The International Mountain Bicycling Association has named Anchorage a Trail Town. The announcement was made March 31. The designation from the IMBA honoring communities with an exceptional commitment to building, maintaining, and celebrating trail systems. Anchorage joins 27 other communities across the United States in the inaugural class of IMBA Trail Towns.
"An IMBA Trail Town embodies the essence of a welcoming and vibrant locale, where the beauty of nature intertwines seamlessly with community life. It's not just a place, but an ethos—a commitment to fostering a diverse array of outdoor experiences within reach of every resident and visitor. Trails aren’t merely pathways in an IMBA Trail Town; they're the arteries of connection, inviting exploration and adventure," according the IMBA.
The designation comes after work from a broad coalition of nonprofits and partners, including Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, Singletrack Advocates, Alaska Trails, Mighty Bikes, Alaska Off Road Cycling Alliance, Arctic Bicycle Club, Hilltop Bike Park, Anchorage Park Foundation, Anchorage Parks and Recreation, Chugiak Eagle River Parks and Recreation, and Chugach State Park. These partners are focused on maintaining and improving in town riding and, over time, connecting Anchorage's front country trail systems with backcountry loops in the Chugach Mountains.
Anchorage has hundreds of miles of bike trails, with significant growth in singletrack mountain bike trails in recent years. Biking is also a popular pursuit at both Alyeska Resort and Hilltop.
