25 Years of EPIC Bikepark Leogang

In 2026, the EPIC Bikepark Leogang in the Saalfelden Leogang region celebrates its 25th anniversary – a major milestone for Austria’s very first bike park, which today attracts mountain bikers from all over the world. With events such as the annual WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 2012, 2020 and again in 2028, the EPIC Bikepark Leogang has repeatedly become the epicenter of the international mountain bike scene. In the anniversary year 2026, everything revolves around the 25-year celebration, with the highlight being the big 25 years community event from 24–26 July.

 

The mountain bike world in 2001
When the EPIC Bikepark Leogang first opened its gates in 2001, Nicolas Vouilloz claimed the Downhill World Championship title in Vail/Beaver Creek ahead of Steve Peat and Greg Minnaar, while Anne Caroline Chausson took gold in the women’s race. Leogang legend Aaron Gwin was 14 years old at the time, and today’s local hero Vali Höll was about to be born. In the desert of Utah, freeride icon Wade Simmons won the very first Red Bull Rampage.

In the Pinzgau region, bike operations kicked off with just four lines and plenty of scepticism. Inspired by a concept from MTS based on the diploma thesis of Martin Samek – initiator and chairman of Trailwerk Wachau – the idea of a bike park in Leogang slowly took shape. After a site visit to Bikepark Geisskopf in Bischofsmais, Germany in October 2000, the decision was made to move forward with the project. The initial investment was split evenly between the Leogang cable car company and around 30 local silent partners, including the municipality, the tourism board, private investors and even the local earthworks contractor.

“The start 25 years ago was anything but easy. We had to convince many sceptics, overcome plenty of obstacles and appeal to a completely new target group. Looking back, it’s clear that the strong cohesion within the initiator team and our shared belief in the project were key to turning the bike park into the success story it is today. Especially the early years were economically challenging. Through clear, target-group-focused communication and outstanding event formats – developed together with our long-standing partner agency Rasoulution around Tarek Rasouli – we managed to put Bikepark Leogang on the global map. The reward: two UCI Mountain Bike World Championships so far and 14 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup events – THANK YOU!” 
– Kornel Grundner, CEO Leoganger Bergbahnen

 

Continuous growth, slopestyle events, world championships & more: highlights from 2001 to today
A lot has happened in Saalfelden Leogang since that very first season. The number of lines and trails has grown to 21 – or 30 if you include the Riders Playground completed in 2013. Annual bike traffic has also increased massively: from 16,700 uplift rides in 2001 to around 270,000 rides per bike summer today. Both the region and the bike park look back on a long list of top-tier events and special moments. The first of what are now 14 UCI Mountain Bike World Cups took place in Saalfelden Leogang in 2010. Just two years later, in 2012, the region hosted its first UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, followed by a second edition in 2020. The third World Championships are already confirmed for 2028 – and the World Cup will continue to stop in Leogang until at least 2030.

From 2006 to 2017, the world’s best slopestyle riders threw down at the legendary 26TRIX in the EPIC Bikepark Leogang, wowing fans at the foot of the Asitz gondola with mind-blowing tricks and multiple world-firsts. With White Style (2006–2018), Saalfelden Leogang also catered to those who didn’t want to miss world-class riding in winter, bringing a spectacular and innovative slopestyle event to the ski slopes. Many renowned riders like Andreu Lacondeguy, Brandon Semenuk, Sam Pilgrim or Thomas Genon celebrated their international breakthrough on the Leogang slopestyle courses.

 

Anniversary weekend, World Cup, bike festival & more – what’s coming in 2026
How exactly the 25th anniversary celebrations will look is still under wraps, but the EPIC Bikepark Leogang community can already mark 24–26 July 2026 in their calendars for the big anniversary weekend. Of course, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will also return this season. Just over a month after the season kicks off on 8 May, the world’s best riders will compete in Downhill, Cross-Country (Olympic and Short Track) and Enduro from 11–14 June 2026. Another highlight on the event calendar is the renowned bike festival Saalfelden Leogang, which returns for its seventh edition with a new date from 2–4 October.

Beyond festivals and races, the park’s diverse mix of downhill, flow and jump lines as well as naturally shaped singletracks invite riders of all skill levels and preferences to shred – solo, with friends or as part of one of the many riding camps on offer. With the Ladies Shred Events continuing in 2026, the bike park and the region are once again putting a strong focus on female empowerment in mountain biking. Camps, workshops and dedicated women’s offers provide the perfect environment to work on skills with professional coaching, ride trails, berms and jumps with more confidence, and connect with other MTB girls.

With its 25th anniversary, the EPIC Bikepark Leogang once again underlines its role as a leading competence centre for mountain biking in Europe. Perfectly maintained trails, innovative track concepts and an infrastructure that excites both pros and beginners have turned the bike park – together with the Saalfelden Leogang region – into a hotspot for world-class riding experiences. Alongside Saalbach Hinterglemm and Fieberbrunn, it has long formed Austria’s largest bike region, boasting more than 120 kilometres of lines and trails.

“In 2026, the EPIC Bikepark Leogang celebrates its 25th anniversary – a major milestone for Austria’s largest bike region, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. What started 25 years ago as a bold vision has become an international flagship for mountain biking. The bike park stands not only for top-level sport and iconic events, but for lived passion, innovation and a community that keeps growing year after year. Together with our regional partners, we’re constantly working to deliver an unmatched bike experience – and 2026 will make that more visible than ever.” 
– Marco Pointner, CEO Saalfelden Leogang Touristik