by G. Kunkel
Crested Butte ski area has allowed skibikes for the past few seasons. Unfortunately, they seemed to not really understand their capabilities. Bikers were restricted to green and blue runs. How boring.
This season they've loosened their restrictions somewhat. Skibikes and skibobs are now permitted on all green, blue, and black runs. Restricted terrain is now double black diamond runs and extreme terrain. No access to terrain parks either.
Never-evers will need to take a two hour lesson and earn a Crested Butte snowbike license. Those holding a license from another resort will need to review skibike procedures, chairlift loading, and permitted terrain with one of their instructors. One will then be issued a Crested Butte license.
Type 1 and Type 2 skibikes are permitted at the resort. There is no mention if homebuilt bikes are permitted. Leashes are not required on the lift.
Skibob rentals and lessons are available at Crested Butte.
I can live with these policies. I know some people will be disappointed that the higher level expert terrain is off-limits. You'll just have to travel on to Telluride and Silverton. You know who you are. Remember, Silverton is currently 'by invitation only'. Telluride will let one ride anywhere you want to.
Get current Crested Butte skibike policies here.
© 2018 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.Google
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Protective gear for skibiking
by G. Kunkel
Freestyle skibiking presents many of the same risks as downhill mountain biking or motocross. While snow is more forgiving than dirt and rocks, impacts still happen.
Full face helmet
Wearing a full face helmet is not overkill or meant to look cool. Smashing ones jaw or teeth into the skibike handlebars can be a painful experience. Upon rider ejection, smashing said teeth and jaw or head into a sold object can be life-altering. Find a well-fitting winter full face helmet and use it. Winter helmets don't have the ventilation that summer ones do.
Combo knee and shin guards
If you've ever experienced rider ejection on your skibike, you know what these do. As one is flying over the handlebars, ones legs or knees bang into them. I've had permanent purple bruises above my knees some seasons. Again, find a well fitting set that fit over thermals. I had to cruise many reviews to find a pair I like. A good set is going to run just north of $100.
Googles
One needs clear vision to see where one is going. In addition, if one wears eyeglasses there are additional challenges. To keep my googles and eyeglasses from fogging up, I use OTG goggles with a built in fan. The fan keeps down the fog on both. They are not inexpensive. Somewhere north of $150.
Waterproof insulated clothing
Skibike clothing is the same as ski clothing. Wear outdoor gear suited for a windy wintery environment. This includes jacket, pants, and gloves. Clothing suitable for lower on the mountain may not be warm enough at 12,000ft.
Warm winter boots
I use snowboard boots while skibiking. They keep my feet warm and offer necessary support. In addition, my feet love a pair of wool blend socks on them. There are other winter boots such as Bunny Boots that others prefer and are rated for arctic environments.
Leash
Many resorts require them while riding on the chairlift. Use it so people below do not have a skibike land on them if dropped.
Those are the essentials of skibike protective gear. One can add a bell for that stray skier or snowboard who moves erratically around the slope. Ring it, and they know you are behind them. Otherwise, the above list should cover most everything one needs.
© 2018 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. Google
Freestyle skibiking presents many of the same risks as downhill mountain biking or motocross. While snow is more forgiving than dirt and rocks, impacts still happen.
Full face helmet
Wearing a full face helmet is not overkill or meant to look cool. Smashing ones jaw or teeth into the skibike handlebars can be a painful experience. Upon rider ejection, smashing said teeth and jaw or head into a sold object can be life-altering. Find a well-fitting winter full face helmet and use it. Winter helmets don't have the ventilation that summer ones do.
Combo knee and shin guards
If you've ever experienced rider ejection on your skibike, you know what these do. As one is flying over the handlebars, ones legs or knees bang into them. I've had permanent purple bruises above my knees some seasons. Again, find a well fitting set that fit over thermals. I had to cruise many reviews to find a pair I like. A good set is going to run just north of $100.
Googles
One needs clear vision to see where one is going. In addition, if one wears eyeglasses there are additional challenges. To keep my googles and eyeglasses from fogging up, I use OTG goggles with a built in fan. The fan keeps down the fog on both. They are not inexpensive. Somewhere north of $150.
Waterproof insulated clothing
Skibike clothing is the same as ski clothing. Wear outdoor gear suited for a windy wintery environment. This includes jacket, pants, and gloves. Clothing suitable for lower on the mountain may not be warm enough at 12,000ft.
