In 2016, VARDA - 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 local Town mountain (#17 upper-mid blue on Trail Map).

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) and concept master planning undertaken by IMBA Canada, Hoots worked with Robson Energy Services Ltd. to design and develop a DH trail that would ultimately incorporate 40 features of significant volume and size.

Working alongside VARDA, YORA and Robson Energy Services Ltd., Hoots constructed a 1km section of Flow Trail that housed a number of exciting and challenging progressive features, taking advantage of the existing slope, terrain, available dirt, rock and log materials in an innovative and sustainable manner. DH sections were completed above and below the Flow Trail by Robson Energy Services Ltd.

In total, the trail covers approximately 3.5km and comprises an awesome mix of features including jump ine, advanced DH and Flow Trail with variety of high rollers, berms, hip jumps, shark fin features, table tops, gap jumps, step up and step downs, alongside rock, wood and log features, jump launches and landings. The trail provides ride-around &/or rollover options to accommodate advanced as well as intermediate rider levels. The new trail, named ‘Turducken’, 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 multiple lines and multiple runs ultimately connecting to other lower trail options!

Photos left to right: Valemount Bike Park Map, Test Riding, Assisting A.Thoni with Trail Build, Drone Shot of New Trail