In 2016, the Valemount Area Recreation Development Association (VARDA) put out an RFP for trail building services to develop and expand on the local mountain bike trail system. Hoots was brought in as a sub-contractor by Robson Energy Services Ltd. to help with design and build of a new DH / Flow Trail section in an upper cut block on the mountain.

 

Check out action links with out-of-towner easing in and pro rider letting loose on the multiple lines and runs connecting to other lower trail options!

 

Responding to user input and requests for jump sizes and complex features from consultation by the Yellowhead Outdoor Recreation Association (YORA) and concept master planning by IMBA Canada, Hoots worked with Robson to design and develop an exciting and challenging trail with 40 features of significant volume and size!

 

Together with VARDA, YORA and Robson, Hoots constructed a 1 km section of Flow Trail taking advantage of the existing slope, terrain, dirt, rock and log materials in an innovative and sustainable manner while Robson completed DH sections above and below.

 

In total, the trail covers ~3.5 km with awesome mix of progressive features incorporating jump line, advanced DH and Flow Trail that bring in high rollers, berms, hip & shark fin jumps, table tops, gap jumps, step up & step downs, launches & landings alongside wood, rock and log features. The trail provides ride-arounds and rollover options to accommodate intermediate levels alongside advanced. Named ‘Turducken’, the trail officially opened in fall 2016 to much excitement.

 

(photos from Valemount Bike Park Map, test riding & trail build assist to A.Thoni)