There was so much I could have said about Snow Summit's mountain bike park, and I know I missed important things. Feel free to ask me anything or if you have any tips or tricks, it would be rad if you shared them!
I'll be up there in the next couple weeks for my first ever time riding park. I'm so stoked! Awesome to really see everything from parking lot to tickets, bathrooms, coffee and lifts. This is the only video that really shows everything and gets you ready for Snow Summit. GREAT JOB ALAN!
Hey Alan, really enjoying your new content/formats. It feels like you are finding your niche and doing an excellent job and having fun. See you next time buddy!
Thanks man.. I'm headed up on the 29th (a Saturday.. I know), and am crazy excited about it.. At 52 years old, this is a very new world for me.. but can't wait!
Yes! Perfect timing for this guide to come out!! Just graduated from a hardtail to my first full suspension a few months ago. About to go up to summit this week, I'm coming from a heavy BMX background so your channel has been a huge resource for me. This was tremendously helpful and encouraging. Looking forward to getting familiar to the green and blue trails. Thanks Alan!
Right on! That BMX background will help you a lot once you're ready for Partywave and Westridge. Glad you're encouraged by this vid! Gimme a shout if you see me up there! 👊🏽
This got me so pumped to hit it! I had no idea about Squirrel Catchers, that's handy to know. Love the etiquette advice too. Now you have me wondering how many times I didn't get out of the way for another rider cheering me on! 🤔😬 Great guide Alan, I'll definitely be checking this out again before I head up!
I was there last week... I was on the turtle run and like you mentioned, the soft sand on a low Berm gave out and I slammed with no warning... Thank God I was wearing a full face helmet. It saves my ass! My knees and ribs payed the price... Lesson learned... protect your self!!! If you don’t your not protecting your families income..... So far one week in bed and hard to breath because of my ribs... I can’t wait to get back at it!!!!!
I’ve ridden a hard tail down Pampas. I had to skip a couple features, but that due to a lack of courage, not my bike lacking. Go send it people. I rode gnarly trails on a BMX bike with no suspension for the majority of my life, you can do it.
Hi Alan, Awesome video!!! I just subscribed maybe a week or so ago. Glad I did!! I’m new to MTB (but old in years!! Lol). This video you did was excellent and so informative. I really appreciate your trail etiquette. Thank you so much for that!!! I definitely don’t want to be perceived as an old rude geezer!!! Lol!! I will go back through your catalog to see if you have any recommendations for beginner trails because I live in Torrance/Redondo Beach and I’ve just been going to Palos Verdes since that’s close to me. I only assume you live in or around Southern CA because you mention going to Snow Summit nearly every weekend. Again, I thank you. Stay safe!! Best Regards, Cesar
Hi Cesar! Welcome to this awesome sport! And I feel you on the age. I came into mountain biking pretty late in life, but the stoke is just as high! Also check out The Outsider MTB. He has a whole catalog of trail guides with useful links in his descriptions. 👍🏽
I believe Snow Summit updated their policy and are allowing ebikes but only on some of the trails. You’ll have to check their website for details. Hope that helps.
Nice! FYI. The trails have changed some since I made this vid,, but the most of the other info is still good. As far as snacks, it doesn't hurt to carry snacks, but there are also multiple food options and water sources at the top and bottom of the lifts. When I go, I don't wear a pack of any sort and maybe carry a bar in my pocket just in case. That's the beauty of the bike park!
Planning my first trip up to ride Snow Summit for this weekend and this video (along with many others on your channel) have been a big help/boost of confidence. Thx
You can definitely have a good time at Snow Summit on a hard tail like the Stoic there. The chunk and braking bumps will be a bit rough on you. And depending on your jump skills, the bigger jump lines will either be a blast or a nightmare for you. 😆
I was there for the 1st time on Monday June 27th and didn't know that I had to wait my turn at the beginning of the trailhead... Sorry everyone!!! I should be there on Monday July 18th. I promise I'll be more respectful. I'll be the guy who totally kicks ass on the Going Green trail 😂🤣😂🤣! Thanks Alan!
