It is time to get ready for another scavenger hunt. Following last year’s tremendous success, Epic Bikepark Leogang is once again preparing to send mountain bike riders all over the bike El Dorado so that they can explore every corner of the Saalfelden Leogang region on the hunt for precious treasure. Up for grabs is a prize package containing products from all of the bike park partners. The biggest Austrian bike region opens its gates on 7 May to kick off their 21st season, with their season-spanning “Gamble Now” Treasure Hunt starting on the same day. Similar to last year, the bike park will become a giant treasure map. The one difference in 2022? The hunt itself will last from the season opening until the end of August. The lucky winner of the prize package will be revealed during BIKE Festival Leogang, which takes place from 16 to 18 September. Think, Shred, Win – that’s all The Treasure Hunt is open to everyone that is planning to ride and explore the trails that the Saalfelden Leogang area has to offer. Besides a serious dose of leg power and stamina, the hunt also requires a bit of brain power. Participants will need to solve a number of emoji riddles on a treasure map before getting on their bikes. The locations on the map will lead riders to QR-coded signs which, when assembled in the right order, will reveal a password that needs to be entered on the Treasure Hunt page, along with proof of shredding, which is your lift ticket, Gravity Card or season pass. Pro Tip: The password changes every two weeks on a Friday, which means that the more riders solve, shred and explore, the more chances they have to win. The Treasure All the hard work will not go unrewarded. Epic Bikepark Leogang and its partners made sure the treasure chest is filled to the brim with some truly amazing prizes. The lucky winner will walk away with a complete, shred-ready package, including a Scott Gambler 920 Downhill mountain bike, as well as prizes such as shoes, clothing, a helmet, a luggage set and more. Yes, you read that right, 'the lucky winner', meaning that one person collects all of the prizes. The Epic Package - full list of prizes: • 1x SCOTT Gambler 920 • 1x Multicover Travel Set incl. World Traveller 125, Wash Bag, Snow Gear Roller and Mission Pro 28 by EVOC • 2x Bike outfits from FOX (1x women, 1x men) • 1x Knee protectors and a Xult Downhill Helmet from IXS • 1x Armega Goggle Anti Fog Clear Lens and Armega Forecast Film System - Full Kit from 100% • 1x Bottle for Life Bundle from MUC-OFF • 1x GoPro HERO 10 Black incl. SD-Card, Chesty & Handlbar Mount from GOPRO • 1x GRAVITA ALPACA X5 + ALPACA TOOL CARRIER saddle and GRAVITA TENSOR shoes by FIZIK • 1x MAXXIS Assegai & Minion tire set "Thousands of cycling guests visit Saalfelden Leogang to ride Epic Bikepark Leogang and the surrounding trails. We wanted to give something back to these visitors while at the same time also offering something new. The successful 2021 Treasure Hunt, with 360 entries in just two months, showed us that we have something special, so we decided to expand upon that. Just like last year, when the winner took home a custom SCOTT Gambler, we prepared a prize package that truly deserves the "Epic" moniker. I'm extremely grateful to all of the support that our partners have once again provided and I wish all of the participants the best of luck." - Kornel Grundner, Managing Director of the Leogang Mountain Railway. For more information regarding the Treasure Hunt: bikepark.saalfelden-leogang.com/giveaway-2022
Der Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountainbike Weltcup 2022 ist gestartet. Während am kommenden Wochenende im deutschen Albstadt in die Pedale getreten wird, ist vom 10. bis 12. Juni 2022 der Epic Bikepark Leogang in Saalfelden Leogang am Zug. Mit einem Doppelweltcup und sattem Rahmenprogramm setzt sich das Salzburger Bike-Mekka einmal mehr in Szene. Wer heimische Größen wie Höll, Stigger, Mitterwallner und Co. live in Action sehen will – heuer auch endlich wieder hautnah an der Strecke – der kann sich bereits jetzt Tickets sichern. Beim letzten Stopp des Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountainbike Weltcups in Petropolis (BRA) hinterließen die österreichischen Stars Laura Stigger und Mona Mitterwallner mit Top-Platzierungen mächtig Eindruck und machen Lust auf mehr – ganz besonders auf die Heimrennen in Saalfelden Leogang vom 10. bis 12. Juni 2022. An diesen Tagen holt der erste Doppelweltcup der Saison aber nicht nur die besten Cross-Country-Fahrer der Welt, sondern auch die Downhill-Elite rund um Lokalmatadorin Vali Höll in den Epic Bikepark Leogang. Während am Freitag die Entscheidungen im Cross Country Short Track fallen, sind am Samstag die Downhiller auf der berühmt-berüchtigten Weltmeisterschafts-Strecke „Speedster“ am Zug. Am Sonntag geht es dann für die Cross Country-Fahrer in der Olympischen Disziplin ans Eingemachte. Nicht nur Mona Mitterwallner, die sich 2020 in Leogang zur Juniorenweltmeisterin kürte, fiebert dem Event vor heimischer Kulisse entgegen: „An Leogang habe ich super Erinnerungen.