief telemark career. Really it was never going to be a career but I was hoping to add another dimension to my skiing. I wanted to maybe try side area skiing, or possibly a ski tour option.  What I really enjoyed was the ability to go uphill. What I really didn't enjoy about this new set up was falling over the handlebars, at a high velocity and getting beat up.
The one backcountry lap I did was at Pioneer, a ski ghost area just south of Crested Butte on Cement Creek. We read of Pioneer in a great book entitled Powder Ghost Towns. My wife and ski partner Kristen and I successfully located the old ski area, the first in Colorado to be served by an aerial lift and easily found the uphill trail. Prior skiers had broken the trail and the trek up was a nice walk. We were only planning on one lap and started around 1:30 and we got to the top of the trail about 45 minutes later, warmed up and ready to transition off the climbing skins and point the boards downhill. A split board snowboarder came up behind us, put his board back together and with a wave floated down the old lift line in deep, spring softened snow.  It was our turn.
The next 90 minutes ended my telemark experiment. First, you can do the math, 45 minutes up, 90 minutes down.  How does that happen?  Pick your favorite ski lift and think how long it takes to do a lap from lift line back to lift line. Most laps I can think of last 2/3 of the lap time riding the lift and the remaining 1/3 skiing down. Maybe half and half; never less time up than doing down.
Second, I have never fallen or crashed so many times on one run. I was not able to string more than two turns together in the thick, heavy, ever-increasingly cold snow before I went right over the tips of my skis. Wow, a humbling experience to say the least and my last day on tele gear.

What I have not given up is the walk up.

I love the endorphins, I love seeing the steep pitch and love watching downhill skiers from a different perspective. Fortunately many Colorado Ski Country areas have Uphill ski routes for your enjoyment.  Some of them are as follows:

If you need a change of muscle groups, perspective, or just want a good sweat consider uphill travel at your favorite Colorado Ski Country resort.  My only advice if not a telemark skier, use a All-Terrain (AT) set up which allows for free heal when going up and a locked in heel for your alpine turns on the way back down the mountain.  You will thank me when you are not headed directly for the medicine cabinet or hot tub for pain relief.

How to Store Your Ski Equipment for the Summer

As skiers trade skis and snowboards for mountain bikes and hiking boots, it's time to store all that snowsports gear. There is an art to properly storing and maintaining your equipment over the summer, from storage wax on the boards to buckling up your boots properly. When the snow starts to fly next season, you don't want to spend opening day catching your turns on rusty edges.
Follow these tips to prolong the life of your gear and make for a smooth transition next fall from flip flops back into your ski and snowboard boots.
1. Keep rust at bay: After the last day of skiing and riding, thoroughly wipe down your skis and snowboards with a dry cloth. In fact, if you do only one thing to maintain skis and snowboards throughout the season, it should be to dry off your boards after every day on the mountain. Rust is your enemy.
2. Spring is a great time to bring your boards to the ski shop for a stone-grind, which will clean up the bases, sharpen the edges, and reset your edge bevel. Do it in spring, and you'll be ready to go in the fall. The end of the season is a great time to take care of business because the tune shops aren't super busy. Most people bring their skis in at the sign of the first flurries in the fall.
3. Slather on the storage wax: If you're more of a DIY tuner, you should wax your skis to protect the bases during the off-season. Clean off your bases then use a stone to remove any rust on the edges. Apply a nice thick coat of a warm-temperature wax to the bases. Here's the key: Don't scrape it. Just leave it on all summer long. The wax will protect the bases and keep them from drying out. Tip: Don't forget to scrape your skis before you hit the slopes. (This seems fairly obvious, but I've shown up at the lift corral more than once with wax on my skis on that first day of the season.)
4. Store your boards in a dry place. A moist environment can promote rust. And the concrete of your garage can be a moist place. In a perfect world, your snowboards and skis would be propped upright in a nice dry closet indoors. Also, despite the design of many storage ski racks, don't hang skis from the tips. It can change the camber of the ski.
5. Thoroughly dry out ski and snowboard boots either by pulling out the liners or using a boot dryer.
6. Buckle or lace up your boots snugly for the summer. If you leave them hanging open, the boot material can take on a new shape and perhaps not fit properly next season. Store boots in a cool dry place.
7. Don't turn down the DIN on your bindings: You may have heard recommendations for turning down your bindings' DIN settings for the summer, in theory to protect the tension on the bindings springs. Today's binding makers say there's no reason to turn them down. Firstly, you'll forget you did it, and you'll likely release out of your bindings on the first run next season. Secondly, today's bindings are designed to function properly without periodic adjustment. Once bindings are adjusted and tested, they don't need to be cranked down and back up again from season to season. Plus, a certified binding tech should be doing any binding adjustments.

Take an Instagram-Worthy Scenic Photo at a Colorado Ski Resort

As we all know, you can't come home from a glorious day in the mountains without some glorious photos to show for it. And while it's hard to take a bad photo when you're surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, we've compiled this list of the most scenic places to take a photo this summer at each of our member ski resorts. Follow this guide for the most incredible, Instagram-worthy scenic photos to make all your friends jealous of your summer mountain adventures.

Telluride Ski Resort

The most scenic place to stop for a summer photo at Telluride Ski Resort San Sophia Overlook, located at the mid-station of the free Telluride-Mountain Village gondola. The sweeping mountain views make a great backdrop for family photos and evidence of your summer adventures.

Sunlight Mountain Resort

Guests to Sunlight will find their best scenic photos are at the top of the resort.  The summit of Sunlight offers amazing views of Mt. Sopris and the greater Roaring Fork Valley that will make your friends jealous for years to come.

Steamboat Resort

During your visit to Steamboat Resort, don’t forget to visit the Oasis Sundeck for the best views in the Yampa Valley. A scenic photo from this location will include gorgeous mountain views from 9,000 ft. above sea level. While you’re here, enjoy a number of tasty bites from the grill, your favorite frozen drink or ice-cold beer.

Purgatory Resort

Purgatory Resort’s best location for a scenic photo also requires a breathtaking scenic chairlift ride. Once you’ve reached the top of the resort, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the San Juan Mountains and the iconic Needles Mountain range.

Powderhorn Resort

Sitting at the top of Stagecoach, Powderhorn guests can see the entire Plateau Valley. Another great spot for a scenic summer photo of Powderhorn can be taken from sitting at the base lodge on the deck, which gives a beautiful view of Powderhorn and all the aspen glades.

Granby Ranch

Granby Ranch’s best scenic photo spot is from the Vista Ridge Ceremony Site. The site offers unique mountaintop weddings and events year-round, with breathtaking views destined for Instagram fame.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Crested Butte’s Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks offers incredible 360-degree panoramic views of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Elk Mountain Range and Mount Crested Butte. Don’t miss this incredibly scenic location to get a bite to eat, have a drink and snap some gorgeous photos of the mountains.

Aspen Snowmass

Aspen Snowmass is home to the most photographed landmark in the United States, the Maroon Bells. The view from the top of Elk Camp Chair at Snowmass offers a breathtaking view of these iconic mountains.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

At the top of the Black Mountain Express lift, with your camera or smartphone pointed toward the Continental Divide, Arapahoe Basin offers one of the best views in the state. Bonus points for picking up a Bacon Bloody Mary on your way for maximum jealousy-inducing photography.