Sir Sam’s – MTB DH Trail

Length – 23 km

70% MTB singletrack 14 km
30% Downhill runs 9 km

Elevation – Picture a ski hill: you ride up, bomb down, most trail on flat lumpy top

Terrain – Smooth soil base, sandy spots, some gravel and roots, can be muddy

Skill – All levels, but best for Advanced riders

Traffic – MTB and downhill bikes, hikers

Maps – Map board at trailhead, lots of signage on trail

Hours – Opens mid-May till mid-October. Chairlift, services, lodge open weekends during summer and fall, honour system during the week

Facilities – Large parking lot, lodge, washrooms, food, pro shop, rentals, lessons, racing

Highlights – A chairlift makes it easy to go up; great views from the top

Trail Fee – $15 for 2 hrs., $20 all day (includes one chairlift ride)

• Unlimited chairlift/trail access $35 for 2 hrs., $45 all day
• Trail-only access during off-hours (place $10 in honour box, sign waiver)

Phone – 705 754 2298

Website – Sir Sam’s

Similar Trails – Blue Mountain,  Horseshoe Valley,  Kelso

Local Clubs – None

Access – From Hwy 118, taking Hwy 6 or 14 will get you to Eagle Lake. Follow Sir Sam’s Rd. to 1054 Liswood Rd. Park by the lodge at the bottom of the ski hill.

The easy way to the top is riding the chairlift, or you can pedal up the switchback, which starts close to the lift on the centre of the ski hill.

Unknown to many, Sir Sam’s is a downhill ski resort north of the town of Haliburton. In the summer it transforms into a great little DH (downhill) and XC ride park.

This 90-metre ski hill has 23 km of runs heading down the slope and circling the top. The terrain is a smooth clay/loam base with gravel and sandy spots and not as rocky as I expected.

In the forest trails on top, which are not that hilly, you will find some stone, roots and mud patches.

These twist around nicely and are a great place for a beginner to hang out. There is also a BMX pump track and a few structures to play on out in the open area.

Time spent in this wooded area on top will take longer to cruise as the bombs down the hill can be over comparatively quickly.

Most trails here can be managed by any seasoned MTB rider on a sound bike. The black-diamond runs going downhill are a blast—you do need to know what you’re doing. Thankfully the resort has plenty of signage to warn you of any perils.

If you are just getting into the crazy world of DH riding, this is a good starter hill before taking on others or heading to Quebec. There are some sweet bombers and a few small jumps to go aerial…

Read more of this review in my MTB guidebook with better topo maps and riding tips, plus 54 others. Available as an eBook or paperback.