“ Auch Laura Stigger, sowie Lokalmatadorin Vali Höll wollen sich in Topform präsentieren. Was sicher ist: Der Bikesport wird sich in diesen Tagen in Saalfelden Leogang in jedem Fall von seiner besten und spannendsten Seite zeigen. Viele Elite-Rider zählen das, von der UCI zum besten Downhill-Weltcuport des Jahres 2021 gewählte, Salzburger Bike-Mekka zu einem ihrer Lieblings-Spots - auch, dank der Stimmung vor Ort, die heuer wieder ganz im Leogang-Stil erlebt werden kann: Fans dürfen endlich wieder direkt an der Strecke hautnah dabei sein, wenn es um den Sieg bei den Weltbesten geht. Expo-Area, Team-Area und vieles mehr Am Weltcup-Wochenende sind in Saalfelden Leogang aber nicht nur hochklassige Rennen geboten. Auf die rund 20.000 Besucher warten auch eine Expo Area mit den aktuellsten Neuigkeiten aus der Bike-Welt und natürlich die Team-Area, in der man den weltbesten Ridern über die Schulter blicken kann. Daneben sorgen verschiedene Side-Events für Unterhaltung abseits des Renngeschehens. Die beiden Areas sind freitags von 12 bis 20 Uhr, samstags von 10 bis 20 Uhr und sonntags von 9.30 bis 17 Uhr geöffnet. Tickets für dieses Bike-Wochenende der Extraklasse sind online verfügbar: https://tickets.mtb-weltcup.at/ Für alle, die nicht live beim Doppelweltcup dabei sein können, gibt es die Möglichkeit die Finalrennen live auf Red Bull TV zu verfolgen. 7. Mai: Ab auf die Trails im Epic Bikepark Leogang Und all jene, die nicht nur zuschauen wollen und bereits jetzt heiß auf eine Fahrt über Speedster und Co. sind – ab 7. Mai gibt es die Gelegenheit. Der Epic Bikepark Leogang öffnet seine Türen für die Saison 2022.
The 2022 World Cup season kicked off in style, with nail-biting Downhill and Cross-Country races in Lourdes (FRA) and Petrópolis (BRA), setting the tone for the rest of the year. Traditionally, the World Cup will also land in Saalfelden Leogang, the Austrian town which was recently awarded the title of “Best Downhill World Cup venue 2021”, making it a mandatory stop for any Mountain Bike World Cup fan. The legendary bike park in Saalfelden Leogang will once again play host to the first World Cup double header of the season. From 10 – 12 June, the world’s best Cross-Country and Downhill racers will test their mettle in the idyllic Austrian town, putting tires to dirt on a specially designed XC course, which will see racing on Friday and Sunday, while the Downhill aces will navigate the Speedster, including the tricky Vali’s Hölle section. Race Schedule: Friday, 10 June: Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) Women Elite – 17:30 CEST (Live on Red Bull TV) Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) Men Elite – 18:15 CEST (Live on Red Bull TV) Saturday, 11 June: Downhill (DHI) Men Juniors – 09:45 CEST Downhill (DHI) Women Juniors – 10:30 CEST Downhill (DHI) Women Elite – 12:30 CEST (Live on Red Bull TV) Downhill (DHI) Men Elite – 13:30 CEST (Live on Red Bull TV) Sunday, 12 June: Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) Women U23 – 08:30 CEST Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) Men U23 – 10:15 CEST Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) Women Elite – 12:20 CEST (Live on Red Bull TV) Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) Men Elite – 14:50 CEST (Live on Red Bull TV) “Not many athletes can say that they get to race in front of their own home, so it is really special to me to race here, on the trail where I grew up, so to say. I used to watch my idols race there and now I’m right in the middle of the action. Of course, I have a score to settle with the track, as the last two times I raced there, things didn’t go my way. I know I have what it takes to win on that track, but there are always so many things that influence a race run. Third time’s the charm, right?” – 2021 World Cup Overall winner Vali Höll. Apart from the World Cup action, there is plenty more in store for visitors. The Expo Area will feature the cream of the crop of the bike world and the Team Area is always a hot ticket item, offering the 20.000 mountain bike fans that are expected a look behind the scenes of a World Cup stop, giving them a look in the pits and offering the chance to look over the shoulder of their favorite athletes as they prepare to give it their all on the track. A packed schedule of side events guarantees fun and suspense throughout the entire weekend. Both areas are open to the public and fans can visit from 12:00 – 20:00 on Friday, 10:00 – 20:00 on Saturday and 09:30 – 17:00 on Sunday. Tickets are available online and as previous years have shown, it pays to be fast. For more information related to the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountainbike World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang can be found on www.mtb-weltcup.at. For all those who cannot be present live at the double World Cup, there is the possibility to follow the final races on Red Bull TV.
