The End of Hafjell Bike Park?

 I feel you bro

 This is absolutely a step in the wrong direction as far as the mountain biking community is concerned,

 You said it all dude

 why would they do this? its the biggest embarrassment to the new owners

 How many of us have actually been? If the bike program was a cash cow, they really wouldn't consider closing it.

 I wanted to work myself up to go. I am saddened.

 Just imagine if whistler closed...

 This is why we cannot have fun.

 @deepcreekmedia.."why would they do this?".
The simple answer is probably money. The more in depth answer is highly likely to involve words such as "accountant", "cash flow", "revenue stream", "negative subsidy environment" and "redistribution of liquid assets".

 I am mostly bummed for the initiator and builder Snorre Pedersen, along with the trail crew who has put ginormous amount of volountary work, skill and heart into building and maintaning those amazing trails. Thank you guys, I've had some of my best times on my bike there, I hope everything turns out ok!

 I live DK, so for me it´s the closest i will come to a kind a "whistler experience"

Please like the facebook page!!!!: www.facebook.com/pages/Ikke-legg-ned-Hafjell-Bikepark-Save-Hafjel-bike-park/595520637168932

 I agree with you Guillaume !

 well you guys will have a bike park closed, our country wants to forbid publishing of all mountainbike books. nice one eh?

 Norges got robbed !

 Sadly ski resorts in Norway are not likely to make profit because of the high maintenance and power cost i hope they find a new buyer

 Couldn't agree more.... Closing down Hafjell Bike Park would be a HUGE mistake

 If everyone loves Hafjell so much why don't you all go ride there. If there was enough demand from riders and the resort was profitable it wouldn't close down, unfortunately Facebook likes from people across the world who will never go and ride there don't amount to revenue for the bikepark.

 @martheroheim: So if the ski resort maintenance is expensive then it should recoup better in summer cause less maintenance is needed? Or the biking is not as big skiing?

 bike parks (except maybe whistler) never do full profits during the summer, their big seasons is winter, that is why they were all ski resorts before becoming bike parks....

 Get the owners a bike, and they will make it a 24/7 bike park

 Look what happened to Mt Washington. Closed for bike operations last summer, up for sale this summer... If you cannot pay the bills for operational costs then the answer is simple, unfortunate but necessary.

 The Whistler of Europe can't be closeeeddddd

 In Slovenia it is illegal to ride bikes off the road. No more MTB. Need help urgent.

 guigui- No, they were all ski resorts before bike parks because skiing has been around forever. The idea of doing lift-serviced biking is still very new.

 flowy - sleep calm. The only question is how effective is your Police... one thing is to set a rule, another to be able to execute it and in case of your country with such vast mountain areas it seems impossible. You can ride as you were

BTW What help do you want? - just find oil in your backyard, get some BP, Exxon or Shell specialists and we'll be there in no time calling your government a regime and president a tyrant and a dictator. Planes, bombs and a coup freeing people from opression, you know, the usual stuff!

 Where I live in Ontario, there is really only one true lift access park, at Blue Mountain. Horseshoe has lift access, but it's not quite the same as Blue without the gondola. Anyway both are ski hills and "multi-use" facilities. They both operate golf and such in the summer, but as a resident of the local area, I know for a fact the bikers really bring in nothing for the hill in terms of profit. The gondola will make more money in a weekend than our riders will bring in a good month, it's insane. They basically keep telling us we're "lucky" because of all the visitors that pay the astronomical prices to ride the gondola and the roller coaster beside it. There's been lots of safety issues through the years that has seen the facility progress rapidly in the early years, only be to totally torn down and rebuilt after someone was seriously injured. Only just over the last few years have we seen some implementation of "progressive" features only to have injuries continue. So the liability these facilites carry for us seems pretty high to the point where for some, it might not even be worth it (such as Hafjell).

