This Saskatchewan park now features a mountain bike trail

After years of planning, a new trail at Buffalo Pound is now open, giving mountain bikers a new challenge to take on. Mick Favel has the story.

A new mountain bike intermediate flow trail and climb trail are now open for those wanting a bit of adventure at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park.

The new installation includes 1,000 metres of new climb trail and 860 metres of professionally designed intermediate flow trail. Other features include berms, rollers and jumps.

“The mountain bike community is quite vibrant in Saskatchewan, and Buffalo Pound is one of the premiere locations for that,” Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod said. “This is a great addition to further complement the already existing trail network.”

Paralympic gold medalist Lisa Franks helped cut the ribbon officially opening the tracks. She said riders of all experience levels can ride the paths.

“This is such a great trail for people to advance their skills, even adaptive riders,” said Franks.

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The trails have been in development for a few years and are located where the White Track Ski Hill once stood.

The Government of Saskatchewan helped fund the construction of the trails, contributing $125,000.

The installation took eight days to construct and has already dealt with heavy moisture this year.

James McKnight from Scatliff+Miller+Murray served as the land use planner for the project. He said the uphill grade was at 20 per cent but was altered to five per cent grade for accessibility.

“With regular maintenances weekly, then a yearly audit, this trail could last forever,” McKnight noted.

Over 15 bikers were using the new trail during the opening.

Brittan Calibapa is the owner at Bohs Cycle and Sport. He said there is quality elevation in Saskatchewan that may surprise people.

“They’d be surprised on how much elevation is out here and we have done with the elevation to make it more mountain bike friendly,” Calibapa said.

Mountain Bikers can use the new trails by paying the entry fee to Buffalo Pound Provincial Park.