Famous for its “champagne” powder and world class ski terrain, Steamboat Springs is expanding its reputation for recreation into the summer months as well. Surrounded by the lift-access trails at Steamboat Resort and a far-flung network of single-track & cross-country trails maintained and built by a dedicated gang of volunteers called the Routt County Riders, this area was missing just one thing––a full-bore professionally-built dirt jump park. After winning Bell Built Grant funding, RCR, the city of Steamboat Springs, and IMBA’s Trail Solutions called in FlowRide, and we happily accepted the challenge to get our mountain neighbors airborne. On a foundation of RCR volunteers’ initial earthwork, building with donated mounds of clay they’d procured, we tuned the grade and built up a start zone. Then with only a handful of build days in the budget, we slapped out three progressive jump lines designed for beginner through advanced-skills riders. Our crew focused on production while a willing corps of volunteers from RCR and local bike shops followed up, learning the hands-on skills of fine-tuning and maintaining a jump park’s riding surfaces. Finally we sculpted a pair of berms to re-direct traffic parallel to their previously-built pump track and head riders back to the start hill.As usual, our goal was to create a fun, adrenaline-filled high-Rockies experience, yet factor out all the rider error possible.  Our experts sent every jump, cleared every tabletop, and soared every gap, stretching, shrinking, re-shaping lips and dialing in the park.  Finally came the payoff––the local riders hauled out their bikes, and together, we threw an impromptu test jump-jam, which, judging by the smiles, hoots and hollers, was an instant hit with the locals.  With our whirlwind Bear River build a success, FlowRide’s crew planned a quick return to toast its grand opening––on the exact date the first snows buried “The Bear” a foot deep for the winter…