Whitefish Mountain Resort - Mountain Bike Academy
Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Mountain Bike Academy (MBA) is a multi-faceted developmental school for mountain bikers ages 7 to 17. The program takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays from July 8th to August 21st.
MBA is the best place for young riders to develop the skills they need for a lifetime of safe, fun, and totally sick off-road riding.
Depending on the range of ability levels of the students, the Academy operates with up to five coaches per session. This allows for one-on-one, ability-appropriate instruction. Skills taught range from handling fundamentals and basic bike maintenance to programs in downhill and freestyle riding for advanced students.
Whitefish Mountain Resort - Mountain Bike Academy
Each session will be different, and might focus on downhill racing techniques, balance maneuvers, aerobic conditioning, trail building, or just having fun together. Some sessions will consist of a field trip to other mountain biking trail systems in the valley at no additional cost.
Mountain Bike Academy riders should come prepared for serious mountain biking. Required items include water, lunch (or lunch money except on field trip days), sunscreen, sunglasses or other eye protection, and a biking helmet. Bikes with a suspension and biking gloves are recommended.
MBA begins at 10am sharp at the Lift Plaza (bottom of Chair 1) each day, except on field trip days.
Whitefish Mountain Resort - Mountain Bike Academy
Mountain Bike Rentals are available through Snowghost Outfitters (located in the upper village in the Morning Eagle Building) at a reduced rate for MBA riders. Call 406-862-1996 for pricing and details.
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Schedule Information
Week 1 - July 8 & 10
Week 1 - July 8 & 10 We will begin on Wednesday with some name games to acquaint the riders with each other and their coaches. Then we will do some stretches (as we do each day) before we head out for skills testing on flat ground to allow the coaches to become more familiar with each of the riders capabilities. We should spend the rest of the day talking about safety, slowly working our way into riding dirt cross country trails. Friday will also be easy trail riding and spending more time getting to know each other and the basics, most riders will not begin to ride the summit trail until next week.
Week 2 - July 15 & 17
Week 2 - July 15 & 17 This week we will work on the rider’s skills and begin to ride the summit trail. We will also begin teaching basic bike maintenance and quick fixes for the trail (tube changing, tire and shock pressure and how it affects your riding, front and rear derailleur adjustment, and brake adjustment).
Week 3 - July 22 & 24
Week 3 - July 22 & 24 This week we will be taking the more advanced riders into the skills park and downhill trails, and teaching how to ride elements featured in the park along with safety tips. We will be working with everyone on proper riding position for rough terrain, seat adjustment, and proper shifting technique (to save your child’s bike from unnecessary repair), as well as other skills and tips.
Week 4 - July 29 & 31
Week 4 - July 29 & 31 We will continue assessment of the riding skills and make adjustments where necessary. Look for some games as a break if the riders are getting tired and some work on the art of riding switchbacks smoothly without drooping a foot or sliding a rear tire. We will also work on riding slow and how it can improve your ability to see the beauty that surrounds us. And of course, we will be riding lots of trail.
Week 5 - Aug 5 & 7
Week 5 - August 5 & 7 Field Trip on Wednesday! Meet us at Glacier Cyclery (2nd Ave, Whitefish) at 10am for a field trip to the Pig Farms or Spencer Mtn (depending on ability). Please bring a lunch for the trail! Coaches will transport kids and bikes to the trails, and lead each group. Parents are welcome, no drop-ins please.
Friday will be a usual day of MBA on the trails at Whitefish Mountain Resort. As we enter the heat of the summer, we will break up the days with huckleberry picking, relay races, or maybe swimming at the Rainbow Pond.
Week 6 - Aug 12 & 14
Week 6 - August 12 & 14 Now that riders are becoming more comfortable, we will begin entering into more technical terrain and teach important safety tips.
Week 7 - Aug 19 & 21
Week 7 - August 19 & 21 Field Trip on Wednesday! Meet as usual at Chair One at 10am. We will bike down to town and over to City Beach for a great day of summer fun. Just come by City Beach to pick up your child at 3pm. Coaches can transport back to the Mountain if necessary. Be sure to bring a lunch for the trail, and some $ for Ice Cream! Parents are welcome, no Drop Ins please. Friday will be the grand finale of MBA, time to use the skills we have been learning all summer long.
Call 406-862-2900 to signup!
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Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Mountain Bike Academy (MBA) is a multi-faceted developmental school for mountain bikers ages 7 to 17. The program takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays from July 8th to August 21st.
Each session will be different, and might focus on downhill racing techniques, balance maneuvers, aerobic conditioning, trail building, or just having fun together. Some sessions will consist of a field trip to other mountain biking trail systems in the valley at no additional cost.
Mountain Bike Rentals are available through Snowghost Outfitters (located in the upper village in the Morning Eagle Building) at a reduced rate for MBA riders. Call 406-862-1996 for pricing and details.
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