Canyons Bike Park, Park City Utah

by Justin Olsen
Nov 16, 2011 at 19:28


Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah broke ground on a new bike park in mid summer 2011. After 2 months of building they already had 3 trails finished, and more in the works. Chris Van Dine, Eric Porter, Mitch Ropelato and some other local shredders were invited up for a private session to check out what the resort already has to offer. I was lucky enough to be invited along to shoot some photos and video with the crew.





We had a blast on the mountain, and were amazed at what Canyons has accomplished so far. The trails are really well built and flow beautifully. Builder Steve Duke and his crew have made a big mark in the gravity scene. Having built 3 amazing trails in a matter of weeks, it is obvious that the future of Canyons bike park is looking bright!

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94 Comments

  • + 13
flag thegb1212 (Nov 16, 2011 at 19:54)
 The Canyons is super legit. In a matter of a month their trail crew built a totally dialed jump line. Props to the whole crew and best of luck in the future. Many thanks to Tom at Canyons for hooking it up and showing me around during the summer, you rock dude! Also, check out a Go Pro run of Alley Cat, their signature jump trail: http://www.pinkbike.com/video/214656/ SOOO FUN!
  • + 4
flag connor-rix (Nov 16, 2011 at 23:53)
 At first i thought it said Crayons Bike Park i was freakin out
  • + 1
flag hofmanwa (Nov 17, 2011 at 7:04)
 MIDNIGHT CITY BY M83
  • + 1
flag danhillracer (Nov 17, 2011 at 18:31)
 Looks fun!
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  • + 14
flag moonunit (Nov 16, 2011 at 19:54)
 It makes me happy to see more and more bike parks popping up all over the place!
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  • + 2
flag bceditor (Nov 16, 2011 at 22:00)
 Crap, Cody had to go and boost that gap over the kinked ladder didn't he? I didn't need to know that was possible... way scarier than it looks in the vid.

Nice job guys, I'm so stoked for Canyons Bike Park. Now they just have to get more and faster lifts, with BIKE TRAYS!
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  • + 3
flag utrider (Nov 16, 2011 at 22:12)
 I was wondering when PB was going to do a story on this - the place is awesome. Cant wait till next summer.
Guess I'll just have to ride the greatest snow on earth until then.
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  • + 2
flag taletotell (Nov 17, 2011 at 4:33)
 what's it going to cost? Not a lot there yet to charge more than 25 bucks. Another 6 trails and it'll be worth a full lift ticket probably.

