Trestle Bike Park Review

Review by Will Trail

Overview

Trestle Bike Park, located at Winter Park Resort in Colorado, stands out as the largest full-service downhill bike park in the U.S. Designed by the trail-building legends at Gravity Logic (of Whistler fame), Trestle offers over 40 miles of downhill-specific trails accessed via gondola and three lifts (Gondola, Explorer Express, Olympia).

The park has grown rapidly in popularity thanks to its world-class trail design, terrain diversity, and a progression system suited for everyone from first-timers to elite riders. Over the past few years, I’ve learned to appreciate the variety of riding opportunities and how they’ve helped me develop as a rider.

Trail Experience

One of Trestle’s greatest strengths is its intuitive trail progression system. While it follows the standard green–blue–black–double black rating system, Trestle adds detailed trail signage and route suggestions that help riders confidently build their skills.

The trail system falls into two main categories:

• Freeride trails – machine-built, often featuring man-made obstacles like jumps and berms.

• Technical trails – hand-built and centered around natural terrain: rocks, roots, logs, and dirt features.

Maps posted at key locations list helpful progression paths based on rider skill level.

• Beginner Trails
  Green World offers wide, flowy lines ideal for getting comfortable with gravity riding.

• Intermediate Trails
  Shy Ann and Lower Boulevard introduce berms, bridges, and small tabletops.

• Advanced Trails
  Trestle DH and Cruel and Unusual present steep terrain, technical features, and rock gardens.  Rainmaker is a well known flow jump trail that offers many opportunities to get airborne.

• Expert Trails
  Banana Peel is Trestle’s iconic pro-level slopestyle course, featuring high-speed drops, massive jumps, and is best suited for experienced riders chasing serious airtime and adrenaline.

• XC Trails
  A mix of greens, blues and more technical blacks, these trails have a backcountry feel and can connect riders to the Fraser River Trail system for extended, pedal-based exploration.

Personally, I usually warm up on Shy Ann before progressing to more technical terrain. Some of my favorite trails include Bear Arms, Trestle DH, Search and Seizure, Happier Camper, and Boot Camp.

Loading bikes into the gondola is smooth and efficient, and the other two lifts are equally user-friendly. Staff are present at both ends to assist with loading and unloading.  

Amenities

Trestle has one of the largest rental fleets in North America, offering high-performance downhill and enduro bikes. Onsite amenities include:

• A fully stocked bike shop

• Private and group lessons

• Dining and lodging options in Winter Park Village

Lift tickets, rentals, and lessons can be booked in advance or purchased at the base.  Trail cameras are located around the mountain to capture your trail stoke.

Speaking of lessons, I took a 1-on-1 session last year and found it incredibly beneficial. My instructor guided me down the entirety of Trestle DH, stopping at challenging sections to break down proper technique. The confidence I gained from that experience helped me during a later enduro race on the same trail—I ended up riding smoother and setting a few personal records. The lesson even ran longer than scheduled, which was a nice bonus.

Lodging

To make the most of your time at Trestle, trailside lodging is available at Winter Park Resort. It’s convenient for riders who want to maximize trail time and minimize travel.

For those who prefer a more rugged experience, there’s camping available on nearby Forest Service land—ideal for budget-conscious or nature-loving riders.

Season & Hours

The 2025 summer season runs from June 13 to September 28. Lifts operate daily, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

I recommend starting your rides early, as afternoon winds or showers are common in the mountains. Multiple dining and lounge options are available in the base village and mid mountain, providing great midday food or après-ride drinks.

Overall Impression

Trestle Bike Park combines expertly crafted trails with resort-level amenities. Whether you’re new to downhill riding or looking to push your limits on double-black features, the park delivers a top-tier experience. It’s not just a place to ride—it’s a place to grow, challenge yourself, and have serious fun on two wheels in a resort setting.  I am a season pass holder to get maximum two-wheeled fun over the summer months.

For more information or to plan a visit, check out: trestlebikepark.com

Will Trail

Will grew up in Idaho (fifth generation!) where he enjoyed the outdoors, riding his bike, participated in multiple sports, and working on the family ranch from time to time.

During college at Montana Tech, he played football for a few years and worked as a wildland firefighter during the summers.  He met his future wife, Erin Trail, there and after graduating with a degree in Geophysical Engineering, they moved to Texas where he was involved with racing his Subaru WRX, camping and powerlifting.