Hey Alan. Great job. We were there this past Saturday. I wished we watched this before, but we did okay. Lots of fun. We just did "Going Green" 4 runs. Once you learn the trail a bit, it becomes easier/more comfortable. What would you say is the next trail level up? We heard Turtle. Is it steeper? Going Green seemed to have a lot of rocks in the trail...is Turtle the same?
Heck yeah! Going Green is a great trail. Yeah, Turtle is a good next step. It's a bit steeper with a lot of big berms and some big rollers. No gaps and no drops. It's a solid blue trail. And once you're comfortable on that, check out Blue Steel which feeds back into lower Turtle. Too bad the trails on the backside of the park are shut down due to past fires. Pirates to Plumbers to Fern is a great singletrack trail combo. Hopefully that'll be open again next season. Hope that helps!
BULLSHIT!!!!!! IVE RIDDEN HARDTAILS ON double black diamonds at six different bike parts you don't need any amount of rear travel or any amount of front travel to do any Trail it's all about Ryder skill
Based on the Big Bear Mountain Resort website, there are three easy green trails - GOING GREEN, MINI PUMP TRAIL and SMALL WONDER. If we purchased a one-time bike lift, which one would you recommend? We would like something scenic and not too short of a trail. How long would it time for each? Planning our trip next week.
Hi! Thanks for reaching out. I think Going Green may be your best bet. It's about 3 miles long and is scenic pretty much the entire 3 miles. This vid is a few years old, but it'll still give you a good idea what Going Green is like: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3PDT2whLhxE.html Also you can get more details here on the trail: www.trailforks.com/trails/going-green/ In any case, they don't have the Mini Pump Trail, and I think Small Wonder is a little singletrack that's not too easy to get to unless you're at the bottom of Turtle. Hope that helps!
Awesome video new to your channel and like the content. This was the first video I saw a few weeks ago and I came to re watch. I’m a beginner (so much so that I haven’t hit any trails yet) and on the heavy side. I have a entry level GT aggressor hardtail would you say it’s ok to hit going green with that or should I upgrade my tires at least. If thats the case what tire would you recommend from the maxxis line up?
Welcome to this awesome sport! That bike should be fine on Going Green. You might also take it on the Pirates-Plumbers-Fern route on the backside (check the Trailforks app/website ). As far as the tires, what’s more important is having a tubeless setup if you’re currently using tubes. Another key upgrade would be to get some good pedals with spikes like the Oneup Composite, Kona Wahwah, or Crank Bros. Stamp. Also good riding shoes like the FiveTen Freerider. Tire upgrades can be nice but if you’re tires are still pretty new, wait until they’re worn to replace them. 👍🏾 Hope that helps.
Just met you at “Get the burger”. You took some time and spoke with my son and his friend. You are really good dude. I’m old but I am following you now. Have a great life!
thinking about going with the family, but they don't all mountain bike, is there any activities from the parking lot or somewhere close for them to hang out or hike at while I ride? Awesome video by the way!
Glad you dug the vid. They have some activities near the bottom of the lifts. I would check with Summit about if they’re open during COVID. Note that right now Summit is closed until the National Forest here is open again. Check their Instagram for the most recent updates.
One thing I noticed the last few times up there. Is people hollering from the lift chairs at slower riders down below, kind of mocking them. Annoys me shit like that does.
Simple answer: yes. Just make sure there's a clear sight line for any oncoming traffic and that there's plenty of room for people to come through at high speed. I have had too many close calls where people were too close to the edge of the trail and at 30mph, that's no fun. 😁
To all the people who ride this, I'm a fairly advanced rider and I'm moving down south in a week or so. I'm without a bike at the moment besides my bmx skatepark rat steed. I'm either about to buy a 2017 Scott Gambler or a Banshee Darkside. I've usually just rocked an aggressive enduro setup and I'm worried a gambler might be too much. Opinions?
