Planned and hosted by professional trail contractors,
this is the national conference focusing on trail design, construction and maintenance.

WTBA Conference

This year, we're hosting six workshops:

Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) — Beneficial Designs, Feb. 1-2
UTAP is becoming a standard process for objectively recording and conveying accessibility information for any trail. Learn and practice the process in this two-day, indoor/outdoor workshop. More info

TrailWare Workshop — Beneficial Designs, Feb. 3
Optionally used with UTAP, Trailware is software for recording and conveying trail assessment information gathered with UTAP. Half-day classroom workshop. More info

Natural Surface Trail Design: The Keys to Sustainability & Visitor Enjoyment — Troy Scott Parker, Natureshape, Feb. 2
Beneath the myriad of trail techniques for different types of natural surface trails, a core set of shapes, relationships, forces and patterns can be used to generate sustainable, fun trails that make the most of their sites on any budget. Based on years of research, Troy Scott Parker presents simple yet profound concepts that describe and predict all aspects of natural surface trails for all types of use, including hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, ADA, ATV, motorcycle and OHV trails. One-day, indoor workshop. More info

Explosives & Blasting Safety — Stan Bones, USFS Master Blaster, Feb. 5
Blasting techniques and explosives constantly evolve. For those who already have the basics and blasting experience, learn more about safety, latest techniques, and the latest innovations in the field. Four-hour workshop. More info

Time-Honored Principles: Revisiting the Lost Art of Crosscut Saw Use – David Michael, USFS Region 5 Crosscut Saw Examiner, Feb. 6
Indoor/outdoor one-day workshop on the safe, efficient use and maintenance of crosscut saws. More info

Advanced Trailbuilding School — International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), Feb. 6-8
Learn IMBA's techniques for sustainable, fun trails for mountain biking, hiking and equestrians. For trailbuilders, this three-day Advanced Trailbuilding School goes deep enough into trail design, construction and maintenance considerations to be useful. Two days classroom, one day field practice. More info

	Low off-season prices at its many hotels (15,000 hotel rooms)
	Modern, efficient international airport with frequent flights to everywhere
	Free airport-to-hotel shuttles, free hotel parking
	Many restaurants with low to reasonable prices
	Public transit systems make it easy to get around—the city caters to visitors
	Generally mild temperatures and snow-free, high desert conditions make outdoor workshop sessions and trade show demos possible in February
	Abundant restaurants, casinos and nightlife add spice
	Nearby Lake Tahoe and Truckee add skiing and still more restaurants for an extended stay
	Reno is a comfortable bargain compared to other major cities and resorts. More on Reno/Tahoe

Main conference hotel: Atlantis Casino Resort, Reno, Nevada

Quality Conference Hotel: Atlantis Casino Resort
Most events will be at the Atlantis Hotel/Casino, a modern hotel with 1000 guest rooms and seven restaurants including a huge buffet that consistently wins "Best in Reno." Lodging rooms are nice and very reasonably priced. In addition to the towers, the complex also has a comfortable Motor Lodge. Downtown is a municipal bus ride away.