Best Places to Fat Tire Ride in Winter!

Many people believe that the best, and only, time to go riding is when the weather is warm and the ground is dry. However, this is not always true! Fat tire riding is an amazing and adventurous way to get out there even when there is snow on the ground.

Today, we are highlighting some of the best places in the world to go winter fat-tire riding. Keep reading to learn more and plan your next snowy adventure!

1. Leavenworth, Washington
First on our list is Leavenworth, Washington. Nestled in the mountains about two hours east of Seattle, this picturesque town turns into a snowy wonderland in the winter months. Grab your fat tire bike and ride through the storybook style town or hit the nearby trails. If you do not own your own fat tire bikes, Eastside Cycleworks, Leavenworth’s cycle & ski shop, offers them for rent!  Check out their website to rent your fat bikes and get adventuring!

2. Vermont
Vermont is the east coast haven for winter fat tire riding. There are plenty of neat places to explore, including towns like East Burke, where the Kingdom Trails Nordic Adventure Center is located.

3. Alaska
Alaska is one of the birthplaces of fat tire biking. With snow on the ground for most of the year, Alaska is the perfect place to try your hand at fat tire riding.  Valdez, Alaska is one of the prime spots to get involved. Whether you want to ride fat tire bikes yourself or simply watch this exciting sport. Valdez, located between Anchorage and Fairbanks, hosts a yearly “Fatbike Bash.” This three day event includes a downhill fat-tire biking race, where thrill seekers descended 2,520 feet of snow and ice in just 1.75 miles. Pretty incredible!
https://valdezadventurealliance.com/fat

 

4. Minnesota
Minnesota is another state that turns into a winter wonderland in the snow. In particular, Crosby, MN is a great place to try out fat tire riding. Mountain Bike & Fat Tire trails have been constructed from the abandoned mines that scatter the region. There are over 25 miles of winter riding trails that offer something for beginners and experts alike. Lebanon Hills Regional Park and the Wirth Winter Recreation areas are other spots to check out that are closer to the hub of the Twin Cities.

5. Colorado
The mountainous state of Colorado is a dream destination for fat tire riding. Crested Butte is the home of the Fat Bike World Championships, which take place every January.

There are many great places to go winter fat riding outside of the United States as well. These include locations in the Alps, like Chamonix, France and Livigno, Italy, or the Andes (Quito, Ecuador, and Cusco, Peru).

If you are looking for places to fat tire ride in your own area, separate from any of these, it’s easy! If you live somewhere with snow, you can fat tire ride. You can ride on local snowshoe-ing and hiking trails as well as snowmobile routes. These areas are typically well-maintained and groomed so you do not get stuck or run into too much powder. Many ski resorts also have fat tire trails available, so make sure to check your local spot!

References: 

• “13 Best Winter Biking Trails & Cycling Destinations in the USA.” Aventon Bikes, 10 Nov. 2023, www.aventon.com/blogs/aventon_bikes/best-winter-biking-trails.
• Becker, Kraig. “7 Great Destinations for Winter Fat Biking.” TripSavvy, TripSavvy, 26 June 2019, www.tripsavvy.com/great-destinations-for-winter-fat-biking-4123839.
• Heil, Greg. “How to Find the Best Places to Snow Bike.” Singletracks Mountain Bike News, 2 Feb. 2015, www.singletracks.com/mtb-trails/how-to-find-the-best-places-to-snow-bike/.
• Miller, Elizabeth. “The Best Winter Bike Trails and Routes to Discover a Snowy Wonderland.”Bike Adventurous, 26 Feb. 2024, bikeadventurous.com/the-best-winter-bike-trails-and-routes/.
• Warner, Lindsay. “Fat-Tire Biking - Best Places to Ride This Winter.” Uncommon Path – An REI Co-Op Publication, REI Co-op, 30 Aug. 2019, www.rei.com/blog/cycle/best-places-winter-fat-biking.