These comments should illustrate to anyone that hasn't been to "the mountains" yet that they have to go! Nothing gets you stoked on the sport quite like it. It's like skiing in Colorado instead of Boone, surfing in Hawaii instead of Wilmington, etc...
For me it was my first trip to Fruita, Lake Tahoe, Moab, Interbike in Vegas. We started at Lake Tahoe and did a great road trip south.
My first Pisgah ride left a big impression on me too (it was the loop that probably everyone does the first time) Bent Creek.
My first trip to Wilson's Creek was a blast.
At Poplar Tent I worked up my courage for a good month of riding before I hit that ladder drop. Then I was shocked at how tame it was
I stayed in the Waterfall Cabin at Reeb Ranch for a long weekend and I highly recommend it.
Winning my first Mtn Bike race was a good feeling.
Now I am looking forward to my kids getting hooked on the sport so I can create another decade of memories!