Highland Mountain OPEN for the Season

May 20, 2010
by Highland Mountain Bike Park  
(Northfield, NH) - Highland Mountain came out of the gate with guns blaring this season. After a record breaking year in 2009, Highland has stepped up their game once again with new trails, a state of the art indoor training center, and a line up of camp programs that will turn any newbie into a shredder in no time.

Details and video inside,Owner, Mark Hayes had a vision over the winter as he looked over his snow covered parking lot. He decided then and there that it was time to bring the mountain indoors and from Mark’s vision was born the Highland Training Center. The 9,100 square foot indoor facility includes custom designed ramps and foam pit by pro rider Dave Smutok. “I can’t wait! Highland has many freeride features up on the hill and now with the HTC opening later in June it is going to tie everything together creating a perfect avenue to progress your riding in the safest way possible” explains Smutok.

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Not only is Highland expanding the mountain indoors, they are also adding to the ever growing trail network. “Happy Hour” made its debut to the world on opening day, with its smooth flowy lines it was a hit from the start. The trail crew continues to work on Highland’s signature trail “Hellion” with an additional expansion of the trail opening later this month.

Mark Hayes puts it simply, “I couldn’t be more fired up about building this park right now. The kick off of the 2010 season is breaking rider visit numbers and the Highland crew’s dedication to drive on is unstoppable. This sport is about to detonate and we couldn’t be more ready for the challenge.”

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With the expansion of indoor and outdoor terrain Highland has also expanded their learning experience with the Highland Camp program. As the only mountain on the east coast to cater to all rider types Highland can bring the never ever to shredder in no time. Highland recently unveiled the Ayr Academy, a week long, overnight camp for the young guns, complete with guest celebrity coaches, access to the Highland Training Center and more.

“The crew at Highland never cease to amaze me. Every year they raise the bar higher and higher and 2010 is no exception. I cannot wait to spend my summer riding and filming there” explains Highland local and pro freerider Aaron Chase.

Stay tuned to Highlandmountain.com for more information on these programs and visit Claymorechallenge.com for information about the 3rd Annual Claymore Challenge.

About Highland: Highland Mountain Bike Park is located just an hour and a half north of Boston in Northfield, NH. The mountain boasts multiple trails, lift accessible terrain, dirt jump park, a full service Café and Bar, bike/repair shop, and state of the art indoor training facility.

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50 Comments
  • 2 0
 I am so hooked there, bought a season pass this year and will be back the third weekend in a row. Now if I can only clear all of Hellion my life would be almost perfect! I am almost 39 and just started at Highland at the very end of '08 and I only wish I started riding this stuff earlier. It made riding fun again and is one of the reasons I am not moving away from Boston any time soon!
  • 2 0
 highland is sooo nasty and just gets better every week. bought a season pass this year and can't wait to ride every day in july. love. that. hill.
  • 4 0
 My aunt lives 20 minutes from there, Ive already planned a trip
  • 6 4
 i wish i could ride it cuz it looks sick!!!!! but i broke my arm last weekend! cant wait to ride next season!!!
  • 7 1
 unlucky man. I would never be able to even get there to ride it but it is almost worse when you could be riding it but an injury stops you.
  • 20 8
 Look out Whistler, Highland Mountain wants your crown!
  • 25 20
 highland has no chance against whistler.
  • 14 0
 screw it im moving to canada!
  • 13 0
 LOL at how their 'Intermediate trail with small jumps and smooth berms' is the Scottish Forestry Commission's interpretation of an 'Extreme' graded trail. We need some proper trail centres in the UK!
  • 3 0
 AGREED bunkey, we need some bigger hills . . .
  • 2 0
 we don't really need bigger hills 'SHADOWcranks-N-bones' the forestry just need to let us build on them.....
  • 1 0
 We just need to build on private land and not go near the forestry commission with their miles of red tape and insane focus on health and safety litigation. That way trailbuilders could make decent stuff instead of the watered down balls they are forced into now.
  • 6 0
 HEY on opening day at highland, i saw a guy with a license plate from British Columbia!!!! yeah go highland
  • 4 0
 best part about highland on a regular riding day is that there are NO LINES! and amazing food. aaand not to mention the entire kitchen/bar/cashier staff is made up of all girls
  • 1 1
 have none of you guys ridden the hidden trails at glentress? They're not red tape health and safety trails. They're not the fastest, but good god some of them are scary! Build your own trails instead of moaning about the FC designed ones. They'll never be studpidly extreme as they have to be rollable, at the end of the day.
  • 3 0
 Theres a few steep runs aye, but thats about it, no booters or anything remotely canadian. Glentress is a let down through and through, especially since its considered the UK's flagship freeride centre...

