Winter is a magical time to ride a fat bike, but not all groomed trails are created equal. Some are built for cross-country (nordic) skiing, while others are designed just for fat bikes. Knowing the difference helps you get the best ride, respect other trail users, and keep our winter trail system in great shape.
Riding on Nordic Ski Trails
Nordic ski trails are groomed for cross-country skiers. They’re wide, smooth, and set up with classic tracks and/or skate lanes. The goal is to create a fast, predictable surface where skis can glide easily. Our local nordic trails in Blaine County are managed and maintained by the Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD).
Fat Bikes are allowed on some of the BCRD Nordic trails, but with some important rules:
- Big tires, low pressure: Ride tires at least 3.8″ wide, at 3–8 psi, so you “float” without digging ruts.
- Stay out of ski tracks: That’s prime skiing real estate — bikers should stick to the side.
- Yield to skiers: Nordic skiers always have the right of way.
A Trail Pass is required to ride on the BCRD trail system. You can purchase a Fat Bike specific pass this year, or your nordic pass also includes the use of the fat bike specific trails. The areas you can fat bike on BCRD is very limited, so please check their trail map.
These trails are awesome if you want to cover miles quickly and enjoy a smooth, scenic cruise. If you’re new to fat biking, we highly recommend starting out on these trails.
Riding on Groomed Fat Bike Singletrack
Fat bike singletrack is a whole different experience. These trails are designed specifically for fat biking, often following the same style and flow as summer mountain bike trails. They’re narrower, twistier, and usually groomed by volunteers pulling drags, rollers, or even towing sleds on snowshoes.
The ride feels playful and dynamic: rolling terrain and just enough challenge to keep things interesting. These trails are build specifically for bikes – and hiking or dog walking on them is highly discouraged to avoid the post-holing effect. Fat Bike WRV plans to groom fat bike specific singletrack in the Croy area this winter.
Why we love them:
- They bring the summer singletrack vibe into winter.
- They keep user groups separated, which reduces conflicts.
- They’re built and maintained by the fat bike community itself – us!
Trail Etiquette (for Both Types of Trails)
No matter where you ride, a few golden rules keep trails in good shape:
- Check your pressure: If your tires sink more than an inch, drop some air or save the ride for another day.
- Don’t rut it up: If the trail feels soft or you’re leaving deep grooves, it’s best to wait until things firm up.
- Give back: Grooming takes time, equipment, and people. Donate, volunteer, or just say thanks to the folks who keep trails rideable.
Fat Bike WRV is actively fundraising to be able to purchase a Snow Dog Groomer. You can help by making a donation here.
The Bottom Line
Both Nordic ski trails and groomed fat bike singletrack offer fantastic winter riding; they’re just different experiences. Nordic trails are about speed and distance, while singletrack delivers the flow and fun of summer riding on snow.
So next time you head out, choose your adventure wisely, ride responsibly, and help us keep these trails awesome for everyone.