What are air & dirt jump trails?
Air / dirt jump trails are jump lines specially designed for flying through the air and performing tricks. Unlike standard trails, here the main goal is jumping – higher, farther, more stylish!
It's the perfect place for those who love freestyle MTB, slopestyle, dirt jumping and want to improve their jumping skills – from simple tabletops to advanced tricks like whips, backflips, 360s.
🛫 Types of air & dirt jump trails
1️⃣ Dirt Jump Park (Small-Medium Jumps)
Dirt jump parks are areas with series of small and medium jumps (1-3m height) ideal for learning basic tricks and building confidence. Usually free, open, without lifts.
Difficulty level: Beginner-intermediate
Where in Poland: Kasina Bikepark, Słotwiny Arena, Tiger Airlines Skolnity, local dirt jumps
2️⃣ Slopestyle Line
Slopestyle lines are sequences of larger jumps and obstacles (kickers, hip jumps, quarter pipes) connected into one trail. They require technique and experience – this is where advanced tricks are performed.
Difficulty level: Advanced-expert
Where in Poland: Kasina Bikepark, Tiger Airlines Skolnity, Czarna Góra (seasonal), Joy Ride Kluszkowce
3️⃣ Big Air / Kicker Line
Big air are single, large jumps designed for flying high and far (5-10m flight distance!). Only for very experienced riders. Often part of slopestyle competitions.
Difficulty level: Experts (experienced only!)
Where in Poland: Kasina Bikepark (big kicker), slopestyle events (Joy Ride Fest, Tiger Airlines Festival)
4️⃣ Pump Track (learning jump technique)
Pump tracks are closed loops with rollers and berms – ideal for learning pumping technique and small jumps without risk. Great training before dirt jumps!
Difficulty level: Everyone (great to start!)
Where in Poland: Most bikeparks have pump tracks, many cities have free pump tracks
🏆 Best Bikeparks with Air & Dirt Jump Trails in Poland
Here are the 4 best bikeparks in Poland with air, dirt jump and slopestyle trails:
Bike Park Czarna Góra
Jeden z największych w PL. Milky Way (zielona) po Żmiję (PRO). Dwie koleje linowe, serwis, noclegi.
Bike Park Mosorny Groń (Zawoja)
Naturalne, techniczne sekcje, kładki i odcinki North Shore — miejscami bardzo stromo.
PKL Bike Park Palenica (Szczawnica)
Szybkie sekcje z pięknymi widokami Pienin, do wyboru linie flow i bardziej strome odcinki DH.
Zieleniec Sport Arena – Bike Park
Family flow i łagodne linie pod Orlickimi: świetne na start przygody z MTB.
🚀 How to start jumping? (step-by-step guide)
1️⃣ Learn pumping on a pump track
Before you start jumping, master pumping on a pump track. This is the foundation of jumping technique – learn to unweight and weight the bike at the right moments.
2️⃣ Start with small rollers
Your first jumps should be small rollers on flow trails. Don't try to fly right away – learn to feel the bike in the air, land evenly on both wheels.
3️⃣ Move on to small tabletops
Tabletops (jumps with filled tops) are safer than gap jumps – even if you don't make it, the landing is soft. Start with small ones (1-2m).
4️⃣ Learn basic tricks
Once you master tabletops, start with simple tricks: tabletop (tilting the bike sideways), no-footer (feet off pedals), one-hander (one hand off bars).
5️⃣ Gradually progress to bigger jumps
Don't rush! Months, not days. Build confidence, perfect technique, increase jump size gradually. Always test a jump at low speed first.
🎪 Basic jump tricks (from easy to hard)
1️⃣ Tabletop (bike tilt)
Tabletop is the basic trick – in flight you tilt the bike sideways (wheels horizontal), holding it on straight arms. Looks impressive and isn't difficult!
2️⃣ No-Footer (feet off pedals)
No-footer – in flight you take both feet off the pedals and throw them to the side. Simple but impressive trick!