Edit: I do build. www.pinkbike.com/photo/4804601
  • 7 0
 so you people oughta stick to whistler so we can ride highland like gods!
  • 9 0
 not really that fair to compare Whistler to Highland in that sense. Whistler has been established for MANY years as Highland has only been open for a handful of years so far. Not to mention Whistler has the resources and financial backing that comes with being part of the Intrawest resorts. Mark and the rest of the team have built up Highland from a ski mountain (that had been ABANDONED for many years) from scratch to get it where it is today. What I think really sets Highland apart is their effort they have put into their mountain in such a short time. They have a WIDE range of trails for all abilities, probably some of the best dirt jumps I've seen in my life, a huge slopestyle course that isnt torn down/rebuilt each year, and now an indoor training facility that rivals the one at the biggest bike park in the world. If that doesn't say something about their dedication and vision, I don't know what else will. Yes, they might not have the sheer vertical drop that Whistler may have, but I can guarantee they have every time of riding you could image doing on a mountain bike. Make the visit and I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. Not to mention they have a sweet lodge with smoothies Smile
  • 2 0
 Lucent,so what do you mean about the smoothies?
  • 1 1
 at shadow cranks and bones... new hampshire is in the u.s....?
  • 1 0
 granted GT has nothing like whistler, but the riding scene is totally different as well. Having only really ridden local trails up til recently (lack of transport), i can say innerleithern and glentress are the best trails i've ridden yet. Nothing huge or gnarly, but a lot of fun
  • 1 0
 KURTSUCKS - they have good smoothies at the caf. Thats all I'm saying. Smile
  • 1 1
 rilkitzel14 wtf are you on about?? im not from the u.s and i never mentioned new hampshire!?!?!
  • 2 1
 well first off you should get really pissed at something that isnt a big deal. i thought you were saying you were moving to canada because you thought highland was in canada, so i corrected you saying its in the U.S. still butt hurt?
  • 1 1
 ooooooooh sorry i thought it was tbh coz of the map that guy put the link to, lol my bad sorry mate Smile
  • 2 0
 That opening weekend was perfect, can't wait for the rest of the year.
  • 2 0
 that's amazing to hear. they're all really on top of their game and love nothing more than to ride a bike. not surprising that highland is succeeding as much as it is.
  • 1 0
 If only i didn't live so far and work too much. Why cant the central states have more lift accessible parks.
  • 1 0
 this is awesome to hear hours away from our first roadtrip of the year TO highland! haha 8 hours to go!
  • 2 0
 diablo just opened too. great times
  • 1 1
 I am planning a trip this summer to go there with a friend or 2. So nice to be close enough to a place like that! 2.25 hours away! Smile
  • 2 0
 Rooooooaaaaaaaaaaaddddddd Trip!!!!
  • 2 0
 AHHH highland looks so sick. I cant wait to ride there next week
  • 1 0
 i live in toronto so its pretty close so stoked
  • 1 0
 Last Sunday was So SWEET! Place is just getting better and better!
  • 1 0
 can't wait to get up there to shoot and film this season!
  • 1 0
 The HTC beats the Air Dome anyday.
  • 1 0
 im soo stoked to ride there! few weeks and ill conquer that shiz
  • 1 0
 In these videos they should include price of houses in the area :L
  • 2 0
 I rent a condo with Greentires and BikeshopAndy that is 5 miles from the hill. We each pay $300 a month. Highland is looking for more bike patrollers. If you get your NH EMT certification you can work at Highland and afford to live local. Living and working at Highland is like living a really great dream.
  • 1 0
 looks so good. the new indoor place looks sweet too.
  • 1 0
 Highland will forever own my soul.
  • 1 0
 I am so stoked for Highland. I don't know how much I'll be able to afford to go, but I'll be living 30 minutes from there ALL summer.
  • 1 0
 Nice! And keep the good work.
  • 1 0
 wish i worked on a mountain building rad stuff.
  • 1 0
 looks awesome Big Grin
  • 1 0
 awesome. Smile
  • 1 0
 wanna go back!







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