Photos: Another kind of downhill at Alyeska Resort's bike park

Updated: June 30, 2016 Published: August 20, 2013

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Mountain bikers brave a foreboding sky and light rain for a day on the uncrowded single-track trails at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood on Friday, August 16, 2013. Riders have their choice of trails, from narrow, winding paths through the trees to wider trails, and even a terrain park. Riding ends October 14, and the tram is open for bikers starting September 13.

Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, well-known for its wintertime skiing and snowboarding, has in recent years boasted a different kind of downhill activity in the summertime: mountain biking.

The resort reported at the end of July that thanks to sunny weather in the early parts of the summer, the downhill mountain biking course had seen record numbers of riders come out and make use of trails carved out specifically for them. And though August has seen rainy, bleak weather opposite of the warm temperatures and dry dirt of July, it didn't deter some mountain biking enthusiasts from hitting the slopes late last week.

Bikers can make use of the facility's ski lifts between noon and 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Don't have your own bike? You can rent one, just like you'd rent skis, from Alyeska's day lodge. A ticket for a full day of tearing up the hills will run you $25, and helmets are required. You can check out the trail map here.

Currently, only two of the chairlifts at the resort -- the Bear Cub Quad and Ted's Express -- are serving the downhill trails, but the tram is expected to open for riders beginning Sept. 13 and lasting until the season closes on Oct. 14.

Then, Alyeska will again brace itself once again for the snow, and the influx of winter sports enthusiasts.