The Loam Pass Review: A Season’s Pass for Mountain Bikers (Finally!)

What if you could purchase one pass and instantly have access to dozens of lift and shuttle-served mountain bike destinations across the US? Well, now you can! The Loam Pass is kind of like what the Indy Pass is for skiers and snowboarders. It allows you to spend two days at select lift or shuttle-accessed mountain bike destinations from the East Coast to the West and a surprising number of stops in between.

The Loam Pass is a great way to branch out from your home turf and experience something new. Whether that’s a descent down The Whole Enchilada in Moab (a must for any mountain biker) or your first visit to a lift-accessed bike park, the Loam Pass opens up a lot of doors.

I recently used my first Loam Pass credit at the Lake Leatherwood Gravity Project in Arkansas and was stoked at how easy it was. I’m excited to use it at more awesome downhill-focused destinations this season and beyond!

If you’re considering purchasing the Loam Pass, this post breaks down everything you need to know about it including whether it’s a good choice for your two-wheeled adventures.

What is the Loam Pass?

The Loam Pass is a physical or digital pass that grants you two days of lift or shuttle-accessed mountain biking at over 30 (and growing!) destinations across the US. So essentially, it gives you 60 days of riding. The pass also provides special discounts and other perks (see more about that below).

What is the Loam Pass NOT?

The Loam Pass is not a season’s pass to your local bike park (like some Ikon passes are). Instead, it’s meant to give you 2-day access to a variety of bike parks and shuttles around the US.

Where does the Loam Pass work?

There are currently about 30 bike parks, resorts, and shuttles that are part of the Loam Pass network. You can check out all the destinations here.

My Thoughts on the Loam Pass

As someone who loves to travel and loves to mountain bike (especially downhill!), the Loam Pass is a match made in heaven for me. I’m always looking for new and unique places to ride and the Loam Pass gives me the incentive to seek out different destinations from coast to coast.

I know the team behind Loam Pass is just getting started (March 1, 2024 was their launch date), but I do hope that the bike park and shuttle network continue to grow. The 30 or so destinations are a good start, but unless you have the freedom to travel frequently or you have a long road trip in the works, most people won’t be able to take advantage of the majority of the offerings.

It would also be really cool to see the Loam Pass expand overseas! There’s so much opportunity for them to become the mountain biking version of the global Indy, Ikon, and Epic passes for skiers and snowboarders. I’m excited to see where it goes!

Is This Pass for you?

More Facts & FAQs

Q: How much does the Loam Pass cost?
A: Early pricing for the Loam Pass is $249. Regular season pricing is $299. If we assume that the average bike park or shuttle ticket price is $50, this means you need to visit at least 6 destinations in a year for the Loam Pass to make sense financially.

Q: Who is the pass for?
A: Anyone! But because the destinations span from the East Coast to the West, the Loam Pass really benefits those who have a long road trip planned or have the flexibility and desire to travel.

Q: What’s the difference between the digital and physical pass?
A: For an extra $20, you can get a physical Loam Pass card. You get a few extra perks like stickers, a physical destination map, and some ‘other goodies’.

Q: How does the Loam Pass work?
A: It’s easy! Once you’ve signed up for your pass, you’ll get a pass ID number and a QR code. For the digital pass, you can find these in your Loam Pass account. When you’re ready to ride, all you need to do is show your QR Code or provide your ID number and you’re good to go!

Q: Will new destinations get added?
A: Yes! 2024 is the first season of the Loam Pass, so I think we can expect more and more destinations to be added on a rolling basis.

Q: Can I use it for my friends?
A: No. The Loam Pass is just for you.

Q: Do the credits expire?
A: Yes. The Pass is active from March 1st to December 31st. If you don’t use your credits before the end of the year, they do expire.

Q: What else does the Loam Pass get me?
A: Most destinations include a few additional perks like discounts on bike rentals, merchandise, lodging, etc… You can see what discounts each place offers on their individual Loam Pass page. For example, below are the additional perks for Bolton Valley Bike Park in Vermont.

For more answers and info on the Loam Pass visit their FAQ page.

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What questions do you have about the Loam Pass? Are you planning on purchasing it? Which bike parks or shuttled descents are on your radar? Leave a comment below!