Welcome to 2021! We’re crossing our fingers that this time around the sun treats everyone more like the perfect Cat’s Paw run and less like your worst ever public over-the-bars performance on Lower Happy Hour. (Shh, no one saw that.) It’s okay if you didn’t make a resolution, we made one for you: we should all ride our bikes more.
So what’s going on at the mountain this month? Along with our usual off-season maintenance and mountain improvement projects, we’re gearing up for the Winter Woolly on February 6! Our annual fat biking event brings you a day packed with lift-accessed downhill laps, miles of groomed trails, a DH fat bike race, and so much more.
To answer your most frequently asked questions:
- This is a fat bikes only event
- Tires must be 3.8″ or wider
- Unfortunately, we will not have rentals or demos onsite this year
The Winter Woolly is always some of the best fun we have all winter. Get your tickets now and join us for another unforgettable day out on the mountain with the Highland Family. (And if you’ve been growing out a beard this winter, keep it going….you just might find that it’s worth something to the Woolly.)
Get tickets and details here.
Are you an All-Access season pass holder? Don’t forget that you get free access to the Winter Woolly! Please select the ‘All-Access Season Pass Holder Ticket’ option to reserve your spot.
While we wait for Mother Nature to let us know what downhill trails she’d like to see open up for the Winter Woolly, the XC network is currently open for fat biking. Trail Crew has been putting in work on 820, clearing trees and making some alterations to extend the trail. We checked it out on Friday afternoon to get these photos, and it’s looking real good.
Right now, snow cover is relatively thin with a nice crust. The forecast is calling for rain on Saturday, so get your XC laps in early this weekend then stop by the pub to warm up by the wood stove. Kettlehead is on tap and Calvin and Ben are whipping up new specials every week: follow @highlandpub to stay ahead of the curve. The pub is open 11am-8pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
You may recall that we hinted at a bike shop expansion project in last month’s park report. If you pop by the mountain this month you’ll see the first bit of evidence that our plans are in motion: these two fresh new storage trailers now residing in the backyard. It takes some imagination right now, but by the summer they will have been transformed so that we’ve not only dramatically increased our bike storage capabilities, but also revamped the rental process into a configuration that’s much more user-friendly for riders and staff alike.
The bike shop itself is open Monday through Saturday all winter, from 10am to 4pm. Give them a call at (603) 286-7677 x 112 to inquire about service or any of the few remaining bikes from our 2020 fleet.
In other exciting backyard news, materials arrived on Friday for another of this year’s mountain improvement projects: resurfacing the back deck. (If you’ve spent any time out there in the last few years, you’re likely as excited about this as we are.) We’re looking forward to showing off our facelift to all of you by the Winter Woolly!
Need something to watch today? The final episode of Highland Is Home dropped at the end of December. In Generations, we showcase four of the many families who have found a second home here at the mountain. Watch it here.
From the littlest shredders striding through the pump track all the way to parents and grandparents who are still progressing with every season, the Highland Family has grown in ways that fifteen years ago we never would have imagined. If these families are any indication, the next generation of riders will be set up to surprise us in even more exciting ways.
Here’s to the new year! Only 105 days until we’re open for 2021. Stay safe, stay rad, and we’ll see you soon.
Don’t Miss Out:
- 2021 Waivers Now Online: Fill out your waiver today and you’ll be set for the Winter Woolly and the rest of the season!
- Hoodies Back In Stock: Stay warm through the winter while repping your favorite bike park. (We are your favorite, right?)
- Now Hiring Bike Mechanics: We’re seeking full-time bike mechanics to join the Highland Bike Shop team year-round
- Highland Camps Winter Sale: Save $100 off Ayr Academy or $50 off Summer Ride when you enroll before February 1
- Adult Ayr Academy: The May session of Adult Ayr is sold out! Sign up for September or email us to join the waiting list
