Alyeska Resort Offers Lift-Assisted Downhill Mountain Biking for First Time in Resort’s History

June 8, 2011 (Girdwood, AK) – Alyeska Resort will open up its challenging mountain terrain and select chair lifts to intermediate to advanced mountain bikers this summer. Bikers will be able to load their bikes onto the Chair 4 and Chair 6, as well as the Bear Cub Quad, for top-to-bottom downhill mountain biking. The 2011 summer biking season officially kicks off Friday, June 24, 2011 with lifts open for biking between 11:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.

This summer’s bike offering is the result of a successful trial-run the resort held last September. The overwhelmingly positive response from the biking community in Southcentral Alaska encouraged the resort to accelerate its time table and planning for regular season bike operations started mid-winter. The chairs on the two lifts have been outfitted with bike holder attachments so that riders and their bikes can travel uphill safely.

“In our commitment to providing year-round recreational activities, mountain biking represents a huge step towards our overall goal,” says Di Hiibner, Alyeska Resort Ski Area General Manager. “As we grow the sport in the region, we look forward to building additional trails for both downhill and cross-country mountain bikers.”

The hub of the bike activity will be centered around the Daylodge on the day-use side of the ski area. From the Daylodge, guests will be able to rent downhill bicycles with helmets and pads, from Scott (www.scott-sports.com) and Kona (www.konaworld.com) bicycles. The rental shop will also offer bike repair services and other bike-related accessories and parts. Guests are encouraged to load Chair 4 with convenient access onto Chair 6, providing a number of trail options from both unloading points.

Biking will be available Fridays through Sundays through October 10, 2011 including holidays that fall on Monday: July 4, September 5, and October 10. Riders will have access to multiple trails featuring single-track and cat tracks, plus wood bridges and man-made features. Riders will be able to link various trail segments on the upper mountain, and finish on the lower mountain with options such as the popular Blueberry Pancake Trail, which offers a more technical, or commonly called “freeride” style of biking. The biking trails are up to three and a half miles in distance with a descent of 2200 vertical feet.

In the last three years, the resort has invested heavily in new trail development. The resort’s trail crew focused on upper mountain terrain last summer including improving hiking access on Mighty Mite and biking terrain in the Upper Bowl area. Other areas of improvement include the completion of the Winner Creek Extension Trail which provides a scenic hiking or biking thorough-fare from the Daylodge to the start of the signature Winner Creek Trail whose trailhead is located near the base of the tram. In addition, bikespecific trail maintenance has taken place on Bear Cub Climb, Blueberry Hill, and Christmas in July trails in an effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for riders.

With lift-access, riders will begin their downhill journey from as high as 2,750 feet in elevation, and have trail options that allow for “laps” on Chair 6 or continuous riding finishing either in the Daylodge lawn area or by the hotel courtyard. The resort is opening the Sitzmark Bar & Grill so that hungry bikers can refuel and “après bike”. The Sitzmark will open on a complementary schedule with service starting at 11:00 A.M. Fridays through Sundays plus holiday Mondays during the bike season.

Riders can purchase a summer Bike Pass valid June 24 to October 9, 2011 for $400 (adults ages 19 and over) and $300 for students (ages 10-18), seniors (ages 60 & over), military and college. Those who have purchased or renewed their 2011/12 Season Pass for skiing can purchase an add-on bike option for a discount of 50%, or $200. The day bike ticket rate is $40 for adults and $30 for students, seniors, college and military.

Helmets will be required for all riders and are available for rent at the Daylodge Rental Shop for $5. The minimum age to participate in lift-assisted biking is 10, and riders that are 18 years of age and younger will need to have a parent or guardian present to sign a liability release form. For more information, please go to AlyeskaResort.com.

About Alyeska Resort (www.AlyeskaResort.com)

Alyeska Resort is Alaska's premier year-round destination featuring The Hotel Alyeska, an award-winning 304 room full-service property. Located just 40 miles from Anchorage and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alyeska Resort is your base camp for summer and winter excursions. Alyeska Resort stands out during ski season with 650” of average snowfall annually and the longest-continuous double black diamond ski run
in North America. Learn more about the resort and plan your Alaskan adventure at www.AlyeskaResort.com or 800.880.3880.

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