This snow-season innovation allows exercise-zany Coloradans to keep their wheels spinning, no matter the season. Find out where to fat bike in Colorado below.
Fat bikes are becoming fixtures on groomed multi-use trails throughout Colorado, and many Nordic centers and ski resorts are now allowing them on their trails. Crested Butte, always ready to adopt biking innovations, is home to the Alley Lop Fat Bike Race; Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs hosts rides guided by moon and bike lights; the Cloud City Wheelers bicyling club in Leadville coordinates its Winter Mountain Bike Race Series throughout the snowy season; and the 10-hour Silverton Whiteout race debuted in 2015. (Many events are in January; check our events page for details.)
The comically wide tires bring back memories of clunky first-generation mountain bikes, when weight and agility weren’t main priorities. With fatter tires and handlebars and not-kidding-around treads, these new bikes aren’t speedy, but they can go just about anywhere, floating on the snow and giving people of all skill levels a new mode of exploration. Many ski areas offer lessons with staff instructors; the bikes’ three-point stance and low center of gravity make it an easy activity to pick up.
Fat-Bike Rentals
These are just a few of the shops that cater to those wanting to spin their wheels atop the powder:
- Pagosa Mountain Sports in Pagosa Springs
- Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash
- Adventure West in Golden
- Vail Nordic Center in Vail
- Kokopelli Bike & Board in Cortez
- Cycles of Life in Leadville
Fat-Bike Tours
There's no need to go it alone! These outfitters can give you as little or as much guidance as you're seeking on your first fat-bike outing:
- Front Range Guides gives guided half- and full-day custom tours in Boulder, Denver and Fort Collins that include a “cycling ambassador,” rentals, transportation, lunch/trail snacks and a video of your tour.
- Ignite Adaptive Sports in Nederland offers adaptive fat-bike lessons near locally loved Eldora Mountain.
- Breckenridge Gold Run Nordic Ski Center offers day and full-moon tours on their network of trails.
View more listings for bike outfitters in Colorado
Where to Fat Bike
Some of the spots that allow fat biking on their trails:
- Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System
- Latigo Ranch in Kremmling
- Howelsen Hill Nordic Center, Emerald Mountain and Lake Catamount Touring Center in Steamboat Springs
- Sunlight Mountain Resort
Find more Colorado Nordic Centers
Want More?
Check out adaptive winter sports in Colorado.
Explore the coolest places to aprés ski (or aprés fat bike).