Mountain biking in the mountains … at ski areas; ski lifts whisk you and your bike up for an exhilarating descent. The ideas is spreading in the West

Sunset, July, 1991

Team Big Bear Mountain Bike Center takes over the summer operations at this ski area in the San Bernardino Mountains, 60 miles east of Los Angeles. For the first time this summer, mountain biking will be allowed within the ski area boundaries on a new single-track trail; the trail supplements a 60-mile system of marked national forest roads and trails accessible from the top of Chair 10.

Two types of tours, each about 2 hours, are available weekends and holidays (and weekdays by reservation): a 5-mile ride around the beginner loop at the base of the mountain, with instruction on shifting, riding, and braking techniques; and a 9-mile rolling ridgetop ride that affords scenic views of San Gorgonio Wilderness and Big 13ear Valley. For other guided rides that follow a different route each weekend, call the bike hotline at (714) 866-4621.

More than 200 two- and three-bedroom condominiums at the base of the ski area are available by the night or week. For other nearby accommodations, call the Big Bear Lake Visitors Authority at (714) 866-7000.

COLORADO

Steamboat, Box 774408, Steamboat Springs 80477; (303) 879-0880, (800) 922-2722. This large resort offers lifts on its Silver Bullet Gondola to a combination of new single-track and road-width trails built for novice and intermediate riders. An extensive new rental bike fleet will be split between shops at the top and bottom of the mountain. Guides are available for biking tours. At mountaintop restaurants, riders can dine on barbecue lunches, four course dinners, and Sunday brunch.

Bike paths lead from the ski area through the lush Yampa Valley, and roads and trails of Routt National Forest can take you to hot springs, waterfalls, and lakes. Several bike shops in Steamboat Springs sell maps arid run guided tours.

Horseback rides will also be available on the ski mountain this year. An 18-hole golf course, Yampa River whitewater, and spring-fed pools offer additional diversions. At the base of the mountain are dozens of condomniuin complexes and hotels.

Winter Park, Box 36, Winter Park 80482; (800) 521-2453, 453-2525. Already renowned for its wealth of mapped mountain biking routes (billed as the world's largest system), the appealingly wideopen Fraser Valley will have even more trail mileage this year when Winter Park Resort opens its new high-speed quad lift and 44 miles of new trails to mountain bikers, as well as a summit terrain garden. The ski area's trails link up with more than 600 miles of mountain biking routes mapped by the local Fat Tire Society; almost half have been marked with numbered posts. Routes are shown on large signs at trailheads in the town of Winter Park. Fold-up maps showing routes color coded for difficulty are also available. To explore unmarked trails, you can join rides led every Thursday night by knowledgeable riders.

Tour operators provide alternatives to the lift for gaining elevation. Mad Adventures (726-5290) will transport you and your bike to a summit so you can ride back to town.