SkiBikeFun.com has used Lenz Sport Alpine Brawler skbikes for sale

I just checked the SkiBikeFun.com website.  There are two used Lenz Sport Alpine Brawlers listed for sale there.

Since freestyle (peg) skibikes are a relatively new style, used models are hard to find.  The further you get away from 'ski states', the worse it becomes.

Shipping in the Continental USA is included with skibike purchases at SkiBikeFun.com, so you don't have to worry about that additional expense.

The two bikes listed are at :

http://skibikefun.com/LSBBUBlue001.htm
Medium frame
$1600.00

And at http://skibikefun.com/LSGreenSpringerUsed001.htm
Large frame
$1495.00

The spring fork on this beast can always be upgraded.

These are great prices for used bikes.  Better get one before they are both gone.

© 2012 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Discount Colorado Ski Resort Season Passes are on sale

You don't have to be a Colorado resident to buy discount Colorado ski resort season passes.  Many can be purchased online too!  A space alien from Arcturus could buy a Colorado ski pass if he had an internet connection.

What are the various discount pass products?

Vail Resorts Epic Pass products good for Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and A-Basin.  www.snow.com

Rocky Mountain Super Pass - valid for Copper Mountain, Winter Park Resort, and Steamboat depending upon what product you buy.  www.skicolorado.com

Aspen Class Pass - Comes in a variety of offers and days. Can be reloaded.  Not on sale until Labor Day.  Limited Colorado Sales locations.  http://www.aspensnowmass.com/classicpass/ACP2000.cfm

Telluride Card - Available for a limited time in the fall.  Limited Colorado sales locations.  http://tellurideskiresort.com/Tellski/info/4corners.aspx

Colorado Triple Play Pass - Good for two days at Aspen/Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park Resort.  Made its first appearance for the 2011-12 ski season.  Probably will return for the 2012 -13 pass.  Most likely will go on sale in the fall or early winter.  http://www.coloradotripleplay.com/

This is not a comprehensive list.  Not all ski resorts have their passes on sale yet either.

Buy your pass now.  Spring is the best time to purchase them in Colorado.  Many can be reserved for as little as $49 down payment.

© 2012 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Why wear a skibike leash?

For the most part, skibikers are the only people who know about skibike leashes.  Most don't like wearing them but some resorts require them.

Wrong information

So why would a ski resort require their use?  Believe it or not a few resorts require them because of incorrect information they've heard from other resorts.  Things sometimes get garbled in transmission and they require them for all the wrong reasons.

Why would a skibiker balk at wearing a leash?  Hey, nothing ever happens that warrants using a leash, right?  Not necessarily.

Opinions on where and why should ski resorts require them?  And how should they be attached?

Bike design

From direct personal conversations I've had with my fellow ski industry members - some in management, others in marketing - most seem to think that it is bike designs that warrant the need for leashes.  Most have heard rumors that there are designs that allow them to take off down the slopes by themselves.  Who wants a piece of metal hurtling down the slopes?

On a guesstimate, I'll say 95% of bikes out there will immediately fall over and stop upon rider ejection.  If they have on fat powder skis they can take off by themselves.  Ultimate Snow Toys 3Skis and North Legion SMX's designs are models that can take off riderless.  Snowboard based bikes are also prone to takeoffs but they aren't 'skibikes'.

Requiring a leash on the ski slopes is really only needed if the bike design allows it to take off down the hill by itself.  I've seen more snowboards without leashes take off down the hill riderless.  I've never seen a skibike take off down the hill.  I only know of one direct incident of fat powder skis causing a riderless bike.

So where should ski resorts be concerned with skibike leashes? 

Ask experienced safety-conscious riders and they'll tell you the ski chairlift.  Skibikes dropping from chair lifts have happened due to a variety of reasons.  A heavy skibike falling from a chairlift onto a skier below could result in serious injury to the skier and the rider.

It's not any one style of skibike dropping either.  Skibobs and peggers have dropped from lifts.  What seems to be a common denominator is lack of experience, bike weight, and lack of proper lift loading knowledge.

Colorado Tramway Board regulations

The Colorado Tramway Board governs ski lift safety in the state of Colorado.  It has the strictest safety policies in the USA.  Many rules and regulations have been developed due to past incidents.

There is no official skibike leash use policy that I know of issued by the Colorado Tramway Board.  I have been told that it has been recommended that the leash attach to rider while riding on the chairlift.

Roy Meiworn, who was the head of lift operations at Durango Mountain Resort for many years, countered this recommendation with an official OSHA policy that forbids this practice.  If the bike falls, it may pull the rider off the lift with it.  From what I have heard, this is exactly what happened in the spring of 2011 at Powder Mountain in Utah with a Skki Trikke.  While not a skibike, people often confuse a Trikke as one.

