New to Angel Fire Bike Park? My First-Time Visitor’s Guide
Angel Fire Bike Park is tucked away in a tiny Rocky Mountain town in northern New Mexico (population just over 1,000), and while it’s a bit out of the way, it’s absolutely worth the trip. I first rode there in 2019 and have been back at least half a dozen times since. It’s one of those bike parks I’ll keep returning to whenever I get the chance, I love it so much!
With over 2,000 feet of vertical drop, 40+ miles of trail, and a good mix of flow, tech, and jump lines, Angel Fire truly has something for everyone. Plus, the views out over the surrounding mountains and valley are some of the best I’ve experienced at a bike park (aside from Mammoth…)
If you’re thinking about making the trip, do it! I promise you won’t regret it. In this post, I share everything you need to know to make your first visit to Angle Fire a good one.
Highlights of Angel Fire Bike Park
TWW TAKE
Please note that these are my personal opinions – you may argue otherwise! And if so, state your case (politely) in the comments 🙂
Fun-ness Factor
Trail Variety
Bike Park Features
Average Difficulty
✨ Photo Gallery
How Angel Fire Bike Park works
If it’s your first time visiting Angel Fire Bike Park, don’t worry, it’s easy to figure out once you get there, but here’s what to expect so you feel a little more prepared:
🎟️ Lift tickets & passes
To ride the park, you’ll need a bike park lift ticket. You can buy a day pass, multi-day pass, or season pass either online or at the ticket office at the base area. Prices vary depending on the day and time of year.
🚠 Getting to the top: The Chile Express Lift
Angel Fire is a lift-served bike park, which means you and your bike ride up the mountain on a chairlift. There is one lift for mountain bikers— the Chile Express— and it runs all summer long, 7 days a week. The top of the lift is at 10,650 feet, so you’ll probably feel the altitude!
Each chair is equipped with self-load bike trays that hold up to three bikes. You’ll load your bike yourself by placing the wheels into the wheel baskets. It’s simple once you see it in action, and staff are around to help if you need it.
Tip: There is a chairlift loading practice station next to Chile Express. Test it out before you head up for your first run if you’re nervous about loading your bike.
Then you hop on the chair and enjoy the scenic 15-minute ride to the top! Once there, your bike will be unloaded and you can pick your route down.
🗺️ Trail layout
At the top, there is a big trail map to help you choose your route down. Angel Fire has trails for all levels and ride ride styles from smooth, flowy greens and blues to steep, rocky blacks and pro-level jump lines. Everything leads back to the base, so you can keep lapping all day.
Angel Fire Trail Map
You can pick up a paper trail map at the ticket counter or use the TrailForks app on your phone.
⏰ Hours & season
Angel Fire Bike Park typically opens late May through mid-October, depending on snow melt and weather. Hours vary, but during peak season the lifts run daily from 9am to 4pm.
Tip: The last time I was at Angel Fire (in August), intense thunderstorms rolled in each afternoon around 2pm, shutting down the lifts. If you visit in the summer, try to make first chair at 9am so you can max out your time there if the lifts do close.
🚲 Rentals & gear
Don’t have a downhill bike or a full-face helmet? No problem. The Angel Fire Bike Shop right at the base rents full-suspension bikes, helmets, pads, and gear.
What to expect
Angel Fire is a pretty typical bike park with a good mix of flow trails, jump lines, and old-school tech. It has a little bit of everything, which makes it a great spot for progressing your skills or just doing lap after lap. Here’s what to expect:
Tips for your first visit
First time to Angel Fire? Great! You’re going to have a blast, I always do. But first, here are some tips to make the most of your visit.
🚠 Watch how the lift works first
The Chile Express uses self-load bike trays. If you’ve never loaded your bike onto a lift, watch a few people go ahead of you. The staff is usually nearby and happy to help if you’re unsure or need a hand.
🟢 Start easy and work your way up
Even if you’ve ridden bike parks before, Angel Fire’s trails can feel steep, fast, loose and long. Start with Easy Street (see my first run recommendations below) and take a few warm-up laps to get a feel for the terrain and your bike.
💧 Stay hydrated
You’re riding at high altitude (over 10k!), and the trails are long and physical. Bring a hydration pack or water bottle, and take sips often, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
🧭 Check the trail map and get off the beaten path
It’s easy to keep doing the same runs at Angel Fire (hello Boulder Dash), but if you look at the trail map you’ll see that there is so much more to the park than just its most popular run. But, you’ll need to work to find some of these trails— they’re not easily accessed, so check the trail map and get off the beaten path. You’ll love Angel Fire even more!
🧘♂️ Take breaks
With over 2,000 feet of descending per run, you’ll be surprised how physically demanding just a few laps can be. Take breaks, listen to your body, and don’t overdo it, especially on your first visit.
Choosing your first trails
If you’re new to Angel Fire Bike Park—or to new to downhill riding in general—it’s important to start on trails that match your comfort level and help you build confidence. Angel Fire has several great options that ease you into its terrain without throwing you straight into the gnar.
🟢 Easy Street > Combi
This is a great first run at Angel Fire. Easy Street is wide, smooth, and gently winds down the mountain with no surprises. I like to link it into Combi, which is one of the flowiest trails at Angel Fire with big sweeping berms and great views.
🔵 Chipmunk > Diesel > Boulder Dash
This is a classic run at Angel Fire and you’ll probably end up doing it at least twice it’s so fun. Diesel is berm-y with a few optional features and then Boulder Dash is Angel Fire’s claim to fame: a long intermediate jump line that is perfect for building skills and confidence.
🔵⚫ Ziggy > Turbo Diesel > Easy Street > Lemonade > Jazz Hands
After you’re warmed up on Boulder Dash, this trail link up takes things up a notch with bigger jumps and more techy rock gardens. It’s one of my favorites!
⚫ Devinci’s Code > Iced Tea
Ready for some rough old-school riding? Devinci’s Code is one of my favorite trails at Angel Fire. It’s steep, loose, and will keep you on your toes. It naturally leads into Iced Tea for a long, rowdy descent down the mountain.
Angel Fire Trail Treasure Hunt
Want a fun game to play to help you find your way around AFBP? Here are my ‘superlative’ awards for (what I consider) to be the best trails around the park. See if you can find them all!
FAQs for Angel Fire Bike Park
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some helpful tips for riding Angel Fire Bike Park:
Need gear recs?
Head over to my gear closet! I’m always testing out new pieces of bike gear and if I really like them, they earn a place on this page.
Angel Fire has become one of those mtb destinations I just can’t stay away from. The trails are a blast, the setting is beautiful (especially in the fall when the aspens light up) and the whole scene just feels fun and welcoming. The trail crew keeps the trails super dialed, and you can tell they really care about building good lines and keeping everything running smoothly.
I remember being a little unsure before my first visit, so I hope this guide helps you feel more confident heading in. Once you ride Angel Fire once, you’ll get why I keep coming back!
Have you ridden at Angel Fire Bike Park? What did you think? What are your favorite trails? Let me know in the comments below!
I love hearing from you and appreciate your comments! However, if you leave a rude, unconstructive, or spammy comment, it will be deleted. It’s cool to be kind. Have an awesome day!