Warm winter boots
I use snowboard boots while skibiking. They keep my feet warm and offer necessary support. In addition, my feet love a pair of wool blend socks on them. There are other winter boots such as Bunny Boots that others prefer and are rated for arctic environments.
Leash
Many resorts require them while riding on the chairlift. Use it so people below do not have a skibike land on them if dropped.
Those are the essentials of skibike protective gear. One can add a bell for that stray skier or snowboard who moves erratically around the slope. Ring it, and they know you are behind them. Otherwise, the above list should cover most everything one needs.
© 2018 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. Google
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Skibike cross
by G. Kunkel
Skibikers now have full-time access to a boardercross course. So, it's now skibikecross.
Winter Park Resort discontinued their NASTAR racing program and turned the old race course into a terrain park. The newly labelled park features a professionally designed boardercross course.
The course is open to everyone including skibikers. The course is pretty wide and can probably handle five skibikes at one time.
The top of the course features a steep drop-off at the start to help racers get some speed. Riders will then hit the first set of rollers. Air-time is a possibility.
The rapidly descending course then has a series of swooping banks that alternate from side to side. It pretty much takes the width of the old race area. There is netting to separate the course from those coming down Cranmer.
After the banks come another roller and more steep banks. The end of the course drops skibikers back onto Cranmer.
I tried it out yesterday and it was alot of fun. And, hardly anyone was using it. I saw a ski patroller sneak in there and play around.
The course is always open so everyone is going to discover this course sooner or later. I'd try sooner as it is bound to quickly become popular.
Local skibikers have wanted a boardercross course for some time. Let's get out and use it.
© 2018 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.Google
Skibikers now have full-time access to a boardercross course. So, it's now skibikecross.
Winter Park Resort discontinued their NASTAR racing program and turned the old race course into a terrain park. The newly labelled park features a professionally designed boardercross course.
The course is open to everyone including skibikers. The course is pretty wide and can probably handle five skibikes at one time.
The top of the course features a steep drop-off at the start to help racers get some speed. Riders will then hit the first set of rollers. Air-time is a possibility.
The rapidly descending course then has a series of swooping banks that alternate from side to side. It pretty much takes the width of the old race area. There is netting to separate the course from those coming down Cranmer.
After the banks come another roller and more steep banks. The end of the course drops skibikers back onto Cranmer.
I tried it out yesterday and it was alot of fun. And, hardly anyone was using it. I saw a ski patroller sneak in there and play around.
The course is always open so everyone is going to discover this course sooner or later. I'd try sooner as it is bound to quickly become popular.
Local skibikers have wanted a boardercross course for some time. Let's get out and use it.
© 2018 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.Google
Friday, February 16, 2018
2018 Purgatory Skibike Festival is Feb 23-24
by G. Kunkel
The annual Purgatory Skibike Festival is fast approaching. The dates are Friday February 23 - 25.
There will be a few skibike dealers in attendance so one can try out their products. I do not know if there is an age limit. There will probably be liability waivers to be signed.
Registered participants qualify for event discounts. That means $35 lift tickets for registered skibikers.
Not sure what events will be held during the festival. I think it will mainly be group rides and demos.
Durango is getting snow so it should be fun.
© 2018 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. Google
The annual Purgatory Skibike Festival is fast approaching. The dates are Friday February 23 - 25.
There will be a few skibike dealers in attendance so one can try out their products. I do not know if there is an age limit. There will probably be liability waivers to be signed.
Registered participants qualify for event discounts. That means $35 lift tickets for registered skibikers.
Not sure what events will be held during the festival. I think it will mainly be group rides and demos.
Durango is getting snow so it should be fun.
© 2018 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. Google
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Skibike stance It's important
by G. Kunkel
Where one places their weight while riding stand up Type 2 skibikes makes a big difference. Put it in the wrong spot and you may be in for an exciting ride.
Stance
The front ski needs weight on it for it to function. Doesn't matter if in powder or on packed powder. Or if one is skidding or carving.
Ideally while stopped, one has weight 50/50 on each foot and balanced between the fore and aft skis. While riding one's weight is going to constantly be shifting depending upon terrain and activity.
Hips
Where are your hips? Skiers have a term called 'skiing in the backseat'. Same thing happens on a skibike. It is a natural reaction to forward motion and is a fear response. If your hips are behind your seat, you are in the backseat. Move them forward.