Yo! A dual-crown like the Gambler is probably too much bike for most trails down here in SoCal. DH bikes will be rad for Snow Summit and some of the DH shuttle runs around. But most people kill it on an aggressive Enduro. Something like the newer Ransom might be a better choice (if you're cool with 29). But these are the daily-drivers (for both pedal and bike park days) I tend to see the heavy hitters riding around here: Santa Cruz Nomad or Bronson, Intense Tracer, Yeti SB165, and YT Capra. Of course there's the same category bikes from the big three, and they all do well too. Hope that helps.
Hitting it up this Saturday for the first time. You said you need at least 140 in the rear for black diamonds. Can you roll them with a SC Hightower 135 rear?
I love your f’n energy Alan. Brining my son 14yo son to summit and checked your guides first, even tho he’s gonna leave me in the dust at least I feel good about going after this video. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Also, trails like going green and Turtle take a huge beating. Turtle on berms can make you grip if your bike isn't right and going green can get really rocky sometimes cause the breaking. It sorta causes the dirt to leave and lets the rocks reveal. I was up there on a 500 dollar hardtail and wooo it wasn't flowy. Me and my brother were going squirrely.
Relax and have fun! Yeow! GO GREEN all the way lol. Great video Alan! My first time there was awesome, crashed on my 1st run on going green. It's a learning curve on loosey goosey trails. For beginners to have maximum fun, definitely full face, elbow/knee pads are a must because you will definitely crash from too much excitement. Thanks again for an awesome vid. 😁🤙
I AM GOING THIS WEEKEND FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THIS HELPS A LOT...THANKS ALAN! ..CAN YOU PARK OVERNIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT? PLANNING TO SLEEP IN MY CAR..
Hi MTB/ALAN - this is so dope video and very informative. You should’ve make more video like this. It’s like a story telling. Love it and keep ‘em coming! 🤙
Heck yeah! Glad to help. Note that Blue Steel didn’t exist when I did this video. It’s a great new blue trail. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ylco06b-WEQ.html
I plan to stay in Agoura Hills, CA. over Christmas, will the park or any other's parks be open for biking around then. I could't really find anything on their web page. And thank you for great content.
Snow Summit is a ski resort during the winter. But Skypark at Santa's Village will be open. You do have to pedal up, but it's a mellow climb, and it's a blast. It can be pretty cold up there in December. You might also consider stuff like Aliso or Santiago Oaks since the weather down by the beach will be great for riding in December. Aliso: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wSkpl3yH1gw.html Santiago Oaks mellow: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Xe0FMAXp3CY.html Santiago Oaks more rowdy: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rrNOBZho-oE.html Hope that helps!
Im old old school is there any tech trails there? Looks too flowy and jumpy.. i need mud and guts interspersed with oh my god , shit, oh no, no fing way lol 🤣 good videos mate
First trip to Snow Summit was quite a blast. Recently moved from the PNW and, while I miss the loam, the fast runs of the bike park challenged me. I personally prefer more techy, natural trails so I gave 10-Ply a shot. That trail was a doozy. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Makes me want to buy a DH bike, and I just might.
Welcome to SoCal! Yeah, the high speeds cam take some adjustment. And indeed, 10-Ply is a good one. A DH rig would suit it, especially if you’re gonna race. That being said, I felt pretty good on the Nomad. In any case, gimme a shout if you see me up there. 🤘🏾
I'm long time dirt biker...not much bike experience...just turned 60 but in good shape...gunna give the park a try towards later July...thank you for the overview!
Alan- do you wear wrist guards when you ride? I’m looking for some myself but can’t really find any meant for mountain biking. Haha L’s for the vid I’m actually going up for my first time tomorrow
Hope the vie helps out on your first visit to Snow Summit! re: wrist guards I've been wearing the TLD wrist support to help out with my previously injured wrist: amzn.to/2BQ0vtf The Mobius X8 is used by moto riders, but I've talked to a couple mountain bikers who also use that guard on the bike: amzn.to/2YGjRK6
Knew the Minions did well here and all, but never knew they were designed for SoCal. When I first saw the Kenda Regolith, based on the name alone, I thought we had a clear “designed for SoCal” tire as by late summer, regolith sure seems about the right word!
