(Posted - 15 Oct 2012)
Mt Buller - the host mountain for the Bike Buller MTB Festival presented by Giant, 9-11 March - has cemented itself as Australia’s premier mountain bike destination, with the resort announced as Australia’s first International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) endorsed Ride Center.
Revealed at a ceremony at the 2012 IMBA World Summit in Sante Fe, New Mexico yesterday, Mt Buller has been recognised with Bronze level Ride Center status, and joins a select group of mountain biking destinations around the world that represent IMBA’s Model Trail recognition for large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider.
IMBA’s announcement described Mt Buller as “setting the standard for mountain bike trail development at Australian ski resorts."
Louise Perrin, Environmental Services Manager for Mt Buller Mt Stirling Resort Management, is thrilled with the announcement. “It is just fantastic to receive this recognition from IMBA. The Ride Center designation represents only the best of the best mountain biking destinations, and it is immensely satisfying to see the efforts we’ve put into the Resort rewarded in this way. The development of the mountain biking product here has been the result of a lot of hard work by Mt Buller Mt Stirling Resort Management, World Trail and strong partnerships with the Department of Planning and Community Development, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and funding bodies such as Regional Development Victoria.
“The trails at Mt Buller and Mt Stirling are always evolving, and we are constantly striving to ensure we have high quality, sustainable trails for riders to enjoy for many years to come. Watch this space because we’re not done yet!"
Mt Buller Mt Stirling has steadily developed its mountain biking product over the past six years under the Bike Buller brand, teaming up with renowned trail designer Glen Jacobs and his team from World Trail to construct a range of quality trails as part of a staged development plan.
Stages one and two of this plan were completed between 2007 and 2009, with new beginner and intermediate trails around the Mt Buller Village and five new loops between the Village and the Corn Hill area.
Stage three saw the completion of Stonefly in January 2011, the Resort’s signature 10km advanced endurance trail that stretches from Howqua Gap to Mt Stirling and back.
In December 2011 as part of stage four, the Resort launched Copperhead - brought to you by Specialized, Australia's very first flow down trail, a unique trail concept that incorporates a flow country style with a downhill edge suitable for both downhill and cross-country bikes and all types of riders.
Stage five was partly completed over the summer of 2011-12, and saw the completion of two new linkage trails – Split Rock and Snowgums – which connect the Mt Buller Village with the Skills Park area and Copperhead to the Mt Buller Village respectively.
This summer sees the completion of Snowgums, as well the commencement of stage six, which will see upgrades to the Delatite River Trail and improved drainage works on Copperhead. A seventh stage is also in the pipeline for summer 2013-14.
For further information on Mt Buller and its comprehensive network of cross-country and downhill mountain bike trails, please visit mtbuller.com.au
For further information on IMBA Ride Centers, visit imba. com/ride-centers
The Bike Buller MTB Festival has been confirmed for 9-11 March, and will again coincide with the Picnic in the Park Festival held on the March long weekend.
ENTRIES OPENING LATER THIS WEEK!
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