Flexed
Be in a nice flexed stance. Bend those ankles, knees, hips, and elbows into the athletic flexed stance. You remember, the one used for tennis, dribbling a basketball before a free throw, and skiing or snowboarding.
Look Up
Don't be looking at the snow. It is still white. Look up and in the direction you are going.
These are just the basics. A trained professional can spot what a skibike rider is doing through 'movement analysis'. PSIA tests instructors at every level to see if they can accurately describe what a client is doing. There is no prescription for change if there is not a proper diagnosis.
One can obtain professional skibike instruction at Winter Park Resort Ski + Ride School. Type 2 rental is included with the lesson.
© 2018 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.Google
Where one places their weight while riding stand up Type 2 skibikes makes a big difference. Put it in the wrong spot and you may be in for an exciting ride.
Stance
The front ski needs weight on it for it to function. Doesn't matter if in powder or on packed powder. Or if one is skidding or carving.
Ideally while stopped, one has weight 50/50 on each foot and balanced between the fore and aft skis. While riding one's weight is going to constantly be shifting depending upon terrain and activity.
Hips
Where are your hips? Skiers have a term called 'skiing in the backseat'. Same thing happens on a skibike. It is a natural reaction to forward motion and is a fear response. If your hips are behind your seat, you are in the backseat. Move them forward.
Flexed
Be in a nice flexed stance. Bend those ankles, knees, hips, and elbows into the athletic flexed stance. You remember, the one used for tennis, dribbling a basketball before a free throw, and skiing or snowboarding.
Look Up
Don't be looking at the snow. It is still white. Look up and in the direction you are going.
These are just the basics. A trained professional can spot what a skibike rider is doing through 'movement analysis'. PSIA tests instructors at every level to see if they can accurately describe what a client is doing. There is no prescription for change if there is not a proper diagnosis.
One can obtain professional skibike instruction at Winter Park Resort Ski + Ride School. Type 2 rental is included with the lesson.
© 2018 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.Google
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
2018 Lenz Sport Skibike Sale
by G. Kunkel
Lenz Sport is having a pre-order sale on its new Recon skibike. It's not a new model, it just a model that is now being produced by an outside factory. Built to the same strict Lenz Sport standards.
This is what was posted up to their Facebook page today.
Think about it:
Solid design - things are not going to "snap" when landing a jump.
Solid suspension - no pogo stick feel when riding. The stock forks have dampening so the rider is not thrown off the bike while riding.
Solid skis - Lenz Sport makes an interchangeable lineup of skis. Packed powder to deep powder can be managed. The Recon comes stock with the new Conniption Stix skis. They are not as stiff as the Trix Stix and have a slightly shorter turning radius.
Not bad.
© 2018 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. Google
Lenz Sport is having a pre-order sale on its new Recon skibike. It's not a new model, it just a model that is now being produced by an outside factory. Built to the same strict Lenz Sport standards.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Lenz Sport |
This is what was posted up to their Facebook page today.
The all new Recon Skibike is coming. This is our first Skibike produced at an outside factory, and it’s got the same geometry and durability as it always has. Kitted up just like this it’s retailing for $1700. We are doing a pre-order program for $1300 while inventory lasts. Offer ends midnight March 15th. Email, message, or call us for details.So if you want Lenz Sport quality at a knock-off price, this is it. This deal is not going to last.
Think about it:
Solid design - things are not going to "snap" when landing a jump.
Solid suspension - no pogo stick feel when riding. The stock forks have dampening so the rider is not thrown off the bike while riding.
Solid skis - Lenz Sport makes an interchangeable lineup of skis. Packed powder to deep powder can be managed. The Recon comes stock with the new Conniption Stix skis. They are not as stiff as the Trix Stix and have a slightly shorter turning radius.
Not bad.
© 2018 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. Google
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Skibike lessons - Yeah riding is counter-intuitive at first
by G. Kunkel
I really think everyone should have a Type 2 skibike lesson from a qualified trained professional when first jumping on-board. It's just too easy to get going too fast out of control on a Type 2. And when I mean trained qualified professional, I mean someone with a PSIA background. I've seen too many quacks out there teaching carving a bike right off the bat.
Riding a Type 2 is not like riding a bicycle - at first. It's more like motocross or downhill mountain biking. It's nothing like cross-country mountain biking.
