Big Mountain Enduro to bring 400-plus mountain bike racers to Brian Head Resort

Written by or for St. George News
July 19, 2023

BRIAN HEAD — The Big Mountain Enduro mountain bike racing event rolls into Brian Head Resort on Saturday, July 22, for two days of climbs and technical descents set against the backdrop of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Undated photo of a previous mountain bike event at Brian Head, Utah | Image courtesy of Brian Head Resort, St. George News / Cedar City News

To celebrate the occasion, the resort’s lift, bike park, family-friendly activities, retail shops, restaurants and bars will open for an extra day on Thursday, July 20.

The Big Mountain Enduro series attracts professional and amateur mountain bikers who enjoy combining endurance riding with nerve-wracking downhill racing. The highly anticipated race series’ fourth stop, Brian Head Resort, features backcountry and lift-accessed stages on some of the nation’s toughest mountain bike terrain.

More than 400 riders, including 51 Utah racers, will compete in eight separate events at Brian Head Resort, including uphill races and downhill time trials. The finishing times from all eight stages are combined to determine the riders’ final times and rankings.

“We’re dedicated to creating lift-served mountain biking terrain that attracts national events such as the BME,” said Brian Head Resort Bike Park Strategist at  Ken Jenson, who added that this is the resort’s third year hosting a BME series race.
“It’s more than a race,” Jenson added. “The event gives spectators, first-timers and youth the opportunity to join a community of passionate mountain bikers, trail builders, and like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. It also allows us to showcase the modernization of our park in the past five years.”
Undated photo shows a lift carrying people at Brian Head, Utah | Photo courtesy of Brian Head Resort, St. George News / Cedar City News

The Bike Park at Brian Head Resort, known for fantastic gravity-fed descents, has 18 interchangeable downhill bike trails with options for families, experts, and everyone in between. There are both free-ride and technical trails with features designed and maintained in collaboration with Momentum Trail Concepts.

Kids 12 and children may mountain bike for free via the high-speed Giant Steps Express Lift. The lift has been updated with new roll-on bike carriers for increased capacity and efficiency to safely transport riders and their equipment to an elevation of 10,900 feet.

Spectators can view the event from the chairlift, from the base area (where riders are exiting the trails) or by hiking along the resort’s adventure trail.

Riders and spectators alike are invited to enjoy the festivities throughout the race with a variety of family-friendly activities, including Avalanche tubing hill, Ridge Runner mini zipline, climbing wall, Peak Shot bungee trampoline, a 55-foot enclosed batting cage and a brand-new 18-hole disc golf course.

Summer guests can also get a free night’s stay at the Brian Head Lodge with the free lodging lift ticket package.

Written by BRIAN HEAD RESORT, with additional reporting by St. George News reporters CHRIS REED and JEFF RICHARDS.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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