Sun Valley-Biking

Idaho Smoky Mountain Lodge is nestled in the heart of the Sawtooth National Forest on 160 acres of pristine private property. Owner and developer, Mark Baumgardner, built this unique remote based fly-in lodge in one of the most powder blessed places in Idaho and home for Sun Valley Helicopter Ski Guides. 

In 2010, Mark made the realization that this area also contained some of the best mountain biking in the area.  With this in mind, he set out to create “The Bike Ranch”—a premiere biking training facility fully equipped with progressive stunts, pump tracks, BMX and cross-country courses with programs tailored for all skill levels. 

The goal at Bike Ranch is to teach the core skills of biking using a variety of custom stunts and jumps, along with instruction course riding on our private singletrack trails, pump tracks, and BMX course in a safe controlled environment. With this goal in mind, Bike Ranch participants will overcome potential fears and barriers to improve their riding style and confidence long after the camp is over.

We rounded-up an incredible staff of Ranch Hands—certified coaches dedicated to making learning fun and safe for a variety of ages and abilities. Ranch Hands are professional, yet approachable athletes that are trained to teach you the skills that made them big names in the industry.

Camps aren’t just for beginners. Elevate your riding and learn to attack technical terrain, corner faster, clear obstacles with front and rear wheel lifts, ride skinnies, ladders, teeter-totters, and drop boxes with varied degrees of difficulty.

During the summer, the Lodge is accessible on a well groomed dirt road, about 22 miles northwest of Fairfield, Idaho. The landing strip can accommodate private and chartered aircrafts.  Our packages include round trip air taxi service from Boise or Sun Valley.  However, if you chose to drive, it is a very scenic 2 hour drive from either Boise or Sun Valley.  

Progressive Stunt Training:  
Natural and artificial stunts will be used to accommodate a wide range of abilities with increased degrees of difficulty for riders to develop core biking skills. Riders will graduate through a series of stunts such as ladders, skinnies, ramps, drop-offs, teeter-totters and more with the help of our highly trained Ranch Hands.

Pump Tracks:
Bike Ranch’s duelling pump tracks are a complete body workout and a perfect conditioning tool for all riding disciplines. Riders will learn to pump with their arms and legs rather than pedal to create momentum and hold traction around the course.

Our pump track designer, Jonny Fuego, said his inspiration for the tracks was based on “‘air and water’’. He wanted riders to transition from air crossovers and table tops into waves of rhythmic rolls and sweeping berms. Fuego emphasized, “the multidirectional layout will promote rider creativity to pump, roll, and sail while progressing through endless loops.” 

BMX Course:
When you look down the track from the elevated start gate this course will look intimidating, but like the pump tracks, we will use the BMX course as a tool to improve your biking skills—spatial awareness, riding confidence, cornering, landing in the transitions (downside of ramp). So whether you are a beginner dropping in for the first time or a seasoned BMX racer, our coaches will assist each rider in accomplishing their personal goals. 

The temperatures range from the mid 40's at night to the mid 90's in the day.  Afternoon rains are not uncommon.  But remember, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.  Please bring everything on our gear list and you will have a wonderful time no matter what.