Upper section of Vail's Big Mamba flow trail now open for mountain biking

The upper portion of Big Mamba, one of two new flow trails planned for summer 2012, will open this Friday in Lionshead with access from Eagle's Nest down to the top of the Born Free Express Lift (#8). From there riders will be able to access other routes down the mountain. Work on the lower portion of Big Mamba will continue throughout the remainder of the summer.

The new gondola-served flow trail is built slightly wider than a typical downhill trail and is designed for intermediate mountain bikers as well as sustainability. According to the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), characteristics of a flow trail include synergy with the landscape, forgiving and natural terrain that is accessible to a wide range of riders, and banked turns and rollers that are designed to maximize a rider's forward momentum. Appropriate protective gear is recommended.

Big Mamba flow trail.
Vail Resorts

“The opening of Big Mamba is really exciting and represents a new era of mountain biking at Vail Mountain and we're thrilled to be able to open a portion of it to our guests much earlier than anticipated,” said Julie Rust, director of Vail Ski Patrol and the summer trail crew. “Thanks to our partnerships with IMBA and the U.S. Forest Service we were able to implement trail building techniques on Big Mamba that allow water to run off the trail itself, reducing erosion and allowing the trail to last longer.”

Bike hauls are available on the Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19). All hiking and biking trails are currently open for the summer season with the exception of the Sunlight hiking trail, which will open as conditions permit. Trail updates are posted in the Vail Village and Lionshead base areas as well as at Eagle's Nest.

As always, guests are reminded to obey all posted signs and closures. Helmets and sturdy shoes with a good tread are recommended for bicyclists at all times and all bikes must have two working hand brakes. All mountain bikers must obey the National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) code, printed on Vail Mountain's summer trail map.

For more information about Vail Mountain, Adventure Ridge and mountaintop dining, visit www.vail.com, stop by the Mountain Information Center, open daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., or call (970) SKI-VAIL (754-8245).

IMBA is a non-profit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide while promoting opportunities that are environmentally and socially responsible. For more information about IMBA, visit www.imba.com.