LAKE PLACID, New York ??” The New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and High Peaks Cyclery are teaming up once again to bring mountain biking to Whiteface in Wilmington and the Verizon Sports Complex in Lake Placid for the summer and fall season.

Whiteface kicks off the mountain biking season on Friday, June 23 at 9 am. The trails will be open daily from 9 am ??“ 4 pm through September 4 and then weekends only through October 9. The Verizon Sports Complex opens its trails on Saturday, June 24 from 10 am ??“ 5 pm daily through September 4 before switching to weekends only after Labor Day.

Whiteface offers lift-serviced mountain biking via the Cloudsplitter gondola and the High Peaks Mountain Adventure shuttle bus. The mountain boasts a descent of nearly 2,500 feet from the top of Little Whiteface. Riders will find an improved trail network, a shuttle bus to tower 10, gondola service to the summit of Little Whiteface, a skills course at Mixing Bowl with tabletops, progression ladder drops, berms and more for a “rhythm section,” and numerous clinics. Riders will also find singletracks between some of the ski trails used for the 1980 Winter Games. Adding to the ambiance, bikers can also expect cameo appearances from the four-legged “residents” who comprise the mountain’s natural habitat.

Whiteface will offer Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 24. There will be a special $15 lift pass for all ages and will include the shuttle and gondola. Regular price is $30 for adults and $25 for juniors ages 12 and under. There will also be a 50% reduction in the cost of rental bikes.

A highlight of the season is the Whiteface 5 K Downhill race on September 3. The course features a $5,000 prize purse and is approximately 5-kilometers long. Other events slated for Whiteface mountain bikers is the four-session Ladies Day and Biketoberfest. Ladies Day will be held on the first Saturday of each month (July 1, August 5, September 2 and October 7) and on these days, all ladies may ride the trails for free. For Biketoberfest, September 30 and October 1, mountain bikers who purchase a lift pass will not be charged admittance to Whiteface’s annual Oktoberfest. Don’t forget to bring your non-biking friends and family to enjoy the festivities of Oktoberfest.

The Verizon Sports Complex offers over 30 miles of idyllic trails for mountain bikers of all abilities. Every Saturday of the season will feature a Free Kids Mountain Bike Clinic from 11 am ??“ 12 pm for kids ages 14 and under. These clinics will teach children the proper mountain biking techniques and help improve their riding skills. Rental bikes will be available and each child must have a trail pass. Participants must pre-register for the clinics.

For the beginning rider, there are Learn-to-Ride Mountain Bike Mondays and Fun Not Fear Mountain Bike Camps. The Learn-to-Ride sessions run from 10 am ??“ 12 pm and cost $40 per biker. The fee includes instruction, bike, trail fee, drinks and a snack. The Fun Not Fear Mountain Bike Camps are scheduled for July 8-9, July 15-16, July 29-30, August 4 and August 12-13. These one or two-day camps for adults include instruction, trail pass, and more. The cost is $125 for one day or $200 for the two-day.

A Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Race Series at the Verizon Sports Complex will begin June 28 and runs through August. These 6:30 pm races feature distances of 1K, 5K, 10K or 20K and cost just $5 per person. The venue is also hosting two night rides this summer on July 1 and August 5. These rides begin at 8:30 pm and cost $10 per person, which includes s’mores, a bonfire, light and guides.

For more information on mountain biking at Whiteface and the Verizon Sports Complex, please log on to www.highpeaksma.com or www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.

For more information on ORDA venues and events, and for web cams from five locations, please log on to www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.