Women's Beginner Mountain Bike Retreat
June 27-28, 2026
Everyone’s mountain biking journey starts somewhere — start yours here!
The Grand Targhee Women’s Beginner MTB Retreat is designed specifically for women who are brand new to mountain biking or looking to build confidence from the ground up. Whether you’ve never ridden singletrack before or are just beginning to explore off-road riding, this two-day retreat will meet you exactly where you are.
Through supportive coaching and skill-based progressions, you’ll learn the foundational skills needed to ride safely and confidently on singletrack trails. Our goal is simple: help you feel comfortable, capable, and excited to continue your mountain biking journey.
This retreat emphasizes learning in a welcoming, low-pressure environment where questions are encouraged, progress is celebrated, and fun is guaranteed. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with other women riders, share the learning experience, and enjoy everything Grand Targhee has to offer.
No prior mountain bike experience required, just a willingness to learn, try new things, and have fun!
Clinic Details
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, June 27–28, 2026
Location: Grand Targhee Resort (XC Trails & Bike Park)
Instructor: Lindsay Nohl of Dirt Town Adventures
Participant Limit: 6 riders maximum (6:1 student-to-coach ratio)
Age Requirement: 18+
Ability Level: Beginner (see ability level description below)
Pricing
$500 per participant
REGISTRATION
Coming soon!
What’s Included
- Two days of professional instruction and riding
- Small group coaching environment
- Clinic swag / welcome gift
- One happy hour beverage with the group on Sat.
- Discounted lodging and/or camping options
- Bike park season pass discount
- One-day bike park lift ticket (Shoshone lift)
What’s Not Included
- Bike or equipment rental (10% discount on rental gear and bike from Habitat)
- Transportation
- Pool pass
- Childcare
- Personal food and beverages
Schedule:
Day 1 – Saturday
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Introductions, foundational body position & braking skills practice
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Lunch break
- 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Introduction to cornering & on-trail skills practice
- 4:00 PM: Wrap up & debrief
- 4:30 PM: Optional group happy hour at the Trap
Day 2 – Sunday
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Mobility, stretching & goals discussion
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Climbing & descending fundamentals
- 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: On-trail practice
- 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch Break & “What’s in Your Pack?” gear discussion
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: On-trail practice – putting it all together!
- 4:00 PM: Debrief, feedback, & next steps
You’ll Leave With
By the end of the weekend, riders will:
- Understand proper body position, braking control, and basic cornering techniques
- Feel more confident riding beginner level singletrack
- Have tools to continue progressing safely on their own
- Leave with new riding partners and a clear next step in their MTB journey
FAQs
what are the Equipment Requirements?
A modern, full-suspension mountain bike with hydraulic disc brakes, a bicycle helmet, spare tube, water and personal snacks. Recommended protective gear includes gloves, eye protection, bike specific shoes (either clipless or flat pedals are ok). If you need to rent a bike or any equipment, make sure you have made arrangements with Habitat before you arrive.
What are the ability levels?
BEGINNER RIDER
MTB GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
This is my first season mountain biking. I can comfortably ride my mountain bike on pavement or wide gravel trails, keep my balance and can use my hand brakes to stop safely.
BIKE PARK EXPERIENCE:
Little or no experience in a DH Mountain Bike park.
NOVICE RIDER
MTB GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
I have been riding a mountain bike consistently for one or more seasons and am capable of controlling bike speed and direction on smooth doubletrack and rolling singletrack trails. I know when to walk my bike over a section that might be too difficult.
BIKE PARK EXPERIENCE:
I can comfortably ride on green and easy blue single track and freeride trails in the Bike Park or on cross country trails.
I am confident to ride and carry momentum through bumpy, moderately rocky and rooty sections of trail without putting a foot down and have good brake control.
I have a little experience riding Bike Parks.
INTERMEDIATE RIDER
MTB GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
I have been mountain biking consistently for two or more seasons. I can climb and descend under control on moderately steep singletrack with loose rocks or roots.
I get out for a ride one or more times per week in a season and am comfortable at a moderate sustained pace.
I know when to walk a section that might be too difficult but am gaining confidence in challenging myself in new terrain.
Some moderate exposure on one side of a trail does not bother me.
BIKE PARK EXPERIENCE:
I am comfortable on all blue technical trails and can ride all green and easy blue freeride trails in the park. My wheels rarely leave the ground.
I can maintain my momentum and ride through rocky, rooty sections and am starting to look at increasing speed.
I can comfortably ride slightly raised wooden features and small rock features.
I have some experience riding in a Bike Park.
STRONG INTERMEDIATE RIDER
MTB GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
I have been mountain biking for three or more years, am confident riding all types of singletrack in all conditions (muddy, dry, loose, exposed, rock slabs/features).
I am able to ride small drops and jumps and descend technical steep sections including rock and uneven roots as well as ride at a reasonable pace for several hours and over multiple days.
I can ride confidently with some exposure on both sides of a trail.
I am learning to scout features before riding, love to challenge myself but still walk sections that might be too difficult.
BIKE PARK EXPERIENCE:
I am a strong rider on most blues and moderate blacks and I can ride all or most of the features.
I ride at a moderate but safe speed and carry my momentum.
I can do small jumps (7ft +/- table tops) and drops safely.
I am excited to ride steep roll downs and higher wooden features.
ADVANCED RIDER
MTB GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
I have been mountain biking consistently for five years or more and can ride technical trails including steep sections, small jumps, small drops (one-two feet) and most moderately elevated wooden/engineered sections.
I can ride switchbacks confidently, rock gardens and sections of trail with higher exposure without putting a foot down. I am confident scouting features and decision-making, know when to walk a section that might be too difficult but am comfortable regularly challenging myself on new terrain and features.
BIKE PARK EXPERIENCE:
I am comfortable at fast speeds on all black trails both cross country and in the Bike Park.
I can pick a line through difficult technical sections, ride steep rock features and raised narrow features.
I have good technique and can carry and judge my speed to do medium jumps (12ft +/- table tops) and drops.
EXPERT RIDER
MTB GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
I eat, sleep and drink all things mountain biking and have been riding for over a decade.
I ride four or more times a week and can ride all day long in challenging conditions.
I can handle most any type of terrain, can handle hike-a-bike sections and navigate truly technical sections.
I am confident reading and running new features but still know when to stop and walk a section that might be too difficult.
BIKE PARK EXPERIENCE:
I am confident at high speeds on all trails, I can ride all the features on black and most double black trails both cross country and in the Bike Park.
I can clear large drops and jumps (20ft +/- table tops) with correct technique.
