Looking for western US mtn bike destination. Have been to Pheonix & Sedona. Hoping for beautiful mountains and Aspens. Many of the popular destinations are too high (altitute) for us low-landers. We are considering Park City, but fear it is also too high for a 4 day weekend of intense aerobic activity. Any ideas? Proximity to a major airport is important (that's my problem with Moab)

Many thanks

Mammoth Mountain has an ammazing number of bike trails, ski trails in the winter.

Sorry, my geography is so bad, but where is Mammoth(near what city) and how high do you think it is?

Mammoth Mountain's altitude is about 9000 feet. It's on the east side of the Sierra, north of Bishop,CA. And not close to a major airport... nearly 3 hours drive south of Reno. And it's about ski season now.

Since you didn't say when you were interested in going I threw out Mammoth. The gondola tops out at 11,000 and the eagle express tops at 9,000. I don't know Park City's altitude so I can't compare. It's about 150 miles south of Reno on 395.

Squaw Valley also has many bike trails that you can access via their Tram and chair lifts. Again if you are headed out soon then I guess these places are not suitable.

Crested Butte and Durango, CO, are both big mountain bike destinations. Durango itself is at 6500 feet; the aspen trees there begin a few miles out of town (north, east, west) at about 7000 feet. The farther north you go, the lower the altitude needed to ride through aspen.

Moab, Utah.

Thanks again for the informative replys. I intend to go in May or June.

What about the San Francisco area? Mt Tam in Marin County is supposed to be great for mountain biking, and you can ride there from SF.

You're right Suzanne...Mt. Tam is the birthplace of Mtn. biking and I would LOVE to ride there.

Unfortunately the Sierra-club-types have succeeded in closing down almost all the singletrack to bikes and on the fire roads that are left, they actually have rangers with radar guns!

ttt