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.

Spirit Mountain Bike Park in Duluth Needs Your Vote in the Bell Built Grant for $100,000

Image Credit: C.O.G.G.S.

Voting in the Central Region for the Bell Built Grant which will award $100,000 to the winning finalist for funding a trail building project is on now until May 10th.  The Spirit Mountain Bike Park in Duluth needs your vote to become the Central Region Finalist. Watch the video below to see the World Class mountain biking that Spirit Mountain has to offer and how winning the Bell Built Grant will help finish a trail from their Master Plan.

Of the nine semifinalists, one finalist from the Eastern, Central and Western Region will advance to the National Finals where voting will be held from May 25th through June 5th.  After this voting period one winner of the entire $100,000 trail building grant will be awarded.

Your vote is needed to ensure that the Spirit Mountain Bike Park is the Central Region Finalist.  Winning the $100,000 grant will help the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (C.O.G.G.S) turn this great mountain biking destination into something even more amazing.  

"Spirit Mountain already offers the best lift-served riding in the Upper Midwest and the proposed new descent will up the ante by taking advantage of the mountain's abundant bedrock for steep rolldowns, hucks, and rock gardens."

Central Region voting is now live through May 10th.  Get your vote in today and spread the word.