Tony Ferlisi

About Tony Ferlisi

http://mountainbiketetons.org

Posts by Tony Ferlisi:

December 7 2020

We’re Hiring!

Tony Ferlisi Job Opportunities, News & Updates

C. Downard

Mountain Bike the Tetons is seeking an Executive Director.

Full-Time, Salaried position

Mountain Bike the Tetons seeks an Executive Director to lead our organization in our efforts in trail building, mountain bike advocacy and youth education. We do our work in Teton Valley Idaho and Jackson Hole Wyoming, both sides of the magnificent Teton Range. Since 2013 we’ve built or rebuilt miles of trail, started a NICA race team, engaged younger riders with our Sprockids program, and advocated for mountain bike access in our communities. We’re on a roll, come lead us on.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Please send a resume and cover letter with references by December 31st, 2020 to: [email protected] No phone calls, please.

Full job description here:

MBT ED Job Description 2020

November 25 2020

New Mountain Bike Summer Camps Coming in 2021

Tony Ferlisi News & Updates, Sprockids

Driggs, Idaho – Beginning summer 2021, Mountain Bike the Tetons will offer a series of week-long, youth mountain bike camps. These new programs come as a result of cooperation between Mountain Bike the Tetons (MBT) and the Teton Valley Ski Education Foundation (TVSEF). For the past several years, TVSEF has offered popular youth mountain bike camps during the summer months and MBT has added summer programming on both sides of Teton Pass through their successful Sprockids program. TVSEF executive director Bridget Baumeister and MBT executive director Tony Ferlisi, along with their respective boards and staffs, have agreed to shift the bike-focused portions of TVSEF summer camp programming efforts to MBT.

MBT Executive Director Tony Ferlisi explained, “Bridget and I both focus our efforts intently to ensure that youth education and outreach programs continue to flourish here in the Tetons. Throughout the past year and a half, we jointly examined organizational programming, strategic planning and our respective missions and decided that in order for this programming to continue to thrive, a change was necessary. This shift allows our organizations to focus more specifically on our individual missions, to shore up programmatic resources and ultimately, it will create a more robust foundation for organizational partnership by providing specific benefits to families who participate in both MBT’s summer and TVSEF’s winter programs. We’re excited to see the year-round results of this shift and the opportunities that it provides for members of our community.”

TVSEF Executive Director Bridget Baumeister followed up, “Historically, every couple of years MBT and TVSEF have reevaluated our program offerings to see how we can best serve our community. With MBT taking a larger step into youth programming in recent years, it seems like now is the right time to make a shift. We feel this change will allow MBT to continue to grow and expand upon the youth mountain biking opportunities in the region. At the same time, it will allow TVSEF to concentrate on more ski and snowboard specific training in the summer months. Overall, MBT and TVSEF hope this change will help both of our organizations to focus on what we do best and to provide the best offerings to our community.”

2021 MBT youth mountain bike camp curriculum and structure will closely resemble past TVSEF summer camps with some exciting changes and the addition of new adult programming in the works. Local coaches Lauren Hugo and Celeste Young will continue overseeing these summer camps in partnership with additional instructors and alongside MBT staff and board.

Registration for all 2021 Mountain Bike the Tetons summer programs will open March 1, 2021 on the MBT website. Stay tuned for more information.

October 12 2020

2020 Teton Dirt Season Wrap

Tony Ferlisi News & Updates, Trail Reports

5B1040EB-A969-4D12-B56D-E8F95ACB54F6 - MBT Trail Coordinator

6EED0C6E-CF2B-4B00-81AE-1ED54E01DD46 - MBT Trail Coordinator

F069C92D-CCDA-4B2D-9863-30976B84E7E8 - MBT Trail Coordinator

C2830F64-C051-4DF2-A9DB-7210EEEB870E - MBT Trail Coordinator

ECBFC321-77A8-4AE4-8D94-691B9300D6EE - Eric Falconer

An MBT Trail Crew Season for the Books!

The MBT Trail Crew is wrapping up yet another successful trails season as we flirt with winter weather. With Trails Coordinator, Chris Brule at the helm, MBT’s longest standing employee Alec Johnson and two additional part-time crew members, they were able to complete more work this season than any other. Our MBT Trail Crew and Caribou-Targhee Teton Basin Ranger District Trail Crew have set the standards high for the quality of trails in our region. The strong relationship between organizations such as TVTAP, FoP, the Skyliners Motor Club, AMPL, Teton Valley Composite, the Palisades Ranger District and others in our trails community also continues to set the bar high.

