2012 - 2013 ski bike updates for Winter Park Resort

Skibike lessons and rentals return once again to Winter Park Resort.   There will be a few changes to the program.

At a December meeting for returning Winter Park skibike instructors, the skibike foreman explained what's changing.

The good news.  There are no changes for lessons and rentals for the Type II peg skibikes.  Sign up and then show up or pickup your skibike at West Portal Rentals.  Lessons still go out at 9:30 am and 1:00 pm.  Wear your own snowboard boots and helmet or use the ones included with the lesson/rental.

Things have changed with the Type I skibob skibikes.   Ski + Ride School turned them over to the Tour Center located in the Balcony House building.  The Tour Center will schedule daytime lessons/tours and run the night skibike program.   No rentals or lessons will be available through West Portal Rentals.

If you have questions or want to make a reservation use the Winter Park Resort Skibike and Night Bikes webpage at  http://www.winterparkresort.com/plan-your-trip/lessons/ski-bikes-and-night-bikes.aspx

© 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.

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.

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.

2012 10th Annual Durango Skibike Festival is this weekend

The 10th Annual Durango Skibike Festival starts this Friday at Durango Mountain Resort. It promises to be the largest skibike festival ever held at Durango. It's still the largest skibike festival in the USA.

Winter is the off-season for Durango, Colorado so hotels are really inexpensive. There will be discount lift tickets available for registered skibikers too.

Roy Meiworm of Durango has posted the following festival schedule on the Snow Biking / Ski Biking Facebook Page.

2012 Purgatory Ski-bike Festival Event Calendar

Friday March 2, 2012

8:30AM ~ Registration Table opens. Please come and sign in even if you already have a ski pass so we can keep track of the count.

9:00AM ~ Vendors set up and ready for business
9:30AM ~ Meet at registration table for group ride on Backside. You will need foot skis for back lifts and must be at least an intermediate rider.

11:00AM ~ Registration table closed for lunch
12:00AM ~ Registration table open for business
12:30AM ~ Meet at registration table for group ride on Front side. No foot skis required.
2:00PM ~ Registration table closed.
4:00PM till 5:00PM ~ ASA Meeting with Greg Linder at Hoody’s

Saturday March 3, 2012

8:30AM ~ Registration table opens. Register for Big Air
9:00AM ~ Vendors set up and open for business
10:00PM ~ largest group ride in history. As of now the route will be Paradise to Mercy to Demon. Great photo opportunities. No foot skis required.

10:00AM ~ Registration table closed for lunch and group ride
12:00PM ~ Registration table open for business
1:00PM ~ Big Air Competition
2:00PM ~ Registration table closed
4:30PM till 6:30PM Dinner & ASA Meeting at Hoody’s

Sunday March 4, 2012

9:00AM ~ Registration table open for business.
9:00AM ~ Vendors set up and open for business. Just a heads up that vendors maybe tearing down early today.
10:30AM ~ Registration table closed for day.

All riders will need to have skibike licenses to ride the lifts at Purgatory/Durango Mountain Resort. The ski school will have limited skibike lesson availability so bring your license with you. Other resorts licenses are honored. Skibike rentals will also be limited and are expected to all be reserved.

Durango Mountain skibike rentals 970-385-2182 (skibobs only)
Pedal the Peaks (all their peg skibikes are rented out)
Durango Mountain Resort Ski School (lessons) 970-385-2147

I'll see everyone in Durango this year. This is going to be a historic skibike festival.

Video from last years festival from a local TV station.



And some on hill action from a few years ago...


© 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.

Lenz Sport Skibikes at SIA On-Snow Show at Winter Park Resort

by G. Kunkel

Lenz Sport Skibikes are an integral part of Winter Park Resort's Ski & Ride School. During the SIA On-Snow Show (Snowsports Industry of America) the largest snowsport trade show in the USA, free demo's and lessons were offered on Lenz Brawlers and Launches.

The booth generated a great deal of interest from skiers and snowboarders from registered SIA industry participants and the general public. About 75% of participants were SIA and another 25% were general public. It was an even split between skiers and snowboarders. About 75% of skibike demo participants were men and 25% were women.

Skibike demo participants received a free 1.5 - 2 hour lesson from Winter Park Resort skibike instructors. People came from a variety of states. While most were from 'ski states', a number were from the midwest and overseas. New skibike converts came from Ohio and Slovakia.

Feedback from demo participants was 99% positive. Most came back from the lessons with ear to ear grins. A few begged to be able to take the bikes out by themselves afterwards. After leaving driver's licenses and a credit card, they were accomodated.

Two people found that peg skibikes weren't for them. One opted for the more traditional foot-ski skibike and another just decided skibikes weren't for them. A few skeptics stopped by the booth and didn't demo at all. They were all skiers. Snowboarders and downhill mountain bikers seemed to be the most enthusiastic about skibikes.

A number of ski vacationers who couldn't work in a free demo on Monday or Tuesday elected to sign up and pay for lessons later in the week. They were given Preferred Customer Gold Cards to receive $20 off their lesson.

