Mark Hayes: NH Mountain Biking and Highland Mountain Bike Park (Merrimack County)

07/11/23 • 53 min

Highland Bike Park was once known as Highland Ski Area which operated between 1968-1995 before closing due to mountain debts and dysfunction. In 2003, when the opportunity to buy the defunct ski resort coincided with the sale of his family’s fiber optic business, owner and founder Mark Hayes purchased the mountain. In an effort to preserve the place’s history and community, he created Highland Bike Park–same mountain, same name, new purpose. At the risk of sounding too bold, Hayes set out to create “America’s Bike Park,” and for a long while it was the only exclusively biking lift-accessed area in the country.

Hayes grew up mountain biking in the 1990s and after seeing Whistler Moutnain’s bike park in British Columbia, he realized we needed something similar in the US. What set Whistler’s bike park apart from other mountain bike systems was their intentionally engineered trails, with machine built berms, drops, and features to create “flow.” This design and execution took capital investment, design, and skilled labor to create. Hayes was prepared to support and invest in a project of this scale at Highland.
What is Highland Bike Park’s Model?

Mountain Bike Park: Highland is the only 100% bike-dedicated, lift-access mountain bike park on the East Coast. They offer the longest riding season in the Northeast. There are no other “things” at the park. It is 100% mountain bike related
Camps & Programs: Highland offers overnight camps and programs for adults and kids. Mark describes the park as a place for anyone to come get better and take their riding to the next level.
Trail Building Business- Highland Trails is transforming ski resorts worldwide to year-round operation through bike park construction. Mark's brand is leading the mountain bike industry in the development of learn to ride programs, trail design, construction, and maintenance services. By growing the support and supporting the design of better trials, Hayes is hoping to get more people into the sport. If a family comes and there isn’t a place where they feel safe or excited to ride, they will go elsewhere. We want them to feel welcomed wherever they decide to ride.

Who should visit Highland Bike Park?

Everyone! Hayes’ vision is to make the bike park inviting and accessible to everyone. Unintimidating camps and affordable learn-to-ride programs help address the traditional cost and fear barriers to the sport of mountain biking. The atmosphere welcomes anyone interested in biking at any level.

Mark’s bold prediction is that in 20 years the sport of mountain biking will be as big (if not bigger) than skiing. Want to be part of the movement? Check out Highland Bike Park.

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Mad River Coffee celebrates 20 years of roasting coffee, legendary egg sandwiches, meals to go, and live music right off Exit 28 in Campton NH.

For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com

Mountain Bike Park: Highland is the only 100% bike-dedicated, lift-access mountain bike park on the East Coast. They offer the longest riding season in the Northeast. There are no other “things” at the park. It is 100% mountain bike related
Camps & Programs: Highland offers overnight camps and programs for adults and kids. Mark describes the park as a place for anyone to come get better and take their riding to the next level.
Trail Building Business- Highland Trails is transforming ski resorts worldwide to year-round operation through bike park construction. Mark's brand is leading the mountain bike industry in the development of learn to ride programs, trail design, construction, and maintenance services. By growing the support and supporting the design of better trials, Hayes is hoping to get more people into the sport. If a family comes and there isn’t a place where they feel safe or excited to ride, they will go elsewhere. We want them to feel welcomed wherever they decide to ride.

Who should visit Highland Bike Park?

Mark’s bold prediction is that in 20 years the sport of mountain biking will be as big (if not bigger) than skiing. Want to be part of the movement? Check out Highland Bike Park.

Send us a text

Mad River Coffee celebrates 20 years of roasting coffee, legendary egg sandwiches, meals to go, and live music right off Exit 28 in Campton NH.

For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com

Previous Episode

Ty Gagne: Author, Speaker and Risk Expert (White Mountains)

Ty Gagne, CEO of New Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange (Primex), and author of the books Where You’ll Find Me: Risk, Decisions, and the Last Climb of Kate Matrosova and The Last Traverse: Tragedy and Resilience in the Winter Whites, visited Dan Egan to record 603podcast’s first episode on what it means to adventure in New Hampshire, specifically in the infamously challenging White Mountains. Gagne got his first taste of the Whites in grade school on class trips to mountains like Chocorua and Moosilauke.

In this episode, Gagne digs into some of the most memorable and tragic fatalities in the White Mountains and how risk management and decision making are key elements to our experiences in the outdoors. Gagne has spent hundreds of hours speaking with First Responders and the communities affected by these incidents to create a story through a relatively objective lens. In this episode, Gagne reflects on his own adventures in the Whites and shares his professional perspective on risk in the outdoors, what it means to be experienced in the backcountry, how to create safe group environments in the mountains, and more.
(Visit your public library or local independant bookstore for copies of Gagne's books!

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Mad River Coffee celebrates 20 years of roasting coffee, legendary egg sandwiches, meals to go, and live music right off Exit 28 in Campton NH.

For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com

Next Episode

Dave Cropper: Surfing in New Hampshire and Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Shop (Seacoast)

Dave Cropper is a born and bred New Hampshire beach bum. As owner of Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co., in North Hampton, NH—which he has owned since he was 19, Cropper is a local expert on NH surf history and culture. In this episode of the 603podcast, Cropper shares with Dan Egan how the sport of surfing has exploded with the availability and affordability of wetsuits, boards, and the accessibility of surf forecasting and live wave cams.

Folks come from far and wide to experience NH’s mild winters, consistent surf, and relatively warmer days. When there is a good swell, folks gather from across the Northeast, sometimes all the way from Montreal. The surf culture in New Hampton is also multigenerational. You can often find folks of all ages out on the water. North Hampton has a year-round surf community, and Cropper attests that there is “nothing like the good days at home.” Much like skiers in New England, surfers in New Hampshire appreciate a special day on the water because perfect conditions are infrequent but amazing when they come.

In this episode, Cropper shares the trialing story of his building catching on fire, the closing of his shop, immense community support in saving the store, and what the future holds for the surf shop. “The only certain thing is uncertainty,” says Cropper. After the first summer of COVID, surfing boomed in the granite state, as well as local interest in paddleboarding. Since then, there has been a strong enthusiasm from surf veterans and new surfers alike on the New Hampton shore and in the Cinnamon Rainbows store.

“A wave comes from thousands of miles away, and you’re meeting it as it washes on the beach,” says Cropper.

Cropper shares with Dan some of his favorite parts of his surf community and also some tips for those just getting started in the sport.

Why should people surf in North Hampton?

North Hampton beaches boast sandy bottoms, point breaks, accessible parking along highway 1A, and an incredible community at the beach. One thing Cropper loves about the North Hampton surf scene, is that people are always willing to help. People will offer tips, mentorship, and education, and recognize their responsibility to pass on the knowledge of those who showed them the ways of the waves.

What are some tips for learning how to surf?

1. Take a lesson- learning to surf with an experienced surfer will help you identify hazards, make smarter decisions, and learn the fundamentals of what to do and where to be.
2. Pick the right day- ask your local shop and do your research. Will the waves be appropriate to learn? Will the weather be comfortable?
3. Choose the right board size- Ask a shop owner for help. You want a board big enough to catch a ride and small enough to maneuver with your skills.

Check out Ralph’s Pic of the Week for updates, blogs, photos, wave cam footage and more on the North Hampton surf culture.
For more information on New Hampshire surf culture and Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co., tune in to the full episode with Dave Cropper on the 603podcast. You can also visit https://www.cinnamonrainbows.com/.

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For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com