Have you heard about snowbiking? As a blend of skiing and downhill mountain biking, it’s easy to learn, and is becoming one of the fastest growing winter sports.
So what exactly do you do on a snowbike? Well, it isn’t exactly skiing nor is it just biking. As a hybrid between a bike and skis, it does look a little weird, but there is a blast to be had on the slopes, if you are even slightly athletic or looking for an outdoor activity.
A snowbike looks like a bicycle with one of those banana shaped seats, but instead of wheels, it has two skis! The handlebars steer the front ski, and you wear footboards underneath your boots to help glide over powder.
While snowbiking might be easier to learn than skiing or snowboarding you should always wear the appropriate gear including a helmet and goggles. You can rent a snowbike at most ski resorts, and will be required to take a short “Intro to Snowbiking” course before heading out to the slopes. While it may sound weird, and you might feel goofy doing it, it may become one of your favorite activities when you need a break from skiing or snowboarding.
If this type of snowbiking isn’t quite your style, there are two other variations to try.
The first variation is to swap out the traditional bike tires on your mountain bike for 3 inch wide fat tires and larger rims, that allow you to ride your bike through snow. You can still ride trails with wide tires like this! Just be sure to wear proper gear that won’t get caught in your bike chain!
The second variation is another hybrid type vehicle. This one is the new bad boy on the scene, and is a smaller sized hybrid between a snowmobile and a motocross bike. This is the most extreme of the three, and is quickly becoming a popular winter sport in its own right.
So, are you ready to give one of these variations of snowbiking a try?
