Name: Mark Hayes 
Region: Northfield, Merrimack County
Owner and Founder of Highland Bike Park
Highland Bike Park was once known as Highland Ski Area which operated between 1968-1995 before closing due to mountain debts and dysfunction. In 2003, when the opportunity to buy the defunct ski resort coincided with the sale of his family’s fiber optic business, owner and founder Mark Hayes purchased the mountain. In an effort to preserve the place’s history and community, he created Highland Bike Park–same mountain, same name, new purpose. At the risk of sounding too bold, Hayes set out to create “America’s Bike Park,” and for a long while it was the only exclusively biking lift-accessed area in the country.
Hayes grew up mountain biking in the 1990s and after seeing Whistler Moutnain’s bike park in British Columbia, he realized we needed something similar in the US. What set Whistler’s bike park apart from other mountain bike systems was their intentionally engineered trails, with machine built berms, drops, and features to create “flow.” This design and execution took capital investment, design, and skilled labor to create. Hayes was prepared to support and invest in a project of this scale at Highland.
What is Highland Bike Park’s Model?
- Mountain Bike Park: Highland is the only 100% bike-dedicated, lift-access mountain bike park on the East Coast. They offer the longest riding season in the Northeast. There are no other “things” at the park. It is 100% mountain bike related
- Camps & Programs: Highland offers overnight camps and programs for adults and kids. Mark describes the park as a place for anyone to come get better and take their riding to the next level.
- Trail Building Business– Highland Trails is transforming ski resorts worldwide to year-round operation through bike park construction. Mark’s brand is leading the mountain bike industry in the development of learn to ride programs, trail design, construction, and maintenance services. By growing the support and supporting the design of better trials, Hayes is hoping to get more people into the sport. If a family comes and there isn’t a place where they feel safe or excited to ride, they will go elsewhere. We want them to feel welcomed wherever they decide to ride.
Who should visit Highland Bike Park?
Everyone! Hayes’ vision is to make the bike park inviting and accessible to everyone. Unintimidating camps and affordable learn-to-ride programs help address the traditional cost and fear barriers to the sport of mountain biking. The atmosphere welcomes anyone interested in biking at any level.
What’s Next for Highland Bike Park?
Mark Hayes established the Foothills Foundation, a non-profit that promotes outdoor recreation and economic expansion through community partnerships. The group is expanding and connecting existing trails and developing recreational amenities with the aim of making Central New Hampshire a top trail and mountain biking destination. Currently, the foundation is working with landowners to establish a connective, multi-use recreational trail through the scenic forests and countryside between Highland Mountain and the towns of Northfield and Tilton with additional linkages to Franklin.
Mark’s bold prediction is that in 20 years the sport of mountain biking will be as big (if not bigger) than skiing. Want to be part of the movement? Check out Highland Bike Park or these other mountain biking areas around New Hampshire:
Northfield, NH: Highland Bike Park
Lincoln, NH: Loon Mountain
North Conway, NH: Cranmore Mountain Bike Park
Waterville Valley, NH: Waterville Valley Resort
Join the New England Mountain Bike Association and/or Coos Cycling Club in Northern New Hampshire to learn more about the NH-based mountain biking community.
