2025 UCI DH World Cup Course
When contracted, Backslope was presented with an extremely tight timeline. The course was to be built in accordance with UCI standards and had to meet a scheduled race deadline. Backslope needed to coordinate with Aaron Gwin (responsible for initial course layout), the client for imported materials, and with UCI in order to approve feature designs. Upon receiving the contract, Backslope created a construction plan which allowed for features to be built in a systematic order so that athletes could test sections of course on predetermined dates throughout the build process.
2025 UCI XCO World Cup Course
Backslope designed, flagged, and mapped the 2025 UCI XCO course. The new course needed to be built to a level of permanence that was previously unachievable due to environmental and property restrictions the previous year. The course was to be built according to UCI course standards and state environmental standards.The build needed to meet a scheduled race deadline. 90% of the course was a new build from the previous year.
"The features built by Max and the Backslope crew generated huge praise from racers and created massive stoke for the fans of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series competitions at Mt Van Hoevenberg. The attention to detail around building a joyful ride experience, reading the terrain, and aesthetics of the build are outstanding."
Allan Serrano, Trail Operations & Cross Country Events Manger, Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Center
Purple Valley Trails
In the 2025 build season, Backslope built a green circle loop, blue climbing trail,black downhill trail, green traverse, and started work on a blue jump trail totaling over 3 miles. Seven employees were utilized for this project. Four Bridges were needed for this project, one bridge over 20ft in length. Backslope was responsible for final flag lines, rerouting around wetlands, machine building, and hand finishing all trails.
“We are really excited to be creating not just a small community network, but something that we think is really going to be world class right here in Williamstown. So before we started building trails we did a search for a partner to be our primary trail builder and we’re really thrilled to find Backslope Trails and to bring them out to Williamstown to create this network.”
Purple Valley Trails founding member, Bill MacEwen
Harrietstown Bridge and Jump trail extension
This project involved an extension of a jump line trail Backslope built in 2022. The jump line extension was designed by Backslope in 2024 and is .4 miles long. This project also included the construction of a 20ft wooden bridge, built to NY DEC spec, that connected the rail trail to the bike trail system at the town park.The bridge was constructed offsite and then placed on abutments with a tele-handler.
“Backslope Trail Building completed trail expansions, a jump line, and a new bridge connection at the Town of Harrietstown park, significantly improving access to the Adirondack Rail Trail. The quality of the work, attention to detail, and ability to meet the project deadline made Max and his team a pleasure to work with.”
Jamie Konkoski, Senior Planner, LaBella Associates Grant Management Consultant to the Town of Harrietstown
2024 UCI World Cup XCO and XCC Course
In the spring and summer of 2024, Backslope conceptualized, designed, and built the Lake Placid UCI XCC and XCO race course. The course was built in accordance with UCI race course standards while also aligning with strict environmental regulations on the property.
"Max’s work received universal acclaim from ORDA leadership, international World Cup athletes, and the global mountain biking community. His dedication, expertise, and professionalism make him an asset to the trail-building profession."
Kris Cheney Seymour, Senior Manager of Sport Strategy and Engagement, Olympic Regional Development Authority
“The design was well thought out, and despite the ecological restraints that were in play, Max delivered an exciting and varied course…We have found Max to be a great asset, and very much look forward to working with him again in the future.
Paul Beales, Sports Manager-Mountain Bike Endurance, WBD Sports
Pumptrack and Jump Line
Utilizing a piece of town land, Backslope designed and constructed a pumptrack and short jump trail. A primary goal of this build was to create a skill building area for beginners while also catering to more advanced riders.
"Max drove two and half hours from VT to personally meet the SLICK kids this past spring and ride our local trails with them to get a feel of their style and ability. Max’s design proposal reflected the kids’ requests, without compromising his trail expertise."
Karen Miemis, Co-president, Saranac Lake Innovative Cycling Kids/Saranac Lake Rotary Foundation
Green and Gold Jacket Trails
On a parcel of town land Backslope planned, designed, and constructed a beginner machine built flow trail called Green Jacket. In addition to Green Jacket, a “pro line” named Gold Jacket was also designed and built by Backslope. This trail was constructed with mandatory drops and gaps to challenge riders of all abilities.
“When siting the trail in the landscape, Max observed established industry standards to maintain acceptable grades, proper drainage, and long term sustainability, while taking into account the desired goals of the project…Both trails were immediately popular with local and visiting mountain bikers, and in the past year have become some of the most used trails in the network.”
Josh Wilson, Executive Director 2015-2023, Barkeater Trails Alliance
Backslope Dirt Jumps
Personal dirt jumps built by hand and with a 1.7ton excavator. Hidden in the woods of Johnson, Vermont alongside an off grid cabin.
Rattlesnake Bike Park Green Flow Trails
Build two directional dh beginner mountain bike trails. These trails were designed by Elevated Trail Design and were subcontracted to Backslope. Backslope was responsible for all work from clearing the corridor to compacting the tread.
“Creating beginner-optimized bike park trails is no easy task, and he was able to follow my design and produce safe and fun trails for the target audience. His ability to consistently perform high-quality work in very different settings showed his dynamic trail-building skills and experience. In addition, Max is personable and was great at communicating with my team and the client’s team.”
Peter Mills, Owner and Founder Elevated Trail Design
Perry Hill Maintenance Work
Hand work maintenance on machine built trails within a larger town trail system. Assessing the damage on existing trails and creating a plan to refresh berms and trouble areas in the most efficient way possible.
“I am confident that Backslope Trails would be a valuable asset to any trail building project. Their dedication to quality, professionalism, and ethical conduct make them an exceptional choice.”
Brandon Sauer, 2024 Trail Coordinator, Waterbury Area Trail Alliance