Update: I just found what there ticket prices were last summer: $15. Brilliant! i can't wait to hit this place!
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  • + 2
flag dhchase101 (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:19)
 hell yes ridden this place a few times love it!! the canyons is doing a great job with bringing the dh/freeride scene too park city and giving us local riders a good place too shred with lift access. cant wait too see the progression over the next few years super stoked!
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  • + 2
flag dhchase101 (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:27)
 and for the person above about canyons having dh trails, they have 1 trail there just a little off too the side of the main lift. you access it from a single track with a little ascent too it but the trail has a lot of flow, some good berms, wood obstacles, and a couple few jumps that wraps all the way around back too the main gondola. super sick canyons is stepping it up finally and is somewhere a serious dh'er can hone their skills.
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  • + 3
flag BrantHavro (Nov 16, 2011 at 19:56)
 this is awesome to see. I bet deer valley is definitely going to be stepping up their game in the few years with some free ride trails as well
  • + 3
flag hamncheez (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:17)
 Yes! Deer valley has such good racing trails, I bet they will start expanding too! And hopefully canyons will build some DH trails too!
  • + 5
flag glueman0 (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:25)
 No. Deer valley has lots of trails but they fail miserably at maintaining them (fire swamp, thieves forest). They have NO jumps or real freeride stuff. If they don't get their sh!t together the Canyons will take over the whole scene in P.C.
  • + 2
flag thegb1212 (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:31)
 To be fair, Deer Valley has quality DH thats really rough and gnarly. They haven't really updated the park with machine-made lines and features, like bike parks are heading towards, but they fill a niche that Canyons does not have. Their established runs are super fun, quality DH. If Canyons could put in trails like Deer Valley it would really make that bike park awesome, and vise versa for Deer Valley.
  • + 7
flag wilkey (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:35)
 lower fireswamp for life!
  • + 6
flag Kitejumping (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:37)
 The Deer Valley NCS trail was a lot of fun but it sucks going uphill with no lift to get to it.
  • + 1
flag hamncheez (Nov 17, 2011 at 7:54)
 Theives forest, knarliest trail in the west!
  • + 3
flag kbmskis (Nov 17, 2011 at 8:34)
 DV will continue to over promise and under deliver. They have the only "downhill" trails in the area but they are poorly built and maintained at that. They would rather build non-techncal intermediate trails with 5 foot jumps that are fuin to ride but not challenging than anything steep and rocky. Their only plus is high speed chairs and those still can have a big line on the weekends. Northstar seems to be the bike park getting it done right on the west coast. On another note who wants to help me get a park goin at PCMR?
  • + 1
flag hamncheez (Nov 17, 2011 at 15:57)
 Yes! PCMR (i think) has the best terrain, soil , and lifts for DH (go ride under bonaza during the summer and u'll see what I am talking about). They also have the freeride scene in the winter already.
  • + 2
flag sumarongi (Nov 17, 2011 at 17:27)
 Competition is good, for everybody.
  • + 2
flag ridesanoldskool (Nov 18, 2011 at 22:37)
 theives forest for days and i totally agree with the hike over to NCS being shitty
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  • + 5
flag samminett (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:14)
 very good show chaps soo legit
  • - 2
flag wilkey (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:37)
 really?.... who says chaps?
  • + 8
flag dirtworks911 (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:52)
 Who knows Wilkey, "Chaps" to him might mean "Niggas" to us. Who knows?
  • + 1
flag wilkey (Nov 17, 2011 at 9:58)
 since im black.....
  • + 1
flag samminett (Nov 18, 2011 at 21:39)
 im english that is what we say guys and yes sorta dirtworks911 Smile
  • + 1
flag wilkey (Nov 19, 2011 at 15:09)
 ive only herd poms say that in the movies. never in person. and i know a few poms
  • + 1
flag wilkey (Nov 19, 2011 at 15:09)
 used to live in aus.
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  • + 6
flag joe1989 (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:20)
 i love Utah
  • + 4
flag Dudski106 (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:21)
 Indeed Utah is the best
  • - 20
flag hamncheez (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:17) (Below Threshold) show comment
 I dont know, the skiing isnt the best
  • + 7
flag wilkey (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:37)
 that is the biggest lie i have ever herd hamncheez
  • + 5
flag wilkey (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:38)
 you better be joking
  • + 6
flag dirtworks911 (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:45)
 Oh course he is joking, and if not, we'll slit his throat!
  • + 3
flag neongreen (Nov 16, 2011 at 23:09)
 oh you'll have to forgive my friend hamncheez, he's a little slow, aren't you, ivan?
  • + 1
flag taletotell (Nov 17, 2011 at 4:31)
 One more reason to go out and visit the in-laws next summer!
  • + 3
flag hamncheez (Nov 17, 2011 at 7:55)
 are u guys all stupid? Of course it was a joke!!! I have a pass to Park city, Canyons, and snowbird this year!!