As the last of the snow melts, the Pinzgau bike paradise will soon be conquered again by mountain bike enthusiasts. On 7 May 2022, the Epic Bikepark Leogang will open its gates for the season, looking forward to a promising mountain bike-filled calendar with top-class events and specials. The Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup will once again be held as a double header promising another year of tight Downhill and Cross-Country racing, with the latter including both Short Track and Olympic distance. Later this year, the bike community will once again come together for the BIKE Festival in September, giving young and old the opportunity to sample the latest models from numerous bike brands and put them through their paces. As a pioneer of sustainable trail building, Saalfelden Leogang is driven by sustainability and environmental protection. This year, the bike park will live up to ththat core value with an attractive special following the motto "Keep the Bikepark Leogang clean!" Spring in Saalfelden Leogang means skis are replaced by bikes, the bike park comes to life and before the last snow has disappeared, the first shovel strokes can be heard scratching on the trails and shaping lines. The experienced shapers of the bike park and the singletrails in Saalfelden Leogang put in hard work weeks before the opening, meticulously maintaining the unique variety of the Epic Bikepark Leogang and the Saalfelden Leogang region. This season, mountain bikers will once again be able to enjoy trails such as "Vali's Hölle" or the new trail start of the Hot Shots fired by GoPro Line. Sustainable trail building and nature conservation In Saalfelden Leogang, the operators of the bike park and singletrails have always kept a close eye on the nature that surrounds them. Already in 2019, local shapers Markus Hampl and Reini Unterberger were able to complete their flagship trails “Schwarzleo” and "Forsthof" Trail, ushering in a new era of singletrail building. These trails were created completely in harmony with nature, without using machines and with the builders only using hand-powered tools. The use of the existing terrain and the lines defined by the forest create a very special experience where you quickly ask yourself whether you are still on an established trail. The same applies to the "Knappentrail", which meander naturally through the forest and into the valley, with some added North Shore elements to spice up the action. In contrast to the bike park lines, the “Schwarzleo” and the “Knappen” Trail can already be ridden from the beginning of April and during the Easter holidays. Completely in the spirit of environmental protection, the Epic Bikepark Leogang has not only established new rules, but also actively supports them with campaigns such as "Roll Off instead of Tear Off". With 100% as one of their partners, on rainy days the Bikepark Leogang offers a free film for their goggle roll-off system, as well as a 20 % discount on a new 100% goggle with roll-off system from Sport Mitterer – leaving no excuses for bad weather rides! World Cup, BIKE Festival and comeback of the treasure hunt From 10-12 June, for the second time in a row, Leogang will host a double header World Cup. The season highlight which last year counted no less than 629 athletes from 44 nations, will once again bring together the world's best mountain bike riders from the Downhill and Cross-Country disciplines. The breathtaking races on the "Speedster" Downhill course and the newly created Cross-Country course are sure to become a highlight of the season. Tickets for this all-weekend mountain bike party are already available and highly sought after, so you better be quick! Of course, the BIKE Festival will also be back in 2022, from 16-19 September. Year after year, the well-known festival attracts a broad variety of bike brands, numerous test bikes, new models and products that haven’t been released yet. Whether young or old, beginner or professional, everyone will find the right bike for their riding style and can test it extensively on the wide range of trails at Bikepark Leogang, which is available to festival participants in its entirety. Of course, workshops and tours with the stars of the scene are again part of the program. Besides the World Cup and the Festival, the Epic Bikepark Leogang offers another season highlight. From the start of the season, bike park visitors will once again have the chance to win a huge prize, as last year's successful treasure hunt is making a comeback: a treasure map with tricky riddles provides clues to the locations of single letters, hidden around the park, which together make up the solution. This treasure map changes every two weeks and numerous solution words give visitors the opportunity to participate several times and increase their chances of winning. The prize-giving ceremony will take place during the BIKE Festival. The lucky winner can look forward to a big package with prizes from Scott, Maxxis, EVOC and many other well-known brands. The treasure hunt is open for participation until the end of August. Kornel Grundner, Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen, is already looking forward to the opening: "After two years marked by uncertainty, we are looking forward to returning to normality step by step in the 2022 season. With the renewed execution of the double header World Cup and the BIKE Festival, we look forward to welcoming numerous mountain bike riders, fans and spectators to our bike park again this year!"