Given the short season in Teton Valley, in addition to important existing trail maintenance and trail clearing, the crew was able to complete about 4 miles of new singletrack, install and construct a 60-foot bridge and install improved trail signage across the Big Holes. Without the hard work of MBT Executive Director, Tony Ferlisi and TBRD Recreation Specialist, Joe McFarlane, these projects would not have been possible.

The following is a brief highlighted overview of the projects completed in the 2020 season.

All New Kids Pumptrack

To kick off the 2020 season, the MBT crew, in partnership with Friends of Pathways, Ridgeline Excavation and the Town of Jackson, built a 40’x 70’ pump track in Jackson Hole designed for younger riders.

New Trails

As the final installment of trails in the Mike Harris/ Southern Valley Trails Area, the conceptual ‘Hillside Trail’ was completed. The all-new Hillbender trail provides 2.85 miles of beginner-intermediate level, multi-use, machine-built singletrack. Happy Hour trail, started last season, was brought to completion this summer as well. Happy Hour completes a beginner-friendly loop with Rush Hour (N. side of the highway) and connects Trail Creek Campground to Mike Harris Trailhead. These new trails were made possible through grant funding secured by our partners at Teton Valley Trails and Pathways.

Trail Creek Bridge

The installation of the 60 foot, prefabricated wooden bridge was completed this fall. The bridge will allow access to Rush Hour and the Trail Creek Trailhead and Campground. Many thanks to the Teton Basin Ranger District road crew and trails staff for doing the heavy lifting!

Upper Tie Canyon Trail Resurrection

The crew spent significant time performing heavy brushback, treadwork and clearing to revive this backcountry gem on the Palisades Ranger District. More in-store to complete the Tie Canyon Loop in 2021.

Big Hole Sign Project

The crew dedicated several days to helping the TBRD with the Big Hole Signage Project. The crew installed 4×4 treated posts with carsonite and more appropriate, informative signage and stickers at each trail junction in the South Big Holes.

Spooky and Lower Corral Creek

This project was maintenance driven and completed by the TBRD and MBT. The trail dozer was used on these sections of trail to excavate larger drains and to bench the tread in areas of need.

Sharks Belly Reroute

The crew completed a 520’ new, handbuilt section of trail on Sharks Belly to eliminate a significant spring/summer seep area.

Pole Canyon/Ladyslipper Bridge

The Pole Canyon trailhead accessing Ladyslipper had a mandatory creek crossing in the spring/early summer. The crew installed a 12’ x 4’ footbridge over the creek to gain safe, easier access.

Mahogany Bog Bridge

Early in the summer season, the MBT crew hosted our first volunteer day of the year and replaced the Mahogany bog bridge with natural materials until a new bridge can be installed in 2021.

Thompson Peak Re-Hab

The crew helped facilitate a two-day backcountry trail re-hab opportunity in association with the Carriboo Jack. Over 2 miles of rugged backcountry trail was cleared and re-habilitated by volunteers and through amazing horse support by Dave Woodcock of the Palisades Ranger District.

Thanks to ALL the volunteers who came out to help get it done this year; to Nate Carey, John Borstlemann, Nate Kirschner and Bob Benedict for their over-the-top dedication to our trails, to the Teton Valley Composite NICA squad and Will Stubblefield for taking on some great projects, to all who donated their money during a pretty challenging time to our efforts (seriously, every penny counts!), to the anonymous trail ambassadors (trail fairies) who cleared trail, and to all the riders who are part of our extraordinary trails community. Till next season!

Follow @mtbthetetons for more current content regarding our work and local trail conditions. We will also continue to provide trail updates as they continue to open, here in the Weekly Trail Crew Reports and on Trailforks

We want to thank everyone for their continued responsible trail use and those who are helping with trail maintenance. Please remember to share trail reports or work of your own so that we can relay to the people!

Click HERE to report Trail Conditions.

Click HERE to report a Trail Maintenance Request.

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF October 12th, 2020 (please be aware that a number of trees may still be down on some backcountry trails and snow may be lingering up high)

Ladyslipper
Mill Creek
Spooky
Corral
Drake Creek
Grove Creek
Mahogany
Pole Canyon
S. Fork Horseshoe
Mikesell
Nemo
Grumpy
Rush Hour
Horseshoe Canyon – Winter Wildlife Closure Begins Nov. 30
Aspen Trail
Stinking Springs
Caribou Range Trails
7N Ranch
South Bench Trail
Lower Palisades Creek
5th Street Bike Park
Victor Bike Park
Teton Pass DH Trails
Tie Canyon

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

Please be patient and consider the potential consequences of riding around or through muddy or wet areas. Refer to the blue posted signs as each trailhead for Guidelines for late-season trail use and COVID-19 etiquette.

