Mountain biking categories

Activity levels for policies purchased from 1 August 2026 (and for policy upgrades)

Adventure

Cross-country cycling is defined by the terrain on which it is performed. Cross-country courses and trails consist of a mix of rough forest paths, single or double tracks, smooth fire roads, and even paved paths connecting trails together. Cross-country trails are deemed "easy" or "intermediate" and rely more on physical prowess than technical ability.

Adventure Plus

Trail riding mountain bikes are typically ridden on mountain trails, fire roads, logging roads, and other unpaved trails. These types of terrain commonly include rocks, washouts, ruts, loose sand, loose gravel, roots, and steep slopes or ski runs, sometimes accessed using ski lifts.

Adventure Max

Enduro and Downhill mountain biking (DH) - recreational holiday riding only not involving competitions or timed events (see Pro Adventure below) - (DH) is a genre of mountain biking practiced on steep, rough terrain that often features jumps, drops, rock gardens and other obstacles.

Expedition

Enduro amateur mountain bike races where the downhills are timed, and the uphills are mandatory but not timed. Riders are timed in stages that are primarily downhill, with neutral "transfer" stages in between. The transfer stages usually must be completed within a time-limit, but are not part of the accumulated time.

Downhill mountain biking (DH) amateur event mountain biking practiced on steep, rough terrain that often features jumps, drops, rock gardens and other obstacles. 

Freeride is a discipline of mountain biking closely related to downhill mountain biking, dirt jumping and freestyle BMX. The focus is on tricks, style, and technical trail features. 

NOTE

For Megavalanche use the Expedition level of cover (you must be riding as an amateur)

For Pass'Portes du Soleil use Adventure Max level of cover

Snowcard do not offer cover for Nepal's Yak Attack international event.

Activities covered: click here for full list

Please note: e-biking is treated the same as above providing the e-bike is used as per the manufacturers specification and has not been modified.