Some of the best riding in Colorado happens to fan out from Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek. All of the resorts have sweet trails on the actual ski mountains, and visitors should definitely spend a day or two exploring (or going with a guide).
Then, when you’re ready to branch out, check in at the local bike shop for a where to ride guide. Here’s a roundup of some of the region’s “greatest hits” to get you stoked! Always ride with a map, plenty of food and water, and gear to fix a flat tire.
Keystone: Lenawee Trail
This 12-mile ride climbs 1,550 feet, topping out at 12,500 feet. Up there the air is thin and the views sublime. The ride starts out of nearby A-Basin ski area parking lot and delivers smooth single track, a few technical spots, and wide open ridge rides.
Breckenridge: Peaks Trail
A Summit County classic, this trail offers everything a true mountain bike ride should: water crossings, single track through the forest, beaver ponds, epic climbing, and mountain views. The trail ends at Peak 8, where you can stop for lunch. Then, if you’re game, turn around and retrace your steps for a rewarding descent up everything you climbed. (Or, if you don’t feel like climbing in the beginning, take the Breck Connect gondola to Peak 8 and start the ride from there.)
Vail: Two Elks
You’ll want to shuttle this 20-miler, and you’ll also want to be in good shape. A Vail classic, Twi Elks is fast, smooth, and delivers a fantastic downhill. The ride starts at Vail Pass and winds west through Vail’s back bowls before dropping into the nearby town of Minturn.
Beaver Creek: Ski Resort Trails
Whether you ride the lift up several thousand feet or do the hard work of climbing yourself, some of the best riding at Beaver Creek is where some of the best skiing is in the winter: plumb down the middle of the resort. Buy a trail map in the village and make sure to hit Allie’s Way, Corkscrew (a windy singletrack that snakes through the woods), and Paulie’s.