Safety-conscious skibikers are not opposed to using a leash on the chairlift.  Where they attach while on the lift is another matter.  Most agree the best place for a leash to be attached is to some point of the actual chairlift.  That way if the bike falls, it does not drag the rider off too.

Require certification

Requiring skibike certification (license) before one can use a chairlift is one policy that many ski resorts have instituted to insure chairlift safety.  Resorts that offer certification offer standardized lessons that teach lift loading and unloading procedures as well as safe operation.  Skibikers must pass requirements to obtain the certification.  The certificate must be shown before loading the chairlift every time.

Durango Mountain Resort has allowed skibikes for many years and institutes a mandatory certificate to load their chairlifts and does not allow homemade skibikes.  Manufactured conversion kit skibikes are allowed.  Leashes are not mandatory.  I have been told by DMR staff that skibikes have never dropped from their chairlifts.

Where to attach them on the chairlift

After four seasons of skibiking at a major Colorado ski resort and teaching lessons for the past four seasons, I have some experience with the plus and minuses of leash use.  I have ridden extensively at another smaller resort that requires them and that they be attached to the rider.

From experience, I'd say the best practice policy would be to require leashes on the chairlift but that they be attached in some manner to the chairlift.  I know what most lift managers would say to that - heck no!  OSHA regulations seem to prohibit attachment to the rider and I think they supersede Colorado Tramway Board regulations.

At-risk riders

Small women and kids do not always have the strength to hold onto a skibike while on the chairlift.  Age limits could be used for children but what about women riders?  The bike drop at Powder Mountain happened to a woman.

The popularity of skibiking in Colorado is growing exponentially.  People are now used to seeing them at many ski resorts and they no longer turn heads.  An official policy for skibikes needs to be developed and communicated to ski resorts by the Colorado Tramway Board.

Visit the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board at http://www.dora.state.co.us/Tramway/ 

© 2012 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

A Skibiker's 2010-2011 Snowbike Season Video

2012 Durango Skibike Festival Wrapup

by G. Kunkel

Wow, where is March going? For that matter, where is the skibike season going? It got an extremely slow start, snowed a little bit, and then really hasn't done much to write home about since in Colorado. Sounds like Tahoe got pounded last week.

I never did an online writeup of the 2012 Durango Skibike Festival. It happened and life hasn't slowed down since then. A great deal was accomplished organizationally at the festival on Friday and Saturday night meetings that took place at the festival. Minutes were recorded and hopefully turn up on the American Skibike Association website. http://www.americanski-bike.org/

Thursday March 1, 2012 was spent loading skibikes and gear into a trailer and then picking up various people around the Denver Metro Region. We then headed south on Highway 285 towards Del Norte. We took a right onto Highway 160 which goes straight to Durango. It was snowing pretty good while driving over Wolf Creek Pass. We arrived at Pedal the Peaks in Durango around 9pm.

We checked into the Silverpick Lodge about a mile away from DMR around 11pm. Those setting up a booth at the resort got up around 6 am and were setting up at the resort by 7:30 am. Around four tent canopies and two open air skibike booths were there.


Greg Linder and Roy Meiworm helped register people attending the skibike festival. Those planning on participating all day were given vouchers to get half price lift tickets. Devin, Dan, Biscuit, and I used our free Real Deal coupons we get as Colorado ski resort employees to get free lift tickets to DMR.

Around 100 people registered in total for the festival over three days. Many demo'd all the bikes on display. Randy and Melanie of SkiBikeFun.com sold four skibikes - three to a set of triplets from New Mexico.

I got to try out a variety of Sledgehammers, Three-skis, and conversion kit skibikes. The Three-ski was fun but was definitely more like skiing. A leash was mandatory on this bike as its design can make for a runaway skibike if one falls off.

Devin Lenz and Patrick Neelan decided to try out each others equipment. Devin got Patrick on a pegger first and then Devin put on some footskis to try out a Stalmach skibob.

Day Two saw the massive group ride and the Big Air Competition. The group ride had around 45 people and was comprised of skibobs, peggers(freestyle), and conversion kit bikes. The ride was supposed to be slow and on beginner trails. It turned into a race and went on a number of dark blue trails.

The group skibike ride


The Big Air Contest featured the Lenz Sport 'Big Huck' jump and a several BMX type jumps. Biscuit crashed during practice and separated his shoulder. During the actual competition locals Todd and Cliff really impressed everyone with their tricks. Brandon Schmit did try the first competition front flip. The two stars however were two 14 year old girls - Shayla Blackmore and Jessica Arends.

Brandon's front flip attempt


There was a big group dinner and meeting on Saturday night at the resort. Everyone got to catchup and see the competition pictures taken by Dan Harper. Want to see the pictures? Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/dshphoto1/ Dan says "Please feel free to use these pics as you like. One request however, if you use any of these photos for advertising, blogs ext. please make note of who took them."