We will continue to provide trail updates as they continue this fall on Trailforks HERE.

Thanks and we’ll see you out there!

-Chris

Explore Your Trails Here

THANKS to our 2020 Trail Supporters and Partners

October 6 2020

October 5th Teton Dirt Report

Tony Ferlisi Trail Reports

Week #23 of the MBT Trail Crew Season!

The crew is wrapping up the last couple weeks of an ultra-productive season. In the absence of our reports for the last two weeks, the Teton Basin Ranger District, Teton Valley Trails and Pathways and Mountain Bike the Tetons were able to complete the installation of a 60ft wooden bridge across Trail Creek to complete the Happy Hour loop. The bridge will ultimately allow access to the campground and future Trail Creek trailhead. Big progress towards the big picture here in Southern Valley. The crew was also able to clear roughly 50 trees with help from the TBRD crew and Nate Carey after the significant wind event a couple of weeks back.

Here is what the crew was up to this past week:

Tuesday: The crew addressed some needed attention on Shark’s Belly trail Tuesday. Chris and Alec rehabbed the old trail where the reroute was installed and fixed up the Kill Bridge. They also installed a small reroute on Burgh to address a spring water issue.

Wednesday: Chris and Alec spent the day loading up wheel barrows to fill a large hole on the south side of the new Trail Creek bridge. That evening, several awesome volunteers came to help out and were able to finish the ramp up to the bridge. Big thanks to the folks who came out!

Thursday Chris spent the day out on Hillbender. He cut out a large tree and started work on a corner that didn’t flow quite right.

Friday Back to work on Hillbender to finish up the hand-built berm on the lower section of trail.

Click HERE to report Trail Conditions.

Click HERE to report a Trail Maintenance Request.

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF October 5th, 2020 (please be aware that a number of trees may still be down on some backcountry trails)

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

Please be patient and consider the potential consequences of riding around or through muddy or wet areas. Refer to the blue posted signs as each trailhead for Guidelines for early season trail use and COVID-19 etiquette.

We will continue to provide trail updates as they continue to open, here in the Weekly Trail Crew Reports and on Trailforks HERE.

Thanks and we’ll see you out there!

-Chris

Explore Your Trails Here

THANKS to our 2020 Trail Supporters and Partners

October 6 2020

US Forest Service e-Bike Directive Needs Your Comments

Tony Ferlisi News & Updates, Uncategorized

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, is proposing to revise its directives to update and clarify guidance on the management of e-bike use on National Forest System lands. These lands locally are the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Click HERE to visit the full text on the Federal Register.

Click HERE to submit your comments by October 24th.

E-bikes have become increasingly popular nationwide among outdoor recreationists on all federal lands. They expand recreational opportunities for many people, particularly the elderly and disabled, enabling them to enjoy the outdoors and associated health benefits.

Currently, e-bike use is not allowed on trails and areas on USFS lands that are NOT designated for motor vehicle use. This means designated Wilderness trails and any system trails that are designated “non-motorized.” Think Southern Valley/Mike Harris, Horseshoe Canyon Trails and Cache Creek Trails.

E-bikes encompass a broad spectrum of categories, from urban pavement-based commuters (we love seeing them on Jackson and Teton Valley pathways), gear haulers (our MBT trail crew utilizes them to transport tools), fat-tire bikes, to full suspension eMTBs. Numerous states (including Idaho and Wyoming) have adopted specific guidance and laws surrounding e-bikes. We believe they get more people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and physical abilities on bikes, reduce our reliance on automobiles and ultimately, that they have a sustainable, thoughtful place on our trails.

Currently, the states of Wyoming and Idaho have their own laws regarding e-bike use. Click the flags below to see what your state mandates:

Here are what MBT believes are the three main points in the Forest Service’s proposed Directive:

The Directive will provide standard definitions of e-bikes differentiating between the 3 classes. Check out the graphic above for clarification on “classes.”

The Directive establishes guidance and criteria for designating routes for e-bike use through site-specific decision making (i.e. travel planning) including consideration of trail management objectives. This means that decisions on e-bike access are local decisions. We know our trails and areas best right here in the backyard, so decision-making on these areas should take place here.

