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Spirit Mountain: First Lift Access Fatbike Park on the East Coast- Video

Jan 29, 2016
by NionixMedia  

Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN opened on January 24th, 2016 to become the first Ski resort on the east coast that offers lift access fat biking in the winter! Bikers, snowboarders and skiers riding alongside each other, and shredding together. Spirit is now open every Sunday from 10-4 for fat biking so come out and shred with us!

Spirit Mountain images
Don't let the snow stop you from doing what you love.

Spirit Mountain images

More details can be found here.

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Spirit Mountain biking trails
MENTIONS: @NionixMedia


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112 Comments
  • 154 0
 Since when is Minnesota on the East Coast?

Its only a casual 20.5 hour drive from NYC.... practically in your backyard East Coasters
  • 30 0
 Kind of feel like if that is the East coast, I should be paying for stuff in Euros I am so far East of that
  • 44 0
 Im from Massachusetts, which is part if the United Kingdom now. I must leave this comment now, i'm feeling the need for a cup of tea and a nice fag to smoke.
  • 11 0
 Come on, everyone knows Duluth is east coast, Fargo is West coast, everything in between is Midwest. You guys make it so complicated.
  • 7 9
 Everything east of the Rockies is too far East to give a flying shag shag about. Camels and cameltoes land.
  • 12 0
 I love cameltoe.
  • 10 0
 Guys come on clearly minnesota is midcoast...its a typo.
  • 12 0
 Guess im rooting for minaar this year since VA is south africa now.
  • 3 0
 too funny, i instantly googled this resort , i am from vt, yeah not east coast Smile still looks cool
  • 52 3
 im just gonna leave this here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGiZH-eqM14
  • 3 0
 Yes
  • 3 0
 Indeed.
  • 3 0
 I lmfao, the drop at the end sure looked like two tyres burping to me
  • 19 2
 Fat bikers in the snow. so skiiers can hate them too
  • 5 1
 don't forget about the snowboarders...
  • 1 0
 www.google.com/search?q=fat+people+on+bikes&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=993&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0xr-jxNDKAhVLTSYKHfnnD_gQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=fat+people+on+bicycles
  • 2 0
 annnnd i'm dead hahahahaha
  • 19 5
 I don’t understand why anyone would take issue with this. I’ve been thinking it’d be a blast to ride ski runs in the snow ever since the first time I rode a trail in the snow! Sign me up. I’ve skied and snowboarded for most my life and would take this over that any day. Especially if you could get a hold of studded tires or something that really digs in.
  • 3 1
 Looks great, but how much does is bike rental?
  • 4 0
 I’d be down if they let me use my own bike. I can make studded tires.
  • 15 0
 Take the piss all you want but it's a great thing for bike acceptance in general. It also looks like fun as hell and a great way to enjoy the shoulder seasons at a resort when there is not enough snow coverage to ski/board. Win win for everyone.
Good on ya Spirit Mountain for being so open minded.
  • 5 0
 If your bike had 3.5" or larger tires you're good to go
  • 5 1
 You can as long as its tires are 3.5" or bigger. Otherwise it ruts it up even worse than it already does on the warmer days.
  • 2 0
 Good point Ecarlson
  • 9 0
 I live on the east coast, and I've raced snocross at Spirit Mountain. Duluth is not the east coast, and you sure don't "head on down to Duluth". Its over 20 hours driving if you do it in one shot. On the East coast we consider that the Midwest.
  • 10 1
 I got a wicked sunburn on day at the beach in Minnesota. Huge Atlantic swells there. Said no one ever.
  • 8 0
 @preach While I would say Minnesota is definitely not east coast getting sun burned on a beach is really easy and there are some damn big waves on lake superior.
  • 1 0
 central time zone
  • 1 0
 Midwest is between the Mississippi and the Rocky mountains.
  • 9 0
 Kelly Canyon in Idaho has been open for bikes with lift access in the snow for at least 3 years now. Much closer if you are on the West Coast. You can even ride a non-fat bike if you like.
  • 10 2
 OMG some other kind of biking than bro-tastic dirt roosting, tail whips, $tuntZ and sick trixxx brah??. Oh the humanity!
  • 5 1
 Nice video. It shows the different trails well, and the unique character of Spirit. I'm looking forward to getting on that soon. Hopefully this weekend!
  • 2 0
 You from Duluth?
  • 1 0
 Yup! Not on here too often though.
  • 8 3
 Looks epic. Hoping to head up there with my wife this weekend if all the snow doesn't melt!
  • 4 2
 Have fun and Post some pics!
  • 26 21
 fat biking belongs in the same category as mountain coasters and zipline tours.
  • 13 22
flag Andy-Grant (Jan 29, 2016 at 15:05) (Below Threshold)
 Just like scooters... Next step is telling your parents your Gay
  • 17 7
 Only insecure little daisies would make such a connection. Fat bikes are fun.
  • 12 4
 Fat bikes are awesome, wayyy cooler than 27.5" wheels, boost hubs and electric shifting, just sayin. if you disagree its only because you havent ridden one in the snow, and if you havent im sorry for you because you're missing out on some of the most fun to be had on two wheels.
  • 3 0
 Haha. If you own a Plus bike then does that make you a tranny?
  • 2 1
 Good thing Spirit Mt. has a Coaster, Zip Line and Tubing hill so ya know... this fits right in Smile
  • 14 11
 It's like skiing, only shittier. I can see it's appeal if your only mountains have no vertical or snow, but if I have to start watching out for out-of-control fatbikers, I'm going to lose my mind!
  • 3 6
 ^this
  • 6 0
 Are skiers and snowboarders always in-control and respectful?
  • 4 0
 The ski and bike trails are separate.
  • 1 0
 Definitely not but it's way easier to stop on skis/snowboard
  • 1 0
 I'm a little late to this comment party, but I thought I'd toss in my two cents. I like to enjoy the trills of skiing and biking at the same time... coincidentally also at Spirit Mountain.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vekQTWPue44
  • 5 1
 Your run-of-the-mill 2.1" MTB tires would have no issues on the surfaces shown in the video.
  • 8 0
 This is true. It really depends on the snow conditions and temperature. Fat tires extend the range quite a bit.
  • 3 0
 Yes and no. The local resort did a snow race last year and it was super fun and doable on 2.35's. Fat bikes placed in the top 3 in every age class, a few won. The other winners built custom studded tires with self tapping metal screws.
  • 2 0
 True 2.~s would have no issue on the groomed ski runs, on cold enough days, for limited runs. But to have a bunch of regular sized tires tearing up the trails all day would do some serious damage. You could make it down a few times, but you would be ruining the trail surface in the process. Where as fat tires just float on top or pack the trail much better, depending on the snow conditions.
  • 1 0
 Ski resorts have these massive thigs called snow cats the regroom the trails every night. No need to worry about regular tires eating up a re-moldable trail surface.
  • 7 1
 East Coast?? LMAO
  • 3 0
 Thats what I was thinking!! Since when is MN on the east coast??????
  • 4 1
 WE FU*KIN MADE IT! PINKBIKE RULES!! Spirit Mountain FTW

