In 2016, the Valemount Area Recreation Development Association (VARDA) put out a Request for Proposal 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 the design and construction of a new DH / Flow Trail section in an upper cut block on the Town mountain.

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

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

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

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

Photos left to right: Valemount Bike Park Map, Test Riding, Trail Build Assist to A.Thoni & Drone Shot