3️⃣ One-Hander / No-Hander (hands off bars)
One-hander – you take one hand off the bars. No-hander – both hands (harder!). Great trick to show style.
4️⃣ Whip (rear swing)
Whip – in flight you swing the rear of the bike to the side, then straighten it before landing. One of the most stylish tricks!
5️⃣ Backflip / Frontflip (somersault)
Backflip is a backward somersault, frontflip – forward. The hardest tricks, requiring training, airbag or foam pit!
🚴 What bike for air & dirt jump trails?
🥇 Dirt Jump / Slopestyle Bike
Travel: 100-120mm | Weight: 11-13kg | Hardtail (no rear shock)
Best choice for dirt jumps and slopestyle! Light, agile, durable. Hardtail (no rear shock) gives better control in the air and more \"pop\" on jumps.
🥈 Trail / All-Mountain (120-140mm)
Travel: 120-140mm | Weight: 12-14kg | Full suspension
If you want to ride both trails and do some jumping – trail bike works OK. Less precise than dirt jump, but more universal.
🥉 Full Suspension Slopestyle (rare)
Travel: 180-200mm | Weight: 14-16kg | Specialized
Specialized bikes for pro riders hitting massive kickers and big air. Expensive, heavy, for advanced only.
⚠️ Safety on air trails (this is most important!)
🪖 Full protection mandatory
Full-face helmet, back protector, knee pads, elbow pads. Jumping is the biggest injury risk in MTB – don't save on protection!
🛑 Never jump above your skill level
This is the most common cause of injuries. If you're scared = don't jump. Go back to smaller jumps, build confidence gradually.
👀 Check the jump before first run
Get off the bike, see the jump from the side – what size is it, where's the landing, are there obstacles. First run = low speed to check if you'll make it.
🧑🏫 Take a lesson with an instructor
Learning jumps with an instructor is the best investment. You'll avoid mistakes that lead to injuries. Many bikeparks offer slopestyle/dirt jump courses.
🚑 Know medical point locations
In case of accident – where is patrol, first aid, nearest hospital? Always have your phone with you!
❌ Most common beginner mistakes (avoid them!)
❌ Too fast progression to big jumps
Biggest mistake! Months of learning on small jumps is the norm. Don't compare yourself to others.
❌ No warm-up
Always warm up before a jumping session – 10 min cardio, stretch wrists, knees, back. Cold muscles = injuries.
❌ Braking on the jump approach
If you brake on the approach = you won't make it and will crash on landing. Control speed BEFORE approach, then release brakes.
❌ Looking down (at the wheel)
Look at the landing, not at the wheel! The bike goes where you look. Looking down = nosediving forward.
❌ Trying tricks without basics
Don't try a backflip if you haven't mastered tabletop. Learn step by step – every pro rider started with small jumps.
📈 Jump progression (development plan)
🟢 Level 1: Beginner (0-3 months)
Goal: Master pumping, small rollers, first tabletops (1-2m)
Exercises: Pumping on pump track, small rollers on flow trails, small tabletops
Equipment: Trail bike or dirt jump, helmet, pads
🔵 Level 2: Intermediate (3-12 months)
Goal: Tabletops 3-5m, first tricks (tabletop, no-footer), dirt jump lines
Exercises: Medium tabletops, dirt jump parks, first gap jumps (small)
Equipment: Dirt jump bike (recommended), full-face, full pads
🔴 Level 3: Advanced (1-2 years)
Goal: Big jumps (5-8m), advanced tricks (whip, 360), slopestyle lines
Exercises: Big kickers, slopestyle lines, hip jumps, step-ups
Equipment: Dirt jump or slopestyle bike, full pad set
⚫ Level 4: Expert / Pro (2+ years)
Goal: Big air, massive kickers, somersault (backflip/frontflip), slopestyle competitions
Exercises: Massive kickers, somersault in foam pit, gymnastic training
Equipment: Slopestyle bike (often custom), professional pads, insurance