Terrain used for learning is important. All the basics should be taught on nearly flat green runs until the basics are learned. Over-terraining novices is easy to do. Do not move on to blue runs until they learn the basics of slowing down and stopping. If they still need to put feet down to stop - they do not get it. Do not pass go.
Learning to stop and slow down is learned just the way skiers do. Learn to skid the skis to slow down. It's easier said than done. Most people want to ride a skibike like a bicycle and lean into the hill. That gets the skis on a carve - which is a disaster for a beginner. The handlebars need to be tilted downhill while traversing to achieve the skid.
If an instructor introduces carving right off the bat - they are an unqualified idiot. Putting students on a blue slope only confirms they are an idiot.
After learning skidded traverses comes skidded turns. Again, one needs to unlearn leaning uphill. One must learn to keep the skibike skis barely on edge on the snow. It requires tilting the handlebars downhill throughout the turning motion.
One also needs to look where one is going - not down at the snow. Look up and across the slope when performing skidded traverses. It's really important.
These skills must be learned before advancing to new terrain. Afterwards, advance to a harder green slopes. If one must put their foot or feet down to stop, go back to the easy green. You are not ready to advance. Using a foot to stop can lead to a torn ACL.
Knowing how to skid your skis is important at even higher skill levels. Say one is flying down a run and suddenly it's a giant ice patch. Get off the edges and skid. Same holds true in the moguls - get off the high edge angle. Skiers understand this.
If one does not feel comfortable riding on steep blue or black runs, it's probably because one never learned to skid their skis in the first place. Step back and learn.
If one needs a professional skibike lesson from trained professional skibike instructors, contact the Ski + Ride School at Winter Park Resort. Type 2 skibike lessons are cheaper than a hospital bill. Lessons are suited for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.
© 2018 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.Google
I really think everyone should have a Type 2 skibike lesson from a qualified trained professional when first jumping on-board. It's just too easy to get going too fast out of control on a Type 2. And when I mean trained qualified professional, I mean someone with a PSIA background. I've seen too many quacks out there teaching carving a bike right off the bat.
Riding a Type 2 is not like riding a bicycle - at first. It's more like motocross or downhill mountain biking. It's nothing like cross-country mountain biking.
Terrain used for learning is important. All the basics should be taught on nearly flat green runs until the basics are learned. Over-terraining novices is easy to do. Do not move on to blue runs until they learn the basics of slowing down and stopping. If they still need to put feet down to stop - they do not get it. Do not pass go.
Learning to stop and slow down is learned just the way skiers do. Learn to skid the skis to slow down. It's easier said than done. Most people want to ride a skibike like a bicycle and lean into the hill. That gets the skis on a carve - which is a disaster for a beginner. The handlebars need to be tilted downhill while traversing to achieve the skid.
If an instructor introduces carving right off the bat - they are an unqualified idiot. Putting students on a blue slope only confirms they are an idiot.
After learning skidded traverses comes skidded turns. Again, one needs to unlearn leaning uphill. One must learn to keep the skibike skis barely on edge on the snow. It requires tilting the handlebars downhill throughout the turning motion.
One also needs to look where one is going - not down at the snow. Look up and across the slope when performing skidded traverses. It's really important.
These skills must be learned before advancing to new terrain. Afterwards, advance to a harder green slopes. If one must put their foot or feet down to stop, go back to the easy green. You are not ready to advance. Using a foot to stop can lead to a torn ACL.
Knowing how to skid your skis is important at even higher skill levels. Say one is flying down a run and suddenly it's a giant ice patch. Get off the edges and skid. Same holds true in the moguls - get off the high edge angle. Skiers understand this.
If one does not feel comfortable riding on steep blue or black runs, it's probably because one never learned to skid their skis in the first place. Step back and learn.
If one needs a professional skibike lesson from trained professional skibike instructors, contact the Ski + Ride School at Winter Park Resort. Type 2 skibike lessons are cheaper than a hospital bill. Lessons are suited for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.
© 2018 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.Google
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Lenz Sport on Adventure Capitalists
by G. Kunkel
And Devin Lenz made in on national TV.
Read more about it in the Fort Lupton Press
© 2018 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.
And Devin Lenz made in on national TV.
Read more about it in the Fort Lupton Press
© 2018 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.
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