DIRTT - trail builder training

New European Education for Trail Builders! 👀 DIRTT.eu partner @fagskolenviken in Norway is relaunching the Trail Building Management programme for 2026/27. - 30 ECTS, part-time (Yes, you can study while working!) - Learn site assessment, trail design, construction, and management - Connect with Europe’s leading trail-building professionals Limited places: Only 15 spots available for international students. Is this programme for you?�👉Intro webinar: 8 April (Sign-up link in bio)�👉Learn more & apply: Link in bio� 📹 @hallingdalrides

🏆🙌 Introducing the Trail Advancement Award, a new Take Care Of Your Trails initiative aimed at strengthening skills, knowledge, and leadership within the European trail community. Funded through a 1% for the Planet donation from H+I Adventures to IMBA Europe, this award represents a shared commitment to investing in the people shaping the future of sustainable trail development. The recipient will be awarded a fully funded place on the Trail Building Management program, delivered by Fagskolen Viken Higher Vocational College, which is recognized as a European hub for trail builder education. Designed to fit alongside professional commitments, the program offers a flexible “study while you work” structure, combining primarily online learning with in-person training blocks (multiple weeks across Europe, including Norway). 💡Participants will build expertise across key areas: • Trail building in a societal and environmental context – understanding the historical development, cultural significance, and industry dynamics of mountain biking • Trail design and planning – leading and coordinating core planning and management processes in trail development projects • Construction and maintenance – operational planning, construction oversight, and ensuring long-term trail performance 👀The program is based on the European DIRTT competence framework and follows an internationally developed and quality-assured syllabus, ensuring alignment with recognised guidelines and best practice within professional trail development. This award is a meaningful step in building capacity, supporting professional pathways, and advancing sustainable trail development across Europe. 👉Find out more and apply via the link in our bio. **We strongly encourage all interested applicants to carefully review the full entry and application requirements on our website to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications before applying.

Send this to someone who’s pursuing a PhD in Jumpology 👨🏻‍🔬👩‍💻😉 Airtime features add excitement and flow to a trail, but they also come with risks. Good technique, the right bike setup, and well-designed features are key to staying safe. 👨‍💻 Want to learn more about jump design, speed management, and the anatomy of airtime features? Discover the DIRTT Knowledge Hub beta version — link in bio. (Note: Access credentials are provided by the administrator). Video & Edit: @larsstorheim  @hallingdalrides ⛰️ @hogevarde ⚒️ @worldtrail 🎨 @jim_clarkson #dirtteu #trailbuilding #trailbuilder #trailart #trailbuildermag trails trailbuilders mtb mountainbiking trailsmatter outdoorindustry sustainabletrails enduromtb downhillmtb mtblove traillove lifebehindbars bikelife designbuildride erasmusplus erasmuspluseurope erasmusplusprojects  DIRTT 3.0 partners: @fagskoleniviken @imba_europe @bikesolutions.official @stibygg.no Landesberufsschule Murau trackstrails.nl Associated DIRTT 3.0 partners: @dmbins @edinburghnapier @bikeplan.ag @municipiodeagueda Agrupamento de Escolas Águeda Sul @trailtools.eu @dgi_officiel @trail.foundation

#WomensWednesday – Fee Wallace 💜 This week it’s all about trail building and advocacy work — so it’s time to shine a light on our wonderful WiMTB Steering Committee member, Fee Wallace (@fee49 ). Fee has been part of the trail building and advocacy world for eight years, and she has been helping to build and grow our #WiMTB network and community from the ground up. Based in Aberdeenshire, she has worked closely with @aberdeenshiretrail Association, @dmbins , and a wide network of landowners and stakeholders to build, sustain and advocate for trails. One of her standout contributions was creating and running a Trail Academy pilot, opening doors for young people into both professional and volunteer trail building. She went on to undertake @dirtt.eu tutor training, supporting further waves of trained dig leaders across the region. 🌟 Fee brings something unique to this world. Her background in social work shaped her ability to chair difficult meetings, navigate complex frameworks, and most importantly, connect people. She has a gift for linking communities together in a way that challenges exclusion, celebrates difference, and unites people over the shared stoke of bikes and trails. Her work has spanned women-only trail days, coaching, group rides, and events in both mixed and women-only settings. After years of showing up in a voluntary capacity, Fee now works in a trail development and adventure tourism role. A well-deserved recognition of everything she has given to her local scene. Oh, and she also won @imba_europe Trail Advocate of the Year Award back in 2022. Somehow, that feels very on brand. 💜 Thank you, Fee, for helping build the trails and the community around them. 💬 Has someone in your local trail community made a difference to your riding? Give them a shoutout in the comments. #wimtb #womeninmountainbiking #trailbuilding