This should be viewed as a family place watch out for the fast crowd just let them go by. The pros don’t train there it’s Big Bear small MTB place small mtn. If you get attitude just laugh at the locals and keep riding. Snow summit is small
We definitely should make room for everybody. And the pros do ride there. You'll see your fair share of Red Bull helmets and recognizable names. And there is something to be said about choosing the right trail. 🤘🏽
I live in Houston Texas and i been riding MTB for a while but never been to a downhill bike park. im planning to check it out in a couple of week,thanks for the beginners guide video and defenitly know what to expect.
pumped to ride there again!, now that we have 3 parks close by the competition is getting better! I think Summit needed Snow Valley and Skypark to give them some comp to build better trails! Rode Snow Valley and their black diamond trail I feel is underated it was comparable to Mammoth's gnar.
You said it, Adam! I think having the Fox US Open at Snow Summit also plays a part in their upgrades. I've also heard multiple rumors about MTB trails going in on Bear Mountain. Oh dang!
Another great video Alan, i really think Summit should consider playing your Etiquette portion of this video on screens along the lift lines. There have been a few times i've seen some faster riders not being patient around some of the slower riders, almost making them go down. We were warming up on Going Green and had a slower rider in our group last time out there and she had a fast group fly by her saying she shouldn't be at Summit, go back to Skypark and a few other rude comments.
Damn! That sucks to hear. Especially on a trail like Going Green. Just know that at least based on all the people I’ve ridden with at Snow Summit, everybody has been really cool when we meet a rider who’s going a bit slower. And I say that that group was being selfish and lame and doesn’t know what it’s about.
Been watching you for a while Alan great vid I’m in the same area as you so I alway watch your vids for an idea before I hit new trails Thx for your work/videos
Thanks for a really helpful video Alan. My first time to Snow Summit (any bike park) was riding in the EWS last fall. I rode my 100mm XC FS bike, and needless to say was in waaaay over my head. But I survived and plan to go back this year with a more appropriate bike once the Covid situation settles down. Did you feel safe at the park in that respect?
Way to run what you brung with that 100mm bike! I feel relatively safe up there. The lines are the only place where people get very close but the bikes in the mix help keep some distance. That and being outside with some wind helps.
Great video! I’m just stepping into to world of mountain biking. This info helped tremendously. Look forward to checking out Snow Summit soon! Thanks for the great info!
With ongoing drought conditions in Southern California, it's about time that Snow Summit, Skypark and even Snow Valley realize that there is a large base of riders wanting and willing to pay for lift services to continue into Fall/Winter unless we actually get enough snow to close the trails.
I think it'd be rad if Snow Summit were a year-round bike park. I do imagine that even with a short and low-quality snow season, the resort probably still make more profit in the snow season. Also, I feel like I heard that their agreement with Forestry might affect the periods of time that the terrain can be used for different purposed...totally out of my depth here though.
Great video yet again Alan. Hope to see you up there soon. I pulled the statement I posted earlier about Party Wave and Westridge being blue trails I thought. I looked at the 2018 trail map, and they're blacks.
Thanx alan,getting ready to go there my first time,been to santa village couple times but want to try my downhill bike,always use my enduro at arrowhead,going to take a day off during the week and take it nice and easy,can't wait but i'm sure i'll have butterflies to the max,well thanx again,hope to talk again,if not then the day didn't go so well..LOL.
My son and I just started mountain biking this year. We're having so much fun riding our local trails and can't wait for Snow Summit bike park to open for the season. Your positive vibes and all of your videos continue to inspire us and can't wait for our next ride. Keep up the great work, your pure stoke for the sport and hope to see you on the trails one day.
My wife could have used this 3 days ago. We went down Turtle and she missed the turn and ended up on Miracle Mile. She immediately regretted that decision.
Glad you dug it! You’re gonna have a blast. Re: rentals. Yeah, the rentals at Summit are pretty good and the prices are pretty much what you’ll get anywhere else on the mountain. We rented a bike for a couple days when Kelly’s was in the shop, and it was painless.