More than 80 kilometers of lines & trails, 9 lifts on 7 mountains, 3 large practice areas for kids and beginners, Alpine gravel biking routes for every taste and an almost limitless network of mountain bike trails for all abilities. In short: Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is a true playground for riders of all walks of life and of all abilities. Austria’s largest bike region connects the sprawling mountain bike area of Saalbach Hinterglemm with the Epic Bikepark Leogang and the Bike Area Streuböden in Fieberbrunn, which was newly created in 2021. The result: an incomparable variety of trails with more than 80 kilometers of lines & trails that cater to any skill level and a unique network of mountain and gravel bike routes that stretches across two of Austria’s states. From beginner to pro Work your way up! Getting into a new sport can be daunting but Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn make it as easy as it can be with dedicated practice and beginner areas in all three towns. The Learn to Ride Park at the foot of Saalbach’s Kohlmaisbahn, for example, offers four “Mini Lines”, a magic carpet and an uphill trail specifically designed to make it easy for beginners to practice their skills or get into the sport. Leogang, on the other hand, offers a 10,000 m² practice area, the Riders Playground. Easy beginner trails, a World Championship pumptrack and the GoPro Bagjump provide the ideal environment to hone your skills. Lastly, the three easy lines of the Easy Park Obingleitn in Fieberbrunn offer an easy path to get into a routine thanks to their numerous berms, easy North Shore elements and rock gardens. Once the fundamentals are on lock, progression is made easy thanks to numerous beginner-friendly lines with many playful elements that will even keep more advanced riders entertained. Step by step, Riders will find it easy to work their up (or should we say down?) to more and more advanced trails until they eventually make it to the Downhill World Championship track, “Speedster”, or the rough and technical X-Line. However, anyone considering hitting these ‘pro’ trails should really make sure that they are able to comfortably ride all other trails, lines and features in the region before embarking on this this of skill and courage. Mountain biking without limits The choice of the next tour depends solely on your own level of fitness as the cross-border mountain bike trail network is almost limitless. In Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, you will find a wide range of tours that can be individually tailored to your needs. Everyone is free to decide whether the next tour will be a leisurely round through beautiful Alpine pastures, a panoramic tour with the use of the lifts or a challenging marathon. Whatever you choose, you can recharge your batteries and indulge in some refreshments in one of the numerous huts found throughout the mountains and valleys of the region. Gravel biking in the Alps Gravel biking is much more than just a discipline, it’s a lifestyle. Whether it’s extended tours, fast off-road laps on gravel roads and forest paths or leisurely exploration adventures, gravel biking always promises a truly memorable experience. The region, so far largely known as a mountain bike destination, turns out to be an insider's tip for this trendsetting sport. But what distinguishes gravel bikers from road bikers? While you are confined to asphalt roads with a road bike, the somewhat less restrictive geometry and the larger tread and profile of the tires of a gravel bike promise freedom, fun, adventure, and the experience of nature away from busy roads. Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is a true Alpine gravel road paradise with a near infinite number of different touring options. Endless scope Austria's largest biking region offers thrilling biking experiences regardless of which bike you’re on. With the E-MTB boom, these experiences have reached new heights. Literally. The charging stations throughout the mountains are ready to recharge your bike, the rental shops have stocked up their E-MTB inventory and all mountain bike routes and trails are, of course, also accessible to E-Bikers without limitations. Furthermore, specially designated E-Bike routes offer easy recommendations for tours that are particularly suited for E-mountain bikers. Stop, recharge, and continue cycling is the motto when you comfortably charge your bike at a mountain hut while taking a short break. The offer is rounded off by rideroriented services such as bike shops, bike rental, bike schools, local guides, and practice areas for beginners. And, of course, riders and mountain bikers are welcome guests in all accommodations, restaurants, and huts. News 2022 There is always plenty to do in between seasons and 2022 is no different as Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn has once again been hard at work to create new