Summer Safety
CHAIRLIFT SAFETY
You must know how and be able to load, ride, and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the Lift Operator.
Follow these instructions to load the chairlift properly. Please ask the Lift Operator for any assistance.
- All children should be accompanied by an adult, children under 48” cannot load without an adult
- WAIT: Step to the edge of the platform. Wait for the Operator to call on you.
- BIKE: After the chair passes you, place bikes on the bike tray (No bike, go to the next step)
- LOOK: Proceed to the RED loading line and look behind for a chair coming into the load area.
- LOAD: As the chair approaches, sit on the chair.
- LIFT: After you sit, lift your feet up across the deck
- LOWER: Lower the bar promptly. The bar should remain down until indicated at the top of the lift.
- LIFT: Raise the bar once indicated to do so by the signs at the top of the lift.
- STAND: Once at the unload ramp, stand and walk briskly away from the chair. The chair does not stop
- LEAVE: Clear the ramp area quickly to alleviate congestion around the unload ramp.
CHILD CARRIERS ON LIFTS
As a resort policy, The Highlands does not allow guests to carry an infant or toddler in backpacks, chest packs, baby Bjorn, or other similar devices on their bodies while riding the chair. A child carrier can be taken up the lift to be used at the top, but while riding the lift (up or down), the child must be sitting on the chair or in the parent’s lap with the bar down.
HIKING
The Highlands welcomes guests to enjoy our vast network of hiking trails. All hikers must stay on hiking trails only. For your safety and that of our mountain bikers, do not hike on our bike trails and abide by all posted no foot traffic signs.
If taking the chairlift and hiking with young children in carriers, please review our chairlift safety and child carriers on chairlift policies
If hiking with dogs, please note that dogs are not allowed on chairlifts, so the back hiking trails can be accessed by the Valley Vista Trail or the North Peak Pass Trails at the north and south ends of the ski hill. Additionally, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. See dog policy for more information.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
MOUNTAIN BIKE SAFETY | KNOW THE CODE
NSAA has developed the Mountain Biker's Responsibility Code to help inform users about the basic information, decision-making and actions every rider should know and take prior to and while riding on the variety of trails within a trail network.
Similar to the ten points of the Winter Responsibility Code, this code reminds users that there are elements of risk in mountain biking that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.
RIDE SMART
Slow Down before you Speed Up. Crashes can happen on the first lap. Ride the trail multiple times to get familiar with the features and equipment you’re on so you can more confidently increase your skills without exceeding your limits. Jumping skills are required on most freeride trails.
INSERT RIDE SMART IMAGES
When it comes to downhill mountain biking, making sure you know how to be safe is the best place to start and the smartest way to be. Here are a few safety tips:
- Inspect your bike before each ride. Check your tire pressure is correct, your brakes are not slipping or squeaking, the headset, crank arms and pedals are not loose, suspension sag is right for your weight and the seat height isn’t too high for downhill riding. Not sure? Stop into our rental shop before you head out and our rental techs will be happy to do a free and quick safety inspection for you.
- Assess your skill level. Ride within your abilities and take your time. Don’t try to keep up with more advanced bikers, and don’t encourage other bikers to ride in terrain beyond their ability.
- Prepare your body. Carry water and stay hydrated. The Highlands provides water at the base of the lift, as well as in the Day Lodge and Main Lodge. Be mindful of your fatigue level, which can slow your reaction time.
- Know how to brake. Constant pressure when braking is better than on/off or slamming the brakes
- Eyes on the prize. Your eyes guide you where the bike goes. Look down the trail. The faster you are going, the farther you should be looking ahead.
- Be prepared for an incident. Carry a charged cell phone programmed with the patrol’s phone number. Carry a trail map (paper copy or on the app), pay attention to trail signs, and always know where you are.
- BE CAREFUL AND HAVE FUN!!.
Learn about hours, gear, terrain, and ability levels
More Information
The Bike Park is open Friday through Sunday and will stay open through Sunday, October 13, 2025.
