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Bike Lesson

Downhill Mountain Bike Lessons

Learn to Ride Programs in New Hampshire

Downhill mountain biking is an invigorating sport that can be fun for everyone! If you are new to the world of mountain biking, but are comfortable on a bike, our Learn to Downhill 101 mountain bike training program is the perfect way to experience the ins and outs of downhill riding. Our trained mountain bike coaches will help you gain confidence and reach your full potential on the trails to take your riding to the next level, all while in a safe, fun, and supportive learning environment.

What to Expect During Each Mountain Bike Lesson

During each mountain bike lesson, riders can expect an introduction to the basics of down-hill mountain biking along with learning proper body positioning and bike handling. With the help of our mountain bike coaches, riders will get comfortable navigating berms, rollers, small drops, jumps, and bridges in the Skills Park Area before progressing to the lift serviced flow trails. When ready to hit the lift, riders will learn to properly load their bike onto the lift tray, and then take a lap or two on one of our beginner trails with their instructor.

Mountain Bike Lesson Programs and Rates

Learn to Downhill 101

Designed for those who have ridden a bike before but are new to lift-served downhill mountain biking, our New England beginner lesson includes 90-minutes of instruction with a mountain bike coach.

During Learn to Downhill 101, coaches will cover stance and balance, breaking, and gearing, bike-body separation, and navigating basic berms and flat turns.

It is important to note that it may take a rider more than one, 101 lesson before they are ready to move onto Downhill Skills 102.

Participants must be 7 years of age or older and must be on a bike with a wheel diameter no smaller than 20” and be comfortable using hand brakes. Kids ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Package includes 90 minutes of instruction, 1/2 day full suspension mountain bike rental, protective pads, full face helmet, and half day lift access.

Rate

$149

Available Lesson Times

10:30am & 2:30pm

Class Size

Class time will drop to 1 hour if less than 2 people.

Reserve Your Lesson

Advanced reservations are required for all mountain bike classes. Walk-up/same day reservations for our mountain bike training sessions may not be available.

Click here to reserve your lesson online.

Downhill Skills Clinic 102

Downhill Skills 102 is designed to take your riding to the next level. This mountain bike training session is designed to teach you to tackle intermediate freeride terrain and beginner technical terrain.

During Downhill Skills 102, coaches will cover more advanced cornering, speed control, pumping, and tactics for flow and tech trails.

Package includes 90 minutes of instruction, 1/2 day full suspension mountain bike rental, protective pads, full face helmet, and 1/2 day lift access.

Rate

$149

Available Lesson Times

2:30pm, Saturday and Sunday only.

Reserve Lesson Here

Advanced reservations are required for all mountain bike classes. Walk-up/same day reservations for our mountain bike training sessions may not be available.

Click here to reserve your lesson online.

Private Lessons

Private Mountain Bike lessons offer more personalized coaching to meet your downhill mountain bike riding goals. Private lessons are available for riders new to downhill riding, to more experienced riders.

Private lessons include 90 minutes of instruction and half day lift access. Rental equipment and protective gear are purchased separately.

Rate

$99. Add friend or family member for $49 per additional person.

Available Lesson Times

10am, 12pm, 2pm

Reserve Lesson Here

Advanced reservations are required for all mountain bike classes. Walk-up/same day reservations for our mountain bike training sessions may not be available.

Reserve your spot here.

Ready to Book Your Lesson?

Cranmore Resort provides the best beginner programs in New Hampshire that turn newbies into real mountain bikers. During our beginner mountain bike lessons, participants will learn fundamental skills and information needed to start shredding the trails. Learning to ride for beginners has never been easier or more fun!

Reserve Lesson Here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is learning to mountain bike hard?

While you might start out on relatively smooth and flat terrain, your ability to navigate around—or over—obstacles will develop as you work with our mountain bike coaches and gain experience. Our mountain bike coaches have been trained to help riders gain confidence on their bikes.

Riders taking a mountain bike lesson should be comfortable riding a bike with hand-breaks. Our mountain bike classes and the downhill trail system are not designed for those who have never ridden a bike before.

What should I do on the day of my lesson?

On the day of your mountain bike lesson, arrive at the Rental Building to pick up all tickets and equipment, if you are renting, prior to your lesson time. If you are renting a bike, please allow ample time to pick up your equipment. When you have your equipment and tickets, meet your instructor by colored flags adjacent to Scenic Chairlift.

What should I wear?

Helmets (full face is recommended), and sturdy closed toe and heeled sneakers are required for all mountain bike training sessions. We also recommend you cover up with long sleeves/shorts and protect your body from a range of elements. Full finger gloves give added protection for your hands, and goggles are the best choice for eye protection against dirt, branches and other obstacles you might run into on the trails. Elbow and knee pads also give added protection from cuts, scrapes and impact.

Gear is available for purchase/rent (helmets and pads) in the Ticket House.

Can I bring my own bike?

Yes. Bike Park equipment restrictions and requirements include the following:

Bike Park Equipment Restrictions & Requirements (Lift Access):

Helmets are required.
Bikes must have a functional brake on each wheel.
No Coaster Brakes (Pedal brakes, kick-back brakes, back pedal brakes, torpedo brakes, contra brakes).
No wheels smaller than 20” in diameter.
No tires wider that 3.5” wide.
No Child Seats.
No Mac Rides.
No Stryders.
No Tandem Bikes.
No Trailers or Pulled Carriers.
No Unicycles.
No Scooters of any kind.
No Mountain Boards.
Kick Stands are not recommended.
For Adaptive Bikes, please call ahead so that we can make accommodations during your visit.

Skills Park Restrictions & Requirements:

Helmets are required.
Bikes must have functional brake on each wheel.
No Coast Brakes (Pedal brakes, kick-back brakes, back pedal brakes, torpedo brakes, contra brakes).
No Child Seats.
No Mac Rides.
No Stryders.
No Tandem Bikes.
No Trailers or Pulled Carriers.
No Unicycles.
No Scooters of any kind.
No Mountain Boards.
Kick Stands are not recommended.
For Adaptive Bikes, please call ahead so that we can make accommodations during your visit.

Cranmore also has a full-service onsite bike rental shop with a complete line of Rossignol and NORCO full suspension rental bikes, gear, and accessories.

What if it’s raining the day of my lesson?

Most of our services and attractions are available rain or shine. In the case of thunder and lightning, we will suspend our mountain bike classes.

It is very uncommon for our New England resort to close due to weather conditions. If for some reason the resort deems conditions to be unsafe enough to close for the day you plan to visit, we will work with you to reschedule your mountain bike course as best as we can.

If an upcoming forecast looks like it will be providing weather that would make your mountain bike course with us uncomfortable, please let us know with at least 48-hour notice to reschedule. All purchases inside the 48-hour window prior to arrival are final.