Meet the Trail Builder Vol. 9: Emma Holániová Originally from Slovakia, Emma turned her passion for riding into a career in trail building. Last season, working for @vast_trails in Switzerland, she spent her days with the crew on several large projects in the region. From growing up in Bike Park Kálnica and learning the ropes to building trails in the Alps, Emma is driven by the process of transforming raw terrain into something that brings people together on bikes. Learn more about Emma’s journey into trail building, what she loves most about the craft, and her advice for getting started. Read the full interview on the @imba_europe webpage – link in bio! 📸  @magnus_gronberg.jpg 📸 #4 @omfgsabbie DIRTT 3.0 partners: @fagskoleniviken @imba_europe @bikesolutions.official @stibygg.no Landesberufsschule Murau trackstrails.nl Associated DIRTT 3.0 partners: @dmbins @edinburghnapier @bikeplan.ag @municipiodeagueda Agrupamento de Escolas Águeda Sul @trailtools.eu @dgi_officiel @trail.foundation

Everything you wanted to know or not about DIRTT ! 🪏⛏️💻 #dirtt #imbaeurope #bikesolutions

DIRTT 3.0 is officially underway and kicked off strong with an inspiring partner meet-up in Harderwijk, Netherlands. Partners gathered for an engaging and hands-on working session focused on shaping the next steps of the project—especially around competence development, sustainability, and digital learning for trail building across Europe. A major topic during the meeting was knowledge mapping on biodiversity and nature restoration, providing a structured introduction to how trail building can better support ecological values. Partners contributed insights and experiences from their national contexts, sparking valuable plenary discussions on best practices and shared challenges. Another key highlight was the group work session on defining the EQF Level 3 “Trail Worker” role. Together, partners explored what this role should represent, what learning outcomes it requires, and how competencies can be described in a clear and usable way. The discussions were followed by plenary consolidation to ensure shared understanding and alignment. The meeting also brought the digital dimension of DIRTT into focus. Index—the agency behind the DIRTT ICT system—joined to share insights into MOOC-based learning systems and how digital tools can support a field-based craft like trail building. This was followed by an important session on positioning the DIRTT MOOC, clarifying its purpose, scope, and system boundaries to guide the development work in WP3. To connect theory with practice, the meet-up also included a field visit to a nearby trail project, offering real-world inspiration and a shared reference point for the discussions. A big thanks to IMBA Europe for hosting and the Erasmus+ program for co-funding our project—and to all project partners for contributing with energy, expertise, and great collaboration. DIRTT 3.0 is off to a strong start, and we’re excited for what’s ahead! DIRTT 3.0 partners: @fagskoleniviken @imba_europe @bikesolutions.official @stibygg.no Landesberufsschule Murau trackstrails.nl Associated DIRTT 3.0 partners: @dmbins @edinburghnapier @bikeplan.ag @municipiodeagueda Agrupamento de Escolas Águeda Sul @trailtools.eu @dgi_officiel @trail.foundation

We are excited to have @cathy_naveaux onboard for the DIRTT3.0 project. Together with her colleague Yannick and the team at @bikesolutions.official , they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge into the next project phase 🫡 🕵️‍♂️ You might recognize Cathy from our trail builder interview series from a year ago. In the interview, she shares her journey from dedicated volunteer to professional trail builder. Driven by her passion for the sport and her commitment to environmental protection, she advocates for education, funding, and community collaboration to create sustainable trails. Read the full interview on the @imba_europe  webpage - Link in bio! 📸 @petescullion #dirtteu #trailbuilding #trailbuilder #trailart #trailbuildermag #trails #trailbuilders #mtb #mountainbiking #trailsmatter #outdoorindustry #sustainabletrails #enduromtb #downhillmtb #mtblove #traillove #lifebehindbars #bikelife #designbuildride #erasmusplus #erasmuspluseurope #erasmusplusprojects  DIRTT 3.0 partners: @fagskoleniviken @imba_europe @bikesolutions.official @stibygg.no Landesberufsschule Murau trackstrails.nl

