People who have lived in Southern California long enough might remember Santa’s Village, a year-round Christmas theme park that delighted children with rides and reindeer. Now, SkyPark at Santa’s Village has been revamped into a mountain biking park that delights riders of all skill levels while preserving a few touches of the North Pole.
When the old theme park tucked into the San Bernardino Mountains came up for sale in 2014, mountain biking couple Bill and Michelle Johnson jumped at the chance to develop their dream bike park. They envisioned a place with enough variety for a whole family, from toddlers to grandparents.
“We have a pump track for the little ones, entry and medium level trails, and even expert-level tracks that keep pro riders coming back,” Bill Johnson said in a statement. “The park is designed much like a ski resort, although we do not have a lift service. Everyone can ride together to the top, but a scaled network of trails for all levels can bring you down, back to the village, at a central location to regroup. We’re constantly improving and adjusting trails, with expansion continuing to change the experience every season.”
SkyPark offers group and private lessons for ages three and up, plus an onsite bike shop. Buy a bike from SkyPark’s Bike Swap, and you’ll get a credit for a day of riding at the park. Families can camp at the campground next door or bring their RV.
The original Santa’s Village opened in 1955, before Disneyland. It went through a bankruptcy and a couple of owners and iterations before closing in 1998.
“Bill and I used to come here when we were younger, back when Santa’s Village was closed, and make bike paths through the trees,” Michelle Johnson said. “In 2014, long after we were married and had gained significant experience in the real estate world, we saw the old Santa’s Village property come up on the market and it was like the universe was giving us a chance to share this magical place with the world. Now everyone gets to experience the park we’ve spent years perfecting.”
SkyPark at Santa’s Village is part of a larger trend of using traditional ski areas for mountain biking during the off-season. “We’re proud to be a part of that mindset shift,” Bill Johnson said. “These mountains need to be experienced and mountain biking is such a great way to do it year-round. It’s good for the local community as well, to have something year-round again. Plus, we’ve brought the famous Santa’s Village theme park back to life for new generations, and that’s really special.”