The Directive establishes a new category for Motor Vehicle Use Maps (those folding black and white maps you can get online or at District offices) to display e-bike routes. Trailforks has gone this route and MBT, FoP and other local groups have updated all area trails to include this information on the platform.

The USFS may not acknowledge copy and paste comments, so we encourage you to write a comment unique to you. HERE are a few tips on how to do that.

US Forest Service e-Bike Directive Needs Your Comments

Questions? Please reach out to us: [email protected]

September 10 2020

Sprockids 2020 Year-End Survey

Tony Ferlisi Sprockids

September 8 2020

September 8th Teton Dirt Report

Tony Ferlisi Trail Reports

Week # 19 of the MBT Trail Crew Season!

A bit of everything this week to keep the crew busy. While keeping the trails clear from downfall, they put the finishing touches on the Upper Tie Canyon trail revival project and completed a handbuilt reroute on Shark’s Belly.

With a few weeks’ of trail work left in the season, the crew has some maintenance and future trail improvement planning on the schedule.

Monday: Chris and Alec had what turned into a sloppy day, up on Upper Tie Canyon. Working on tread towards the top, they made good progress before it began to rain and snow.

Tuesday: Alec and Eric made the final push to finish the work on Upper Tie Canyon. The trail saw significant brushback/weed whacking/clearing as well as tread work to reestablish the trail alignment. If you don’t use it, you lose it!

Wednesday: The crew began work on a re-route on Shark’s Belly trail in the Horseshoe area. Clearing, flagging and digging. The intention of the reroute is to avoid the steep, wet, seep area on the north end of the trail.

Thursday: Alec and Eric continued work on the reroute on Shark’s Belly while Chris cut out two trees on Happy Hour in the morning. He then met up with the crew in the afternoon for some more digging.

Friday Chris and Alec headed up Drake in the morning to clear a down tree on the upper section of the trail. They then headed out to Horseshoe Canyon to complete the work on Shark’s Belly and open up the new reroute.

Click HERE to report Trail Conditions.

Click HERE to report a Trail Maintenance Request.

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF September 8, 2020

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

We will continue to provide trail updates as they continue to open, here in the Weekly Trail Crew Reports and on Trailforks HERE.

Thanks and we’ll see you out there!

-Chris

Explore Your Trails Here

THANKS to our 2020 Trail Supporters and Partners

August 31 2020

August 31st Teton Dirt Report

Tony Ferlisi Trail Reports

Week # 18 of the MBT Trail Crew Season!

Have you ever lost $20 dollars, forgotten about it and found it much later in an old pair of pants? Yea, Upper Tie Canyon is kinda like that… Lost, forgotten and now rediscovered, this backcountry gem has been awaiting your knobby tires and the MBT crew is making that a possibility by clearing the cobwebs.

In addition to trail revival, regular maintenance and some future trail improvement planning was on the crew’s schedule last week:

Monday: Chris and Alec started the week off on Upper Tie Canyon. They executed heavy brushback with the Husqvarna weed eater and significant tread work.

Tuesday: Back on Upper Tie, Alec and Eric continued heavy brushback and treadwork. Depending on where the trail is, treadwork includes removing grass, weeds and completely re-benching the trail where it has disappeared. Also on Tuesday, Chris and Scott Bossell with the Teton Basin Ranger District completed some reroute design and assessment within the Horseshoe trail system.

Wednesday: Upper Tie Canyon getting more love. Continued brushback and treadwork for the crew.

Thursday: Making another solid push through the weeds on Upper Tie, the crew is getting more and more excited about what this trail has to offer. Clearing the corridor and more treadwork for the day.

Friday: Executive Director Tony Ferlisi got out in the morning to remove two reported lodge poles down on Nemo’s. Alec got out onto lower Grove to clear some drains and place trail name stickers on newly installed signage posts within the South Big Holes. Chris hit the trails for some work scouting in the Palisades.

Click HERE to report Trail Conditions.

Click HERE to report a Trail Maintenance Request.

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF August 31, 2020

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

We will continue to provide trail updates as they continue to open, here in the Weekly Trail Crew Reports and on Trailforks HERE.

Thanks and we’ll see you out there!

-Chris

Explore Your Trails Here

THANKS to our 2020 Trail Supporters and Partners

August 27 2020

2020 Targhee South Race Results & Final Series Results

Tony Ferlisi Teton Dirt Series

Thanks to everyone who came out to the First Annual Targhee South Race! Thanks to Grand Targhee Resort for the support and to all our volunteers. Thanks for all the support this year in the inaugural Teton Dirt Series!

