Planning a winter holiday around mountain biking is a thrilling way to stay active as the temps drop in 2024. Some of the best winter mountain biking destinations can be found in North America, particularly in the Southeast, with its trails in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina.
These states offer great spots for bikers to enjoy diverse terrains and scenic routes. While I’ve left this region untouched for nearly a decade, having not ridden there in a while, I know it remains a favorite for many enthusiasts. Whether you’re chasing challenging trails or scenic views, the Southeast delivers unforgettable biking adventures.
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Top Best Winter Mountain Biking Destinations Around the World
7. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, AZ is a dream for mountain biking enthusiasts, especially in winter, thanks to its breathtaking scenery and diverse trails. With cooler weather that’s about 10 degrees colder than nearby Phoenix and Tucson, Sedona offers a perfect escape for riders looking to enjoy nature without extreme heat. However, during my last two trips, I’ve noticed Sedona becoming more crowded, especially with hikers on popular routes.
For those seeking the ultimate adventure, the Highline trail is a favorite for its fantastic climb and exhilarating fun descent. Combining trails like Slim Shady, Made in The Shade, and Templeton makes for a truly great ride. On the West side, Sedona Cockscomb provides stunning views and connects to a plethora of trails, letting you tailor your ride to be as long or short as you prefer.
If you’re feeling adventurous, the Hangover trail is a must-do for its unique design, although it’s not for the faint of heart. With exposed sections and steep climbs, it’s a challenging but rewarding experience. While I rarely ride it due to its 80% uphill terrain, it’s worth trying if you enjoy technical rides. For gear and support, the team at Thunder Mountain Bikes has all your MTB needs covered.
6. Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas, and its surrounding areas like Reveille Peak Ranch and Spider Mountain, offer some of the most diverse and exciting options for winter mountain biking. Just over an hour from downtown Austin in Burnet, RPR boasts excellent beginner to expert trails and great camping with showers. Nearby, Spider Mountain, though small at 350 vertical feet, is the only lift-serviced bike park in the US that stays open during the colder months. With ride-in-ride-out lodging at Thunderbird Lodge, it’s a top pick for an unforgettable biking adventure.
For those looking to explore further, Station Mountain Bike in Marble Falls, Texas, about an hour from Austin, provides gravity-focused trails ranging from green to double black, making it ideal for riders of all skill levels. Back in Austin, the city itself is a vibrant hub with friendly people, great music, and a variety of good trails. While it may lack huge elevation gains, it compensates with fun flowy trails like those at Walnut Creek, featuring a pump track, and the incredibly technical trails at City Park.
Austin’s trail network continues to grow, with an ever-expanding trail system at Brushy Creek, along with tons of local trails like Cat Mountain. The fun trails in the Green Belt even let you ride right from downtown, making Austin a unique destination for riders who enjoy mixing urban energy with outdoor adventure.
5. Boulder City, Nevada
For winter mountain biking in the continental US, Boulder City, NV, is a standout destination. The iconic Bootleg Canyon mountain bike park is renowned for its challenging downhill trails and fantastic cross-country trails, including the popular Ernie’s Epic. Just 20 miles from the Las Vegas airport, this area offers bikers easy access to unforgettable rides. Nearby, the Cottonwood Trails, located about 30 miles southwest of Vegas, provide even more variety for those seeking adventure.
If you’re looking for gear or trail tips, stop by All Mountain Cyclery, which is one of the best-stocked bike shops around. Their team can offer excellent advice on trails to ride and any upgrades you might need. To make the most of your experience at Bootleg Canyon, contact Downhill Mike for shuttle services that will save you energy for the thrilling trails ahead.
4. Saint George/Hurricane/Virgin, Utah
The Saint George, Hurricane, and Virgin areas in Utah are perfect for winter mountain biking with their great trails and stunning high desert landscapes. Hurricane is home to Slickrock trails like the Gooseberry Mesa Trail and Little Creek Area, offering both blue and green level singletrack surrounded by great scenery. Stop by Over The Edge bike shop to meet Quinten and DJ, who can give you updates on trail conditions and recommend rides that suit your style.
For thrill-seekers, Virgin is a hub for pro-level trails, with my favorite shuttle being the exhilarating Flying Monkey to King Kong. The trail network at Grafton Mesa features fun shuttle trails perfect for advanced riders. If you’re up for a challenge, you can even push up to the old Red Bull Rampage jumps and drops, though a paramedic crew is highly recommended for safety. Even if you’re not riding, the area is great for spectating and attracts many free-riders who use it as a training ground.
If you’re after variety, Hurricane is just 10 minutes off I-15 and offers excellent riding on the Green Valley trail network. My go-to routes include the Zen Trail and Barrel Trail, with plenty of Blue trails and Green trails to explore as well.
For a break from biking, visit Zion National Park nearby, which offers great hikes and stunning scenery that showcase the beauty of southern Utah.
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3. California
alifornia offers some of the most excellent trails for winter mountain biking, even during the rainy season. Stretching from San Diego to Oregon, there are plenty of options for riders. Some of my top picks are inland San Diego, especially the Noble Valley area, Laguna Hills, and the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as places like Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz. While I haven’t fully explored further North, these destinations are enough to keep any biker thrilled. Be sure to research online before heading out to make the most of your ride.
One of the highlights of my SoCal trip a few winters ago was shuttling Mount Wilson. It features gorgeous views and an incredible 4,800 feet of descending across excellent trails. With shuttle services provided by LifeRush Adventures, this ride is a must-try for bikers who love a mix of technical challenges and breathtaking scenery.