 Lucky for us, the gullible fools that pay those prices keep the place going and the insurance paid. Now we just need a larger contingent of bike members to show Blue Mtn that biking IS WORTH IT, and even though we don't pump the same kind of money into the facility, we're here, we're ready to ride, and we DO APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK. Sometimes though I just wish we would come first. But ahead of us is pretty much every other activity they offer at the resort. So if you live nearby, and have an AM or DH bike, get a pass, drive up, it's never NOT been worth it even on a busy day. You'll meet people, new friends, and it's not a bad atmosphere. There's always some haters out there, but the truth is they offer some really great traditional technical DH riding. All jumps and berms aside, technical shale rocky descents are pretty fun!! Love the snow, can't wait for it to melt though.

 whatever i meantt to say thatthe resorts probably make up all their money in the winter

 UCI ,DO SOMETHIN! please

 @mb00033 mountain biking is a small fraction as profitable as skiing. Right now anyways

 singletrackworld.com/2014/01/is-the-end-near-for-hafjell/€€

Look here anyone for more much needed information for those wishing to inform themselves in more detail about the situation.

 @flowyridestilltherestofmylife if that's true i'd be out of the country in a second

 Ya definitely the most well rounded and fun to watch track out there!

 My uncle has just come back from working hear and he says the track is now so run down and overgrown you can barely notice its a bike track.....it's neglected big time said.

 If it is overgrown, that means there isn't enough bikers up there. Run down, means they pretty much abandoned staff/maintenance, which most likely leads to the conclusion - it wasn't making the necessary bucks to stay afloat. Parks depend on the weekend warriors for steady income. All of Scandinavia needs to show up and ride there!

 Here

 This is not true. They have a really good maintenance-crew, as well as volunteers who help keep the tracks in good shape. They are neither run down or overgrown, and are generally in really good shape. "Best berms in the business".

 triggstar - you've obviously made it up and I advise you to figure out why you did it and try to work on yourself. "My uncle" - that's barely primary school level lie. Maintenance of the tracks is top notch, they are all built to highest standards and have proper drainage. There is enough bikers to render it impossible for any track on the mountain to be overgrown.

 My uncle is a lumberjack who works all over the world mainly in canada and norway and Sweden. Hes an avid biker too but mainly xc...hes been in norway for around 7 months now and has rung home quite alot over the last 3 months....his company had the contract to clear more trees in hafjell but the contract has fallen through due to lack of funds.so pipe down waki an go smoke ya waki pipe.

 So your uncle either is a liar or travelling took a hard toll on him. Either way you are both a wonderful nephew and a moron to believe him. I've been there on the World Cup in September and I travel there every year, is he making living by travelling a long way and cutting singular trees? Because I haven't seen a single clear cut around.

The bottom line is: stop spreading bullsht and lies

 he aint chopping down the trees trackside you fool its a huge forest...but the owner of the track had got the go ahead to pull down more trees for more biking routes but the money has dried up so therefore no work.you think my uncle likes being in a country for work where no work is happening for money reasons? hence the reason this article is on pinkbike!! yes they have a maintenance crew but the crew are overlooking the new track which is the reason the main DH route is overgrown as its shut down at the min.even the maintenance crew are fearing for there jobs.its not a good situation for anyone there.

 DH World Cup track as a whole line is not available outside the World Cup because it runs on a private ground. Some parts of it are as they are a part of other trails. So yes some parts of it are overgrown because no one rides on them outside of competitions. Hats off to you sir, it's like arguing with my wife, the story as a whole is inflated bullcrap, but one detail is right and by that detail I shall make myself a righteous victim as you overreacted so much... the fact that there are several top notch tracks that are nowhere close to be perfectly maintained and not overgrown is irrelevant isn't it? The fact that it is those tracks that are used by the bike park visitors - I thought that this is the issue that the whole case is about... You know I am pretty sure there is one overgrown trail in Whistler as well. I'm off

 Its the way of the world my friend....money drys up....things come to an end.....the world cup track has been paid for by the uci for one more year and after that who knows.if a new investment from fresh owners dont come in to buy the place it really will be the end of an amazing place to ride.i know people are gutted and there is a big mountain biking community there but you think the fat cat money men care about that??? No they only care about what bank note lines there pockets.its the biking community who suffers.the owners just sell up and move on.