During the DIRTT project, we have interviewed European trail builders and learned from their experiences all over the continent. Some of the more in-depth interviews have ended up on our website. We kicked off our “Meet the Trail Builder” series with Knut Lønnqvist. Knut is one of the founders of Trailhead Nesbyen, the trail-building company behind the Hallingspranget project – one of Europe’s longest flow trails! Get to know Knut and his journey from a volunteer enthusiast to a professional trail builder, taking on projects not only in Norway but also internationally. Read the full interview on the @imba_europe  webpage - Link in bio! 📷 1: @lockhart_film 📷 2-4: @larsstorheim 📷 5: @brynjartvedt #dirtteu #trailbuilding #trailbuilder #trailart #trailbuildermag #trails #trailbuilders #mtb #mountainbiking #trailsmatter #outdoorindustry #sustainabletrails #enduromtb #downhillmtb #mtblove #traillove #lifebehindbars #bikelife #designbuildride #erasmusplus #erasmuspluseurope #erasmusplusprojects  DIRTT 3.0 partners: @fagskoleniviken @imba_europe @bikesolutions.official @stibygg.no Landesberufsschule Murau trackstrails.nl Associated DIRTT 3.0 partners: @dmbins @edinburghnapier @bikeplan.ag @municipiodeagueda Agrupamento de Escolas Águeda Sul @trailtools.eu @dgi_officiel @trail.foundation

It’s been another big year for the DIRTT 2.0 Project! 
From conferences and webinars to hands-on trail-building sessions, trail builder interviews, podcasts, the DIRTT assessor training, the Sustainability & Inclusion Report, and the final dissemination event in Spain — all with the goal of strengthening European trail-building competence. It’s been a busy and productive year, to say the least! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners, stakeholders, and trail builders for their interest in and support of the project. 🤝 We’re excited for what’s to come in 2026! ⚒️
Wishing you happy holidays! ✨🎄 📸 @magnus_gronberg.jpg #MountainBikingMagic #dirtteu #trailbuilding #trailbuilder #trailart #trailbuildermag #trails #trailbuilders #mtb #mountainbiking #trailsmatter #outdoorindustry #sustainabletrails #enduromtb #downhillmtb #mtblove #traillove #lifebehindbars #bikelife #designbuildride #erasmusplus #erasmuspluseurope #erasmusplusprojects #trysilbikearena DIRTT partners: @fagskoleniviken @imba_europe @dmbins @edinburghnapier @bikeplan.ag @trail.foundation @dgi_officiel @trailtools.eu @municipiodeagueda Agrupamento de Escolas Agueda Sul @stibygg.no

Meet the Trail Builder Vol. 8: Henrik Ulleland Based in Sogndal, Norway, Henrik has turned his passion for digging and riding into a profession. As a full-time trail builder and machine operator with Rekkje Trail Development, he spends his days in the excavator working on trails or building pump tracks. Off the clock, he’s committed to improving his local spot, maintaining trails, and contributing to the wider trail-building community. Learn more about Henrik’s journey into trail building and his experiences building lines and features for mountain bike movie segments. Read the full interview on the @imba_europe  webpage - Link in bio! 📸  @magnus_gronberg.jpg 📸 #3 @rekkjestiutvikling DIRTT partners: @fagskoleniviken @imba_europe @dmbins @edinburghnapier @bikeplan.ag @trail.foundation @dgi_officiel @trailtools.eu Municipio de Aguéda Agrupamento de Escolas Agueda Sul @stibygg.no

Keen for more online trail building tips and tricks? DIRTT 3.0 kicks off in December and is dedicated to making trail building training more accessible for everyone. From new volunteers to experienced professionals — helping raise the quality and sustainability of trail work across Europe. 💡In the meantime, the Knowledge Hub offers open-source resources for trail building educators and trainers.
Check out the beta version, link in bio. Follow the steps to sign up and get your access credentials. 🫡 🎨 @jim_clarkson #dirtteu #trailbuilding #trailbuilder #trailart #trailbuildermag #trails #trailbuilders #mtb #mountainbiking #trailsmatter #outdoorindustry #sustainabletrails #enduromtb #downhillmtb #mtblove #traillove #lifebehindbars #bikelife #designbuildride #erasmusplus #erasmuspluseurope #erasmusplusprojects  DIRTT partners: @fagskoleniviken @imba_europe @dmbins @edinburghnapier @bikeplan.ag @trail.foundation @dgi_officiel @trailtools.eu Municipio de Aguéda Agrupamento de Escolas Agueda Sul @stibygg.no