2024 Summer Trail Updates

The sun is shining, the ground is thawing and the trees are budding. That could only mean one thing – summer trail season is almost here!

Thanks to you we have another exciting build season in-store and plenty of other updates to share. But before we dive into that, let’s take a moment to recap some of the highlights from the 2023 season.

Highlights from 2023

Over 20 NEW wood features were designed and built in-house. From the Skills Park to Bridge Trail to Scout Trail and beyond. These new features continue to expand the multiple ride options WinMan is known for.

NEW Skills Park

We completely reimagined this part of our trailhead. Designed with 5 progressive lines, riders can safely challenge and improve their skills without ever leaving the trailhead. With more than 10,000 rides each month, this area of the park was an immediate hit.

NEW Downhill Trail

We opened Air Mail to start the 2023 season. Offering some of the biggest jumps and fastest sections of trail in our system, it was a huge hit for those riders who like to challenge gravity.

Over this difficult winter, the freeze/thaw cycles did a number on a few sections. We will be repairing and improving a few portions in May. We plan to have everything completed and ready for Memorial Day Weekend festivities. So be sure to check it out the next time you visit.

NEW Beginner Trail

We completed the “Long Loop” of Scout Trail. Now with either a 1/2 mile or 1 mile option, newer riders can continue to hone their skills and improve their confidence.

Thanks to your suggestions, the Long Loop has slightly more advanced features including bridges and berms for riders to progressively improve on.

We also added some more technical skills features near the end to help educate all riders on “Look Before You Ride” trail etiquette (and to give more advanced riders something fun on the 10th lap with their little one).

2024 Mountain Bike Trail Updates

Let’s start by getting you acquainted with our new 2024 trail map before we jump into the details. Beyond new trails, there are a couple of updates I would like to bring your attention to.

• The legend has been updated to include a trail difficulty rating of green, blue or black for each individual trail. This will make choosing your next adventure easier than ever.
• You will notice a new trailhead – Papoose Trailhead. While it is on the map for this year, it will likely be August before it is ready for use. Stay tuned for updates throughout the summer on this project.

NEW Glacial Erratic

Let’s start with why we’re calling it Glacial Erratic. Glacial Erratic is defined as:

 glacially deposited rock differing from the type of rock native to the area in which it rests.

If you’ve ever visited WinMan you’ve most certainly passed by, or more than likely ridden or walked over, glacial erratic. The glaciers that formed WinMan 10-25,000 years ago not only carved out the beautiful landscape you see, but left behind a bounty of treasures we get to use every day. This trail name is our small tribute to the incredible glaciers that created WinMan.

Glacial Erratic will be taking over, and significantly expanding, what was formerly Jump Line. This new trail will take on a lot of the same character as what Jump Line evolved into, but will be more purpose built with improvements throughout.

Expect a more narrow, technical, cross-country type trail that will ride very differently based on your skill level and speed of attack. This intermediate trail will feel more “old school” while still being machine built for improved quality and sustainability.

We know many of you have been asking for this sort of trail for several years. We are ecstatic that we finally found room in our build schedule to bring it to you.

The complete 2.3 mile trail is scheduled to be completed by mid-July but we plan to open a large portion of it by late-June.

Twins Overhaul

Arguably the most popular trail at WinMan, Twins has really started to show its age. Yearly repairs and fixes are no longer doing the trick, so it is time for a remodel.

Our incredibly talented team of professional trail builders will be redesigning portions of the trail so it can be built more sustainably. We’ll also be modifying the trail so it rides as a true dual slalom from start to finish.

Speaking of the start, we will be constructing a new elevated, starting platform at the Front Hub.

Note: an intentional ride around option will also be built for our more novice riders to start on the ground which will make it safer, and more rideable than ever before.

Once you take off, riders will ride side-by-side through the pines before slopping down the hillside and underneath the bridge on Red Trail.

This trail will be smooth and fast so beginner riders can quickly and safely return to the Chalet. However, more experienced riders can really challenge their skills as they traverse rollers, tighter radius berms and multiple opportunities to carry speed (or lose it) as they wind their way down the hillside.

We have no doubt this updated version of Twins will be hit, and those session rides up Earn It will be numerous, as friends and family compete all afternoon of who can ride the fastest.

