Colorado.com Staff Writer

<p>Colorado consistently ranks as one of the healthiest states in America. It is no surprise, then, that Coloradans are smitten with an outdoor winter activity that sounds insane to those in less active climes: fat biking.</p>


Fat Biking in Colorado

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Fat bikes in Crested Butte

Fat biking at St. Elmo ghost town near Salida

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<p>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.</p>
<p>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. <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/crested-buttemt-crested-butte">Crested Butte</a>, always ready to adopt biking innovations, is the birthplace of <a href="https://fatbikeworlds.org/">Fat Bike Worlds</a> championship races; <a href="/skiing-snowboarding/sunlight-mountain-resort">Sunlight Mountain Resort</a> in <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/glenwood-springs">Glenwood Springs</a> hosts a race series guided by moon and bike lights; the <a href="http://www.cloudcitywheelers.com/">Cloud City Wheelers</a> bicycling club in <a href="/cities-and-towns/leadville">Leadville</a> coordinates its <a href="https://www.cloudcitywheelers.com/the-winter-bike-series">Winter Mountain Bike Race Series</a> throughout the snowy season; and <a href="/cities-and-towns/frisco">Frisco</a> hosts the celestial <a href="https://www.townoffrisco.com/event/nordic-center-events/frisco-freeze-winter-bike-race/">Full Moon Freeze Winter Fat Bike Race</a>. (Many events are in January; <a href="http://www.colorado.com/events">check our events page for details.</a>)</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Fat-Bike Rentals</h2>
<p>These are just a few of the shops that cater to those wanting to spin their wheels atop the powder:</p>
<ul><li><a href="/pagosa-springs/pagosa-mountain-sports">Pagosa Mountain Sports</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/pagosa-springs">Pagosa Springs</a></li>
<li><a href="/tabernash/devil's-thumb-ranch-resort-spa">Devil’s Thumb Ranch</a> in <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/tabernash">Tabernash</a></li>
<li><a href="https://adventurewestco.com/e-bikes/">Adventure West</a> in <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/golden">Golden</a></li>
<li><a href="/vail/vail-nordic-center">Vail Nordic Center</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/vail">Vail</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.elevationskiandbike.com/fat-bike-rental">Elevation</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/breckenridge">Breckenridge</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.kokopellibike.com/">Kokopelli Bike &amp; Board</a> in <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/cortez">Cortez</a></li>
<li><a href="http://cyclesoflifepb.wordpress.com/">Cycles of Life</a> in <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/leadville">Leadville</a></li>
<li><a href="/glenwood-springs/hanging-lake-adventure-co-op">Hanging Lake Adventure Co-Op</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/glenwood-springs">Glenwood Springs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://evergreenbikeshop.com/rental">Evergreen Bike Shop</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/evergreen">Evergreen</a></li>
</ul><h2 class="MsoNormal">Fat-Bike Tours</h2>
<p>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:</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.colorado.com/mountain-biking/front-range-ride-guides">Front Range Guides</a><span> gives guided half- and full-day custom tours in </span><a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/boulder">Boulder</a><span>, </span><a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/denver">Denver</a><span> and </span><a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/fort-collins">Fort Collins</a><span> that include a “cycling ambassador,” rentals, transportation, lunch/trail snacks and a video of your tour.</span></li>
<li>Not fat biking, but biking in the snow — <a href="https://igniteadaptivesports.org/">Ignite Adaptive Sports</a> in <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/nederland">Nederland</a> offers adaptive ski-bike lessons near locally loved Eldora Mountain. </li>
<li><a href="/cross-countrynordic-center/gold-run-nordic-center">Breckenridge Gold Run Nordic Ski Center</a> offers day and full-moon tours on their network of trails.</li>
</ul><p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/co/adventure-sports/mountain-biking">View more listings for bike outfitters in Colorado</a></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Where to Fat Bike</h2>
<p>Some of the spots that allow fat biking on their trails:</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.aspensnowmass.com/events-and-activities/winter-activities/cross-country-skiing">Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/guestdude-ranch/latigo-ranch">Latigo Ranch</a> in <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/kremmling">Kremmling</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.colorado.com/historic-places-districts/howelsen-hill">Howelsen Hill Nordic Center</a>, <a href="/bureau-land-management/emerald-mountain-recreation-area-blm">Emerald Mountain</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Catamount-Nordic-Center-100057494317496/">Lake Catamount Touring Center</a> in <a href="http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/steamboat-springs">Steamboat Springs</a></li>
<li><a href="/skiing-snowboarding/sunlight-mountain-resort">Sunlight Mountain Resort</a></li>
</ul><p><a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-nordic-centers-snowshoeing-and-cross-country-skiing">Find more Colorado Nordic Centers</a></p>
<h2>Want More? </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/awesome-adaptive-winter-sports-colorado">Check out adaptive winter sports in Colorado</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/fun-colorado-apres-ski-spots">Explore the coolest places to aprés ski (or aprés fat bike)</a></p>
