The thrill seeker's guide to Thredbo Mountain Bike Park

Drawing bigger crowds every season, Thredbo MTB offers thrill-seekers awesome adventure without a snowflake in sight.

Love discovering escapades to get your heart racing? Ditch the skis in favour of exploring Thredbo during the warmer months. Home to Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, a playground for two-wheeling daredevils, it offers a Thredbo MTB experience like no other.

Gaining momentum as one of the best things to do in Thredbo these days, stunning cross-country trails and Australia’s only lift-accessible terrain are just some of the highlights. Here, an access-all-areas guide to get you on your way.

What you need to know before you go

It’s worth getting your head around the basics because enjoying this place isn’t exclusive to extreme sports enthusiasts. MTB is the in-the-know abbreviation of ‘mountain biking’ and once the snow in Thredbo melts, the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park opens.

Traverse challenging MTB trails at Thredbo Mountain Bike Park.

Home to a diverse range of trails and conditions catering to both beginners and experienced riders, there are more than 40 kilometres of terrain that span Gravity trails, those accessed by a chairlift that stores your bike as you climb to elevated heights and gravity (as opposed to pedalling) launches you back down, cross-country trails and skills and jump parks.

There’s also a mix of trail types; Flows that are machine-built and offer smoother surfaces and Technical that are rougher, narrower and feature natural obstacles. The bottom line: Thredbo MTB is for everyone thanks to Thredbo Mountain Bike Park.

Get your heart racing at Thredbo Mountain Bike Park.

When is the best time to experience Thredbo MTB?

The only time you can try your hand at Thredbo MTB is during the warmer months once the ski fields are grassy and the snow’s gone. The season will kick off officially on November 18 in 2023 and will close at the end of April 2024. Fans can expect a similar five-month window in the years that follow.

Once the snow melts it’s time to hit the trails on two wheels.  (Image: Thredbo Resort)

What gear do I need for Thredbo MTB?

Much like hitting the slopes in winter, there’s an entire kit to be gathered ahead of your foray into Thredbo MTB. As it’s often a hazardous sport due to the incredibly thrilling terrain, safety is paramount – ensuring you’re dressed for the slide as opposed to the ride is the smartest approach. Also, it’s mandatory for all MTB riders to wear a helmet even in the beginner zones.

Safety gear is a must for all riders. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

A handy list of what you’ll need:
– Helmet (full-face varieties are recommended, though not a must)
– Mountain bike
– Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
– Full-finger gloves
– Full body armour
– Elbow and knee pads, plus shin pads are also recommended
– Neck brace
– Wrap-around goggles

A lot, right? Thankfully, there are rental packages that do all the heavy lifting for you. Visit the Thredbo Retail and Rental website for Thredbo bike hire, gear hire and further information.

What if this is my first MTB experience?

You’re certainly not alone given this is an emerging summer sport in Australia. If you’re keen to avoid winging it, your best option is to sign up for a two-hour beginner’s clinic through the Thredbo Mountain Bike School.

The Thredbo Mountain Bike School program is a great school holiday activity.

The programs are typically held daily at 10am throughout the season and run by some of the country’s most experienced riders so you’ll learn all the basics on Thredbo MTB from the very best. Plus, these classes aren’t just for total novices. Programs including the ‘MTB Progression’ and the ‘MTB Essentials’ provide the chance to take your skills to the next level.

Learn all the basics of Thredbo MTB from the very best.

Is Thredbo MTB family-friendly?

Absolutely, although it’s recommended that children under the age of five should wait a few years before getting stuck in.

Several of the Thredbo Mountain Bike School programs are catered to children including the ‘Intro to MTB’ for kids aged five and over, the ‘MTB Fundamentals’ for kids aged seven and over, the ‘MTB Essentials’ for kids aged seven and over, the ‘MTB Progression’ for kids aged seven and over and the ‘MTB Junior Race Clinic’ for kids aged seven to 17.

There are also school holiday camps to help refine skills like gravity riding technique and bike maintenance. It should be noted that no tandem bikes are allowed while engaging in Thredbo MTB.

Kids will be quick to make friends on the trails at school holiday camp.

What are the best Thredbo MTB trails?

Finally, to the fun stuff. There are 22 different courses to tackle, conveniently split into difficulty categories, so selecting your poison should be a breeze. If you’re a beginner, the Easy Rider trail is a great start as it isn’t too steep.

Take on the challenging rocky trails. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

If you’re looking for a scenic route and a slow cross-country journey is more your speed, the Thredbo Valley Track is a beautiful option and features suspension bridges, river views, rich forest surroundings and smoother terrain. You can take a six-kilometre route or go the full 35 kilometres to make the most of it.

Explore the vast scenery on two wheels. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

Low intermediate riders should consider the Kosciuszko Flow which starts at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and rolls down through magnificent mountain scenery to help sharpen those downhill riding skills.

Hardcore MTB fans will love the Paparazzi, Flow Link, Lower All-Mountain and Upper All-Mountain trails for their drops, rocks and breathtaking sights. Make sure you check out the Thredbo trail map for a comprehensive look at everything on offer.

Take in breathtaking sights from the Kosciuszko Chairlift. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

How much does it cost to experience Thredbo MTB?

Every rider needs a Thredbo MTB Lift Pass to gain access to Thredbo Mountain Bike Park. The pass enables entry to the Kosciuszko Chairlift, Gunbarrel Chairlift, Merritts Gondola and the Cruiser Chairlift which are all fitted with bike racks and serve as your only access points to the top of the mountains.

Adult season passes start from $599 per person and one-day adult passes start from $95 per person.

The Thredbo MTB Lift Pass ensures you get to the top of the mountain with ease.

Are there any events at Thredbo Mountain Bike Park?

Heck yes, there are. Thredbo events at the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park are epic and world-renowned, playing home to the southern hemisphere’s most active events calendar.

There are interschool championships plus the Thredbo Gravity Series which is staggered throughout the Thredbo MTB season and offers serious cash prizes. The hottest ticket is arguably the Cannonball MTB Festival which is typically staged in February and features live music, world-class MTB spectacles and party times over about a week.

It’s a great weekend away with mates. (Image: Thredbo Resort)