Top 10 Mountain Bike Destinations

Whether you're interested in riding snow-capped mountains or rugged desert peaks, there are many amazing destinations to consider. With worthwhile mountain biking facilities available all over the world, it's challenging to choose just one to visit on your next vacation; we're here to help you narrow down the possibilities with this list of our picks for the top 10 mountain bike destinations.

1. Whistler Mountain Bike Park, British Columbia, Canada

Many mountain bikers agree that Whistler is the number one mountain bike park in the world. It's at the head of our list of epic mountain biking destinations for a number of reasons: giant berms, spectacular jumps and Whistler Mountain's impressive 7,165 peak which offers mountain bikers the unprecedented opportunity to descend 5,000 feet of vertical downhill. The trail doesn't require riders to embark on a corresponding uphill climb thanks to the available lift service.

Whistler is also home to the popular Crankworx festival featuring an Air downhill race.

2. Highland Mountain Bike Park in Massachusetts

Highland Mountain Bike Park is legendary because it is the only lift-accessible park that's dedicated exclusively to mountain biking. You won't compete with skiers for slope time at this park, and the riding season runs from April through November. Plenty of races, camps and fun events also help to make this a worthwhile destination.

3. Northstar, California Bike Park

Northstar is a destination of interest for both mountain bikers and road bikers. This lovely resort offers cross country and freeride trails that are suitable for cyclists of all skill levels. If you plan a trip during the racing season, you could compete in a variety of races including the downhill series, Enduro series, cross country series and Tahoe Trail 100K events. There's a bike academy to help beginners get up to speed .

If there are teens or ladies in your cycling group, Northstar offers fun options created just for them. There's a youth mountain bike camp available for teens and pre-teens ages 10-16. Northstar also offers ladies' night rides and weekend events on a frequent basis.

4. Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, NV

If your idea of an epic vacation would be cavorting in Las Vegas plus riding your mountain bike through dramatic Mojave desert trails with lake views occasionally in sight, Bootleg Canyon is a destination you'll want to visit. Bootleg Canyon is about half an hour's drive from the action in Las Vegas, and it's also close to other recreation hot spots like Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.

Unless you prefer nighttime rides, winter is the best time to visit Bootleg Canyon. Two of the three annual mountain bike races typically take place in the winter months of January and February; a third event is usually scheduled in March. Since 2014, riders have enjoyed racing downhill, super D and dual slalom events in these months.

During the summer, the desert sun renders trails at Bootleg Canyon too brutally hot for daytime biking. Bring your headlights and reflective gear to maximize starlit nighttime rides.

5. Catalina Island, Los Angeles County, California

If you're looking for a unique and spectacular riding opportunity that isn't usually overrun with other cyclists, Catalina Island is a destination you'll want to check out. It isn't your typical resort area with lifts and shuttle rides, but it offers some of the most scenic riding opportunities you'll find anywhere on earth.

While you're on the island you'll also have the opportunity to go hiking, camping, sailing, fishing, kayaking, shopping or bar hopping in the small, picturesque towns of Avalon and Two Harbors, California. The island is pet friendly and kid friendly, so feel free to bring anyone in your family along for the trip.

6. Brian Head, Utah Resort

Brian Head, Utah is a high-altitude resort town with a friendly, close-knit, small-town feel. Summer sporting opportunities include mountain biking, archery and disc golf. Racing events and summer festivals round out the attractions. Summertime lodging is super affordable, and even those on a tight vacation budget will find numerous attractive options. There are plenty of condos with full kitchen facilities available, making it easy for you to bring your own healthy and affordable food if you're on a special diet or prefer to avoid dining out.

7. Silver Star, British Columbia, Canada

A cross country riding park gives XC riders an excellent reason to visit Silver Star in British Columbia. This park offers riders a 1,600-foot bike chairlift for an easy ascent that requires you to give up only about 8 minutes of your day. This is a kid-friendly destination; children ride for free, and Silver Star offers XC bike camps and other fun events for children.

8. Revolution Bike Park in Llangynog, United Kingdom

Revolution is a privately-owned mountain biking park located on a 120 acre parcel of land near the Berwyn Mountains in the United Kingdom. This park offers some of the most technical and challenging mountain bike trails we know of. Its unique beauty offers even more incentive to visit.

9. Windham Mountain Bike Park, New York

Windham is a downhill rider's dream destination thanks to its unique features including rides for all skill levels through the legendary Catskill Mountains and one of the most impressive jump trails you'll find anywhere on the East coast. This park was one of the locations where pro downhill mountain bikers from all over the world competed for the championship title in the 2016 UTI World Cup mountain bike races.

If you've never ridden downhill before, Windham is a great place to get started thanks to their supportive skills park. If you're an experienced downhill rider, get set to sample different trails offering you a variety of terrain including jumps, rollers, rock gardens, singletrack, tabletops, switchbacks and massive berms.

Windham is also a great place to take your significant other, even if s/he doesn't ride; there's an entire resort available. Bring your golf clubs and yoga shorts, because you can enjoy some yoga and healthy food at the Windham spa and a game of golf at the country club golf course during your visit.

10. Val Di Sole, Italy

Val Di Sole has consistently been one of the host locations for the UCI World Cup mountain bike races since 1993, a track record which tells you right away that it's a destination worth visiting.

If you want to prove your technical prowess on a mountain bike, try navigating the world famous Black Snake trail at Val Di Sole. It's regarded as one of the most technically challenging mountain bike trails in the world.

While there are innumerable outstanding mountain bike facilities available, these are our current picks for the top 10 mountain bike destinations in the world. Visiting any of these locations is sure to offer a fun, challenging and rewarding mountain biking experience.