The Mountain States Cup Is Back — and It’s Leaving New Downhill Trails Behind

Grand Targhee’s crew made three concrete additions for Round 3: targeted upgrades to the existing Rock Garden, a machine-built motorway for sustained speed and passing, and a completely fresh bottom half cut for the race. Riders and media described the new bottom section as off‑camber and very fast — a clear contrast to the hand‑finished technical rock features above.

The resort has said the expert-level sections will be made available to the public after final touches and safety checks, which means these changes are lasting and public-facing rather than strictly temporary race lines. That distinction is important: race-driven work that remains part of the public trail network after the event is more likely to shape local trail networks and usage patterns.

Round 3 delivered tight Pro finishes and a disruptive weather window. In Pro Men, Lucas DeDora won in 3:13.684, beating Austin Dooley by 0.938 seconds; Nik Nestoroff was third. In Pro Women, Kailey Skelton took the win in 3:50.460, with Teagan Heap second (+7.211s) and Abby Ronca third.

Storms moved through the area during the four-day event. Lightning led organizers to cancel Cat 1 and Pro seeding on at least one day for safety before conditions improved for finals. The weather also gave the freshly cut terrain an immediate test under changing race conditions.

More than half the Grand Targhee field were youth or junior racers — a clear sign the Mountain States Cup draws grassroots riders as well as pros. Because MSC is USA Cycling‑sanctioned and runs categories from youth levels through Cat 3, Cat 1 and Pro, it provides a documented progression for riders seeking national ranking points.

That kind of calendar can give youth programs, coaches and local shops a clearer development pathway to plan around. While one event doesn’t prove long‑term outcomes, a regular regional series with sanctioned categories strengthens the potential for structured coaching, skills clinics and gradual progression toward higher levels of gravity racing.

The 2026 Mountain States Cup is a four‑round regional series: Angel Fire, Solitude, Grand Targhee and Purgatory. Each host took a different approach — Angel Fire leaned on the historic Chile Challenge, Solitude opened the season with recent investment in its downhill track, Grand Targhee added significant new terrain for the event, and Purgatory closes the season.

Races create clear moments of demand for lift, lodging and media attention. Those potential revenue streams can strengthen the business case for machine work, drainage, hand finishing and ongoing trail maintenance — but it’s an opportunity, not an automatic guarantee. Grand Targhee is the most visible, current example of a resort turning a race into new, public-facing downhill features.

Purgatory and Durango hosted the inaugural UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 1990. The region is slated for major international events later this decade, including a Durango event in 2028, a UCI World Cup stop in 2029 and the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 2030. Ending the MSC season at Purgatory links a revived regional series to venues with deep, ongoing international pedigrees — an arrangement that can amplify attention and investment in local gravity terrain.

Instead of a generic textbook on modern downhill design, the Grand Targhee example is specific: a machine-built motorway delivering sustained speed fed into the upgraded Rock Garden, which then dropped into a raw, freshly cut bottom half with off‑camber faces. Riders reported the combined effect as fast, exposed and technically exacting — terrain that rewards speed control, line choice and adaptability after rain or lightning delays.

MSC downhill courses are oriented around gravity platforms. Dedicated downhill bikes offer the most margin on steep, feature‑dense tracks; long‑travel enduro bikes (160–180mm) can be appropriate for experienced riders choosing lines within their limits. MSC requires a full‑face helmet and that bikes be mechanically sound; additional body protection is recommended for exposed, high‑speed sections.

Scenders stocks DH and long‑travel platforms, plus helmets and armor. For equipment specifics and package options, check our product pages and speak with tech staff to match a bike to your weight, skill and the event’s features.

Is Grand Targhee’s new course open to the public after the race?

Grand Targhee has indicated the expert-level sections built and upgraded for the Mountain States Cup will be made available to the public after finishing touches and safety checks. Timing can vary; check Grand Targhee’s official trail status and social channels for opening notices.

What were the race results at Round 3?

Pro Men: Lucas DeDora won in 3:13.684, Austin Dooley was second (+0.938s) and Nik Nestoroff third. Pro Women: Kailey Skelton won in 3:50.460, Teagan Heap was second (+7.211s) and Abby Ronca third.

How did weather affect the event?

Storms and lightning forced organizers to cancel Cat 1 and Pro seeding on at least one day for safety. Conditions improved for finals, but the changing surface added an extra challenge, particularly on the exposed, off‑camber new bottom section.

How much does it cost a resort to build a downhill-specific section?

Costs vary widely. A machine-built, spectator-ready downhill section can range from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on length, grading, drainage and finish work. Events, sponsorship and projected resort revenue are typical inputs to a resort’s investment decision.

Is the series paying prize money, and how much?

MSC’s current sanctioning page lists a $15,000 equal-split pro purse per round, though older pages on the series site still display different figures. Until MSC consolidates its site, rely on official MSC communications for confirmed purse details.

Do I need a downhill bike to ride these race-style tracks?

Not necessarily. Dedicated DH bikes provide the greatest margin for error on steep, feature-dense sections, but capable long‑travel enduro bikes can manage many parts of the course for skilled, conservative riders. Always ride within your ability and follow resort rules.

Where can I follow results and coverage from the Mountain States Cup?

Primary sources include mountainstatescup.com for schedules and official results, plus the series’ social channels and media outlets. Teams and riders often share live updates on Instagram, Facebook and Pinkbike.