The world-renowned track at the Val di Sole Bike Park is considered a monument in international downhill racing. Its history is filled with numerous sporting feats and pivotal moments in the MTB world. On Saturday, June 15, the next milestone will be marked at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event
Some love it, while others, like Loïc Bruni, have never managed to tame it, though they respect its history and prestige. One thing is certain: merely mentioning the name "Black Snake" is intimidating.
The name "Black Snake" comes from the treacherous tree roots that characterize the most famed track in the Val di Sole Bike Park. When it rains, the roots turn black, resembling the shape of a snake.
Designed by Italian track builder Pierpaolo "Pippo" Marani, the Val di Sole DH track is considered a monument in international downhill racing. Since its inception, it has marked some of the most iconic sporting achievements and moments in the MTB world, awarding long-lasting glory to its victors.
On Saturday, June 15, during the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event in Val di Sole, DH specialists will compete in a 4-minute race where skill and courage will be paramount.
The course is 2.1 km long, with an average gradient of 24% and an overall altitude difference of 550 meters. The Black Snake is unique due to its natural characteristics and its straight line through the forest. From start to finish, riders must navigate roots, rocks, and a thin, sandy surface that is difficult to master.
The Black Snake debuted on the World cycling stage in 2008 with the first edition of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships organized in Val di Sole. Prior to the event, the Val di Sole team added the Pippo Jump to the course, a new section where Sam Hill's dreams of becoming World Champion were dashed. With a 6-second lead at the penultimate intermediate, the Australian rider took a wrong wide trajectory at the Pippo Jump and crashed in the following corner, which was later named after him. Despite his mistake, Hill finished in third place, writing a memorable page of downhill history.
In subsequent editions, Val di Sole crowned DH superstars such as Rachel Atherton, Aaron Gwin, and Myriam Nicole. The Trentino track also hosted the 2016 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, and in 2018, the Black Snake ended its first 10-year chapter on the international scene and immediately started a new one.
Starting in 2018, and ahead of the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, the Val di Sole Bikeland staff redesigned the track to align with new international trends while preserving its unique features and discovering new riding lines.
Under the supervision of Trail Builder Cristian Vender, the first renovation works (2018-2019) focused on the upper part of the track, including a new rock garden and the line after the Trentino Jump. In 2020, works continued on the Sam Hill curve, the entrance to the Red Bull section, and the bridge leading to the final jump. A new section was added to the Red Bull area in 2024.
With a refreshed route and ongoing consolidation work, the Black Snake is now ready to face the future, culminating in the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
Last year, Canadian Jackson Goldstone and Austrian Valentina Höll dominated the UCI Mountain Bike World Series. However, Goldstone will not defend his crown due to injury.
On Thursday, June 13, the DH program begins with free practice, followed by qualifications and semifinals on Friday, and the finals scheduled for Saturday, June 15.