trails and further improve the infrastructure. Here’s the latest news from Austria’s largest bike region: New Line on the Schattberg – The fAIRy Line The Schattberg area has a new line. From summer 2022 on, riders looking for an alternative to the rough and technical X-Line can look forward to the new fAIRy line. As much flow as the Panorama-Line but with more airtime and a view straight out of a fairy tale. New bike tours in Fieberbrunn: Hochörndler Hut and Hoametzl Round-Tour Next to its Bikepark-style trails, Fieberbrunn is also a true insider’s tip for fans of leisurely tours. Starting in summer 2022, Fieberbrunn is adding two additional leisure tours to its vast network of trails and paths. The tour “Hochhörndler Hütte 2020” starts at the hotel ‘Eiserne Hand’ in Fieberbrunn, passes the ‘Schreiender Brunnen’, a small waterfall, before leading over the ‘Hörndliger Graben’ and to the Hochhörndler Hütte. This medium-difficulty, 6.3-kilomter-long tour follows beautiful forest roads and includes 740 vertical meters of elevation gain. Once at the top, riders are not only greeted by gorgeous views but by a traditional lunch at the mountain hut that is the name-sake of the tour. The second new leisure tour leads to the Hoametzl mountain hut. The tour starts in Hochfilzen between the two regions of Fieberbrunn and Leogang with a stretch on an asphalt road before it leads onto gravely forest roads and up to the Hoametzl hut. After a short break at the hut, riders need to push just a bit further uphill to reach the highest point of the tour before gravity takes over on the downhill. The tour is 8.5 kilometers long, rated as medium difficulty and includes 280 vertical meters of climbing. Keep the Epic Bikepark clean Epic times on the bike go hand-in-hand with treating nature respectfully. That is why the motto at Bikepark Leogang is "Keep the Epic Bikepark clean". For this reason, tear-off systems are banned. To make up for this, riders can get a replacement film for their roll-off system as well as a 10% voucher for goggles with a roll-off system by 100% at Sport Mitterer when they buy a ticket in rainy weather.
Der Internationale Radsportverband (UCI) wählte das Pinzgauer Bike-Mekka zum besten Downhill-Weltcuport des Jahres 2021. Sieben Stationen zählte der Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountainbike Weltcup-Kalender 2021. Die besten Downhill-Rennen fanden dabei im Bikepark Leogang statt – das entschieden kürzlich Athleten, Teammanager, UCI-Sponsoren und UCI-Mitarbeiter. Das Pinzgauer Bike-Mekka hatte im Voting unter anderem in Sachen Organisation, Atmosphäre und Rennstrecken gegenüber den restlichen Veranstalter-Orten die Nase vorn und darf sich nun über die Auszeichnung „Bestes Downhill-Event im Weltcup“ der UCI freuen. Es ist die erste Auszeichnung dieser Art, die der seit elf Jahren ausgetragene Downhill-Klassiker im Pinzgau erhalten hat: „Eine große Anerkennung für das gesamte Team, das die Veranstaltung jedes Jahr mit großer Motivation vorbereitet und umsetzt. Wir haben in der Vergangenheit konsequent darauf hingearbeitet, uns ständig weiterzuentwickeln und zu verbessern“, zeigt sich Marco Pointner, Geschäftsführer der Saalfelden Leogang Touristik GmbH erfreut. Und Kornel Grundner, Geschäftsführer der Leoganger Bergbahnen fügt hinzu: „Ganz besonders freut uns natürlich, dass diese Auszeichnung von Athleten, Team-Managern, Sponsoren und UCI-Mitarbeitern verliehen wird. Schön, dass unsere Arbeit und unser Herzblut auch auf diese Weise Anerkennung findet.“ Leogang – ausgezeichneter Weltcuport in Österreichs größter Bikeregion Dass sich die Region nicht auf ihren Lorbeeren ausruht, sondern kontinuierlich am Produkt arbeitet, zeigen auch die Entwicklungen der letzten Jahre. So gehen seit 2020 die Orte Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang und Fieberbrunn nicht nur mehr im Winter, sondern auch im Sommer gemeinsame Wege. Mit dem Zusammenschluss des Bike-Angebots auf Salzburger und Tiroler Seite ist Österreichs größte Bike-Region entstanden – 80 Kilometer Single-Trails, Downhill-Tracks und Flow-Lines, neun Bergbahnen und sieben Berge gibt’s mit einem gemeinsamen Bike-Ticket zu erleben. Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountainbike World Cup vom 10. bis 12. Juni 2022 in Saalfelden Leogang Für die Veranstalter des Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountainbike World Cup ist die Ehrung aber keineswegs Grund sich zurückzulehnen. Auch 2022 will sich die Bike-Destination im Weltcup-Kalender von seiner besten Seite zeigen. Gelegenheit dazu gibt es vom 10. bis 12. Juni, wenn beim Doppelweltcup die weltbesten Cross Country-Athleten um die vordersten Plätze kämpfen und sich die Downhill-Profis einen Hundertstel-Krimi auf der „Speedster“ liefern. Für alle, die es nicht mehr erwarten können endlich wieder live beim Bike-Spektakel dabei zu sein, gibt es gute Nachrichten: Der Early Bird-Ticketverkauf hat bereits begonnen.
