Skills Progression Features
Learn how to design and build skills progression features that help riders develop their abilities in a safe, structured environment with clear learning pathways.
Overview
Understanding Skills Progression Features
Skills progression features are purpose-built trail elements designed to help mountain bikers develop their technical abilities in a structured, progressive manner. Unlike regular trail features that riders encounter during a ride, progression features are typically grouped in dedicated skills areas or strategically placed along trails to create learning opportunities.
- Provides controlled environment for learning
- Reduces risk while developing abilities
- Creates clear progression pathways
- Builds rider confidence systematically
- Reduces trail damage from improper technique
- Attracts new riders to the sport
- Safety and risk management
- Clear difficulty progression
- Proper signage and instruction
- Regular maintenance requirements
- Appropriate location selection
- Accessibility for target users
Types of Skills Areas
Skills progression features can be implemented in various formats depending on your available space, resources, and community needs.
Comprehensive facilities with multiple progression lines and feature types. These parks typically include beginner, intermediate, and advanced sections with a wide variety of features.
Strategic placement of optional features alongside regular trails, often with "B-lines" of increasing difficulty. This approach integrates learning into the regular riding experience.
Short, focused trails that concentrate on specific skill development with multiple features of similar type but increasing difficulty. Excellent for targeted practice.
Specialized circuits of rollers and berms designed to be ridden without pedaling, using "pumping" motions to maintain momentum. Develops fundamental balance and timing skills.