Winter Park is just up I70 to Route 40 and up straight over the pass to a piece of Heaven.

What is cool about Winter Park is that in the summer, the main chair lift operates for Mountain Bike Kamikaze’s and you know whom I am talking about; that’s right: “YOU!!” You take this lift straight up the mountain; tie your bike on and then it slows down for you to take it off at the top of the lift. It’s a nominal fee for the day.

Ok have to stop. Did you know that they make these bikes called “Down-Hill” bikes? They aren’t meant to ride for speed; they are meant to RIDE downhill like a maniac….ok ok ok, It helps to have suspension and steel frames. Carbon Bikes tend to crack when abused. Ask the good folks at MTOBikes.com. to help you pick one out.

Ok, so, you take the lift to the top and then it’s all down hill from there. Make sure to have elbow pads, kneepads, and full gloves. Do I have to say a good Helmet? You can get in about 10 rides in one day. Its called downhill “technical” riding by the purists, but I think its just about the most fun you can have mountain biking.

Drawbacks? Well, a few, one is altitude sickness, its easy to dehydrate at 12,000 feet and the symptoms are flu like; stay well hydrated and no beer the day you fly into Denver. The other is that it is damn dangerous; easy to break arms and legs and necks, but the views are spectacular; heaven on earth is in Colorado. Also, your shoulders and hands will feel like you are an arthritic old man after about 5 rides, but man is it fun; take your Camel-backs; water is a requirement.

There is also an attraction at Winter Park called the “Alpine Slide”. It is basically a concrete track that goes down the fall line under the afore-mentioned chair lift. You get a car that has a rubber brake and down you go. There are no safety rails and broken limbs are an every day occurrence. Here’s the link: Winter Park, Colorado Summer Activities – RockiesGuide.com

Ok Winter Park for Mountain Bike Riders is the place to go in the summer. I have a good friend who bought a summer cabin in the area; not for his kids, or for the skiing, but for the Mountain Biking. His bike costs 10 times what mine does…sigh. Check out Winter Park for some of the best Mountain Biking in the world!

• June 10, 2008 -- Mammoth Mountain Bike Park

Getting Up the Mountain:

The bike park shuttle departs from The Village on the half hour and head directly to Main Lodge. Riders can then board the Panorama Gondola and be transported to the summit of Mammoth Mountain located at 11,053 feet.

Gearing Up:

Visit the Adventure Center at Main Lodge for information on all things summer including mountain biking and lessons, hiking trails, scenic rides, climbing, ziplines, golfing and more. Full-suspension Kona rental bikes and lift tickets are also available.

Food:

If you’re near Main Lodge, swing by the Yodler for a full menu and bar or head over to the Mountainside Grill or Dry Creek Bar located across the street in the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Top of the Sierra Café, located on the summit of Mammoth Mountain at 11,053 feet, will offer soups, sandwiches and salads. Riders near The Village will find many restaurants with a wide variety of food offerings ranging from sushi to New York style pizza.

Hours: The bike park is open from 9am to 6pm daily.

Where to Stay:

Mammoth Mountain has a wide variety of lodging options available for riders. Freeriders who prefer intermediate and advanced terrain around Main Lodge can stay across the street from the trails at Mammoth Mountain Inn. Riders looking for a little night life can check out accommodations at The Village at Mammoth. Visitors can also consider Tamarack Lodge and Juniper Springs Resort for more secluded lodging options. Stay and Bike packages are available; to make reservations call 800.MAMMOTH.

Other Activities:

There are many summertime activities in Mammoth to compliment mountain biking. Play 18 holes at California’s highest golf course, Sierra Star. High-flying kids will love the ziplines and climbing walls at Main Lodge. Hikers will love Mammoth’s extensive trail network that includes lift-accessed trails. The Mammoth Lakes area is home to world-class fly fishing on many streams and rivers. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Eastern Sierras with a scenic gondola ride on the Panorama Gondola. Yosemite National Park, located just to the north, offers spectacular camping and outdoor activities.

Special Interest Items:

Due to the success of the Wounded Warriors program last summer, Mammoth Mountain has again teamed up with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra to provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to soldiers who have been wounded while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Warriors and their families are provided lodging, meals and a full array of summer activities that include hand-cycling, rock climbing and kayaking. Previous participants in the program have included multiple limb amputees, burn victims and soldiers suffering from nerve damage.

• October 25, 2008 -- Cool Places to Ride in Colorado – Winter Park, Colorado