So hear us out… it’s too cold to ride chair lifts, there isn’t enough snow in the backcountry, and well, nordic skiing just isn’t your thing. What do you do? Fat Bike!
Fat Biking is becoming more and more popular as our winters become increasingly unpredictable and gives you the opportunity to ride some of the trails you love in the spring, summer, and fall – only with a blanket of snow on the ground.
What ‘is’ a fat bike? Simply, a fat bike is a bike purpose-built to accommodate wide tires intended for being run at super low pressure, making them ideal for riding on snow. While a conventional mountain bike might fit a 2.6” wide tire, fat bikes roll on rubber 4 or even 5 inches wide! When run at a third or less the pressure of conventional MTB tires, you’ll have incredible grip and enough shock absorption to make mechanical suspension generally unnecessary.
And what about where to take these amazing pieces of equipment? More and more networks in Vermont now offer trails groomed for winter riding, including many managed by VMBA Chapters. Just like with nordic skiing, grooming helps to pack down the snow to allow for better traction, more consistent terrain, and a better time all-around. Some networks groom with a ‘Snow Dog’ (a sled with a weighted grooming plate), others by snowmobile, and some groom by hand – well, actually, foot – using snowshoes and dragging tires.
Whether you’ve never been out on a fat bike or you’re a seasoned winter rider, there are networks in every corner of Vermont that are groomed and ready for you to ride. Novices can head to Catamount Outdoor Family Center, which offers on-site fat bike rentals, as do many of the shops in our Retailer Alliance network including Bicycle Express, Ranch Camp, and Onion River Outdoors. And for those more experienced and adventurous winter warriors, a firm coat of snow on classics like Joe’s at Perry Hill makes for a truly unique experience!
Regardless of where you decide to ride, be sure to check out their our Winter Trail Conditions Page before you go, and if you do leave a track – turn back!