 "That's Life - deal with it" card has been played. Man we have no bloody idea what is going on there and we will not know until a final statement is being published. If I were the owners I'd work on this bike park thing because Hafjell is no primeresort (compared to Hemsedal for instance), pistes are not steep enough, so they could at least get a 100 folks more in the cabins during the Winter thanks to that, not loosing a single Krona in the summer.

 Yes true, no one will know whats going on until an announcement has been made....but bottom line away from the biking is that its affecting families too.no biking, no tourists means no income.all will be revealed in due. Nice arguin with you waki until next time buddy lol.

 Ok, first of all you both hva e some details right, WAKIdesigns is by far the closest to the truth. First of all UCI has never paid Hafjell to build the WC-track. That is funded in part by Hafjell, Volunteerwork from the Hafjell Freeride Club and from financial backing from other instancens. It is true that some work clearing trees has been done buy hand and with excavators, instead of loggingmachines. This is not because the money has ran out, but because the crew couldnt do the work within the timeframe necessary. Whats not true is that the tracks are neglected, overgrown or not maintaned! This is just bullshit and i think that anyone who has actually rode in Hafjell can testify to this!

 I shall post some pics when im at home of these overgrown tracks iv been sent through by email shortly.and the logging my uncles been sent to do hasnt even started yet as no payment has been recieved.but its definately the same place as hes sent a pic of the uci signage.puzzled.

 let's stop it! It's not like I am going to be Hitler about this argument. It is pointless mate.

 Yeah and its not like our arguement is going to change anything.whats done is done and we shall all see in the future what happens. Plus I live in england and will never go riding to norway unless I win the lottery lol. Be shit if the world cup isnt in hafjell though as its an awesome track from what iv watched from the world cups. Hope it gets sorted either way from anyones mixed up point of view.

 Well, I've had over 30 days in Hafjell this season and I must say this is most unfortunate. (Fu#$%g blue collars)

triggstar is pretty far from the truth, or he has been misfed information. Absolutely none of the official bike tracks around in the Hafjell Bike Park (those on the map) are neglected, run down or overgrown. They are out of service at the moment, but that because of snow.

Want proof? This was filmed near the end of the season 2013: www.pinkbike.com/video/346265

End of discussion.

 The tax on alcohol kills tourism for your beautiful country...for bike parks and everything else....no tourist in the world would pay 15 euros for a beer...its crazy....and every tourist wants to drink whilst on holiday! Revolution time for you boys!!!

 Viva la Norway!

 I went to pila this year and didn't drink once. I would happily go to somewhere where its 15 euros a pint because its all the more reason to feel good in the morning and be on that first lift. But i think i'm possibly the odd one here yano

 I rather ride than drink. Any time.

 Yep, me too!

 Not sure about that, the kind of tourist that considers beer prices when choosing a holiday isn't one I'd want in my town anyway, anyone who has been to Amsterdam knows what I mean.

 I ve been to Amsterdam a few times....great place...Cafe Bar de Stoof is a local of mine!

 It is a great place if you ignore the city centre unless you like vulgar entertainment, stoned tourists and getting a backpack in the face.

 I go on holidays mainly for riding not drinking, but after a hard days riding a pint or 2 is always nice. And have to say i wouldnt explicitly look at bar prices in advance but its something that would definitely spoil my time there.

 @theczech: BYOB

 not with those airline weight restrictions...

 Well, you'd have to go the most expensive places in Oslo to get a pint for 15 euros.. The most expensive I've ever heard of in Norway is like 12 euros, and most pubs would probably charge around 7-9. If you're buying in a grocery store which isn't to unlikely if you're at Øyer/Hafjell, you'll pay around 4 euros a pint.

 thats still x1.5 / x2 the prices in places like the alps

 haha always

 Awesome name ^^^

 You're right -- the cost of a bike park operation compared to an entire ski resort winter operation is also pennies on the dollar. This just seems like either a stunt or a really stupid business decision, especially with their existing contracts and whatnot in place.

