Having an experienced coach watch your performance in real time and give you relevant feedback to get you closer to your goals, is something you just can’t get from watching a tutorial video. A coach will challenge you by putting you on terrain that is at your ability level, give you new skills and help you tweak your existing skills to help you get to the next level.

We have a dedicated staff of coaches that are well trained using the highest level of industry standards. Our mountain bike coaches are passionate about the sport and deeply connected in the mountain biking community. Also, if your descending skills are what you feel like need more focus, using a chairlift accessed bike park will give you the opportunity for many repetitions and you can use your energy for the fun part, going downhill! Our bike coaches will help you navigate this sport in a way that is fun, safe, and tailored to you.

For specific descriptions of different ability levels, please refer to our ABILITY LEVEL GUIDE.

See chart below.

There are 2 waivers that are mandatory for every student, and they can be filled out digitally using the links that follow:

HILLTOP BIKE PARK LIABILITY WAIVER: HERE

HILLTOP BIKE SCHOOL LIABILITY WAIVER: HERE

If you would like your child aged 8-12 be able to ride the bike park without a parent or guardian picking up the child after the clinic,
then you will need to sign a permission to stay late form that can be found at the bike school booking desk.

Private coaching sessions or tours cannot be canceled but can be rescheduled if it is 24 hours before the time of the coaching session/tour.
Group clinics, tours, and camps cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.

The main weather reasons that Hilltop Bike School will cancel clinics, tours, coaching sessions, and camps are high winds and heavy rain.
As soon as the decision to cancel is made, we will reach out to you, and it will be posted on our website/social media.

• You are required to have hand operated brakes for each wheel.

• You are required to have flat soled ankle high shoes.

• We recommend having some suspension, full suspension in the front and rear of the bike is recommended.

• For a XC clinic, tour, or coaching session a modern trail bike would be ideal.

A private XC tour could potentially take you a few miles away from your vehicle and the Hilltop chalet.

We recommend bringing:
- Water
- Snacks
- Bear spray
- Charged cell phone
- Spares/Tools for your bike if you have them and know how to use them.

Students should arrive fully dressed and ready to go for their clinic/tour. Here is a suggested list of clothing for bikers. Cotton is not recommended.

• Long sleeve shirt

• Rain jacket (Alaska has very unpredictable weather. Come prepared!)

• Athletic shorts or pants

• Full-face helmet for riding in the bike park, half shell for XC.

• Gloves

• Grippy, flat soled, ankle high shoes (required)

• Knee-length socks

• Goggles/sunglasses

Yes, all students are required to wear helmets in Hilltop Bike School clinics, coaching sessions, tours, and camps. A full-face helmet is recommended for riding in the bike park. Half shells are good for XC clinics, coaching sessions or tours on the adjacent hillside trails. Hilltop rents and sells helmets.

Yes, we have full face helmets and padding that you can borrow when you book any Hilltop Bike School product. Because safety is our #1 priority, we recommend using our protective equipment, unless you have your own.

5 students to 1 coach. There may be some fluctuation with these numbers as students progress, but we will do our very best not to go over this ratio.

We offer private coaching, tours, camps and clinics for ages 8+.  Kids group clinics are for ages 8-12.
Teen group clinics are for ages 13-17. Adult group clinics are for ages 18+.

In group clinics the majority of the time students will be partnered with other students for chair rides. The coach coordinates the students getting on the lift and will train students to ride the lift properly. The coach will load the chair with the last student if there is space. If there isn’t space, the coach will ride on the chair behind the group.

Lift tickets are included in the price of most clinics, coaching sessions, camps and tours. Read about each bike school product above. The lift ticket is good for the whole day to encourage student to practice afterwards.

Yes, students 12 and under must be checked in with a parent or guardian. All bike school students will check-in at the bike school booking desk.

Parents are required to pick up children at the end of all Hilltop Bike School programs unless a parent release has been signed and is on file allowing students to “free ride” unsupervised. Kids age 13+ will be dismissed at the end of the clinic, camp, coaching session or tour regardless of whether the parent/guardian is present.

During the actual clinic, coaching session, camp or tour time we recommend that parents observe from a distance to prevent disrupting the class.

If you have your own gear, you should arrive 15 minutes before your clinic, coaching sessions, tour or camp. If you’re renting a bike or protective equipment, we recommend showing up 45 minutes to an hour ahead of time to grab all your equipment.

If you are late for your clinic, coaching sessions, camp or tour; we will help the student find their coach. Time is not made-up from tardiness.

Tips are always appreciated, but never expected.  Tips are a great way to show your appreciation of your coach’s hard work!