We will be working hard on getting this trail ready as soon as possible. Realistically, we anticipate Twins being ready by early-June but we will see what we can get accomplished by Memorial Day Weekend. Stay tuned for updates and trail opening information on social media.

NEW Papoose Connector and Base Camp

Yep, we are finally expanding and incorporating our secondary trailhead on Papoose Lake Road into our summer trail system. There will be a ton more information about the development of this trailhead and our campground initiative later this summer. For now, let’s just highlight the two new trails we will be building late this summer.

Scheduled for August, these trails will be designed as beginner level trails so riders of all abilities will be able to easily access our trail system.

We are really excited about Base Camp. The gentle rolling landscape lends itself to a fun, flowy design. This short trail (less than a 1/2 mile in total) will be a great way to start or end your adventures at WinMan. Or, riders can just session the loop over and over again. A great option for kids to burn off some steam while the parents set-up the campsite or relax with a cold beverage after a day on the trails.

Papoose Connector will be true to its name. This trail will serve as the primary connection for all riders into the Bottom Bracket when starting their ride OR from the Rear Hub when ending their ride. This green level option provides an alternative to LAMBO Spur which could also be used for the same purpose if you prefer.

Continuing with our one-way trail design, riders entering the system will filter into the Bottom Bracket and from there can choose to:

• Take Roller Creek to the Chalet
• Take Front Hub Return to…well the Front Hub
• Take Rear Hub Return to…well the Rear Hub

And as with all trails at WinMan, you will find A/B options on Papoose Connector for some fun technical riding challenges so the entire family can enjoy the trail together.

Updated Hubs

Thanks to the success of our fully supported Fundraising Campaign (click HERE for all the details) we will be completing our hub design process.

With the addition of the Papoose Trailhead (also thanks to the Campaign) we will be adding our 4th hub aptly named Papoose Hub.

We will be expanding and redesigning the Bottom Bracket and Rear Hub as well. This will better accommodate their year-round use and the addition of the new trail being built.

Finally, the Front Hub is getting a major face lift with additional amenities and features. Soon we will be installing:

• New large kiosk with updated mapping and information.
• Shaded seating space to relax while hiking or biking. This will also serve as a space to take a break during the winter season.
• Custom “Spinner Wheel” to help you choose your next adventure if you just can’t decide.
• Bike repair station and tools for on the trail tweaks or adjustments.

2024 Hiking and Trail Running Updates

Our hiking and trail running maps have been updated as well.

The major change is formally incorporating the Papoose Trailhead into our system. As mentioned above, this trailhead will likely not be fully ready until August. However, the route will be fully marked and mapped to start the season if you would like to check out.

We have modified our communication to more clearly define routes that are on the ski trail versus snowshoe trails. With distinct colors and different formatted lines, we hope this helps you better understand which trail you are on.

Along those lines, this year we are going to be leaving the majority of winter signage in place. So as you hike or trail run, you will come across more detailed signage that we use in the winter months. As always, every post you come to will have a map, and by leaving the winter directional signage, we think this will help you have more confidence on which way to go.

We hope this small adjustment makes it easier to navigate. We can’t wait to hear your feedback.

The final adjustment is more clearly defining what activities are allowed on our ski trails. Ski trails can be used to hike, walk, trail run, Onewheel, mountain bike or gravel bike. You name it, if we allow it at WinMan in the summer, you can do it on the ski trails.

Reminder: As you’re out exploring our hiking and running trails, please be aware at times you may come across us working on a particular trail for ski season. We perform ski trail maintenance throughout the summer and will be working on improving grass coverage on certain trails this year as well. Please use caution as you move around any equipment or roped off projects.

This expanded use of our ski trails will provide easier ride options for novice mountain bikers, allow our gravel enthusiasts a chance to get some more miles in for training or just plain old fun, and opens up new intentional routes like taking the ski trail to the Front Hub rather than Earn It if you prefer.

But Wait, There’s More

That was a ton of information. Congratulations if you made it all the way to here. But believe it or not, we have plenty more planned this season including:

• NEW snowshoe trail near the Front Hub
• Repairs and updates on Roller Creek
• Repairs and updates on Flowage
• Improvements on Lake Trail
• Improvements to expand our Fat Tire Bike trails to the Papoose Trailhead
• Winter trail maintenance and fixing logging damage in places
• Oh…and a campground

Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, we look forward to spending time with our WinMan community this summer. See you soon!