SIDEWINDER THREDBO, NSW

For years the Flow trail has been one of the most popular trails to ride in Thredbo, NSW, as the mountain added more options beyond the OG Cannonball run. Then came the All Mountain trail and various other flowing connector tracks, plus Ricochet two years ago. All these trails have brought a slightly different flavour of speed and features to your riding experience. As the new Merritts gondola has been completed, Thredbo now opens its first trail in the new zone, bringing brakeless flow and large supportive berms to carry your speed. Upper Sidewinder passes by the last section of the All Mountain trail so riders have a wide variety of riding in a single run.

As Thredbo bike park have opened up new trails of various degrees of difficulty, it’s attracting mountain bikers of all skill and fitness levels. That being said, pulling up to the chairlift to see how high it takes you can be quite daunting for first timers and so with the addition of the Merritts zone, riders can now warm up on the shorter flow trails such as Sidewinder and or the lower All Mountain trail before conquering the long descents of the Flow, All Mountain and Cannonball runs.

Don’t let the lower elevation fool you, as the trail traverses over the north side of the ridge line and doubles back giving riders 3.2kms of gravity flow, maximising the length of the trail while still sending riders down at maximum speeds.

As bike parks become increasingly more popular they require the need for more trails to maximise the appeal to riders, but also to manage the number of riders in the park at any one time. Now, instead of waiting in line for the Kosciuszko chair, riders will have the choice of three different lifts to take them to various parts of the mountain, each with their own type of trail variety. For example, the Kosciuszko chair takes you up to the two Thredbo classics (Cannonball and Flow) with connectors to the All Mountain. Whereas the Gunbarrel chair takes you a little lower to the likes of Ricochet, Easy Street and the All Mountain trail. Finally the recently installed Merritts gondola will take up to two bikes per pod up to Sidewinder and the Lower All Mountain. There are now so many options for riders to get a killer run quick and clean while avoiding lift lines.

MORE FLOW FOR THREDBO

The classic Flow trail has been a favourite for thousands and with new flow trails it makes us question “How can they make it different?” Yet Thredbo always manages to amaze us with the creativity of the trail builders and the incredible work they do on the mountain. From sneaky wall rides on Woodys to ‘on-off’ boulder features on Ricochet, what more could be done? Well… the Sidewinder trail is the definition of surfing on dirt

with fast consecutive corners that make you feel like you’re carving a wave. Not to mention the long straightaway to bring you back around to the front of the ridge that’s full of small, carving turns and long consecutive rollers to float down the trail. Sidewinder makes excellent use of it’s 300m elevation drop, and it does so with only one small flat section - the rest is easy going descending down to the village.

GETTING THERE

Thredbo’s a little over a five and half hour drive from Sydney but for Canberrans it’s an easy two and half hour drive; very manageable if you’re only planning a day trip.

TECHNICAL NATURE

If you’re not already familiar with the various Snowy Mountains region trails, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the incredible grip the trails offer. The Sidewinder trail is as wide as a footpath with small rock take offs every often on the side of the trail, all berms are built high and wide to carry maximum speed with very predicable features that send you into the perfect position, The trail mostly consists of rollers so they’re very easy to ride slow but still fun enough for faster riders to double.

YOU’LL NEED

As for all bike parks don’t forget to bring proper protection. A half lid helmet and knee pads will be fine but if you’re on the lift all day it doesn’t hurt to bring a full face helmet, because if you’re only using energy on the way down you are much more likely to attempt something new.

DISTANCES

Sidewinder gives riders 3.2kms of gravity goodness, dropping 300m from the lift, with no yucky uphills.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

This trail is perfect for a warm up or when you’re feeling tired but aren’t completely done riding, a trail that is built for riders to cruise or absolutely haul. Sitting a little lower on the mountain, it may be a better pick on windy days as well, once below the ridge.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

With a season-long dedicated trail crew, and the choice of a whole new zone, riders will be more spread out than ever, meaning the trails will be in much better shape and solid for bulk laps all season long.

WHILE IN THE AREA

If you want a little more flow adventure, the Thredbo Valley Trail now stretches from Friday Flat all the way down to the Gaden Trout Hatchery, and if you’re feeling extra fit, you can ride it all the way back; amounting to 70kms!

LOCAL BIKE SHOPS

Below the Kosciuszko chairlift you’ll find the Thredbo bike shop. Be sure to bring some spares with you; if you come down in peak season or during races, the shop will often be very busy.