2. Tucson and Sedona, Arizona
Tucson, AZ, is a top pick for winter mountain biking with its variety of trails that suit every skill level. Mount Lemon is a highlight, offering thrilling options to descend over 7,000 feet or take on a challenging climb through technical, rocky desert trails. Routes like Bug Springs to Milagrosa provide a mix of great descending and challenging climbs, ensuring an adrenaline-filled ride. On the Northside of Mt Lemon, the Oro Valley’s 50-Year Trail can be combined with other paths for a fun cross-country ride surrounded by beautiful cacti and stunning scenery.
The Sweetwater Preserve, located on the West side of town, features similar trails and is an easy trail to hit when entering or leaving Tucson.
1. Phoenix metro, Arizona
Phoenix, AZ, is one of the top destinations in the US for mountain biking, offering a variety of great riding areas that cater to every skill level. As a big city, it provides trails right in the heart of town and extends into the suburbs, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Cave Creek, Glendale, and the Black Canyon. With so many trails to explore, you could ride for over a month without repeating a single route—though you might want to revisit them because of how great they are.
Located in the Mountain Time Zone, Arizona enjoys amazing winter weather with warm and sunny days. In January, the coldest month, the average high temperature is in the mid-60s, making it perfect for outdoor activities. Even when it rains, the conditions only improve as it makes the mountain bike trails tacky and fast, offering an enhanced riding experience.
A must-visit is South Mountain, which spans 16,000 acres and offers over a thousand vertical feet of terrain. For comparison, Vail Resort is just 5,289 acres, making South Mountain an expansive playground for bikers. It’s ideal for advanced beginners and pros, featuring some of the rockiest trails and the challenging Old Man Trail. While it can get crowded as Phoenix grows, the trails remain unmatched in quality, offering spectacular views and unique cacti landscapes.
For more variety, the Dreamy Draw/Trail 100/Camel Back/Phoenix Mountain Preserve area is another excellent choice. It combines fun, flowy, flatter trails with steep and technical trails, providing options for all kinds of riders. Papago Park, situated between Phoenix and Tempe, has a smaller elevation but features free-ride jump areas and flowy trails scattered throughout.
In Mesa, you’ll find Hawes and Usery Pass, which are standout trail systems. The Pass Mountain Trail in Usery Pass Park is a favorite for its singletrack and gorgeous views. Hawes boasts trails like Red Mountain Rush, an exciting blue trail, and Sunset Ridge, a double black diamond that challenges even experienced riders. There are also green trails and blue trails, ensuring something for everyone.
For those venturing into Scottsdale, the Pima/Dynamite area features mellow trails and some of the best trailhead bathrooms you’ll find. At Brown’s Ranch, riders can enjoy fun flowy desert singletrack with a small rock section resembling Moab, while McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers a cross-country race area, dirt jump lines, and a pump track.
Don’t miss McDowell Park, which is perfect for camping and has advanced beginner and intermediate trails. For a $7/day usage fee, you’ll have access to trails with showers and fun short loops filled with corners and dips. The Quadruple Bypass trail offers an epic ride for those seeking a more challenging experience. North of Phoenix along I-17, the Black Canyon Trail features multiple trailheads and exciting fun sections, making it a bucket-list spot for bikers heading to Flagstaff or Tucson.
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Garden Route, South Africa
The Garden Route in the Western Cape, South Africa, is a spectacular place for winter mountain biking. This area features stunning mountains rising from the Indian Ocean and breathtaking riding along cliffs overlooking the water, especially in the Harkerville Forest. The towns of Knysna and George, the biggest cities in the region, provide excellent access to trails, with great riding also found at the Garden Route Trail Park, located between the two.
If you’re traveling from Europe or the US, you’ll be thrilled by how inexpensive this country is for your stay, travel, and dining experiences. South Africa’s infrastructure is surprisingly robust, with good roads, nice airports, and excellent cell reception. It’s also an English-speaking country, though it recognizes 11 languages, so you’ll feel welcome as almost everyone speaks English fluently.
Beyond biking, the Garden Route offers plenty of activities such as surfing at a world-class surf break near George or at the famous Jeffreys Bay, just two hours away. You can also enjoy photo safaris, hiking, shopping, paddle boarding, bungee jumping, fine dining, sport fishing, or simple sightseeing.
For even more spectacular riding, head west to Stellenbosch and Cape Town, where you’ll find friendly people, great food, and affordable lodging. Stellenbosch is also famous for being wine country, where trails wind through beautiful vineyards, and it’s home to the exhilarating event, Darkfest, for biking enthusiasts seeking a thrilling challenge.
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Reunion Island, Indian Ocean off of Africa
Reunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean off of Africa, is a unique destination for great riding. Though it may be far from the US, it’s a convenient option for those in Europe or Africa. I visited in February 2019, and it was absolutely spectacular, with its beautiful beaches, huge volcanoes, and fun yet challenging trails. As a Department of France, Reunion offers modern amenities and a cultural blend that’s perfect for bikers.
One of my favorite trails is part of the network of trails used in the famous Megavalanche race. These trails start from some of the highest volcanoes on the island and descend all the way to sea level, providing thrilling rides with breathtaking views. The island is also home to Flo Payet, the tallest World Cup downhill racer, adding to its reputation as a haven for biking enthusiasts.
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