Bikepark Leogang - Snowy Trails and Dirty Bikes

Yesterday was my first time at the Leogang Bikepark, and what an unexpected day it turned out to be. I had planned this day with some friends, eager to hit the trails and enjoy some downhill riding. But when we arrived in the morning, the valley greeted us with a crisp, cold air, temperatures hovering around 10°C.

We knew it would be colder up on the mountain, but none of us were quite prepared for the sight that awaited us at the top. Thanks to low-pressure system Boris that had swept through Europe the previous week, there was an unexpected amount of snow covering the upper slopes. I already encountered the flooding on my way home from HiveFest, when my trains were canceled, but in Tyrol, most of it luckily fell as snow, sparing the region from severe floods.

The snow in Leogang was a reminder of how the weather had shifted dramatically. Standing there in the chill, we could feel the bite of winter creeping in, despite it only being October. It felt surreal to be gearing up for a day of biking while surrounded by snow, especially since I had just been in Split, enjoying much warmer temperatures.

With the snow limiting access to most of the trails, only a single run was open, in the upper part of the Bikepark, but plenty in the lower part. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the conditions quickly turned our day into a real adventure. The melting snow meant the trails were slick and muddy in many parts, and by the end of each run, both we and our bikes were absolutely soaked. Riding through the mud and dodging puddles (and often failing), made for a completely different kind of fun.

Though it was my first time at Leogang, it didn’t take long to understand why this place is so loved by riders.

Even with limited trails, the downhill runs were an absolute blast. The snow-covered scenery gave the park a unique vibe, and every time we reached the bottom, we were already eager to get back on the lift and head up for another run.

By the end of the day, our bikes were completely covered in mud.

Thankfully, there are always bike washing stations conveniently located by the ski lift. We hosed down our bikes, watching layers of mud and grime slowly peel off. Still, after the rough day on the trails, my bike was nowhere near clean. The wet conditions had left it in a pretty sorry state, and it was clear I’d need to give it a more thorough cleaning once I got home.

This morning, I finally had the chance to really get my bike sparkling again. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing it go from filthy to spotless, knowing it’s ready for the next adventure. The bike feels refreshed, and even though I’ve got a bit of muscle ache from yesterday’s rides, I’m already looking forward to the next time I hit the trails.

Leogang may have surprised me with its snowy conditions, but it was a day full of fun. I can't wait to go back, hopefully next time with a bit less snow.