What the hell is wrong with companies these days? Talisker did similar crap to Canyons when they bought it, and it ultimately nearly cost them the resort, and they ended up selling the operating rights off anyway because they didn't know how to run a mountain.

If it ain't broke...

 bike parks barely turn a profit, if not run at an operating loss just to help with marketing and brand awareness. Whistler as an exception AFAIK. two season operation sounds more appealing to their real estate customers and on resort businesses have a small revenue stream thru summer to help them get by. it is what it is. support your local bike park or don't

 If Whistler was the exception to the rule that you're claiming exists, why would more resorts be spending millions of dollars on putting brand spanking new, excellently designed, brilliantly executed bike parks in every summer? You're going to need a life jacket, my friend, because your argument doesn't hold water.

I support bike parks immensely, and my support of my local bike parks has never been questioned. In fact, I'm usually accused of caring too much. You're free to have your opinion, but don't bash mine and, at least back up your claims of these 'operating losses'.

 go and study business plans for bike parks on ski resorts you'll figure it out. or learn something in the process

 He wasn't picking a fight and you didn't cite any facts either.

 Do you decided to jump in because... What? It would help after I clearly told him to kick rocks?

How's this for data? In the last four years, utah has gone from having one or two lift-accessed resort bike parks to having at least five currently open and operational parks with two more proposed and in different stages of building with expansions at every single resort happening except for one (Deer Valley). In the last two years, four of those resorts have collectively invested more than $10 million dollars into lift upgrades, facility face lifts, special pass privileges and at two of those resorts, there are recently added, certified IMBA instructor programs that are doing booming business with a third looking to add their own instructing program. Might I also mention that three of those resorts operate on federal forest service land, which requires thousands of dollars in impact studies and annual reporting.

If there wasn't a profit in mountain bike parks and they were indeed operating at a constant deficit, there's no way in hell companies would be dumping money into them.

 Because you always get so pissy over little things. Fact.

 Also, me defending my opinion from an antagonist is 'getting all pissy'? I agreed with the original poster, you moron, and he took issue with my agreement. And so I asked him to simply be respectful.

Remind me again where I went wrong? Back. Off.

 Anddd... I rest my case.

 ... Without anything. What a case you made.

 resting your case actually means you submit to the other party.

 ambatt,
1) My experience here leads me to agree with gnarbar,
2) Here's some background to the following data: Here in Japan there are a number of what can be called large scale "Bike Parks" that also operate during the winter as Ski resorts and that includes four within a day's drive of my place. All four have wildly different operating methodologies and marketing strategies and I know the operator of one of them and have talked to him at length on more than a few occasions about the finances of the summer operation. They choose to run it on a skeleton budget and staff. They have a truck uplift and not the lifts during the summer. The electricity, water and all other services are shut down outside the ski season completely: it is glorified camping. They have a loyal following of riders, including me and my mates, because their trails are the most interesting (Whistler-esque) in Japan.
3) Here's the data from the operator's mouth. They can generate a profit on their skeleton operation if they have 200 people come a month. If they were to decide to run the lifts and all the ancillary services it would require finding an extra 2200 people per month, which is an 11 fold increase on the current numbers.
4) There are just not enough riders to make it viable.
5) "Pennies on the dollar"? I'm afraid that does not hold the water Sir. You are assuming, among other things, an equal number of skiers to riders leading to ubiquitous demand across the two seasons, and around here, that is not, and never will be the case. Compared to the Ski season, the MTB season does not generate the revenues to allow for large scale services and facilities.
6) I do not doubt that there are locations, such as Utah, where more and more ski resorts are considering opening up MTB operations and services: it is after all UTAH. Other places are not.