  • + 1
flag taletotell (Nov 17, 2011 at 8:00)
 you are a lucky man hamncheez. also your season pass extends to bikinh season I think based on the website.
  • + 1
flag wilkey (Nov 17, 2011 at 10:00)
 yeah!!!! sundance and canyons for me!!!!! i had a pc one last year and didnt use it once. so i didnt bother this year
  • + 1
flag wilkey (Nov 17, 2011 at 10:01)
 oh and i dunno if its gonna this year. ive been talking to some peeps. that work up there and im pretty sure it wont
herd a summer pass will be some where around 100 bucks
  • + 1
flag hamncheez (Nov 17, 2011 at 14:11)
 Hey Wilkey, who do u ride with? Norman?
  • + 1
flag dirtworks911 (Nov 17, 2011 at 17:45)
 He rides with me when he can keep up. Doesn't happen very often though.
  • + 1
flag wilkey (Nov 17, 2011 at 17:48)
 yes and norman. you? who are you? im scared?
  • + 1
flag hamncheez (Nov 18, 2011 at 9:17)
 Shoot, Im the fastest guy in Utah Valley. And I almost did a moto whip last year on a jump.
  • + 1
flag wilkey (Nov 18, 2011 at 9:39)
 youre the green lazer!!!!!! oh snap bwahahaha
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  • + 3
flag gasman (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:17)
 i wanted to use that sonngg!!! ha, cant wait to ride there next year!! they definitely out did stevens pass
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  • + 3
flag cthorpe (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:07)
 within the next 10 years or so, I bet the North American West Coast is gonna be littered with bike parks. love it!
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  • + 2
flag MrHuckmeister (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:20)
 i rode there this spring, super fun bike park and epic dh trails. great place to ride and ski in the winter
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  • + 2
flag alanworley (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:56)
 This is so cool!! I'm not far from Park City so I'm definitely making a trip or two or three.
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  • + 2
flag jtlatimer1 (Nov 17, 2011 at 10:35)
 Props to Duke' crew! Finally getting some love in UT. Super Fun, good work guys!
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  • + 2
flag IamMine (Nov 17, 2011 at 2:38)
 Now there is a reason for me to use my timeshare at the Canyons Westgate. Nice riding in all of Summit county.
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  • + 2
flag CaarsoN (Nov 16, 2011 at 22:01)
 i would lov to ride there looks awesome!
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  • + 2
flag tntracing (Nov 17, 2011 at 15:45)
 cody kelly is a straight up g
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  • + 3
flag AlexHosick (Nov 16, 2011 at 19:50)
 sooo sick.
  • + 2
flag AlexHosick (Nov 16, 2011 at 19:51)
 It looks like a ton of fun
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  • + 2
flag dirtworks911 (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:58)
 The Canyons Bike Park give me hard titties.
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  • + 2
flag kozafr (Nov 17, 2011 at 12:51)
 looks good i wish some bike parks would get built in scotland
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  • + 2
flag dopenastyrider45 (Nov 16, 2011 at 22:05)
 does anyone know the song?
  • + 2
flag hofmanwa (Nov 17, 2011 at 7:06)
 Midnight City by M83
  • + 2
flag acullen626 (Nov 17, 2011 at 14:07)
 M83 - midnight city
  • + 2
flag danhillracer (Nov 17, 2011 at 18:34)
 Midnight City - M83
  • + 2
flag webeskankin3 (Nov 18, 2011 at 13:34)
 M83 - midnight city. . . just incase you didnt catch it the other 3 times. . .
  • + 0
flag hofmanwa (Nov 18, 2011 at 13:39)
 It was actually 4, I posted it right at the top so that people wouldn't have to ask.
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  • + 2
flag bhd13 (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:43)
 Looking forward to next summer at Canyons.
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  • + 1
flag wasea04 (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:55)
 Gotta love the the quakies up in PC, stoked to try out the Canyons for sure!
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  • + 1
flag pavementEATER (Nov 17, 2011 at 8:42)
 Well, I live outside Denver. Definately making a weekend trip next season.
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  • + 1
flag TAridingMTB (Nov 17, 2011 at 8:27)
 top video, looks an awesome place, loved the train of 5, so close, sweet riding.
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  • + 1
flag s4nt4cruz (Nov 17, 2011 at 4:36)
 f*ck yeah!! Stoked to see some coverage of the Canyons! Even more incentive to keep up the good work!
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  • + 2
flag RustyShackleferd (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:57)
 I'll be making the trip come spring time
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  • + 1
flag wasea04 (Nov 29, 2011 at 6:23)
 Well said Hobby, you seem like a well adjusted and balanced sort of guy; want to run for office Smile
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  • + 2
flag cleekndestroy (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:58)
 Mitch, nasty at the 2:01 mark. Good riding Cody.
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  • + 2
flag LTmtb (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:44)
 All that in 6 weeks! Huge props to the builders. The park looks sick!
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  • + 2
flag vsong (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:08)
