STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-August 17, 2020-The pedal free zone will flow much longer when the NPR (No Pedaling Required) trail is extended to the base of historic Howelsen Hill Ski Area in the coming weeks. 

“The continuation of NPR is going to be a great addition to the Emerald Mountain trail system,” said Open Space and Trails Supervisor Jenny Carey. “We’re excited to be working with FlowRide Concepts on this project.”

FlowRide Concepts was contracted by the city to design and build the extension of the NPR downhill bike trail, connecting it from its current ending point to the base of Howelsen Hill. 

Mobilization and construction will begin early this week and is scheduled to last approximately three weeks through September 4. The existing NPR trail will not be affected during construction but please respect all construction closures until the new trail is ready to be opened. 

NPR trail was constructed in 2015 and 2016 with 2A Trails Alliance and Great Outdoors Colorado grant funds. Due to physical constraints and technical review required on the lower sections of Emerald, NPR was not constructed to the base area until a practical alignment could be determined. 

Staff considered the options, feasibility and constructibility of the new continuation of the downhill trail and developed a cost-effective plan that met the goals of the Trails Alliance proposal.  

Phase One of the project called for improving the Lower Mile Run/Robbie’s Cut trail, providing a safer and more accessible route for two-way traffic. This work was completed in 2019 by Routt County Riders Trail Builders and funded by the 2A Trails Committee. Phase Two of the project completes the NPR trail to the base under the design direction of FlowRide Concepts. 

A one-stop shop specializing in planning, design and construction, FlowRide Concepts has worked on trails from coast to coast including previous efforts on the city’s Bear River Bike Park. The design team has applied a hands-on, wheels-on philosophy across a range of projects that span small-scale municipal bike parks to expansive all-mountain trail networks and full-scale resort bike parks.