Whitetail resumes its mountain biking season on Saturday, May 9, and will celebrate opening day by hosting the Mountain Laurel Craft Show. This free Craft Show will feature 70-100 vendors showing their wares. Not far away, the Whitetail Express chairlift will whisk mountain bikers to the top of the mountain. Starting May 16, Whitetail will be open for mountain biking daily except for Tuesdays, when trails will be closed for maintenance. The Whitetail Express will run on weekends.

Whitetail has planned an exciting season of activities for mountain bikers. On the first and third Fridays of June, July, and August, Whitetail will sponsor a series of “Friday Night Uphill-Downhill” races. The lift will run from 3-6:30 p.m. on these days. On May 16 and September 26, Whitetail will stay open late for “Night Owl Rides.” A dinner from 7-8:15 p.m. will satisfy the appetites of nocturnal mountain bikers before they hit the trails from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Whitetail has a limited number of rental lights available, or you can bring your own.

Several other races will be held at Whitetail throughout the season. The Mountain Laurel Classic Cross Country Race will be held on June 21, while the Jimmie Heuga’s Toyota Mountain Bike Express will be held on July 11. DCSki and DCOutdoors will provide complete details of these events in the near future.

Whitetail continues to gain a reputation as one of the best mountain biking facilities around. Whitetail offers a wide range of trails to satisfy beginners through experts. This year, Whitetail has added an easier trail from the top of the mountain. Most beginners will be happy exploring miles of relatively flat trails branching from the base area. Inexpensive workshops are offered to help bikers get up to speed. In addition, Whitetail features a bicycle repair shop and rental facility on-site, along with free hot showers and bike wash.

In addition to mountain biking, Whitetail will once again offer clinics in fly fishing. New this year are “Great Outdoors” education programs in orienteering, first aid, rock climbing, canoeing, nature photography, and other outdoor activities. Stay tuned to DCSki and DCOutdoors for more information.