Need A Lift?

Massanutten’s new lift access bike park.

You won’t find too many Virginians complaining about mild winters, save perhaps for skiers craving a velvety cushion of powdery snow underfoot. But as winter cedes to spring, Massanutten Resort offers a compelling off-season lure that’s snow-independent: Virginia’s newest lift-access mountain-bike park, featuring 30 miles of trails on the resort’s western slope, all in a setting recognized by the governor’s office as a “Virginia Treasure.”

Park supervisor Scott Wooten, who started as a snowboard instructor at Massanutten in 2001 and took up mountain biking soon after, says the idea to build the park “had been floating around for a long time,” gaining momentum with every April rendition of the resort’s annual “Yee-Ha!” downhill mountain biking race.

The park, open from April-October, features a 1,000-foot vertical drop and trails with names like “Creamy,” “Crunchy” and “Nutten Better.” Two lifts provide access to beginner, intermediate and advanced jump and single-track trails. 

As with skiing, there are half- ($30) and full-day ($38) options available, including a “Pathway” package for novice riders that includes a bike rental—complete with a full-face helmet and knee, shin and elbow pads—and 75 minutes of instruction to avoid those pesky somersaults over the handlebars. MassResort.com/play/bike-park

Whit Sheppard
Whit Sheppard is a past contributor to Virginia Living.
July 8, 2025

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Carlyle House Historic Park
July 8, 2025

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Virginia Repertory Theatre
July 9, 2025

June – July @ Art Works!

Art Works