 L4D2

 So bottom like its situational. Ambatt made a excellent point and one that does stand up, no company will invest millions of dollars if they don't pull a return of profit. However the other arguments of running cost will also be valid depending on location. You cannot put a blanket terms that bike parks don't turn profit. Some will some Won't. I don't think either of you are wrong. Ambatt was viewing solid evidence in that the bike park industry is growing not declining this would indicated a profitable sector its fair for them to ask or evidence to support the opposite. M2c

 Thank you both for the intelligent replies -- those are the sort of comments that create progress and encourage dialogue about the issues keeping bike parks from being successful, viable healthy options for ski resorts during their off seasons.

It's also an important part of the improvement of any industry to have conversations such as these, so thanks.

@orientdave -- you're absolutely right. In your area, a full service bike park isn't a financially viable option for those resorts, based on the ridership, etc. It's similar to many areas. So how do we build mountain biking to MAKE bike parks and trail development financially viable and profitably sustainable options for ski resort owners?

That's the real question.

In North America, we're lucky (even as much as we'd beg to differ) because of the proximity and availability of recreation; our culture values outdoor recreation on a larger scale as it's part of an 'acceptable' extracurricular activity. Because of that, downhilling, and mountain biking in general, has a relatively high rate of interest amongst outdoor enthusiasts. Other cultures in other areas don't make outdoor recreation a cultural priority (for a TON of different reasons), and so often, new sports aren't immediately embraced or accepted as quickly as they are here in the US, nor are the prosperity options, such as bike parks.

Sorry for the long comment. But thanks for making an awesome point -- you're absolutely right!

 For me my opinon for Australia, a big issue is not only exposure but government support, we obviously have limited resources too due to our few mountains.

Even with the issues though the few bike parks we do have are expanding thier trails which is good to see and many places are getting legalised thanks to those who fight for it.

As a smaller country our rider numbers are pretty low in comparison and that ramps up cost to the individual.
What frustrates me is we have held many mtb events, notably downhill worlds and worldcups and there is no advertisement. However whenever we hold a road event the tv is filled with advertisement. On one level its frustrating as the sport is under recognised and respected as it is but it doesn't help build the mtb sport. I'd say a good 80% of people here have no idea what downhill is they figure is smooth groomed trails down hills.

I clearly remember when worlds was one Sam Hill won gold in elite and troy won gold in Jnrs. There was zero recognition, but the same day they announced some random Aussie golfer made the top 70cut.

So In my opinion at least here in Australia we need more support on an Exposure and government level to grow the sport and make the market larger. Bike parks are ultimately a business so they're drive to expand is money, to get them money they need more riders and more exposure of the sport to get more rider numbers and lower costs which should encourage more of the same. Just my own opinion though about where I live

 mountain biking just isn't a mainstream sport, and within that DH is just a tiny and mostly insignificant 1% of all MTB. it's hard to accept, because of most PB riders involvement in DH but that's the reality. there's a glass ceiling to growth, hence why enduro is popular. more accessible to people

 The only glass ceiling it has is the one you give it. Freestyle skiing was claimed to have a 'glass ceiling', as was snowboarding, and even camping. Did you know that the owner of Coleman (the huge outdoor brand) was told that his ideas for a brand of camping gear we're useless because there was no use for it? Because no one in their right mind would ever want to spend a night in the mountains?

Really.

 @slidways: I feel you, man. That's a tough position, with road riding being so prevalent (like the recent TDU) while DH and mountain bikes get basically ignored. The thing is? They just haven't figured out how much fun screaming (or meandering, your call) down a mountain on two wheels is.

But with the help of people like Jared Graves and Steve Peat and Caroline Buchanan and especially Rachel Atherton and that entire family, downhill will gain exposure. It's just about convincing people to get over the fear and try something new...

If we have growth, the money will come. Like they say -- spread the fun, the money will come.

We just have to keep pushing and sharing and spreading our love of DH and riding in general, as well as WHY we love it. We must inspire people to join us to create growth inside of our sports.

