Sven Landin in the lift going up for a mountain bike ride.
– There is a great interest in mountain biking in Malå and cyclists come from near and far to cycle on the downhill here, says Angelica Edlund, head of operations for the Tjamstan area.
Her vision is for the area to be full of activities throughout the year.
– Previously the ski slope and winter activities have been the big crowd puller but we will now gradually expand our summertime activities, says Angelica.
That will include offering good package deals for hikers, those who want to fish, canoeists and mountain bikers.
The downhill cycling track was built in the autumn of 2020 by around thirty local people committed to the outdoors and some local companies.
– There was great involvement among Malå residents who came to dig and rake and some of them also brought their own tractors, says André Nyström who was one of these committed locals.
It was originally his idea after having cycled down many hills throughout the years.
– Tjamstan is a magical mountain and it’s perfect for downhill cycling, he says.
The cyclists can get off in three separate places on the way up to the top.
– Then you just need to decide how fast you want to go, André says.
In addition to the bike track there are also two bike trails for those who want to be a bit more cautious and avoid jumps.
The mountain bike track and trails became an immediate success and several mountain bike camps have been held here. This summer the periods of lift access for bikes have been extended significantly.
– We’re talking about weekends from August to October. The annual pass for the ski slopes are valid and it’s possible to buy regular day tickets.
Angelica Edlund, head of operations for the Tjamstan area.
The reason for why the lifts cannot open earlier is, according to Angelica Edlund, that they need to be thoroughly serviced in summer and the grass on the hill also needs to be cut.
Sven Landin, Kvarnåsen, and his 13-year-old son Alfred have lately become interested in downhill cycling and they are fascinated by the speed.
– It’s a simple and fun hobby for the whole family. You can start at a low level and go on to develop your cycling, Sven says.
Alfred Landin going full speed down Tjamstanbackarna.
In addition to the hill in Malå there are other downhill tracks within Norran’s catchment area for example at Vitberget in Skellefteå, Bygdsiljum and in Arjeplog.
The bike park in Bygdsiljum is the largest in Västerbotten for lift-assisted downhill cycling and currently has nine trails that are improved on each year. The association Bygdsiljumsbacken opened the hill to the public for the first time in 2012.
At the top of Vitberget, a stone’s throw from central Skellefteå, you will find the largest bike park in Scandinavia. A modern bike park that includes a large pump track, skills loop, dirt track and three mountain loops of varying levels of difficulty with bridges and wood constructions integrated into the natural landscape.
In the summer of 2022, the newly started mountain bike club MTB Arjeplog built a 700-metre-long downhill track below Öberget.