 Yep. 2012 I'm making a stop there for sure!
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  • + 2
flag trentlinton (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:09)
 It is an awesome addition to the Utah mountain bike scene!
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  • + 1
flag sortafast (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:02)
 might have to make a trip down there in the spring/summer. looks rad.
  • + 1
flag hobblyjig (Nov 17, 2011 at 3:39)
 Summer. Its all covered in snow till mid July.
  • + 1
flag ChampionP  (Nov 17, 2011 at 16:33)
 I was riding up in PC In early june this year. The tops of the mountains may have snow but the bottom half is usually good to go.
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  • + 1
flag EyeofOneClothing (Nov 16, 2011 at 21:47)
 Congrats to you in park city, looks sick!
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  • + 2
flag willridesgiant (Nov 17, 2011 at 13:50)
 thats my boys
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  • + 1
flag maloun (Nov 17, 2011 at 14:38)
 ...this park is so so nice..! i think Smile
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  • + 1
flag MXRacer58 (Nov 17, 2011 at 16:33)
 Wisah stevens pass coudl work half this fast! Nice work canyons
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  • + 2
flag alexshirley (Nov 16, 2011 at 20:03)
 Awesome!
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  • + 1
flag danishboy (Nov 20, 2011 at 13:26)
 song?
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  • + 1
flag Tomazz (Nov 19, 2011 at 0:25)
 Nice clip,nice jumps Smile
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  • - 3
flag hooverGiant (Nov 17, 2011 at 7:58)
 Utah WOULD kick ass.... if they would get the religion out of their government! turning the whole f***ing state into a church! i live here...
  • - 5
flag LeftyLucy (Nov 17, 2011 at 11:08) (Below Threshold) show comment
 No kidding. I'd move there in a second if not for all the Mormons.
  • - 2
flag alexshirley (Nov 17, 2011 at 14:57)
 Yeah the mormons are annoying but the riding makes that not even matter to me. I guess I wouldn't have the choice to move yet anyways since I'm still in high school.
  • + 8
flag wasea04 (Nov 17, 2011 at 15:56)
 Wow, you're all so articulate, surely you'd improve the state if you were in position of power wouldn't you? Your comments are indicative of your level of maturity, and how seriously we should take your point; not very on both!
  • + 5
flag biking435 (Nov 17, 2011 at 16:02)
 I think you are showing your ignorance about religion in general by the above comments. I have lived in Florida, Mexico and other states and Utah has some of the nicest people I have ever met. Funny that it would be listed as a reason to not move hear and what does religion have to do with the canyons bike park anyways?
  • + 3
flag alexshirley (Nov 17, 2011 at 17:32)
 I should have worded that better, there are a lot of mormons in my school that are really pushy with their beliefs and don't realize not everybody believes the same thing. At the same time I have a few mormon friends that are a lot more relaxed and good riders too. Sorry for my ignorant comment, sometimes I just think about the annoying ones and not the cool and nice ones.
  • + 1
flag wasea04 (Nov 17, 2011 at 17:51)
 Bro, my comments weren't directed at you so much as at the other two fellas. The bottom line is that no one has the exact same belief system or values as another person, so how do we peacefully coexist in such a world? The answer is we respect the rights of others to believe how they will so long as their view isn't lawfully imposed on us, nor is unlawful in nature. Our system is setup in the manner of a social contract, which means that we're empowered to do as we please so long as what we do doesn't violate the rights of others, or Locke hypothesized it should function that way.
  • + 1
flag hooverGiant (Nov 17, 2011 at 22:23)
 Haha chill out.. I am a Mormon. Actually a Latter day Saint, but anywho... I didn't mean my comment to come across as offensive or immature.. All i was saying is they need to separate the religion and government, because if you live here you cant honestly say the two aren't mixed in this state.. I apologize to the ones that took offense to my comment. And yes the riding here is kick a**!
  • + 1
flag hobblyjig (Nov 27, 2011 at 3:23)
 You can't really expect to keep religion and government totally separate, especially in a place where so many people are one religion. A more extreme example would be a place like the Vatican City. When an overwhelming majority of people are members of any group (Religion or something else) its going to have a big affect. Salt Lake City is a lot more mixed, but there are cities in Utah that are literally 75% Mormon.

However, I still don't see how it negatively affects biking. The county government paid to have a free bike park built up near Park City, which is pretty awesome if you ask me. I don't have friends that DH like I do, so I'm always meeting new people when I go ride. I've met a lot of cool guys and had a lot of fun, but religion never came up.

Being non Mormon in Utah makes you a minority, and not being able to buy beer on Sunday is annoying, but I don't feel picked on or ignored. Utah is a great place to live, especially for someone who loves biking. In my opinion the only place better would be Vancouver, but I haven't been able to find a job there yet Smile
  • + 2
flag wasea04 (Nov 29, 2011 at 16:37)
 Well said Hobby, you seem like a well adjusted and balanced sort of guy; want to run for office Smile
[Reply]

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