We’ll see you in 2021 but stay tuned for an awards gathering in Driggs.

2020 Targhee South Race Results

2020 Series Overall Point Totals

August 24 2020

August 24th Teton Dirt Report

Tony Ferlisi Trail Reports

Week # 17 of the MBT Trail Crew Season!

The crew’s schedule is looking a bit more scattered this time of the season. With several smaller objectives, the crew may seem to be in two places at once. Wishing we could turn on the water at this point as the trails remain a bit dusty and smokey.

Here’s what the crew was up to last week:

Monday: The week began back on Corral Creek with the Teton Basin Ranger District, working to complete maintenance with the trail dozer. Both crews worked on drainage and re-benching areas of needed repair. TBRD brought the project to completion on Tuesday. The crew also met with the Palisades Ranger District to collect the tools they had packed in for the Cariboo Jack trail parties. Cheers!

Tuesday: The crew facilitated an excellent morning of trail work with a group from the local NICA mountain bike team. Thanks to Will Stubblefield and Nate Carey for coordinating. In the afternoon, the crew completed finish work on the new section on Happy Hour, connecting to the campground road.

Wednesday: In the morning, the crew worked on completing the final connections for the newest Happy Hour section with some help from Tiny Dancer. In the afternoon, the crew installed 3 signposts at the Spooky/ Corral Cr. trail junction.

Thursday: In the morning, Alec and Eric posted carsonite and trail stickers at the Spooky/Corral Junction. To finish up work out there, they also cleaned up the last few drains on the lower section of the trail. They then headed out to Grumpy’s and Hillbender with the chainsaw to clear a couple of reported trees that had fallen across the trail. After a morning of trail coordination and office work, Chris met the crew out on lower Mikesell to start some drainage work.

Friday: Chris and Alec installed signage at the Mail Cabin trailhead, then began work on the forgotten and neglected Upper Tie Canyon. Heavy weed whacking, brushback, some treadwork and bike tires will bring this trail back to life. Go check it out!

Click HERE to report Trail Conditions.

Click HERE to report a Trail Maintenance Request.

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF August 24, 2020

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

We will continue to provide trail updates as they continue to open, here in the Weekly Trail Crew Reports and on Trailforks HERE.

Thanks and we’ll see you out there!

-Chris

Explore Your Trails Here

THANKS to our 2020 Trail Supporters and Partners

Tony Ferlisi

About Tony Ferlisi

Posts by Tony Ferlisi:

Mountain Bike the Tetons is seeking an Executive Director.

Full job description here:

An MBT Trail Crew Season for the Books!

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF October 12th, 2020 (please be aware that a number of trees may still be down on some backcountry trails and snow may be lingering up high)

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

Week #23 of the MBT Trail Crew Season!

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF October 5th, 2020 (please be aware that a number of trees may still be down on some backcountry trails)

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

Click HERE to visit the full text on the Federal Register.

Click HERE to submit your comments by October 24th.

E-bikes have become increasingly popular nationwide among outdoor recreationists on all federal lands. They expand recreational opportunities for many people, particularly the elderly and disabled, enabling them to enjoy the outdoors and associated health benefits.

Currently, the states of Wyoming and Idaho have their own laws regarding e-bike use. Click the flags below to see what your state mandates:

Here are what MBT believes are the three main points in the Forest Service’s proposed Directive:

The Directive will provide standard definitions of e-bikes differentiating between the 3 classes. Check out the graphic above for clarification on “classes.”

The USFS may not acknowledge copy and paste comments, so we encourage you to write a comment unique to you. HERE are a few tips on how to do that.

Questions? Please reach out to us: [email protected]

Week # 19 of the MBT Trail Crew Season!

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF September 8, 2020

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

Week # 18 of the MBT Trail Crew Season!

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF August 31, 2020

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the First Annual Targhee South Race! Thanks to Grand Targhee Resort for the support and to all our volunteers. Thanks for all the support this year in the inaugural Teton Dirt Series!

We’ll see you in 2021 but stay tuned for an awards gathering in Driggs.

2020 Targhee South Race Results

2020 Series Overall Point Totals

Week # 17 of the MBT Trail Crew Season!

OPEN DRY TRAILS AS OF August 24, 2020

For more Jackson Hole dry trails, check out our partners’ (Friends of Pathways) Trail Report HERE.