I Visited the Mighty Argo in Idaho Springs—And It’s a Mountain Bike Gold Mine

A hillside speckled with mining claims and the historic Argo Mill set the stage for what is bound to be one of the most exciting draws for recreational tourism in Idaho Springs, Colorado. The Mighty Argo, slated to open in the spring of 2026, is building a state-of-the-art cable car with bike cab gondolas that shuttle you directly to delicious food, an amphitheater, and much more.

Reimagining the hillside is an undertaking that can only be achieved with a tenacious vision and a dedicated community (as well as $71 million to build the cable car). The Mighty Argo is striking gold in Idaho Springs once again, but this time, the gold comes in the form of recreational tourism, aiming to make the area a must-visit destination - and after visiting the site, learning about the plans, and riding the trails, I can honestly say they're sitting on a gold mine.

The Argo Mill has been around since 1893, and the mining claims found throughout the hills have moved trillions of dollars' worth of gold (in today's money) through the mill. The recent push to build a gondola and improve infrastructure for recreational tourism in Idaho Springs is the perfect recipe that will make this a must-visit destination for mountain bikers and all lovers of the outdoors, good food, history, and live music. 

During a recent trip to Colorado for an absolutely splendid launch celebration for Sweet Protection and the brand's 25th anniversary, we were treated to a sampling of these incredible trails, a look behind the scenes at what the Mighty Argo is building, and a glimpse of the vision that is unfolding thanks to the collaboration between all those involved.  While this project will cater to a much larger demographic than just mountain bikers, the trails and the prospect of more being built is what really caught my attention.

Idaho Springs is just 30 minutes from Denver, and an hour's drive from Boulder (depending on traffic, of course), and even with the Mighty Argo cable car and all the other attractions still under construction, the VCMP system alone is a reason to add Idaho Springs to your list of bucket list MTB destinations. When construction is complete and the infrastructure is operational, this will be an even more enticing experience for almost anyone, regardless of their love for mountain biking.

World Class Mountain Bike Trails

The recent and ongoing construction of the Virginia Canyon Mountain Park (VCMP) is a massive collaborative effort between the Mighty Argo team, the Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA), and a host of trail crews, including Flowride Concepts, McGill Trails, Colorowdies, and Renegade Trail Crew, who are all extracting some serious gold from these hills. Currently, there are 15 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails with plans to expand to 28 miles by 2027. Even though the gondola isn’t currently up and running, these trails are still accessible, and the VCMP has one of the best climb trails I have ever ridden that takes you to the top of the hill before dropping into world-class trails.

The climb trail is just the appetizer, and the descent was something special that filled me with excitement for the continued expansion. While a first descent of a new trail system is always met with caution and learning the flow, by the end of the first (and only) lap of Drop Shaft, I was blown away by the thought that has gone into the terrain management and trail features. Despite riding an unfamiliar bike on unfamiliar trails, the experience was unforgettable. The trails are managed by the city of Idaho Springs, and the partnership between Mighty Argo and the city will result in a portion of every cable car ticket being directly given to the trail crews that maintain and build the trails. This means better trail conditions year-round and the ability to create new trails without the significant hurdle of funding. Win-Win.

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Lift Access to More Than Just Trails

The Mighty Argo Cable Car is a critical and impressive part of the puzzle, and at $71 million to build, it represents a substantial investment in the Idaho Springs community that will undoubtedly draw a steady stream of tourists year-round. The Mighty Argo treats riders to a 1.2-mile ride above the VCMP to the summit. At the summit, you’ll be able to find food, drink, entertainment, breathtaking views, and more. The plans include the Outpost Amphitheatre, which will serve as a performance venue for music and other events. The summit will also feature a restaurant serving locally sourced cuisine and craft beverages, all set against the backdrop of the Colorado Rockies.

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For mountain bikers, who will likely be a massive part of the tourism, the Mighty Argo will showcase North America's first implementation of Doppelmayr bike cab gondolas. Each bike cabin, featuring Doppelmayr's patented easy-loading system, can accommodate up to 8 bikes in an easy-to-load and unload configuration. Riders will hop on the next gondola and be greeted by their bikes as soon as they disembark, all making for an easy and efficient day of laps. 

From the summit to the lift line, riders will be treated to 1,250 feet of descending, packed with features and a clever use of the hillside. Although there are no beginner-friendly trails, due to the area's average grade, the available trails are incredibly well-planned, with enough flow and speed to be exciting for most competent mountain bikers. The biggest issue I had with the VCMP system was that I didn’t have enough time for additional laps, as I would have continued going lap after lap until my arms and legs were jelly.

With a planned opening in Spring 2026, the Mighty Argo and Idaho Springs in general are already on my list of places to revisit next year for both skiing in the area and mountain biking. The prospect of more trails with lift access, accompanied by great food, drinks, and mind-blowing views, makes it that much sweeter to look forward to.

Visit Mightyargo.com for exclusive updates, early access tickets, and special grand opening discounts