The 2012 skibike demo booth at Winter Park Resort was a great success at SIA. It increased the visibility of skibikes at Winter Park and nationwide.

© 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 Americans call it a skibike instead of a snow bike

The term 'skibike' is now more common than the term 'snow bike' in North America. The reason - a certain Austrian skibike manufacturer of skibobs trademarked the term 'snowbike©'. From personal experience - they actively defend the trademark name useage too.

Rather than have a rabid USA skibob rep constantly pester me about it, I've taken to promoting the term skibike in all my writing. It's worked. Most everyone I know now calls them a skibike or ski bike. I doubt that can be trademarked at this point.

With a few exceptions, skibikers today are either peggers or a bobbers. Most members of the two camps would rather just get along with one another anyways. Heck, it's all about the fun in the end.

So they next time you see the terms 'skibiking, ski biking, skibike, skibikes, or maybe snow bike' on the web or print you now know the reason why North Americans have adopted the term.

Don't call a skibike a snowbike© or you too may have an overzealous skibob rep knocking at your door. I now deliberately leave a space when using the term 'snow bike' so I don't have some legal notice appear in my mailbox or get an email from someone with their panties in a bind. ;)

© 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.

The 2012 Sipapu Skibike Rally Information Page is Posted

Need to get all the juicy details about the upcoming 2012 skibike rally at Sipapu Ski Area? Randy has now posted all the information on the SkiBikeFun.com website.

View the event schedule and times at http://skibikefun.com/SipapuSkiBikeRally2012.htm

Sipapu is both foot-ski and pegger friendly. Skibikers do need to have a leash to use the lifts.

Confirmed attending skibike manufacturers include Lenz Sport Skibikes, Koski Snowsports, and Stalmach USA. Skibikes will be available for demo and for sale.

© 2011 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.

East Coast Skibike Meet at Loon Mountain in 2012

Don't forget about the annual skibike meet at Loon Mountain Ski Resort. The dates this season are February 17, 2012 - Feb 18, 2012.

I've never made it but have read about the groups days out on the hill on the Yahoo! Groups Skibike Forum. Sounds like it's always a fun time.

Skibikes have full access with no restrictions to Loon Mountain. Bring your peg or your bob. I don't know if lessons or rentals are available but I'm sure someone has a spare bike.

To hook up with the group, join the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/events/303874126308744/

© 2011 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.

Eldora Mountain Resort is now allowing skibikes for the 2011-12 ski season

G. Kunkel

It took a loose band of skibike enthusiasts in Colorado, Texas, California, and a Colorado Ski Country USA media event to return skibiking to Eldora Mountain Resort just west of Boulder, Colorado. Great job everyone - it worked.

Eldora Mountain Resort used to have guided ski-bob lessons, rentals, and tours on their hill awhile back. Due to lack of demand or the lack of skibike innovation by manufacturers - Eldora dropped their program, sold their rental fleet, and banned skibikes.

Due to the surge in popularity of skibiking in the USA from recent innovations like full-suspension peg skibikes, there's now a demand for ski resorts permitting peg skibikes and the older style traditional ski-bobs.

Ski resorts with a downhill mountain bike trail system, communities with active mountain bikers, and bike parks are going to reap the benefits. Boulder, Colorado is a hub of mountain bikers and has the new and very popular Valmont Bike Park.

At a chance meeting with Rob Linde, the Chief Marketing Officer at Eldora, at a media-event before the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo in Denver, I let him know that many of my skibike lessons at Winter Park Resort were filled with people from Boulder. Most were frustrated that they couldn't skibike at Eldora.

Rob explained the history of skibikes at Eldora and then issued a challenge. Show the demand and he'd open the joint up. Get at least five skibikers to contact him and say they were coming to his resort this ski season.

The skibike troops responded and called Rob or sent professional emails. Got the green light yesterday.

Eldora Mountain Resort is now open to full-suspension peg skibikes and to traditional ski-bobs. I don't have all the details yet but I'll get them as soon as I can. I'm not sure if homemade bikes are allowed, leash requirements, license requirements, or terrain park access.

In the meantime, show some respect on the hill. Follow the Responsibility Code. People are also going to ask questions about your ride - lots of questions. You may get jealous looks or comments or hateful glances. The haters have mostly stopped at Winter Park Resort and don't exist at Arapahoe Basin. I expect most people at Eldora will want to hijack your ride.

Challenge to all skibikers out there - let's show this local ski hill some skibiker love. They opened the door - let's keep it open by giving them the business. Buy passes, buy lift tickets, buy food, patronize that awesome bar they have.

© 2011 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.

Skibikers throwing it down in Austria

Just awesome! Skibikes are taking off in Austria! Literally.

A-Basin to open October 13, 2011

All the howling, screaming, and silly comments on A-Basin's Facebook page paid off. They officially open for the 2011-12 ski season tomorrow.

The friendly YouTube video announcement from Alan:

Colorado skibike season about to start

While Wolf Creek Ski Area was the first ski area to open in Colorado for the 2011-12 ski season, it doesn't count for skibikers - we're not welcome there.

Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin are now duking it out for second place. Since Loveland doesn't allow skibkes, let's hope A-Basin wins this battle.

