As we head into winter, some of the best biking is still ahead of us, if you ride with fat tires on our many miles of groomed trails at the ranch or in the surrounding Tetons area. With the latest craze in big wheels, your biking season can be extended further, into wet stone, mud and snow. Whether you are new to the sport or have been riding for a while, here is the first in a series of tips we hope will be helpful when riding this winter.

Basic equipment

Although we rent equipment for the full or half day, you are also welcome to bring your own. Here are some tips for the best bike for ranch and Tetons-area winter riding:

  • Wide tires: this may seem like a given, but if you are riding in deep snow, your tires should be wider than 3.5 inches, which is not always standard on fat bikes.
  • Tire pressure: most of the time, it should be less than 10 PSI when riding primarily on snow. It’s advisable to bring a gauge and a hand pump, especially on sunny days or after a recent snowfall, to make adjustments on the trail as needed.
  • Traction: you’ll most likely want enough traction that you are able to safely control your bike and not slip or skid while riding. Your bike pro should be able to help suggest good tires for deep snow and groomed trails, and if you can, maybe bring a couple of types if the conditions are varied.

Winter Biking Apparel

As far as clothing, dress similarly to how you would dress for other outdoor winter sports. Moisture wicking inner layers and waterproof outer layers are key. We have more tips about dressing for ranch weather in our related posts: Winter Must Have Items and This Winter, Make it Fat (Bike).

Can’t wait to ride the trails? We can help with that. Our trails are a small one-time fee for overnight guests, and a daily use fee for day guests (please call for current rates). Bring your own bike, or rent one of ours. Ask our staff for suggested routes or tour guides. Meals and drinks are also available at our lodge, a great way to recharge between adventures, or unwind after a long day. (Note: dinner reservations are recommended for non-overnight guests.)

Biking is a fantastic way to cover lots of terrain, which means taking in more scenic wonder of the area, and we can’t wait until you make it happen.

More about Fat Bike Adventures
This Winter, Make it Fat (Bike)
Winter Must Have Items

5 Hot Spots for Winter Fat Tire Biking in Jackson Hole
Grand Teton NPS – Winter Trip Planner (note: ask our staff or contact NPS rangers directly about current fat biking tips, restrictions and recommendations)