Winter trails
Fat Bike info for the wood river valley
Here’s some basic information about fat biking around the Wood River Valley, so you don’t have to go searching far and wide for where to ride, what pass you need and how to not leave deep trenches in groomed trails. Happy fat biking!
Where can I ride fat bikes for free on groomed trails?
The Wood River Trail maintained by the Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD). This is a 20+ mile multi-use path that is groomed for skate and classic skiing, and is open to fat bikers. No pass needed.
The Sawtooth Snowmobile Club and Blaine County collaborate on grooming several roads in the area for snowmobiling. These groomed roads are open to anyone, including fat bikers. These include the Baker Creek Road area, Quigley and Cove Creek, Muldoon Canyon and Rock Creek area. Maps and info can be found HERE.
No pass is needed, but if you enjoy this service, please consider joining the Sawtooth Snowmobile Club. Membership fees help pay for grooming these roads. You can pitch in HERE and learn more about the club HERE. Thank a snowmobiler when you are out there!
Summer singletrack trails on Forest Service and BLM land are also a free option. These work well if trails have been packed down by hikers and/or fat bikers.
Do I need a pass to ride on Sun Valley Nordic trails? What about BCRD trails?
Yes, you need a pass to ride on the Nordic-specific trails maintained by Sun Valley Resort and the BCRD (hint: these are basically any groomed trail in the valley that is not listed above). A limited number of these trails are open to fat bikers.
Contact the Sun Valley Nordic Center for passes (daily and season available).
Contact the BCRD for more pass and grooming information.
Which BCRD groomed ski trails can I ride my fat bike on?
Make sure to check with the BCRD to confirm trails being open to fat bikers, as they can change. Also check for a conditions report, be a good trail neighbor and don’t ride on soft trails!
Trails open to fat bikers in the BCRD network: Durrance Loop (7km), Quigley (5km). There are no fat bikes allowed on the BCRD & Galena Lodge maintained snowshoe trails (the trails surrounding Galena Lodge, at Billy's Bridge and North Fork trail by the Sawtooth NRA HQ).
Map can be found HERE.
Which Sun Valley Nordic trails can I ride on?
Same as above, make sure to check conditions and open to fat bikers status before riding.
Trails open to fat bikers in the SV network: Diamond Back, White Clouds Loop, Hyndman View, Dog Loop, & Boundary Loop.
Map can be found HERE.
Where can I rent or buy fat bikes?
In Hailey, check out The Trailhead Bicycles or Sturtevant’s.
In Ketchum, check out The Elephant’s Perch and Sturtevant’s (multiple locations).
What is some basic fat bike etiquette?
Don’t ride on groomed trails where fat bikes aren’t permitted! That is the fastest way to lose trails for fat bikers.
Be friendly and courteous to other trail users! We are all out there for the same reasons: exercise, community, being outside, etc.
Tire width minimum of 3.8" is necessary to leave as little trace of your passing as possible.
If you are punching through the snow, you either have too much pressure in your tires or the snow is too soft. Anywhere from 3-9 psi is recommended for pressure. The tires will almost feel flat at 3 psi, but that is optimal for not punching through and for good traction. Don’t ride when the snow is too soft, this will also cause you to punch trenches into the trail.
If you find yourself creating trenches, please walk on the side of the trail to minimize post holes.
Don’t ride in the classic ski track. Please.
Thanks for reading and have fun!
Did we miss anything or have anything to add? Shoot us an email!