It all began 20 years ago with one lift, two shapers, two trails and a good dose of motivation – Austria's first bike park opened in 2001 in Saalfelden Leogang. Although initially only very few outside the region even knew what a bike park was and what or whom it actually was good for, people in Saalfelden Leogang always believed in their vision of creating an Eldorado for mountain bike riders. Within a very short time, the success proved them right and even after 20 years the Epic Bikepark Leogang continues this story. For its big birthday this year, the bike park not only celebrated with new routes, hosting its first double Mountain Bike World Cup or the BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang, but above all with a big smile on the faces of the thousands of visitors. 20 years of Epic Bikepark Leogang The story of the Epic Bikepark Leogang is above all a story of passion and belief in the future of mountain biking. Over 20 years ago, at the turn of the millennium, the Leoganger Bergbahnen – together with 33 shareholders – invested 450,000 euros in an idea unfamiliar and critically eyed by the general public: a bike park. But against all odds, the bet paid off and quickly turned into a complete success. Today, the Epic Bikepark Leogang is one of Europe’s largest bike parks, that has given stoke, flow and happiness to hundreds of thousands of mountain bike riders. With the organization of ten UCI Mountain Bike World Cups, two UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, a Trials World Championship and countless other large and small events, the Epic Bikepark Leogang gave the region of Saalfelden Leogang a worldwide reputation as a summer holiday destination and bike region. The following video gives a deeper insight into the history of the Epic Bikepark Leogang: https://youtu.be/oP6s8aAWEAI Celebrating the 20th anniversary as well as their many years of successful cooperation, the Epic Bikepark Leogang and its long-term bike partner SCOTT raffled a custom painted SCOTT Gambler 900 tuned in a special Leogang Edition this season. The unique bike – painted in the colors of the bike park and with the hashtag #20epicyears on the chain stay and “The Epic Bikepark Leogang” on the head tube – was presented to the lucky winner, chosen among 360 participants, as part of the BIKE Festival. New trails are a complete success What started two trails, now has developed into 11 trails with a total length of over 30 kilometers, accompanied by more than 10,000 square meter practice area, the Riders Playground, a paved pump track of 5,000 square meter with a dirt jump area, the GoPro Bagjump and much more. It doesn’t stop there: over the past 20 years the region of Saalfelden Leogang region has also invested in the creation and expansion of a huge network of mountain bike trails surrounding the bike park. This year’s new additions, already have received an overwhelmingly positive feedback, are “Vali's Hölle” and the “Knappentrail”. After the debut of Vali's Hölle as a new, extremely steep and technically demanding section of the downhill race track of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship last year, it became part of the Epic Bikepark Leogang as official line in 2021. But watch out! Vali's Hölle is anything but a flowline and holds a great challenge even for experienced riders. Furthermore, the “HOT SHOTS fired by GoPro” has been extended right up to the mountain station of the Asitzbahn and now offers even more airtime and flow on big jumps and huge berms. With the opening of the new Knappentrail the range of routes outside the bike park was expanded, too. The moderately difficult, natural trail starts right next to the Schwarzleo Trail and meanders with lots of flow, spiced up by some north shore elements back down to the valley. Season Highlights: Double World Cup and BIKE Festival Despite difficult conditions, Saalfelden Leogang was able to successfully and, above all, safely host two event highlights this year. The first UCI Double World Cup in the Epic Bikepark Leogang at the beginning of June marked the season opening of the downhill circuit and ensured thrilling and spectacular downhill and cross-country races. Thanks to a sophisticated safety and hygiene concept, a limited number of spectators was allowed onsite to witness and celebrate the victories of Camille Balanche (SUI) and Troy Brosnan (AUS) in downhill as well as the double victories of Loana Lecomte (FRA) and Mathias Flückiger (SUI) in the cross-country and cross-country short track from right next to the track. The second big event of the year, the BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang, was once again a great success. During the festival, thousands of visitors marveled at the latest bikes, components and products of 30 exhibitors and were able to test most of them directly on the lines and trails in and outside the bike park. In addition to live music and a variety of workshops with professionals and stars of the scene such as Jasper Jauch, the Pump Track World Championship Qualifier once again offered hot racing action for young and old. Kornel Grundner, Managing Director of the Leoganger Bergbahnen: “20 years of Epic Bikepark Leogang. That's really a thing. We are super proud of what we and the entire Leoganger Bergbahnen team have built here over the past two decades and are already looking forward to the years to come. With the Epic Bikepark Leogang, we have created a magnet for visitors in the region and are able to present them an absolute highlight, but we also have moved a lot for our local mountain bike community. With Vali Höll we now even have an overall World Cup winner in downhill from our region who, despite her young age, is already inspiring future generations of riders." Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik: “A lot has happened here in the bike park and I have great respect for the people who had the courage to start this project 20 years ago. After the initial challenges, not only the bike park steadily expanded, but a whole network of trails and countless options outside the bike park were created for activity-seeking tourists in Saalfelden Leogang. Thanks to the many event highlights and offers for mountain bike riders, touring cyclists, e-bike riders and hikers and due to the cooperation with the Leoganger Bergbahnen and the Epic Bikepark Leogang, the region of Saalfelden Leogang has become an internationally acclaimed tourist destination. The success of our work and our offer is also reflected in our visitor numbers. We now have a 50:50 distribution between summer and winter in terms of the number of overnight stays. However, we will not rest on this success. We are already working on a whole series of new projects and are constantly expanding our range. One can look forward to the future." What’s in for the next season 2022? For the coming season, the trail network in Saalfelden Leogang will be expanded by the addition of another natural trail, on which mountain bike guests in the region can collect vertical feet outside the park, while other highlights are being planned for the expansion and the refinement of the Epic Bikepark Leogang itself. The Epic Bikepark Leogang is also looking forward to hosting the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup again as part of the Out of Bounds Festival in Leogang. From 10-12 June 2022, all eyes will again be on the Pinzgau region, when the best of the best in downhill, cross-country and cross-country short track will compete against each other for important World Cup points. Of course, the BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang will return as well. As per tradition, it takes place in September (16-18).
Der „Epic Bikepark Leogang“ ist noch bis zum 7. November befahrbar und auch die Leoganger Bergbahnen und viele Betriebe und Hotels der Region halten im Herbst ihre Türen offen. Nach dem Sommer ist vor dem Winter? Nicht in Saalfelden Leogang. Hier können Einheimische wie Gäste auch in der Nebensaison in Sachen Sport-, Freizeit-, Kulinarik- und Wellnessangeboten aus dem Vollen schöpfen. Noch bis zum 7. November steht es allen Bike-Begeisterten offen, im „Epic Bikepark Leogang“ in die Pedale zu treten, sich auf elf verschiedenen Lines und Trails und auf dem 10.000 Quadratmeter großen Riders Playground so richtig auszutoben. Leoganger Bergbahnen fahren erstmals bis in den Winter Die Leoganger Bergbahnen sind auch nach dem Ende der Bikepark-Saison durchgehend bis zum Start des Winterbetriebs (voraussichtlich 26. November) geöffnet. So können Wanderer die Steinbergbahn -auch schon mit einer aktuellen Saisonkarte für den Winter 2021/2022- nutzen, um die goldene Jahreszeit von den Gipfeln der hiesigen Bergwelt aus zu genießen. Aber auch viele Betriebe und Hotels der Region halten in der Nebensaison ihre Türen offen und sorgen für das leibliche Wohl und die entsprechende Nächtigungsmöglichkeit. Damit präsentiert sich Saalfelden Leogang einmal mehr als Urlaubsdestination für 365 Tage im Jahr.
Über 30 namhafte Aussteller präsentierten ihre Produktneuheiten auf dem Bike-Sektor – und stellten diese auch zum Testen zur Verfügung. Nach der pandemiebedingten Pause im vergangenen Jahr wartete bei der dritten Auflage des Continental BIKE Festivals Saalfelden Leogang ein buntes Programm aus diversen, von Experten begleiteten Workshops und Testrides, zwei Wettbewerben auf dem Velosolutions Pump Track und jeder Menge Unterhaltung in der Expo-Area: „Vom Testride bis zum Workshop, vom Anfänger bis zum Fortgeschrittenen – alle Teilnehmer konnten sich über geniale Bedingungen auf den Trails freuen, die Workshops sind super angenommen worden und auch das Wetter hat bestens mitgespielt“, freut sich Marco Pointner, Geschäftsführer der Saalfelden Leogang Touristik. Rund 5000 Besucher frequentierten die Bike-Expo an den drei Veranstaltungs-Tagen. Alle hielten sich an ein strenges Hygienekonzept, mit 3-G-Regel und Online-Registrierung an den Eingängen zum Aussteller-Areal. Auch zwei Wettbewerbe waren wieder Teil des Programms: Auf dem Velosolutions Pump Track kämpften die Teilnehmer um ein Quali-Ticket für das große WM-Finale in Lissabon. Die jeweils ersten vier Platzierten der Herrenkategorie (Max Eijndhoven, Max Wegener, Hannes Slavik, Luca Eckardt) sowie die vier schnellsten Damen (Kristina Madarasova, Michaela Hajkova, Kristina Novakova, Lisa Prochiner) durften sich über die Qualifizierung freuen. Tags darauf nahmen über 40 Kinder das SCOTT Junior Race in Angriff. Am Samstag wurde zudem der 20. Geburtstag des EPIC Bikepark Leogang feierlich zelebriert. Das Continental BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang läutet die Herbstsaison in der Pinzgauer Bikeregion ein. Noch bis 7. November sind die Trails im EPIC Bikepark Leogang befahrbar. Die Bergbahnen Leogang werden heuer für alle Wanderbegeisterten sogar erstmals ohne Unterbrechung bis in die Wintersaison geöffnet bleiben.
