Many mountain bikers think of the winter season is a time to go on hiatus from mountain biking. After all, what’s so fun about pedaling through thick snow where you could slip or freeze any time, right? The truth is that mountain biking through snow is not as perilous and difficult as many make it out to be.

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Why bother biking in the snow?

You’re probably wondering why we bothered to pen up an article about something that sounds absurd, but hear us out. If you live in a location where you have to hang up your bike as soon as the snow starts to fall, this is a great way to have fun riding your favorite trails but with a new and exciting twist! Not to mention it can be fun to try drifting and the best part is if you fall, it’s likely going to be a fairly pillowy landing in the fluffy snow.

Here are some tips on getting started:

1. Layer up to keep yourself warm.
   
   It might be tempting to limit your outfit to a jacket to keep your body free to move but remember that snow can be unpredictable. Trust us, you don’t want to be caught up in an icy blast of air with just a thin sweater on. Make sure you layer up, have the proper socks and warm, grippy gloves. A face cover or a full faced helmet is also recommended. When you’re speed is high and the air is cold, your nose and mouth can take a beating.

2. Start on uphill trails.
   
   Naturally, when winter mountain biking, you’ll be feeling pretty cold from head to toe. The last thing you should do is worsen the chilly feeling by starting with downhill when starting your rid. Riding uphill first can help warm up your body to get your muscles energized.

3. Don’t forget to drink water.
   
   You might not feel the need to drink cold water when you’re already feeling very cold on the inside but still, don’t forget to drink up and stay hydrated. Remember that you’re using up much of your body fluids already while biking.

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4. Make sure you use the right bike
   
   The best type of tires to use in the snow are the same type that do well in sand. Big fatty tires (also known as ‘fat biking’) with a little bit of air let out so your tires have a level of “squish” can help your traction and ability to roll through slick terrain.

5. Take your bike lights seriously
   
   The sun is feeling pretty shy during snowy days so expect the ambiance to be much darker than usual. Keep yourself safe on the road by making sure your bike lights are working and fully charged before leaving for the trails.

   Mountain biking through the snow will surely be a challenge but it’s an experience we guarantee you’ll keep coming back for. Your first winter mountain biking experience doesn’t have to be so hard as long as you stick to our tips above.

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