Why the Jackson Hole Bike Park Belongs on Every Mountain Biker’s Bucket List

JACKSON, WY — When most people think about Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, skiing usually steals the spotlight. Massive powder days, steep terrain and legendary freeride lines helped build the mountain’s reputation over decades. But over the last several years, another side of Jackson Hole has quietly evolved into one of the more underrated summer mountain bike destinations in the American West.

This article was Originally Published June 20, 2022 — Updated May 2026

And honestly? It surprised me.

For my 42nd birthday I got invited to ride the Jackson Hole Bike Park for the first time. To be transparent, I showed up nervous. I didn’t own a downhill bike, had never ridden a chairlift with a bicycle attached and found myself surrounded by bike journalists, professional riders and photographers who clearly knew what they were doing.

Meanwhile I was simply hoping to survive the day without cartwheeling down the mountain.

Turns out, I had nothing to worry about.

What I discovered instead was one of the most approachable, scenic and genuinely fun bike park experiences I’ve had in the mountains — one that feels far more welcoming than the hardcore downhill reputation many riders associate with lift-access mountain biking.

Much like the Jackson Hole ShaperSummit Snowboard Test helped establish Jackson as a proving ground for snowboard innovation and freeride culture, the bike park is quietly becoming an important part of the resort’s year-round identity. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort increasingly wants to be known not just for legendary winters, but for human-powered adventure throughout every season.

That same blend of adventure, western culture, and mountain lifestyle also exists beyond the bike trails. Our Jackson Hole Polo Club feature explores one of the valley’s oldest traditions still thriving beneath the Tetons today.

Jackson Hole Bike Park Map

Jackson Hole Isn’t Just for Skiers Anymore

Over the last decade Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has steadily expanded its summer operations, investing heavily into mountain biking, adaptive sports, hiking and warm weather tourism. In 2021 the resort opened additional mountain bike terrain accessed by the Sweetwater Gondola, giving riders longer descents, more flow trails and incredible views stretching across the Tetons and valley floor.

And unlike some destination bike parks that can feel intimidating for newer riders, Jackson Hole’s trail system does an excellent job balancing progression with fun.

As we geared up in the rental shop I started noticing families of tourists and riders of all experience levels suiting up in full pads and body armor. For a moment I questioned whether I had made a terrible decision.

A few laps later I couldn’t stop smiling.

Then I noticed it wasn’t all seasoned bikers but families of tourist of all shapes and sizes getting geared up for what simply looked like full-contact combat.

I just kept reminding myself to breathe.

We left the rental shop, walked our sweet Scott Bikes over to the Teewinot Lift and a few minutes later I found myself getting to the top of the chair with a group of riders eager to rip. Before we left our guide mentioned there were easy ways around any of the terrain park features we might encounter.

I chose to ride towards the back of the pack as I didn’t want to slow anyone down. The riders that knew the deal dropped in first and we basically played follow the leader down the mountain.  Within a few turns the nerves disappeared completely. I noticed everyone else was in the same state of mind.

The stoke was especially apparent while sharing high fives and stories at the bottom of each run.

Gravity Logic Helped Shape the Future of Jackson Hole Riding

One reason the trails ride so well comes down to Gravity Logic.

The legendary trail building company — best known for helping design and build the iconic Whistler Bike Park — worked alongside the local Jackson Hole trail crew to help reshape the future vision for mountain biking at the resort.

And you can feel it immediately on the mountain.

Trails like Deepest Darkest blend:

• flow
• speed
• berms
• jumps
• progression
• and accessibility

without ever feeling overly manufactured or intimidating.

That balance matters.

Especially at a mountain like Jackson Hole where terrain can quickly become serious in winter.

Any fear I had of downhill mountain biking was put aside as these trails were fun, easy to ride and worked for all levels of riders.

Lap 1 was a blast.  Lap 2 was even better.

We started with the green trails on the lower part of the mountain. Then we progressed to the blue trails on the Sweetwater Gondola which took us higher up the mountain offering more trails and longer descents.  And even some jumps.

Jackson Hole wants to become a destination for year round human powered adventures. With the help of the bike trail crew and the local adaptive program the mountain aims to make mountain biking more accessible to riders of all levels, abilities and disabilities.

Adaptive Riding Is One of the Most Inspiring Parts of the Experience

One of the most impressive aspects of the Jackson Hole Bike Park isn’t just the terrain — it’s the inclusiveness of the riding experience itself.

Working alongside Teton Adaptive Sports and local riders like Joe Stone and Pierre Bergman, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has helped push adaptive mountain biking forward in a meaningful way.

In the past, adaptive trails were often watered down or separated from traditional mountain biking experiences. Here, riders share many of the same flow trails and terrain features regardless of physical ability.

Watching Joe Stone absolutely charge the mountain was one of the most inspiring parts of the entire day.

If anything, it completely changed my perspective on what adaptive mountain biking could look like moving forward.

One of the most recent trails to be built on the mountain called Deepest Darkest was the hit of the day with our group.  The flowy trail was wide, fast, had lots of jumps, banked turns and was designed with adaptive riders in mind.  Say what?

Why did the trails flow so well?  Two words, Gravity Logic.  Gravity Logic was hired to come and work with the local Jackson Hole Bike Park builders to create new trails and new vision for the future of mountain biking at the resort.  Gravity Logic’s team cut their teeth designing and building Whistler’s Bike Park which is ranked as the #1 bike park in North America.

In the past ADA type trails were dumbed down for adaptive mountain bike riders, now the same trails that work for mountain biking can also work for adaptive trike style bikes thanks to the forward thinking of local adaptive athletes Joe Stone and Pierre Bergman with support from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Teton Adaptive Sports.

Watching Joe Stone rip his sit down bike down the mountain was equally inspiring, humbling and motivating all in one.  If Joe can rip these trails, you can too.

After spending almost 6 hours in total riding, my confidence on a bike and on trails like this grew immensely. I got an incredibly workout, got to see new parts of the mountain and the views were breathtaking.  If you find yourself in the Tetons this summer, be sure to visit the resort and ride some of these fantastic mountain bike trails.

Jackson Hole has always attracted people looking for adventure, discomfort and challenge. Sometimes that means steep powder lines in January. Sometimes it means learning how to ride a downhill bike for the first time in June.

And sometimes it means realizing the same mountain known for terrifying skiers every winter can also deliver some of the most approachable summer mountain biking in the Rockies.

Honestly, if you’ve already survived our 10 Reasons NOT to Ski Jackson Hole guide, the bike park should feel easy.

And for the crowd that really likes to get after it, there’s plenty of black and double black options to wet your whistle.

To learn more about riding bikes at Jackson Hole Mountain Bike Park please visit: https://www.jacksonhole.com/bike-park

And to see some serious bike stoke check out this video with Joe and friends ripping their adaptive bikes.

Jackson Hole’s Summer Culture Continues Evolving

What’s interesting about Jackson Hole right now is how quickly the mountain town is evolving beyond just skiing. Between freeride events like the ShaperSummit, adaptive mountain biking progression and even partnerships like the Kiehl’s Jackson Hole collaboration, the town increasingly blends outdoor culture, design, wellness and mountain lifestyle into something much bigger than a traditional ski destination.

The bike park feels like a natural extension of that evolution.

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