Nach einem Jahr Pause fährt das Continental BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang vom 10. bis 12. September wieder mit vollem Programm auf. Neben einer großen Expo Area mit mehr als 40 Ausstellern und zahlreichen Workshops für jedes Niveau, geht in diesen Tagen im Epic Bikepark Leogang unter anderem auch ein Qualifikationsevent für die weltweit größte Pump Track Serie über die Bühne. Am Freitag, 10. September, fällt um 11 Uhr der Startschuss zur dritten Auflage des Continental BIKE Festivals Saalfelden Leogang. Über drei Tage gibt das legendäre Event dann die Möglichkeit zu testen und auszuprobieren – nicht nur die neuesten Bike-Modelle der Folgesaison 2022, sondern auch die eigenen Skills auf dem Rad. Highlight im Wettbewerbskalender ist der Pump Track World Championship Qualifier am Samstag. Hier gilt es für alle Hobbysportler und -Sportlerinnen auf dem Velosolutions Pump Track zu pumpen, was das Zeug hält, und sich so vielleicht ein Ticket für das große Finale in Lissabon zu sichern. Das Rennen in Leogang ist einer von 25 Qualifikationswettkämpfen weltweit und damit Teil der größten Pump Track Rennserie überhaupt. Auch die Rookies zeigen, was sie draufhaben Natürlich gibt es von Freitag bis Sonntag auch für die Kleinsten unter den Bike-Begeisterten die Gelegenheit, sich so richtig auszutoben. So geht etwa am Abschlusstag mit der Scott Junior Trophy ein weiteres Highlight auf dem Velosolutions Pump Track in Szene. Hier können sich Kids und Jugendliche zwischen fünf und 17 Jahren über Wellen und in Steilkurven beweisen – aber vor allem Spaß am Sport zeigen. Tags zuvor geht von 10 bis 15 Uhr der „20 Epic Years Kids & Youth Day“ über die Bühne. Hier lernen Kinder zwischen sechs und 14 Jahren in Kleingruppen alle wichtigen Skills, um ihr Bike sicherer zu beherrschen. Workshops für jedes Fahrer-Niveau Daneben warten in diesen Tagen im Epic Bikepark Leogang zahlreiche Workshops um die eigenen Fähigkeiten auf dem Bike auf das nächste Level zu heben. Egal ob Einsteiger, Fortgeschrittener oder Expert, gemeinsam mit professionellen Guides und Coaches, wie den beiden Profis Elias Schwärzler oder Jasper Jauch, geht es ab auf die Strecken, um sich mit wertvollen Tipps in Sachen Fahrtechnik und -sicherheit weiterzuentwickeln. Das Angebot reicht vom „Downchill“- Workshop, über einen EMTB-Testride für Einsteiger, bis hin zu einem Go Pro Bag Jump-Workshop. Wer schon immer professionelle Fotos von sich auf dem Bike haben wollte, sollte beim "Fox Hit the Park" mitmachen - die Profi-Bilder sind für die Teilnehmer gratis. Und endlich gibts auch wieder was auf die Ohren: Am Freitag- und Samstagabend warten Livekonzerte mit Johnny Gass und Chris Shermer. Nur noch eine Woche um SCOTT Gambler 900 zu gewinnen! Der Epic Bikepark Leogang verlost zusammen mit seinem langjährigen Partner SCOTT ein Custom Paint SCOTT Gambler 900 Tuned #20epicyears Edition. Zur Feier der jahrelangen erfolgreichen Zusammenarbeit und passend zum 20-jährigen Bikepark-Jubiläum hat nun jede/r, der den Epic Bikepark Leogang vom 07. Juli bis 31. August 2021 besucht, die Chance das einzigartige Bike zu gewinnen. Die feierliche Übergabe an den glücklichen Gewinner wird beim BIKE Festival in Leogang vom 10. - 12. September stattfinden.