Northstar’s popular mountain bike park and lift served hiking trails are scheduled to open for the summer season on Friday, June 15. For the park’s opening weekend, riders will have access to two-thirds of the park’s trail network of beginner, intermediate and advanced trails – including the park’s signature trail, LiveWire, and the Jump Park.

From Northstar's recent release...
TRUCKEE, Calif. – June 11, 2012 – Northstar’s popular mountain bike park and lift served hiking trails are scheduled to open for the summer season on Friday, June 15. For the park’s opening weekend, riders will have access to two-thirds of the park’s trail network of beginner, intermediate and advanced trails – including the park’s signature trail, LiveWire, and the Jump Park. Trails will be accessible via the Big Springs Express Gondola and the Tahoe Zephyr Express. Lift tickets will be available for $46 for ages 13+ and $29 for children ages 9-12. Season passes are also available for $329 for ages 13+ and $159 for children ages 9-12.
 
“We’ve been heavily focused on trail maintenance over the past few weeks, with the intent to offer riders a series of buffed out trails – including LiveWire from top-to-bottom – from the start of the season,” said Forrest Philpot, Northstar’s bike park manager. “Our trail crew is committed to providing a stellar product from day one, and the remaining trails will be our next focus, with the plan being to have the entire park open top-to-bottom by June 29.”
 
LESSON & LEARNING PACKAGES
Mountain bike instruction programs will again be offered through Northstar’s Bike Academy. Programs have been designed for those just getting started with the sport wanting to learn proper technique or just familiarize themselves with the bike park, as well as for the more advanced rider looking to improve their skills.
 
Bike 101 - $15/person
Bike 101 instruction will be offered every day the park is open from 10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-3:30pm for beginners, and will meet at Plaza Bikes in the Village at Northstar. This program teaches new riders the basics of mountain biking, including cornering, braking and basic bike handling.
 
Bumps & Bends - $35/person
Bumps & Bends instruction was designed for intermediate and advanced riders and is offered daily from 10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-3:30pm. This clinic is helpful for those who want to improve their cornering and learn progressions for jumping.
 
Bike 101 packages are also available that include a full-access lift ticket, half day bike rental, crash gear, a full face helmet and two hour instruction. This package is available for $139 on weekends and $80 mid-week (Monday through Friday). Private instruction is also available, and advance reservations are recommended for all lesson programs.
 
CROSS-COUNTRY & DOWNHILL BIKING EVENTS
Professional and amateur athletes have the opportunity to compete in high profile events scheduled at the resort this summer including:
 
Tahoe Trail 100 (Leadville 100 Qualifier) – July 22
The Tahoe Trail 100, one of the races in the Leadville Qualifying Series, was designed to promote the Leadville style of mountain bike racing in one of the most breathtaking locations around the country, and to provide athletes with an opportunity for entry into one of the most recognized mountain bike races in the world – the Leadville Trail 100.
 
Pro Gravity Tour – August 3-5
Top mountain bikers test their skills in this series, which looks to showcase the country’s strongest gravity venues by bringing elite riders together to compete against the best. The sport encompasses two of mountain biking’s most exciting and prolific disciplines – “downhill” and “gated” racing. This is the third year this event will take place at Northstar.
 
Tara Llanes Classic – September 28-30
Professional mountain biker Tara Llanes has always had an aggressive, never-say-die attitude, and despite suffering a horrible accident during a race that left her paralyzed, her drive and determination is stronger than ever. This event once served as a fundraiser to cover Tara’s medical costs and now raises money for research to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries.
 
In addition to these events, the resort’s Downhill Mountain Bike Race Series will kick off July 8 with the first of eight events, and the Thursday night Cross-Country Race Series will begin July 12 with the first of eight races in the series. Go Pro will be the lead sponsor for both race series’, providing raffle prizes and series champion jerseys for competitors. For the complete summer event calendar, visit www.NorthstarCalifornia.com.
 
HOURS OF OPERATION
Northstar’s Mountain Biking and Hiking Park is scheduled to open Friday, June 15, 2012, weather and conditions permitting, and will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until June 29 when daily operations will commence through August 19. Weekend only (Friday through Sunday) operations will resume August 24 through October 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park will be closed September 22 and 23 when Northstar hosts Tough Mudder.
 
Helmets are required for all riders and can be rented along with bikes and other equipment at the resort or online in advance. In addition, all rentals will come standard with a full face helmet and gloves. Northstar encourages advance online reservations for bikes in the rental fleet.
 
Hikers and sightseers are welcome to ride the lifts during hours of the bike park to experience the mountain on foot. Tickets are available for $10 for ages 13+ and are free for children ages 12 and under. Hiking season passes are also available for $49. Complimentary “Meet the Mountain” hiking tours will be offered daily starting June 15 for ages 13+. Tours will meet at the top of the Big Springs Express Gondola at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are suited to beginner and intermediate hikers. It is recommended that hikers wear proper footwear and bring water and sunscreen. Leashed dogs are also welcome.
 
For more information about bike rentals, the bike and hike park, and upcoming events, visit www.NorthstarCalifornia.com or call the Plaza Bike shop at 530.562.2268.