Highland MTB Park to Host the Freeride Mountain Bike Association Spring Training

Mar 20, 2013
by Highland Mountain Bike Park  
Highland Mountain Bike Park has partnered with the Freeride Mountain Bike Association (FMBA) to host the 2nd Annual “FMB Spring Training Camp presented by Ayr Academy” to be held at Highland Mountain, in Northfield, New Hampshire June 12-15, 2013.

Freeride Mountain Bike Spring Training is an invite only event for current FMBA Pro licensed athletes. Participants will have exclusive access to Highland’s training facilities for over four days of uninterrupted practice.

In addition to the pro riders, mountain bike media outlets will be in attendance to document the progression (and inevitable antics) that will ensue. Red Bull Media House has come on board to document the action, shows to air during the FMB World Tour 2013 Season.

Highland’s resident pro and VP of Business Development Dave Smutok says, “Spring Training is all about providing today’s freeride pro’s with a place to ride features they may not normally have access to outside of a contest. I can’t wait to see what kind of progression happens in just 4 days of camp."

Highland Press images

Highland’s facilities have always been a pro circuit favorite, including a foam pit, resi ramp, 2 dirt jump parks, Claymore Challenge Course and 50x50 Red Bull Bag Jump.

Spring Training will wrap up with a Best Trick contest on Highland’s signature feature “Freebird”, located at the base of the world famous Claymore Challenge slopestyle course - riders will throw down to see who learned what during training and just to make things more interesting some cash will be up for grabs. The public is welcome to attend and cheer on your favorite riders!

The FMB World Tour is in its 4th year and since its inception, new talents have emerged and the level of riding has increased tremendously. There’s a key reason for the rapid progression; athletes around the globe have had to step up their competitive game in their bid for world tour points and Champion’s title.

FMB World Tour representative Markus Fischer says: “The FMBA Spring Training Camp is what the sport needs to evolve further. Compare what the athletes are doing on their bikes today and what they did just 4 years ago, the progression is massive. Now imagine where we can be in a couple of years with training facilities like those at Highland Mountain Bike Park. Opening up these facilities for a Spring Training is a perfect way for athletes to polish up their tricks before the season fully kicks-off. For the fans and spectators it’s all about a great show and impressive tricks at the events. But you need to keep in mind that each trick shows commitment, dedication and hard work. They need to be practiced a lot and the Spring Training camp is the perfect place for that. That’s why the FMBA supports this camp and Highland Mountain Bike Park as an important part for the ongoing progression of the sport and the FMB World Tour.

For more information on the Freeride Mountain Bike Association visit www.fmbworldtour.com

About Highland Mountain Bike Park:
Highland Mountain Bike Park is the world's only lift access mountain entirely dedicated to biking. The park is located just 90 minutes north of Boston in beautiful Northfield, New Hampshire. Boasting an extensive downhill and cross country trail network, skill building areas, a 9,100 square foot indoor training facility and NEW for 2012, another step in progression, a 50’ x 50’ “Ayr Bag”. Highland offers lessons and camps for all abilities and is home to the Ayr Academy, a week long, overnight camp taught by the best celebrity pros in the business. Highland Mountain Bike Park is America’s Bike Park…100%.

Highland Press images


Author Info:
Highland-Mountain-Bike-Park avatar

Member since Apr 22, 2009
69 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

35 Comments
  • 18 0
 Highland even lets you camp out front for free, they cant get much more chill than that.
  • 10 0
 I love that about highland, Mark is SO layed back ! He's a really nice guy !
  • 6 0
 So awesome to see Highland grow. Its changed so much even since I've started riding there. They've got such a good scene, can't wait to see what comes in the future.
  • 2 0
 Just DH bikes? I have been a season ticket holder for the last 5 years and last year the lift broke down more than 3 times I know it maybe a little harsh to judge but when you have people at beginning of parking lot waving you in then the counter girl selling tix to people only to find out lift is down is wrong to do. I love the place just as much as everyone else and the trails are some of the funnest we ride in the Northeast but there should be some common communication between Highland and it's customers.
  • 5 0
 but no claymore challenge!
  • 1 0
 I hear ya they have done a lot for us MTB'ers up in the northeast and even America. And I know where it came from also. I aalso love hitting it on a tuesday during summer hours and feeling like the place is mine. The lift has been down on perfectly sunny days guess I was mad at myself for not bringing dj bike and just my dh rig. They should put out mass emails though if lift is down, that would be pretty easy and usefull to do. Andy always a great guy and rips that place. The lift however is getting beat and I don't think anyone can argue that point.
  • 1 0
 I know where it came from kubaner I have been going up there for at least the last 6 years and 5 of them as a season ticket holder. Day I was up it was beautiful out. Andy said it was one of the sensors on one of the poles. Guess I was bummed I did not bring my dj bike cause if the lift is down and you only have a dh bike your choices are slim, but I get what your saying.
  • 1 0
 What kind of bike should I build up for this park? I'm trying to get into this kind of riding so would I be looking at something like a Giant Reign or a downhill bike with a dual crown fork?
  • 1 0
 There's all different kinds of riding there If you want to do DH or agressive free riding then that set up will do nicely
  • 2 0
 I love Highland, but hate that old ass lift. Last year Memorial day weekend lift down for a day and a half. Not good!!!! "and it was sunny."
  • 1 0
 I tell everyone that I meet that rides a bike, that they need to go to Highland. Great place to ride and improve on your own skills. And with a new NE style this year, they keep making improvements every year.
  • 4 0
 Righteous.
  • 14 2
 You learn a new word today?
  • 6 1
 I learned how to spell supercalifridgelisticespialadocious
  • 3 0
 It's America's favorite place to ride. no doubt!!!!
  • 3 0
 If you build it, they will come!
  • 2 0
 Highland has help bring so much talent out of the East. I know I personally owe a lot to that place!
  • 2 0
 I'll be going to highland for the first time this summer. Can't wait.
  • 2 0
 Your gonna have a hell of a good time.
  • 1 0
 Ride hellion and happy hour first, then N.E style and Bonesaw !! ;P best trails there
  • 1 0
 NE Style is all new this year.Teeter-totter at the top with a nice double after the big drop. And the "skybrow"!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 I know, i ride there al the time Razz
  • 2 0
 I LOVE HIGHLAND
  • 1 0
 Yay Derek lol
  • 1 0
 Highland looks awesome, Im glad Im kinda close Big Grin cant wait to come ride
  • 1 0
 Sounds rad! Wish I could come to watch Frown
  • 1 0
 Bring back claymore!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Stoked on this!
  • 3 4
 highland is great when the lift works!!!
  • 5 1
 It still fun with out the lift
  • 2 0
 yea if you wanna dj or hike your ass off but when you drive hour 40 each way and they sell you a ticket then tell you the lift is down for the day it def sucks when all you brought was a dh sled
  • 2 0
 4 of us drove 11hrs one way only to find the lifts down.. Still had one hell of a weekend!
  • 1 0
 Sometimes cheap tickets, no large crowds and not being over commercialized come at a price. I'll trade a few hours of functioning lifts from time to time to keep Highland Highland. You forget where it came from. Out of the ashes of a closed ski area. And it kicks ass. Mark and Co. rule. Most of the lift closures are from wind and storms anyway. I've never gone up without questioning the weather and making my own call.
  • 2 0
 the lift has failed with me on it and least i can say is that it was pretty unpleasant. i feel like highland's budget has gotten a lot bigger than it was, especially with all the trail work they've been able to do, so i feel like the lift should be priority. imagine highland with a high speed quad!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.034768
Mobile Version of Website