Where to Fat Bike
Groomed Nordic Trails
Pass Required
Groomed Nordic trails offer some of the best and most beginner-friendly fat biking experiences in the Wood River Valley. These trails are wide, consistently groomed, and generally less technical — making them perfect for learning how to ride on snow, practicing balance, and getting comfortable with traction and handling. Just remember: these trails require a valid Nordic pass and a little extra courtesy, since they’re shared with skiers and other users.
Please remember to ride only where fat bikes are permitted, avoid soft conditions that cause ruts, and always stay out of classic ski tracks. Responsible riding keeps these shared-use trails open and enjoyable for everyone.
Why Ride Nordic Trails?
If you’re new to fat biking, groomed Nordic trails are a great place to start. The smooth, packed snow offers a stable surface for experimenting with tire pressure, learning how to corner on snow, and simply enjoying the winter landscape. Many trails are relatively flat or gently rolling, which makes for a fun and confidence-building ride.
Blaine County Recreation District Trails
The BCRD maintains a large network of groomed Nordic trails throughout the valley, and there are just a couple of short loops open to fat bikers each winter. Trail access can change based on snow conditions and grooming priorities, so it’s important to check the BCRD Trail Report before you ride.
BCRD requires a valid pass for all riders on groomed trails. You can purchase a Fat Bike specific pass, or purchase a Nordic pass which includes fat biking and nordic skiing activities.
Passes help support grooming operations that make winter recreation possible for skiers, snowshoers, and fat bikers alike.
Sun Valley Nordic Center Trails
The Sun Valley Nordic Center also allows fat bikes on select groomed trails within their extensive Nordic network. Conditions and permitted routes vary throughout the season, so always confirm current access before riding.
Sun Valley does offer a Fat-Bike Season pass for $175. There will not be a combo option for this with BCRD. This is not available for online purchase and can be available in person at the Sun Valley Clubhouse Pro Shop once the season starts.
Wood River Valley Trail
FREE
The Wood River Trail, known to locals as “the bike path,” is a 32-kilometer groomed path that connects the Wood River Valley communities of Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley.
BCRD grooms the Wood River Trail in winter for Nordic skiers and provides this resource for FREE for all users.
Local Tip
Ideal area is Buttercup and north on this trail, and get it right after they groom. Or Woodside south to Bellevue also has some good conditions. Proper Hailey can get pretty beat-up because of higher traffic volume.
Snowmobile Trails
FREE – DONATION SUGGESTED
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.
No pass is needed, but if you enjoy this service, please consider joining the Sawtooth Snowmobile Club.
Why Ride Snowmobile Trails?
For many riders, fat biking on snowmobile trails offers a completely different kind of adventure. With hundreds of miles of groomed routes stretching deep into the mountains, these trails deliver big climbs, wide-open views, and a true sense of exploration. Compared to the shorter, more crowded Nordic systems closer to town, snowmobile trails provide variety, solitude, and the kind of backcountry scenery that makes winter riding unforgettable.
Singletrack Trails
FREE – DONATION SUGGESTED
Many of our favorite BLM singletrack trails are open and free to ride in the winter — as long as the snow is firm and packed. These trails can offer a fun, backcountry-style experience, but conditions can vary depending on traffic. If too many hikers or dogs have postholed through, riding can quickly become challenging. Always ride when the surface is firm, and be prepared to adjust your plans based on conditions.
Our long-term goal is to create dedicated fat bike–specific singletrack trails in the Croy area. These groomed loops will be designed and maintained just for winter riding — offering a quieter, more natural alternative to Nordic and snowmobile trails. To make this vision a reality, we’re raising funds to purchase our own trail groomer and launch a volunteer-supported grooming program.
You can help make it happen! Every donation brings us one step closer to offering groomed singletrack for everyone to enjoy. If you’d like to support the future of winter fat biking in the Wood River Valley, please consider making a contribution today.
Why Ride Singletrack Trails?
By far, singletrack winter trails are the closest thing you’ll get to a mountain bike experience on snow. These trails will test your bike handling skills and your cardio fitness!
