Steamboat Ski Resort features a complex network of singletrack trails. Of those trails, there are three different types of trails:
1. The Bike Park trails, which are downhill-only and require a lift ticket to ride, regardless of whether or not you took the lift up to the top. These trails include Buckin' Bronc, Rawhide, Rustler Ridge, Rustler Ridge Connector, Tenderfoot, Wrangler Gulch, and EZ Rider
2. Two-way multi-use trails. These trails don't require a lift ticket to ride, and they include: Creekside, Creekside Loop, Moonlight, Pete's Wicked Trail, Spur Run, Storm Peak Challenge, Valley View, Cathy's Cutoff, Elkhead, Sunshine Trail, Duster, and Zig Zag.
3. One hiking-only trail, the Thunderhead Trail.
The bike park trails and the other multi-use trails intersect at different points, but in general they are ridden separately: if you're out to ride the bike park, you'll probably stick to the gravity trails with a long-travel bike. And if you're out to ride the other trails, you'll probably pedal to the top on a much more climbing-friendly rig. Still, the trails intertwine, so they are all listed here under the ski resort.
The bike park trails are currently fantastic. See the individual trail descriptions for more information, but the flow of Tenderfoot and Rustler Ridge especially are phenomenal! If it's chunky rocks and drops that you want, Rawhide is just the ticket. The bike park continues to grow, and currently the lower section of Rawhide is being extended, with more singletrack and brand-new wooden features. It also appears that Buckin' Bronc is being extended, with workers hard at work on brand-new wooden features leading all the way down to the base of the mountain.
The multi-use trails are, on average, much easier, and feature more climbing, even when heading down the mountain. Still, the multi-use trails do show some of that resort-style construction, such as some well-built berms and other flowy features. The berms on the multi-use trails are much smaller than those on the downhill-only trails, but the quality of construction is still apparent. Also, the excellent trail signage that's present on the downhill trails spreads to the other multi-use singletrack trails on the resort. I wish every trail system and resort marked their trails as well as Steamboat Ski Resort! For more information on those trails, click on the individual trail descriptions.
 | Buckin' Bronc |  | 0 mi |
 | Cathy's Cutoff |  | 1 mi |
| Creekside | | 2 mi |
 | Duster | | 1 mi |
| Elkhead Loop | | 1 mi |
| EZ Rider | | 1 mi |
| Flying Diamond | | 2 mi |
| Moonlight | | 1 mi |
 | Pete's Wicked Trail | | 3 mi |
| Rawhide | | 5 mi |
| Rustler Ridge | | 4 mi |
| Spur Run | | 1 mi |
| Sunshine Trail | | 2 mi |
| Tenderfoot | | 4 mi |
| Valley View |  | 4 mi |
| Wrangler Gulch | | 1 mi |
| Zig Zag | | 5 mi |
I came across the Elkhead Loop after riding up the Valley View Trail from the resort base to the top of the ski-lift. It does a one mile loop around the summit of the mountain. It's a very annoying little trail that keeps undulating just when you want to relax. It's a two-way shared-use trail with little technical merit but some fine panoramic views.
| ThankAt less than a mile, the Moonlight Trail is over before you get warmed up. It starts on the Elkhead Loop and drops down a valley to the Valley View Trail. It's quite steep with some tight switchbacks.
| ThankAs a climbing singletrack The Valley View Trail doesn't really cut the mustard because the gradient is poorly controlled but it does take you well up the mountain where it links into the Spur Run which takes you to the top of the Gondola. The good downhill trails start there but you need a gondola ticket to ride them. The views from the top are great on a clear day.
Apart from the views which are panoramic, the ride down Valley View is pretty much a waste of brake pad but it does keep you interested here and there.
| ThankBeautiful mountain with a good range of downhill trails in the bike park, ie, the gondola accessed trails. The other trails are strictly for masochists and fitness riders!
| ThankFun Trail Once you get to it and has some technical areas as well as some fast tracks....
| ThankFast, technical, and long. Fantastic DH
| ThankFrom a pure fun-factor, this is my favorite DH trail on the resort. Table tops, flow, berms, couple little drops
| ThankOne of my favorite quick laps on the mountain. Fast, techie, flowy descent, got just about everything you want out of one. Well worth checking out
| ThankUse this trail to climb up the resort. Pretty steep climb once you hit the singletrack after you've climbed out of Gondola Square a bit. Steepness maintains, it's a ball buster. Climb up to Creekside and hook a left down Creekside for an awesome descent.
| ThankLoved it! Did it on a 5 in travel with no problems.
| ThankThere are not a lot of cross country / non bike park options at the resort. This is one of them. It is good climb and a fun descent. The climb traverses the mountain, so not overly difficult. There are some berms and switchbacks, but the dirt is really nice. The higher part of the trail is shaded. There are great views from this trail, especially coming down as you look into the valley. When you reach the gravel road (spur run) turn left and climb a bit to the Gondola, or just turn around and descend.
| ThankAwesome trail. Straight up. Everything encompassed into one run, steep technical switchbacks, tight yet fast lines, big airs, and lots of flow throughout. Riding top to bottom non-stop is a hell of a descent.
| ThankWhile most of these jumps are WAY above my pay grade, with a trail this well designed I could see myself building up to airing out these huge hits... at least, if I had this trail in my back yard and could practice on it weekly :) As it stands, I may never air out some of these big tables, but if you're into DH riding and big air, you NEED to shred this trail!
| ThankOriginally a built as a forest service multi use trail before the bike park existed, this ripping descent has been adopted as a pseudo bike park trail, though it is still open to two-way traffic. This is a ripping descent with a few short rises that features some great flow, a few tech spots, and a narrower trail tread than you'll find in the bike park.
| ThankNot that challenging, but it can be pretty fast!
| ThankBeautiful views, entertaining singletrack, what more can you ask for?
| ThankIntermediate
| ThankJust a dirt road, but good views!
| ThankRustler Ridge is hands-down my favorite trail in the Steamboat Bike Park. The flow, speed, and easy air are just unrivaled! This trail isn't hard (unless you push it), but it's just pure, unadultered fun!
| ThankSince this was gnarly as all get out, you KNOW I love it! The steep rock roll at the top is intimidating, but completely rideable. Loved this trail!
| Thank