 DH bikes are being dropped by manufacturers. shops won't stock them. people are selling DH bikes for enduro/AM bikes. you can barely give away a used DH bike. most riders can't afford to run a DH & AM bike. people are riding DH trails on AM bikes - like real mountain biking. because they can

it is what it is. no amount of my own considerable love for DH will convince me that right now, it's not a contracting segment of MTB

 @ambatt

Yeah these athletes have really paved a way for the sport, we have some great female riders in the national series too which hopefully will continue. You mentioned people havent figured out how much fun screaming down a Mountain is. I think most people dont even realise this sort of thing exists though, mtb to most people give images of xc or trail riding. Its hard for people to take the leaps if they have never heard of it before. Its unfortunate. Most new riders will be exposed by local riders however with social media been so prevelant today hopefully this is really work to our advantage not just here in aus but worldwide to really get some more support behind it.

On the flip side the fact dh isn't maint stream adds to the positive culture we have developed so bit of a double edge sword, lots of mainstream sports have lost that close community riding seems to have.

 Damn grape smugglers... It's all their fault! They're out to get us!


(Disclaimer before any PBer decides to either call for my head on a stake or overly pos prop me: I love roadies, respect them and only stated this because people seem to love blaming roadies for everything. Shitty people come in all shapes and sizes and cycling is no different; every discipline has it's own jerkoffs.)

 roadies don't use underwear....

 lol just kidding yo.

 When im not on my slope bike, dj or dh im on my tt bike as its ace for fitness as for your comments on the park I agree 95% with you and take my hat off to your sir with your passion but sadly the usa market is much bigger than the eu market my local bike park porc barley stayed open the last few years. Yes its getting better but looks like for dh its not I blame the economy

 That is an interesting economical theory -high prices of alcohol ruining tourism. As a businessman yourself you should see it as a an opportunity, go there with a cistern of Irn Bru and make your first million or die trying

 Ha unfortunately Irn Bru doesnt get you drunk!

 Hmmm... So you mean that a venue living off tourism should provide facilities stocking reasonably priced intoxicating products that allow visitors to get wasted in the evenings? Prefereably they would have a large TV showing soccer game?

How about taking a small plastic bag and a tube of UHU all purpose adhesive? Takes little room in the luggage

 Never really seen the need to drink beers on a biking holiday , dehydrated heads and beer = shit for brains next day

 No WAK I m not suggesting the venue should provide that,I m saying the level of taxation imposed on alcohol by the government is a disgrace and effects tourism!

 Ahh yes off course. I vote you the president then, come to Sweden and do the same. But hipocrisy of alcohol semi prohibition is another can of worms

 I ve been to Gothenberg twice and didnt find it too expensive...not cheap but it was about £4 for a Kopperberg compared to around £11 in Norway. Very happy to pay that in Sweden as the women are out of this world!!!!

 Well... I live in Gothenburg but I come from Poland... so... basterd close the booze shop at 18:00 and don't open on Sunday. BUt yea I agree Norway is nuts! Even Swedes bring their own booze and food.

 Sounds like my local ski hill a golf company bought the hill and they shut down skiing and only run golf now

 @todayisthegreatest that's insane... why would they buy it in the first place???

 To Bone anyone who likes a REAL sport posh twat's will do anything to make others miserable

 And then we'd have annually at least 3 videos like the one with those girls that caused a forum default few days ago.

 The new manager actually IS a snob skier, who races Porsche`s as a hobby!

 bullseye! I think Nowegian bikers should make a little visit to the snob skier manager and brake his skis and scratch the hell of his porsche!
I just mentioned the skier thing coz the news reminded me those times when snowboarders wasnt welcome in some ski resorts....Maybe some snowboarder/biker kick his ass when he was young......

 sounds like a shitty business plan

begging for charity?

 Yeah, i agree. don't know bout Norwat, but in Sweden there are many ways to fund your interests. state/community money to apply. maybe there sorting like that here.
i just don't think Hafjell closing in summertime, won't happen.

 ..

 Well then, my sad faced , turning blue out of shock" emoji icon guy does not work on pinkbike. Got neg propped for uttering silence. Which is all that can be said about this ordeal if it really is just a power play for gov. Subsidies.

 Enduro