Connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community.
Skill-Specific Mountain Bike Clinics
Looking to level up your riding without committing to a full multi-week program? The Loppet mountain bike skills clinics are perfect for busy riders or those looking to fine-tune particular aspects of their technique, our clinics offer the flexibility to choose what matters most to you. Build confidence, improve control, and ride more smoothly, one skill at a time.
All clinics are led by our BICP Certified Skills Instructors that have a passion for sharing their knowledge, teaching, and developing others. Please note that these clinics are focused on skills with little to no trail riding. If you want skills training with more practical application (more trail riding) check out our multi-week Trail Adults program.
Questions? Please contact lcw@loppet.org.
REGISTER
Novice Skills
Getting started with mountain biking or looking to build a stronger foundation? Our Fundamental Mountain Bike Skills Clinics are designed to help riders of all levels develop core techniques in a focused, flexible format that fits your schedule. Whether you’re brand new to the trail or have been riding for years without formal instruction, these clinics zero in on the essential skills that make everything else possible.
Through guided instruction and hands-on practice, the clinic targets key elements like body position, balance, braking, shifting, and trail awareness. We break down skills in a supportive, progression-based environment so you can understand not just what to do, but why it works and immediately apply it on the trail.
Fundamentals Full Course
Skills covered: Ready position, bike/body separation, braking, shifting, cornering, ratcheting, Riding straight lines, tracking, small circles, switchbacks, trackstands, Climbing positions, restart on climb, climbing dismount, braking on descent, descending, descending dismount, steep descending and roll down.
Dates and Times
- May 8-9, Friday 6:00-8:00p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
- June 26-27, Friday 6:00-8:00p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
- July 24-25, Friday 6:00-8:00p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
- August 21-22, Friday 6:00-8:00p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
- September 11-12, Friday 5:30-7:30p and Saturday 9:00-1:00p
Can’t commit to a 6 hour clinic? We offer the Fundamentals in 3 separate clinics (see below).
Fundamentals Short Course
Skills covered: Ready position, bike/body separation, braking, shifting, cornering, and ratcheting.
Dates and Times
- May 15, 8:30-11:30a
- May 30, 8:30-11:30a Women (FTW) only
- July 11, 8:30-11:30a
- July 18, 8:30-11:30a Women (FTW) only
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Slow Speed (Helps to know Fundamentals)
Skills covered: Riding straight lines, tracking, small circles, switchbacks, trackstands and more…
Dates and Times
- June 6, 8:30-10:30a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Climbing & Descending (Helps to know Fundamentals)
Skills covered: Climbing positions, restart on climb, climbing dismount, braking on descent, descending, descending dismount, steep descending and roll down. Prerequisite
Dates and Times
- June 6, 11:00-1:00a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026
Intermediate Skills
Our Intermediate Mountain Bike Skills Clinics are designed for riders who already have a solid foundation and want to target specific skills in a focused, high-impact format.
Each clinic hones in on a key area of progression, whether it’s cornering with more speed and control, mastering wheel lifts, or navigating technical trail features. These sessions are hands-on, skill-driven, and built with real trail application in mind, so you can immediately translate what you learn into better riding.
Wheel Lifts (Helps to know Fundamentals)
Skills covered: Front wheel lift, rear wheel lift, level lift)
Dates and Times
- May 30, 1:00-3:00p
- July 14, 6:00-8:00p
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026
Advanced cornering, berms and pumping (Prerequisite: Fundamentals or equivalent experience)
Skills covered: High speed cornering, berms and pumping
Dates and Times
- May 31, 8:30-10:30a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Location: Perkins Hill Pump Track – 300 34th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Advanced Wheel Lifts (Fundamentals or equivalent experience)
Skills covered: 1/4 punch (pedal assist) wheel lift, manual front wheel lift and intro to bunny hop
Location: Perkins Hill Pump Track – 300 34th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Dates and Times
- June 21, 8:30-10:30a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Drops (Prerequisite: Fundamentals or equivalent experience)
Skills covered: Roll down lunge, lunge drop, stomp drop, north shore dismount
Dates and Times
- June 21, 8:30-10:30a
- August 1, 8:30-10:30a
- August – September TBD (Reg will open 5/15/2026)
Advanced Skills
Jumps (Prerequisite: See descriptions)
The Loppet is collaborating with DrtPldrs – MTB Instruction and Guides to provide jump clinics. Registration is through DrtPdlrs.
Dates and Times
- May 9, 8:30-12:30p
- May 30, 9:00-1:00p
Intermediate Jump Session
Focusing on understanding the fundamentals and executing the mechanics of hitting jumps. The Intermediate session will drill down on the considerations and understanding of how to visually analyze jump shapes and sizes and how to apply techniques for best outcomes. This session will provide opportunities to refine skills with small to medium sized tabletop jumps 4′ to 8′ in length. Riders must have mountain biking fundamental skills (Front, Rear and Level lifts and experience with small drops/jumps) consolidated in order to maximize their experience with this session.
Dates and Times
- May 9, 1:00-4:00p
Intermediate to Advanced Jump Session
We will build upon the fundamentals presented in the Intermediate session. We will explore approaching and hitting jumps using different techniques in stability/balance, pressure control and speed to gain confidence in riding medium to large jumps that have mandatory gaps, as well as, the opportunity to hit a large 6′ kicker with an airbag landing. Consolidation of mountain biking fundamentals and basic jump technique/experience is required for this session.
Dates and Times
- May 30, 10:00-1:00p or 2:00-5:00p
Private Skills Lessons
Interested in a solo lesson? Lessons for you and a friend/s? Maybe family lessons? We offer private lessons for you or any size group. If you are interested in a private lesson please fill out this form.
Private MTB Skills Lesson Pricing
- Solo lesson $70/hr 2 hour minimum
- Lesson for 2 $95/hr 2 hour minimum
- Lesson for 3 $120/hr 2 hour minimum
- Lesson for 4 $145/hr 2 hour minimum
- Lesson for 5+ please fill out this form.
All pricing listed on RunSignUp reflects the processing fees per Minnesota’s “Hidden Fees Statute,” SB 478. RunSignup charges a variable processing fee of $1 per transaction plus 6% as our standard price.
Equipment
Required equipment for this class includes the following. We are happy to help you make bike adjustments during the first session.
- A tuned mountain bike or fat bike
- Flat platform pedals are prefered and smooth soled shoes are ideal (no open toed sandels/shoes)
- A helmet
- Having the ability to lower your saddle is helpful, but not mandatory
- Water bottle or hydration pack
Need a bike? We have rentals available through our Adventure Shop inside the Trailhead building.
Refund Policy
The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus the original processing fee up until 4 weeks before the program starts. Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program.
If you have any questions, please contact lcw@loppet.org.
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