Old Ski Run Trail

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Easily the best trail in Meyer Ranch Park, the Old Ski Run Trail treats riders with an engaging, but not too challenging ascent on the way up, and a fast, flowing downhill peppered with beautiful technical lines and pop-able rocks the whole way down.

On the way down, you are surely going to want to open up the throttle and let her fly, but be wary of a few tight corners and the ever-presence of other trail users coming up. Be courteous and act as a good example for the mountain biking community.

Starting at the junction with Sunny Aspen near a picnic shelter, follow the trail uphill over a moderately technical climb complete with small ledges and rocks. After passing the first switchback, settle into a steady climb that's sure to get the lungs and legs 'a burning. On this section of trail, you'll be tasked with picking your way through mild rock gardens, so be prepared. Luckily, the trail is roughly four feet wide through here, allowing you to meander across the trail in search of easier lines if you so choose.

Near the intersection of the lollipop's "stick" with its "sucker," hereby known as the upper junction, be prepared for the toughest technical climbing move on the entire trail: a 2.5-foot tall, obliquely slanted, slippery rock ledge with high consequence that is sure to thwart all but advanced technical climbers. There is an alternate line to the left of this rock, but the trail is narrow in this section and a small mistake could leave you teetering off the trail's edge onto a steep side hill.

After tackling the tough section, it's pretty smooth sailing to the junction described above. From here, head right onto a section of trail dotted with super-tight, water-barred switchbacks that will make you wish you were riding a short-wheelbase kid's bike. Don't fret though, as the switchbacks are short-lived.

Upon passing the third switchback, drop your seat, open up your suspension, and click into a high gear, because all that lies ahead of you is downhill, flowing, singletrack bliss.

From here, the trail is mostly smooth, save for a few dirt mounds serving primarily as drainage features, but secondarily as fantastic opportunities for more advanced riders to get a little airtime.

Upon reaching the upper junction from before, head right over a water bar to descend back to Sunny Aspen. On your descent, rocks that may have proved troublesome on the way up are just pure fun on the way down. More advanced riders should keep an eye out for strategically placed ramped rocks that can quickly send you airborne with just a small pop.

During the final stretch of trail, with the picnic shelter in sight, multiple small, sequential drops make for a fantastic ending to this already great descent.