The Panhandle Bike Ranch has been in the works for years, and a conditional use permit was approved for the bike park in 2024. Located just south of the burgeoning mountain bike destination of Sandpoint, ID, the founders have constructed seven purpose-built mountain bike trails, ranging from green to double black diamond, on private property. The ranch plans to offer shuttles to access the downhill runs.
According to an Instagram post dated June 4, a ruling by an Idaho judge has blocked the bike park from opening, just 10 days before it planned to open to the public.
“It’s an incredibley [sic] frustrating situation because we followed all of the rules and this really just comes down to technicality nonsense between Bonner County and this judge,” wrote the Panhandle Bike Ranch. “We’re stuck in the middle not being able to open a business that we have invested millions of dollars into, not to mention over a year of intense work to try to open this business as quickly as we could for the community.”
When we reported on the approved conditional use permit, we noted that a group of NIMBYs were not pleased with the construction of a bike park, even though it’s on private property. Apparently, they haven’t given up and have opposed the bike park by “claiming that we are a resort even though we have no lodging, restaurants, spas or many other characteristics of what you would expect from a resort. Resorts are not allowed in our property zoning so this opposition group has been using this false claim to try to stop our business,” according to the Panhandle Bike Ranch. The Bike Ranch had been given a recreation facility permit by Bonner County.
A lawsuit ensued, and “Judge Casey Simmons, a Kootenai county judge, has ruled that the Bonner County Commissioners did not provide enough evidence for [why they classified us as a recreation facility] when approving our family bike park business,” according to the Panhandle Bike Ranch. “The judge could have just sent it back to the county commissioners and asked them to fix any issues while leaving our existing permit intact. Instead Judge Simmons completely revoked our permit 10 days before we open to the public.”
What trails have been built at the Bike Ranch?
The Panhandle Bike Ranch was founded by the Kalbach family, and according to Lance Kalbach, General Manager, “We’ve invested millions of dollars and countless hours into building this bike park after being told by the county that it was permitted and approved. Since day one, we’ve made every effort to follow the proper approval processes and have worked in good faith to comply with all regulations.” The trails were built through a collaboration with the legendary Gravity Logic Trail Crew and the Ranch’s own builders.
The Bike Ranch originally planned to open with seven purpose-built trails, and an eighth is currently under construction. The beginner and intermediate trails are flowy, with whoops and rollers progressing to tabletop jumps.
As the difficulties approach black diamond, riders will find tech trails and big features, including “larger wood feature drops [and] big jumps.” The double black diamond “Down by the Bunny” is for “EXPERT RIDERS ONLY,” and includes mandatory gaps. Finally, the unfinished Rank Ride trail will be a double black diamond tech trail dropping off the top of the mountain.
Local MTB advocacy group issues statement of support
The Pend Oreille Pedalers (POP), Sandpoint’s local MTB advocacy group, has issued a statement of support for the Bike Ranch. “We’re heartbroken to hear the news that Panhandle Bike Ranch’s permit has been revoked just days before opening,” POP wrote. “This ruling is more than a setback for one business—it’s a loss for our entire community.
“Panhandle Bike Ranch is a shining example of what thoughtful, community-minded recreation can look like. It’s a place where families ride together, kids build confidence and skills, and local trail builders are employed doing meaningful, sustainable work. The park was built by and for our community—and it shows.”
POP went on to encourage local riders to contact their commissioners and voice support for the Ranch. If you live in the region you can find detailed information on which commissioners to contact in this Instagram post.
They aren’t giving up yet
“Even though we are devasted [sic] by this terrible decision, we want the community to know that we will not give up on this business,” wrote Panhandle Bike Ranch. “The bike park is already built and we will not walk away from providing this amazing bike park experience to the community.
“We will be operating shuttles in some capacity this summer and will be reaching out to everyone that has already purchased passes about refunds.”
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