Due to some early season snowfall it looks like A-Basin will open for the 2011-12 ski season sometime this week. The snowcats are hard at work right now. See the action for yourself on the A-Basin website.

My bet is to look for a Thursday or Friday Opening Day at A-Basin.

© 2011 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.

Geary Snow Bikes

I got some bad news last week. It looks like Geary Snow Bikes is now out of production and shut down. Their website is down as well.

Except for the skibobbers, skibikers and ski bike manufacturers are still in their infancy and struggling for recognition and acceptance.

Only by supporting and expanding the sport can we prevent other manufacturers from going out of business. As the sport expands and comes under more scrutiny, I think homemade skibiker builders can expect to be banned from ski resorts. The four USA ski resort underwriters will probably mandate it.

If you want skibiking to be allowed at your favorite ski resort, it's going to take an organized campaign. Write letters, make phone calls, and get your friends to do the same. Don't just demand access, just let them know why you won't be coming to their resort this season.

For those ski resorts that currently allow skibiking - let them know you appreciate access. Follow the Responsibility Code while riding and be courteous to other people out on the hill. Let's not lose access to ski resorts that have opened.

© 2011 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.

Rental Skibikes and Skibike Lessons Returning to Winter Park Resort in 2011-12

Don't get too excited with the news that the skibikes from the 2010-11 Winter Park Resort rental fleet are currently for sale. All that means is Lenz Sport is building a brand new fleet of skibikes for Winter Park Resort for the upcoming skibike season.

I was at Devin's house on Labor Day and the 2011-12 skibike fleet is under construction. Right now it consists of the smaller part construction, frames, and ski adapters. Plans for in-house ski construction are moving along too.

A few skibike manufacturers are not returning for the 2011-12 ski bike season. Lenz Sport peg ski bikes will still be available exclusively for rent and lessons at Winter Park Resort.

Ski resorts wanting to add skibikes to their current programs can contact Devin. As a former PSIA ski instructor and current skibike builder/instructor, he believes in safety and the Skier Responsibility Code.

© 2011 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.

Skibike Season is Getting Closer - Time to Prepare

The nights are getting cooler in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Frost is starting to appear on car windshields in the morning. One evening last week required putting on a jacket before the sun went down.

In Colorado, this means it's time to remember to renew your ski season pass before the price increases. They are available to purchase right now but around 1-2 weeks after Labor Day Weekend comes the first round of price hikes.

Some ski passes can be purchased or renewed online. Others can only be purchased in-person for first time buyers. Check with the ski resorts' website or Facebook page for information.

If committing to a full season pass isn't in your plans, there is always the option of a 4 Pass or 4-Packs. A Four Pass is a picture pass that allows four days of skiing or riding at the resort. They are non-transferrable. A Four Pack is that - it is a four pack of lift tickets. Just put them on and head to the lift.

Once the ski lifts start spinning - most of these bargain pass offers disappear. Plan ahead now to avoid disappointment.


© 2011 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.

Looking for a used Lenz Sport ski bike?

by G. Kunkel

Now is the time to buy a used Lenz Sport ski bike. The price will never get any better.

I spoke to Devin a few weeks ago and he wants to clear his inventory of skibikes. He's ready to deal too. He said any skibike in current inventory is $1500.00.

Whether you are looking for a Launch Freestyle, Alpine Brawler, or whatever is hanging around his garage, they're all on sale. Last I looked he had several size bikes on hand. Shoot him an email or post on the Lenz Sport Facebook page to find out what's available.

Most of these skibikes were in the Winter Park Resort rental fleet. They might have some scratches on the paint but the bones are there. Devin has always backed what he's sold.

Devin does ship so if you live on another continent, don't let that stop you. You will not find a better constructed ski bike in my opinion.

When you contact Devin, please tell him I steered you his way. Just mention this blog and he'll know who referred you.

UPDATE: Here is a link to everything Devin has for sale. It includes pictures, models, and sizes


© 2011 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.

The end of the skibike 2010-11 season in Colorado is near

All good things must come to an end eventually. The same can be said of the lift-served ski season in Colorado. Arapahoe Basin in Summit County, Colorado is going to close with a bang on the Fourth of July.

The snow has been holding up very well due to cool nights up there and an extremely deep snowpack leftover from winter. It was nice to see 6 inches of fresh snow this past week but it has long since melted away.

Arapahoe Basin will be open the remainder of this weekend and will be open July 1,2,3 and 4. The lift hours are 8:30 to 2:30 pm. Lift tickets are $39. A-Basin passes from the 2010-11 season are still valid.

I've been going up on select weekend days with a Lenz Sport Launch and a Lenz Sport Alpine Brawler for the past month. The riding is really good but the bare patches are starting to peek through and runs are being closed or narrowed to save the snow. I'm taking this weekend off due to a reckless snowboarder plowing into me last weekend.

After A-Basin closes, one can still always go skibiking in the Colorado backcountry. Hiking St Mary's glacier is a summer tradition. The snow can get rather suncuppy up there though.

Get out and enjoy the last days of winter sport activities. The heat of summer is here.



© 2011 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.