WHISPER RIDGE, FIRST HELI-BIKE EXPERIENCE IN THE LOWER 48

With an invite from Whisper Ridge to check out their new Heli-bike operation, we were all curious as to what they had to offer. Whisper Ridge is a Utah based backcountry resort operating out of Eden Utah, that offers Heli-skiing and over 70,000 acres of private terrain. It’s the first resort in the U.S to offer Heli-Biking in the lower 48. This summer they decided to get serious about biking and built their flagship trail called Nirvana. It’s a blue trail with black optional features that flows through mature north-facing pine and aspen forests. It’s a 3.2-mile long trail with almost 2000 vertical of downhill. They have also just completed a green trail and are working on their black downhill trail this summer. Joey Foresta, Alex Mallen, Luke Mallen, and Dillon Flinders joined in to see what Utah’s newest trail system had to offer.


It was apparent right from the start that this trail was new. A bit lose and dusty, but that is to be expected with any new trail and with what little rain Utah has seen this summer. That being said, the boys were loving the brown pow and Nirvana is built extremely well and with perfectly shaped berms and flow, this trail keeps you engaged the entire time. The black optional features were fun with doubles that can challenge even the most experienced rider. Also, for a bonus feature, the end of the trail has Park sized doubles that can be sessioned as many times as you want to hike back up. Trail boss Eli Harik thought it would be awesome to offer a fun dirt jump zone to those who want jumps. There is a natural spring flowing right next to this zone and the jumps can be maintained and watered when needed.

Pilot Kimber Warder making sure everything is ready for the day.

The trails are all on private land located less than ten miles north of Powder mountain in Northern Utah.

Day two of our adventure we were accompanied by Bryn and Lauren Bingham and Weston Lloyd. The crew at Whisper Ridge were incredibly friendly and our Hostess Nicolette Valentine was on point with providing food, drinks or anything else we could think of. After the safety meeting and instructions on how to operate around the Heli [most of us had never been on a helicopter before], we were bumped up to the top and round two began. After shredding the entire day we were met back at camp by the Whisper Ridge team and treated to an awesome evening of Dinner, Ax throwing, beanbag toss, drinks, and a bonfire. An optional night out in their tents would have been nice but most of us had work and school to get back to the next day so we decided to head back to Salt lake city which is about an hour and a half drive from the camp.

Weston Lloyd ticking off one of the optional black jumps on Nirvana.

Bryn Bingham gapping berms through the aspens.

I would love to be the person riding through this trail in about a month when the aspens go bright orange and yellow.

Yeti ambassador Lauren Bingham rallying one of the perfectly sculpted berms on Nirvana.


Hostess Nicolette Valentine and Pilot Kimber Warder were serving up smiles all day. Guests are well taken care of and the bbq ribs for dinner were on point.

Yeti ambassador Bryn Bingham with some style points on the lower jump lines.

12-year-old Weston Lloyd getting flat during our jump session.

Fun activities when your not shredding.

Nirvana flows through some pretty amazing forest. Deep pines on north-facing slopes and aspen groves.

Bryn on a pretty sizable double.

Weston on an old school skinny if that's your jam.

Siblings Bryn and Lauren Bingham just had one of their most epic days of riding together.

Trail bosses Eli Harik and Mike McCain are the masterminds behind the Nirvana trail and jumps.

BBQ ribs really hit the spot after shredding all day long.

Hanging out after dinner and sharing stories about the day with good friends.

It will be exciting to see where their trail system is at next season. With the building they are doing now and with a winter of snow on the trails, I am sure they will be seated and pretty fast come spring.
http://www.whisperridgeutah.com

Video: Steve Lloyd
Athletes: Joey Foresta, Dillon Flinders, Alex, and luke Mallen, Bryn and Lauren Bingham, Weston Lloyd
Photos and words Steve Lloyd