Friday: 12 PM - 5 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Protecting your body from a range of elements or injuries with the following recommended protective equipment can ensure that weather, obstacles or crashes don’t force your day to end early. A helmet is mandatory for every rider; additional protective gear is strongly recommended.
Protective gear is available at Boyne Country Sports in the lower level of the Day Lodge. Full-face helmets are also available in the rental shop.
HELMET (MANDATORY): All riders must wear a helmet in the bike park and on all cross-country trails. We strongly recommend a full-face helmet to provide greater head protection.
GOGGLES OR EYEWEAR: Wrap-around goggles/eyewear are the best choice for eye protection against dirt, branches, and other objects you’ll encounter on the trail or in a fall.
BODY ARMOR: Upper body Armor wraps your chest, ribs, spine, torso, shoulders and arms in hard-shell pads to minimize impact and injuries in a crash
LONG SLEEVES: Long-sleeved shirts and pants add a thin but crucial barrier against skin abrasions
ELBOW PADS: Hard-shell elbow pads protect one of the most sensitive parts of your arm.
GLOVES: Full-finger gloves provide better bike control and offer protection from blisters and weather
KNEE PADS OR SHIN GUARDS: Protect your knees and shins from impact with hard-shell pads and guards
CLOSED-TOE SHOES: Shoes with a durable toe box prevent injuries if your feet get jammed on a rock or roots.
Having the right bike when riding the bike park not only makes the day more fun, but also helps ensure your safety. As such there are certain requirements that all bikes must have.
Required Equipment Features:
- Disc Brakes
- Suspension: Full suspension is highly recommended, but at minimum, a bike must have front suspension.
- Minimum 2” knobby tires. Fat tires are allowed, but no bigger than 3”. They must fit in bike carriers.
- Front AND Rear brakes
- At least 20” diameter tires
Bikes without these minimum features will be turned away at the chairlift. Not sure about your bike? Stop into our rental shop before you head out and our rental techs will be happy to do a free and quick safety inspection for you.
Equipment not allowed in park and on trails:
Bikes with tires smaller than 20”, smooth tires, caliper brakes, and/or no suspension
- Motorized vehicles or Type 2 or Type 3 electric assist bikes
- Digglers, One Wheels, or Mountain Scooters
- Unicycles
- Skateboards, Mountain Boards or Hoverboards
- Tandem Bikes
- Trailers or pulled Carriers
- Child Bike Seats or Shotgun seats
Knowing your ability level, so you can choose the right trails to ride, is an important first step.
BEGINNER
- I can comfortably ride on pavement or wide gravel trails, maintain balance and use disc brakes.
- I have little or no experience riding mountain bike trails and/or in a downhill mountain bike park.
NOVICE
- I can comfortably ride on green or easy blue technical tracks and freeride trails.
- I am confident to ride and carry momentum through bumpy, rooty sections of trail without putting a foot down.
- I have reasonable brake control.
- I have a little experience riding bike parks.
INTERMEDIATE
- I can comfortably ride on blue freeride and technical trails.
- I can ride easy black technical trails at slower speeds.
- I have limited or no jumping or drop experience.
- I can ride, balance, change gears, and brake without thinking.
- I have some experience riding on elevated wooden features.
- I am focused on improving jump, drop, and cornering skills to handle harder blue freeride trails.
ADVANCED
- I am comfortable at fast speeds on all black freeride and technical trails.
- I am confident in my drops and jumping skills.
- I can confidently pick a line through difficult technical sections, ride steep rooty sections, and raised skinnys.
EXPERT
- I am confident at high speeds on all trails, I can ride all features on black and some double black technical trails.
- I can clear large drops and jumps with correct technique.
TRAIL SELECTION
The trail network at our park is generally more challenging than many other trail networks in the region. Our easiest trail down will likely be more challenging than the easiest trails at your local trail system or other parks. Trail ratings are park specific and may vary compared to other trail networks or parks.
