Grand Rapids becomes a fatbike-friendly community

When Experience Grand Rapids first profiled the local fatbiking community back in 2018, it was clear the snow sport was exploding in popularity and participation. We can now report that area enthusiasm for this rad style of riding has only grown higher in the ensuing years.

The West Michigan Mountain Bike Association (WMMBA), an organization of 500+ members that builds area trails and promotes safe riding, reports that West Michigan has earned something of a regional reputation as a fatbiking destination, with a “good density” of trails to choose from.

Our groomed trails are part of the appeal (and 35 close-by craft breweries don’t hurt, either). Grooming mostly occurs when snowfall is too high and/or fresh to provide a firm base. Simply put, grooming makes riding easier.

Local Groomed Trails

WMMBA trains and equips “an army” of volunteers to optimize riding conditions on 16 trails spanning 120+ miles around the area, both in the winter for fatbiking and in warmer weather for mountain biking. WMMBA volunteers groom these four trails in the winter:

Merrell Trail. This 6.4-mile winter single-track trail in Rockford opened in 2012 and quickly became a favorite of local bikers. Roughly 15 minutes from downtown GR.

Cannonsburg Ski Area. Five miles of rolling to hilly terrain at this popular winter sports destination are groomed for a fatbike trail loop. Purchase a $5 day pass or $35 season pass and experience a mix of open areas and twisty, tight single-track. About 20 minutes from downtown GR.

Yankee Springs. 6.5 miles of this winter single-track trail near Gun Lake are groomed. (Additional ungroomed miles lay in wait for more adventurous riders.) Approximately 35 minutes from GR.

Dragon Trail. Sections of this 45-mile trail, named America’s "Best Backcountry Mountain Bike Trail" in 2024 by Singletracks.com, are groomed for winter fatbiking. About 45 minutes from GR.

The staff at Indian Trails, a city-owned golf course, grooms a 3.7-mile single-track fatbike loop in winter. Trail riders can purchase a day pass for $3 or a season pass for $15. Fatbikes can be rented for $20 per 90 minutes. Ten minutes from downtown GR.

A lakeside trail segment in Millennium Park, one of the nation’s largest urban parks, is also groomed for fatbiking. Millennium is just 5 minutes from downtown GR.

Ungroomed Trails

Bikers who crave even more of a challenge have a number of ungroomed local trails to choose from, including Ken-o-Sha Trail , Luton Park Trail , Richmond Park Trail , The Underground  and Wahlfield Park Trail .

Advice for Beginners

If you haven’t yet hopped on the fatbike bandwagon, the best advice is to start slow. Try to find a bike to borrow or rent and hit a trail with somebody who knows their stuff. (Indian Trails offers fatbike rentals for use on their trail.) There are intricacies to these bikes and their gears and tire pressures that really make a difference.

Indian Trails offer fatbike rentals for use on their trail. Once you’re hooked on the experience, you’ll find lots of bikes for purchase along with excellent advice at Alger Bikes, Freewheeler Bike Shop, Grand Rapids Bicycle Co. (Ada or Uptown), Switchback Gear Exchange, Village Bike & Fitness (North or South) and West Michigan Bike & Fitness (Grandville or Kentwood).

Dress appropriately for cardio-intensive exercise in cold weather. That generally means layers, including a moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer and windproof outer layer. Wear a cap or ear warmers that fit under your helmet, gloves or mittens, and moisture-wicking socks under waterproof footwear.

It's always a good idea to check trail conditions before you venture out. Visit the Facebook pages of WMMBA and individual trails for updates.

Fatbiking is a healthy way to take in the beauty of a West Michigan winter. You’ll be joining a great community of riders always eager to lend assistance. Get out and try it!