Angel Fire /
United States

21 Mar 2014

Q&A: Angel Fire Bike Park!

Who are you and what do you do at Angel Fire Bike Park?

My name is Hogan Koesis. I am the Bike Park Director here at Angel Fire Bike Park. I dip my toe into everything related to the bike park, i.e., designing and creating the wonderful bike trails, developing events, races and programs here at the bike park. I also oversee the operations in the bike shop, rental and lessons program. I came to Angel Fire Resort to share my passion for the sport and have worked as hard as I can with the team here to build the park up to being one of the best in the country.

How long ago did Angel Fire become a Bike Park? Who or what was the driving force?

Angel Fire Resort became a bike park in 2011. I was hired specifically to help create, design and implement the Bike Park that you see today.

How many visitors do you get in a weekend/season? What was your biggest day ever on record?

Weekends = Several Hundred. Season = 13,000.  The biggest day for us on record was approximately 650 riders.

What is the most popular trail at your bike park?

This is a tough one, I believe when we did our survey it was a tie between Boulder Dash and Chutes and Ladders, both blue trails.

Do you have plans for a new trail this year or plans to re-develop an existing trail?

We have a world class Black Diamond (advanced) Jump trail named Hungry Hippo and a new Blue Diamond (intermediate) Flow trail, which is sponsored by Devinci Bicycles, named Devinci’s Code.  Angel Fire Resort is committed to adding new bike trails every year. 

Describe the predominant “style” of riding at your park? (Natural vs. Manmade, DH/Tech/Steep vs. Flow/Features) Typically, what kind of terrain do you have? (Rocky, Dry-dusty, Tacky, Roots)…

We have everything!  Our trails are 50% Natural vs. Manmade. We have Double Black diamond tech steeps and boulder fields that make you feel every bump in the trail. We also have some of the smoothest green and blue flow trails that will make you smile from ear to ear.

What is the mountain bike scene like at your resort?

The mountain bike scene is a mix from never-ever’s looking for something to do, to experienced world class world cup downhill racers.  We have people that try it for the first time and are hooked for the rest of the summer. We also have people that have been to every bike park in the nation and make it a point to come shake my hand and tell me it is the best bike park that they have ever ridden.  When a bike park is built by a rider, I believe that our riders appreciate its true original and authentic design.

Tell me a little bit about your town. Where do out-of-towners like to stay while visiting Angel Fire? Are there any restaurants or bars that mtb-ers like to hang?

The Lodge at Angel Fire Resort is right at the base of the mountain. We also have an RV park not too far from the resort. The resort has Legends Grill  that a lot of riders enjoy grabbing a bite or a beer after a day on the trail. There are also a handful of pubs and restaurants in town.

Do you have any big events going on this summer at your bike park?

• Gravity Nationals    / June 20-22
• Gravity Games        / Aug 30-Sept 1
• Freeride Festival    / Aug 30-Sept 1
• Fatter Saturday’s (local race series)
• Opening weekend on May 16^th

How has the snow been over the winter? Will it affect your opening date? Do you have an opening day in mind yet?

The snow never really affects opening day.  We will always be open due to our advantageous geographical location. This year’s opening is May 16. Thanks to New Mexico’s blue skies and drier conditions, we have one of the longest bike park seasons in the Rockies.

What does the future hold for your resort?

Our goal is to become the biggest and most authentic bike park in the nation. Our commitment to adding new trails and enhancing the old ones is our sole mission.  Each summer we focus on introducing new people to the sport and converting trail riders into downhillers. We firmly believe if you ride the Angel Fire Bike Park once, you will be hooked.

Here is our 2014 pricing:

Spring Value Season: May 16 – June 16, 2014 (June 17-18 not open)

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