Ahhh summer. Sunshine, flip flops and ... Mount Sima?

After two years of discussions and two months of construction, Sima is finally ready to offer local mountain bikers what they've been longing for.

On Sunday, the local ski area will open three downhill trails to the public for summer riding.

It's a move area manager Guillaume Rochet calls "historic”.

"Two years ago, we did a survey for long-term development and asked people in the community for feedback,” said Rochet. "Mountain biking was the main request.

Now it's happening and we are very happy to offer it to them.”

"This is the first time we will be offering a summer activity at the mountain, so it's big for us.”

The chair lift will also be fully operational, with an extended ramp and unload area constructed at the top of the lift. Sima has fabricated hooks for the bikes to ride on the chair in front of the rider.

"The chair lift will give people a vision of the mountain they don't normally get to see,” said Rochet. "It also allows people to have a rest for a few minutes, because mountain biking is very physical.”

Operation and maintenance crews spent two months earlier this summer building two new trails, to add to an existing one.

Rochet says the new trails are very different from each other: one is an old school trail that goes mostly through the forest, uses a lot of natural features and makes the suspension on your bike work; the other is a wide open, fast trail with lots of bermed corners and great flow.

"We are also adding the ramps back into the old Sima Slam Fest trail and will use it as our advanced trail.”

Several riders have tested the trails out already to make sure they are safe and that the system works. Once the site is open, daily maintenance and safety checks will be performed, and Rochet pointed out first aid crews will be there during operating hours.

"Parents can bring their kids here, or come themselves, and know they are practising sport in a safe environment,” he stated.

Rochet said so far he has received plenty of positive feed back on the move, with members of the public stopping by the hill to grab a peek.

"A lot of people are really excited.

It's a new activity here so we're going to give it a try and see how successful it is.

We have a strong biking community, so I think it will go well.” Contagious Mountain Bike Club president Devon McDiarmid said it's a great idea that is long overdue.

"Actually it ended up being good timing, with the amount of momentum up here right now in the mountain bike community. Whitehorse is becoming a destination for mountain biking. We have some of the best trails in the world.

"Now with Sima, it will definately change the skill level of riders here.”

While these beginning stages of the project are a good way to make some money and help pay for expenses at the ski area, Rochet and the Sima staff have grander visions for the future.

The idea is to provide bike rentals next summer and hit the tourism market.

Some new trails are also planned, and eventually, perhaps some competitions.

"We will be able to open a lot earlier next year, because the trails will already be in place” said Rochet. "We can open those three, while we work on additional ones.

Down the road, if the mountain bike club wants to maybe develop specific sections, with the idea of hosting competitions, we can look at that.

"Of course it all depends on how well it goes this summer.” McDiarmid is confident the trails at Sima will get plenty of use, by both avid bikers and curious beginners.

"If Sima keeps rates reasonable and the trails maintained, I see no reason it won't be successful,” he said.

"A lot of people take their holidays to head south and do (downhill mountain biking), now they can do it on evenings and weekends.”

Asked about the possibility of Whitehorse hosting a major downhill mountain biking event in the future, McDiarmid was hesitant to get too far ahead.

"Right now, there definately isn't a trail that could host a World Cup level event. But never say never.”

The bike trails at Sima open this Sunday and will remain open through the middle of September. Hours of operation will be Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The lounge will also be open, serving food and beverages at the base of the mountain.

For full and half day ticket prices, as well as other information, visit the ski area's web site at: www.mountsima.com.