Fat Biking

A relative newcomer to the two-wheel scene, fat biking is taking off throughout the country, and Routt County is no exception! Fat biking provides a way for avid riders to get their winter fix, long after trails are covered with snow.

Please stay off the trails when they are soft to keep the trails in great condition year round.

Note that some popular area trails are seasonally closed in winter to protect severe winter range for wildlife – such as Mad Creek, Spring Creek, and the Beall Trail (click each to learn more about those area closures)

Keep in mind that current regulations related to e-bikes apply in the winter season as well. E-bikes with fat tires are only allowed in areas
where all other types of e-bikes would be allowed.

Where Should I Fat Bike?

General Information:

34855 Highway 40
Open 9:00am-4:00pm daily
10 kilometers of bike-specific groomed single track
Three loops options, all linking together
Rolling terrain, challenging for even the expert rider
One gentle loop for the beginner
Trail ticket required

Rentals

Classic Crank Bicycle Shop

This is a Emerald Mountain Special Recreation Management Area.

Zone 1 North of and including Ridge Trail (Ridge & Rotary trails)

Open to fat bikes with restrictions.
Open when not muddy.

Zone 2 Kemry Draw and trails south of Ridge trail in Zone 1 (Beall Trail)

Closed to the public from December 1 to June 30 to protect wintering and calving elk.
Besides Beall Trail, Zone 2 is closed to fat bikes and mountain bikes, even beyond the winter closure period.

Open to fat bikes with restrictions.
Trail fee required ($22 for adults).
Fat bike rentals available.

Public roads not maintained in the winter

Open to fat bikes with restrictions.
Outfitters need to acquire the proper permits.

25500 County Road 14 / Open 6:00am-10:00pm daily
  • 5.5 miles of free groomed winter trails In addition to the free trail system
  • Specialized Fat Tire Bikes available for free to newcomers to the sport or for those traveling without their equipment (loaner bikes are for use only at Stagecoach State Park)
  • The reservoir surface is also a fantastic place to ride once the surface freezes, with that season usually running late December – late March
  • All open trails are clearly marked by blue trail poles in areas where navigation may be difficult in adverse conditions.

Only fat tire mountain bikes are allowed on the mountain and only during non-operating hours. They are restricted to the following runs: Right-O-Way, BC Ski Way, Yoo Hoo, So What, Why Not, Park Lane, Arc, Duster, Rendezvous Way, Sundial and Chisholm Trail. The use of other runs or areas is prohibited except as modified by this section, all other rules and guidelines apply to use of fat tire mountain bikes.

Uphill policies have changed at the ski area starting in winter 20-21. Allowable routes and timing remain as stated above. Starting in December 2020, uphill users (including bikers) will also need to sign a waiver and acquire a $20 armband that they will display while riding in this zone. No dogs are allowed on ski area trails, at any time of day. For more information, visit:

steamboat.com/the-mountain/safety-and-responsibility/policies/uphill-access

Howelsen Hill Nordic Center

Open to fat bikes with restrictions.
Howelsen ticket or pass is required ($15 Nordic, no lift access).
Fat biking not allowed between 2 – 6pm, Monday – Friday.
Check out the grooming map.
Nordic Hotline: 970-871-7084

Emerald Mountain

Includes everything outside of Howelsen Hill Ski Area & Nordic Center
Open to fat bikes.
Open when not muddy.

Includes everything outside of Howelsen Hill and the Nordic Center groomed trails. In the winter, RCR maintains a quantity of groomed singletrack open for free public use on Emerald trails such as Orton, MGM, Prayer Flag, Blair Witch, Angy Grouse, and NPR.

Open to fat bikes with restrictions and when not muddy.

No biking on trails and areas closed for protection of deer and elk winter range habitat (or those always closed to bikes within designated Wilderness boundaries).

MANDATORY WINTER CLOSURES
Steamboat Area: Spring Creek Closure Area, Red Dirt, Mad Creek, Hot Springs and Lower Bear trails.
Clark: Forest Road 440 Greenville Mine Road, north side of Seedhouse Road area/Coulton Creek, other areas posted with signs.
Same as in summer, riders must walk bikes through Fish Creek Falls Recreation Area. This includes trails to the overlook and bridge. Once past bridge, you can make the climb.

VOLUNTARY CLOSURE DEC 1 – APRIL 15
Greenville Mine Area (Rd 440 & 471)
Coulton Creek Area (Trail 1188 & Rd 429)
Lower Bear Trail 1206

Local Fat Bike Rentals

Wheels Bike Shop
Lake Catamount Touring Center
Orange Peel Bikes
Ski Haus