RED Mountain has announced a planned bike park opening in Spring 2025
On July 22nd, RED Mountain Resort publicly announced the development of a new lift-serviced Bike Park incorporating and expanding upon the existing public recreational trails in the Silverlode area. We know that our trail users and members have lots of questions, so we’re sharing our perspective.
The History of the Millenium Trail Network
The KCTS assumed responsibility for the Paydirt and Boneyard Trails in 2015. Paydirt was originally built by RED Mountain Resort for their first iteration of a Bike Park in the mid-2000s and was subsequently expanded by volunteers Nate Lott and Yan Labreque.
In response to public demand, between 2020 and 2022 the KCTS raised and spent a total of $165,000 (including $35,000 from RED Mountain Resort) to construct the Pilgrim, Upper and Lower Dragon Tail, Top Up, Top Down and Gold Digger public trails in the Silverlode area. At that time, prior to committing to such a substantial investment of public funds the KCTS entered a Memorandum of Understanding with RED Mountain Resort. This document committed RED to replacing any of these trails should they be compromised by development.
Since their construction, the trails in the Silverlode area have proved extremely popular with both community members and visitors.
Red Mountain Bike Park Announcement
In January 2024 RED Mountain Resort announced the imminent development of a lift serviced Bike Park incorporating the Silverlode area trails into a fee-for-service facility. In May 2024 the KCTS was informed that construction (by Bike Park specialists Gravity Logic of Whistler) of the Bike Park would commence in Summer 2024, towards a planned Spring 2025 opening. At this early stage the KCTS understands that the operating model for the Bike Park will be exclusive to ticketed users and that pedaling access may be provided for, however the details of all operating decisions will be at the complete discretion of RED Mountain Resort.
Trails in the Silverlode area that will be affected by this new construction are Pilgrim, Paydirt, Golddigger, Dragon Tail Upper and Lower, Top Up, Top Down and Boneyard. Other public trails located on RED Mountain Resort’s property and Controlled Recreation Area including parts of Redtop, Redhead, Miners, Blue Elephant and Seven Summits are not currently anticipated to be impacted by the new Bike Park.
Looking Forward
The KCTS acknowledges the absolute right of RED Mountain Resort to determine what happens on their private property and within their Controlled Recreation Area. We see that the new Bike Park trails being developed by Gravity Logic will be an exciting addition to the local trails options and we wish RED Mountain Resort all the best in this business venture. The matter of the publicly funded trails that are being incorporated into the Bike Park and what “replacement” looks like in this context remains to be resolved, however we are having constructive discussions with RED Mountain Resort and remain hopeful of an outcome that works for everyone.
As an active member of the KCTS, the Society appreciates your continued support for public access trails. This development planning at RED Resort is dynamic and the KCTS will do our best to keep our membership updated with new information as it comes to light.