Sunday morning everyone got up and headed back to DMR to set booths back up. They have to be setup and torn down daily. Lots of people stopped by to demo bikes, ask questions, and make connections.

Bruce, a DMR skibob instructor, wanted to learn how to ride a peg skibike. We went up the lift with some skibikes and spent about 2.5 hours together. I gave the standard Winter Park Resort skibike lesson with instructor insight teaching tips. Bruce became an instant convert and wants a Lenz Sport Launch.

Eventually 2:30 rolled around and everyone had to pack up their vehicles and trailers for travel. Things tend to bounce around and we didn't want anything scratched up.

That evening we headed down to a big group dinner at Tequila's. The food was great and the company excellent. I did mysteriously wind up with a big sombrero over my head and a bunch of waiters singing 'Happy Birthday' to me. After this prank by Rod and his son Aaron (Devin's brother-in-law & nephew), we walked back to Pedal the Peaks and headed back to the lodge.

The next morning we packed up early and headed to Telluride via Red Mountain Pass. Red Mountain Pass is a force to be reckoned with in winter. We survived the pass and parked in the Mountain Village Gondola parking structure. We dropped onto a trail and went and got lift tickets. Scored free lift tickets once again through Real Deal coupons.

Had a great day skibiking around Telluride. Had lots of positive interest by guests and employees. We definitely were noticed. I headed to the small terrain park and relived memories of Team Bad Idea of Winter Park Resort. Real terrain park jumps are fun!

We packed up at the trailer and headed back. Got back home around 2:30 am.

© 2012 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

2nd Annual Berthoud Pass Skibike Downhill Race & Huckfest

Last year's skibike get-together at the end of April 2011 was so successful, Lenz Sport Skibikes decided to host another one.

This year's rally will be held on Sunday April 29th with Saturday being reserved for any potential course work. The rally will one again include the one-run downhill on 7-Mile on the north side of Berthoud Pass. Those who feel lucky can try their turn on the 12 ft.-drop 'Big Huck'.

Food and beverages will once again be available but contributions are always welcome. Biscuit brought a big box of donuts last year if I remember correctly. Paper plates, cups, hot dogs, brats, burgers, buns, beans, plastic utensils, paper towels, etc.

Racers are encouraged to contribute to the shuttle drivers gas bill. We all know the price of gasoline lately. The shuttle trucks have to drive to Berthoud Pass from Denver in addition to the drives up and down the pass to shuttle skibikers.

Devin will need timers at the top and bottom of the downhill course. Bring a chair.

Hope everyone can attend. It was loads of fun last year. Personally I'm hoping for a repeat of all that fresh powder.

© 2012 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Stalmach skibikes are available in Snowmass

Guests of the Viceroy Hotel in Snowmass, Colorado can now rent Stalmach skibobs during their stay. The hotel has a Stalmach Richhill and a Stalmach World Cup available exclusively for use by hotel guests.

Guests need to become familiar with skibike operation and lift loading procedures before taking the skibikes out on the slopes. Contact the Viceroy staff at http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/snowmass/
Stalmach skibikes available at Snowmass and lift loading procedures can be viewed at:



© 2012 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

2012 Hoodoo Skibike Festival at Spring Fling

The 2012 annual Skibike Festival at Hoodoo Mountain in Oregon is quickly approaching. The dates are April 7-8, 2012. A variety of events will be held and skibike manufacturers will be in attendance.

The skibike rally will be held as part of Hoodoo's Spring Fling Celebration. Skibike racing will be held on April 7 with time trials starting at 10am. Participants will need a certification card/skibike license to register. Registration forms are available at the Ticket Office.

Skibike rentals are available at Hoodoo. Skibobs and peggers (freestyle) skibikes are in the Hoodoo skibike rental fleet. A skibike certification card / skibike license is required for skibike rental and to ride a skibike on the slopes at Hoodoo. Lessons are available from the Ski School for certification.

Confirmed attendees include skibike retailer SkiBikeFun.com and Lenz Sport Skibikes.

For more information contact Ron Mickelberry at niteriderb@yahoo.com

More information on skibikes at Hoodoo Mountain http://www.hoodoo.com/snowbiking/

A video showing pictures from a previous rally at Hoodoo Mountain.



And a video by SkiBikeFun.com of the 2011 Hoodoo Skibike Festival

© 2012 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Azteca America visits Winter Park Resort

USA national Spanish language TV Azteca America recently visited Winter Park Resort to find out more about the skibike program run by the Ski + Ride School. Winter Park Skibike Instructor Rob Harder took the crew out for their first lesson.

At West Portal Rentals at the Winter Park base area some TV crew members choose to learn on skibobs while others wanted to learn on Lenz Sport peg skibikes. After some brief filming at the skibike rack, the crew took off to Discovery Park for a first time lesson in Spanish.

Film from their day of skibiking.


© 2012 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.