With only days remaining before the world’s top freeride riders arrive, the build team behind DarkFest is pushing hard to complete one of the most exciting upgrades to the course — a redesigned Mega Quarter.
Working in Stellenbosch, Sam Reynolds and the crew have been refining the feature introduced last year, aiming to make it bigger, smoother and capable of producing the biggest airs ever seen at the event.
Designing a Bigger Big-Air Feature
The Mega Quarter quickly became one of the standout elements of the course when it debuted, but after riders tested it, improvements were needed. This year the redesign was led by world-renowned trail builder Clemens Kaudela, who carefully measured last year’s dimensions and incorporated feedback from riders.
The goal was simple: allow riders to go even higher.
To achieve this, the team completely dismantled the old ramp and began rebuilding it with a steeper take-off angle and a much taller landing designed specifically for massive airtime.
Engineering the Perfect Landing
Building a landing steep enough to catch riders dropping from huge heights proved challenging. Dirt alone couldn’t hold the required angle, especially in the dry conditions, so the crew opted for a hybrid design using wood and dirt.
The wooden structure forms a strong, steep backbone, while layers of packed dirt blend the landing naturally into the course. This solution ensures the landing can safely receive riders sending enormous airs without harsh impacts.
Excavators, hand tools and plenty of sweat went into shaping the take-off, adjusting angles and packing the final connection into the shark-fin section of the course.
Final Preparations Before Riders Arrive
As the build nears completion, the upgraded Mega Quarter now stands taller and steeper than before — ready to test the limits of the world’s best freeriders.
With the course almost finished, anticipation is building as riders prepare to arrive and begin testing features like the Rocket Launcher, Falcon Heavy and the newly upgraded Mega Quarter.
If everything goes to plan, DARKFEST 2026 could produce the biggest airs ever landed on a mountain bike.