Winter Fatbike Downhill Riding Opportunities in Minnesota

If you're looking to do some fatbike downhill this winter here in Minnesota you have a couple of opportunities.  One of which has a two-day bike celebration in addition to lift-served downhill fatbiking on Sundays through March and the other is a one-time event.

Spirit Mountain

Image Credit: Spirit Mountain

Spirit Mountain in Duluth opened January 13th for their Fat Sundays lift-served downhill fatbiking.  The 2019 season will continue through the end of March, weather and trail conditions permitting.  Sunday hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for riding on slopes and bike park trails.  A mandatory bike check, helmet, minimum tire width of 3"-3.5" depending on weather or trail conditions and a regular lift ticket ($59) or winter season pass are required to ride.  For updates on conditions visit the Spirit Mountain Snow Report page.

The Frosted Fatty is Spirit Mountain's yearly winter fatbike festival that is to be held the weekend of January 19-20.  Festivities include bike demos, food, beverage and music.  Races include "Fat Bike XC, Staged Downhill and Head to Head Dual Slalom, where bikers, skiers and snowboarders race it out for a $500 cash prize!!" with male and female categories for each race except the Head to Head Dual Slalom which will name one winner as the "King of the Hill!"  Check for updates on the Frosted Fatty Facebook event page.  Online registration for the Frosted Fatty is available until January 18, 2019 at 5 pm.

Mount Kato

Mount Kato and the Mankato Area Mountain Bikers will be bringing back Gravity Fest on February 3rd after a several year hiatus.  This year's event is set to be bigger and better with a dedicated chair lift to haul bikes and riders up to the top, two ski runs and some groomed singletrack to ride, weather permitting. Gravity fest will be from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for an open free riding session format.  Participants will need to sign a waiver and pay $25 for a lift ticket.

If you've never experienced winter downhill riding on a fatbike, don't miss these chances.  It will be the funnest time you've had on two wheels.

Fat Bike Gravity Fest Returns To Mount Kato-CANCELLED

Fat Bike Gravity Fest is coming to Mount Kato in Mankato on Sunday, March 6th.  This will be the second year of this event hosted by Nicollet Bike Shop and the Mankato Area Mountain Bikers (MAMB).  I had a chance to make it to last year's event and had the time of my life.  What could be better than riding fatbikes down ski slopes?

This year promises to be even bigger and better than last year with an exclusive chair lift for bikers only, more distance and different trails.

Come early for the open practice/ride time on the fatbike specific trails and hills from 12pm to 3:30pm and race against the clock in the downhill time trial (Super D format) that starts at 3:30pm.  After your done, watch your friends try to beat your time during their runs and either cheer them on or throw a few heckles their way.

$30 gets you an unlimited lift ticket for the open practice/ride time and downhill time trial race.  A portion of the proceeds go back to the Mankato Area Mountain Bikers for their trail building efforts.  Fatbikes with tires 3.8" or wider are required to attend.

This is definitely one fatbike event you're not going to want to miss.  It's a rare opportunity to ride on some great downhill runs and put your skills to the test.  Last year over 100 riders showed up and this year will bring even more out.  Hopefully the success of Fat Bike Gravity Fest will get other ski resorts thinking about hosting events like this one.

If you would like to see all of my pictures and video from the 2015 Nicollet Bike Fat Bike Gravity Fest visit my Flickr album.