FREERIDE
Freeride Terrain consists of natural and machine-cut and containman-made features. Routes are enhanced with dirt jumps, ride-on features, gaps, narrow surfaces, wallrides, berms and other natural or constructed features. Freeride trails are identified by their difficulty symbol surrounded by an orange oval.
BEGINNER
- Smooth, wide surfaces with gentle corners and rolling terrain.
- All features include ride-arounds.
- Designed for newer bike park riders.
INTERMEDIATE
- Smooth surfaces on steeper terrain, including larger corners, rollers and smaller jumps.
- Raised features like bridges and wallrides require jumping skills and speed.
- All features include ride-arounds.
- Suited for riders who have mastered all beginner freeride trails.
ADVANCED
- Mix of smooth and rough riding surfaces on steep fast grades
- Larger man-made features, including jumps, raised bridges and steep wallrides
- All features include ride-arounds
- Advanced jumping skills required
- Suited for riders who have mastered all intermediate freeride trails
EXPERT ONLY
- Trails with steep terrain, very fast speed and require expert jumping skills.
- Mandatory jump features that require knowledge of gaps and landings with no ride-arounds.
- Suited for the most advanced riders only.
PRO LINE
- Largest gaps and mandatory jump features with no ride-arounds.
- Expert jumping skills are required.
- Suited for professional riders only.
TECHNICAL
Technical trails are designed to embrace the rugged shape and terrain of the mountain, utilizing a majority of natural terrain. Routes are typically hand-built and feature organic obstacles and stunts such as rocks, roots, logs, drops, jumps and other natural or constructed features that require technical riding skills. Technical trails are identified by just their difficulty symbol.
- [insert symbol] BEGINNER
- Rougher single track trails with small rocks and tree roots.
- Designed for new bike park riders comfortable with beginner freeride trails
- [insert symbol] INTERMEDIATE
- Rougher terrain with tight corners and steeper slopes
- Larger natural obstacles, including roots and rocks
- Suited for riders who have mastered all beginner technical trails
- [insert symbol] ADVANCED
- Steep grades with large technical features, including rocks, roots and drops
- Technical handling through tight trees and rough sections
- Suited for riders who have mastered all intermediate technical trails
- [insert symbol] EXPERT ONLY
- Steepest grades with the most technical features
- Warming up on intermediate and advanced trails encouraged
- Suited for the most advanced riders only
- Currently no Technical Expert Only trails at The Highlands
- [insert symbol] PRO LINE
- Most difficult technical terrain
- Proficient handling of all bike skills required
- Suited for professional riders only
- Currently no Technical Pro Line trails at The Highlands
Learn the lingo of the trail features you will encounter in the bike park.
Berm – A raised bank outside a corner allows a rider to maintain speed without losing traction or sliding out.
Bridge – An elevated wooden feature slightly wider than a skinny. Also known as a ladder.
Gap – A jump with a gap between the takeoff and landing.
Tabletop - A jump that has a flat surface from the takeoff to the landing.
Step-Down – A jump that has a landing lower than its takeoff.
Step-Up – A jump that has a landing higher than its takeoff.
Ramp – The angled takeoff or landing on a jump or feature.
Ride-Around – An alternate and easier route that usually avoids a technical obstacle.
Rock Garden – Any section of trail filled with rocks, roots and other rough features.
Rollers – A series of small bumps that can either be rolled or gapped
Skinny -A narrow, wooden trail feature raised off the ground.
Drop – A trail feature where the rider must launch their bike off of a height and land on a lower surface.
Switchback – A very tight uphill or downhill corner, typically changing direction 180 degrees.
Wallride – An angled wood wall that involves riding up and across the wall.
Log Cannon – A jump that is a skinny angled take-off with a drop landing.
Flat Down – A significant drop feature where the rider can roll down with both wheels.
Uphill access to The Highlands Bike Park is available ONLY during operating hours. Please double-check our hours before heading out, as they change periodically. Currently, our only 2-way traffic trails for uphill access are Lemon Squeeze and Blue Bottle. All riders must still fill out a waiver form, and those without a waiver will be considered trespassers.