Fat Tire Biking

Area trails offer excellent fat tire biking in the winter

FFat Tire Bikes, also affectionately known as “fatties,” are mountain bikes equipped to perform in the snow. Fatties are like regular mountain bikes with lighter frames and larger wheels for easier movement and better traction. Though many trails are closed to protect wildlife in the winter, there are several places to get your fill of mountain biking in the snow. Please respect all closures, and be aware of fellow recreationists on these shared-use trails.

OVEREND MOUNTAIN PARK

Visitors can enjoy quick rides or multiple laps in this system of natural surface trails in downtown Durango. Overend Mountain Park is typically open for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter, but it is also a well-known fat bike theme park. The singletrack terrain features bumps, bridges and berms for an exciting ride every time. Guests may park at Manna Soup Kitchen to access these trails.

SKYLINE TRAIL

For spectacular views of a snow-dusted Durango, riders choose Skyline Trail. Make a loop into Horse Gulch by riding the 1.5 mile Sugar Trail, or turn around to test your technical skills on the switchbacks. To access the trail, travel to Jenkins Ranch Road, and follow the road to the end of the pavement to a parking lot on the right.

DURANGO NORDIC CENTER

Located less than a mile north of the base of Purgatory on the east side of Highway 550, Durango Nordic Center boasts more than 12 miles of trails open for all types of winter recreation, including fat tire bikes. The trails are open daily during the ski season from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

OUTBACK (TOWN LOOP)

Park at Kendall Mountain Recreation Area at the end of 14th Street in Silverton to access this 2-mile multi-use trail featuring moderate climbing and some technical terrain. Some riders prefer to ride it as an out-and-back rather than a loop.

TELLURIDE VALLEY FLOOR

The Telluride Valley Floor is filled with beautiful views, and a perfect place for fat biking beginners. The Nordic Association grooms this 570-acre space in the winter for Nordic skiing and fat tire biking in Telluride Colorado. This relatively flat singletrack trail is about 2.2 miles long, and connects from Highway 145 and Lawson Hill to town via the San Miguel River Trail.

BOGGY DRAW

In the winter, the Southwest Colorado Cycling Association grooms loops that follow forest roads intended for snow biking only. These routes include loops that vary in length from less than a mile to 3.5 miles. To review the map and trail conditions, go online to www.swcocycling.com.

TURKEY SPRINGS

This trail, located near Pagosa Springs, is groomed specifically for fat biking in the winter. To get to the trailhead, travel north on Piedra Road at the intersection of Piedra Road and Highway 160 about 5.3 miles. The trailhead is on the left. Riders can choose to ride the 7 or 12-mile loop.

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