Come check out Duluth if you're ever passing through Minnesota. Best riding in the Midwest, no questions asked.
  • 5 2
 But... but Duluth is East Coast. Pink Bike told me so
  • 3 1
 At first I was like what a great idea, what is everyone talking about...then I watched the video. Yea bad idea,and I love spirit mountain.
  • 3 0
 I guess I don't see how the video discourages the idea... try it for yourself and you will probably love it. Its a blast and alot more challenging than it looks.
  • 1 0
 They are just drifting on wideass runs for the most part...I actually like fatbiking my friend has a fatbike and its fun to ride. Im sure riding on snow is more challenging, but that video makes it much less appealing. Its not even indicative of how gnarly the trails at Spirit are. For example the double black they were riding down is covered in rocks in the summer. It is easily the most challenging and rewarding run there, and with snow on it it looks like a bike path.
  • 4 1
 Wish my local mountain would do this. Snowboard when there's pow and get on the bike for hardpack days. Non-stop shred!
  • 6 2
 Good job guys so cool this happened
  • 11 7
 Is this really what the world is coming to tho.
  • 4 1
 Didn't know Minnesota was on the east coast....guess pinkbike failed geography class....stupid
  • 5 1
 i'm not one for fat bikes generally but holy hell that looks fun
  • 1 0
 Didn't know fat bikes were so hated on pinkbike. Clearly you've never tried this kind of riding, or you take this "sport" of MTB WAY too seriously...
  • 4 1
 Fatbike DH shuttles...hahaha
  • 3 0
 Studded tires FTW.
  • 5 2
 Duluth is very, very cold.
  • 2 0
 $48 is a lot for a few trails considering more trails are open for riding in the summer for only $25.
  • 1 0
 That is a big issue but we felt it fair to make the lift ticket the same price as the ski/board lift ticket because your paying to ride the same lift, not the trails as they are open to ride anytime. This way, guests can buy one all-day ticket and do both activities. If you have a season pass for the winter or summer you can use that as well.
  • 3 1
 speaking of lernin sumthin, what dew the red trailz on the map mean? 11% death rate?
  • 4 0
 I've ridden that trail and its the gnarliest sh*t ever. I'm surprised no one's died...
  • 3 1
 Looks fun. Watch out for those icy days though!
  • 4 3
 knot exakly sure duluth is Anywhere near the east coast...? I gess u kan learn sumthin evary day
  • 2 0
 you can learn something every day, I suggest you start with spelling and grammar
  • 4 1
 Wtf was that
  • 1 0
 Why not a thru axle mtb designed ski for the front? Instead of brakes Just slalom(roost) down like skiing and snowboarding
  • 1 0
 They make them or you can make them yourself. I have one but the frame is rawed arm and need it painted before I can take it out. They're pretty fun.
  • 2 0
 WTF its like 700 miles from NYC, how is that East Coast?
  • 2 0
 This looks amazing! I wonder if other ski hills will follow? tup
  • 4 3
 everything is so fat and fun
  • 22 3
 Your mom's fat and fun
  • 14 0
 not really fat but she is fun
  • 8 7
 Nerds on fat bikes with the worst music ever!
  • 2 0
 No, but my brakes do.
  • 2 1
 Fat bikes in the snow! Bloody rippin!
  • 4 2
 i LOVE love love this!
  • 4 4
 Im just gonna say, i think when you start seeing people on fat bikes with full face helmets, that's where i draw the line
  • 2 3
 Maybe for guys who don't ski/board, at all or just for something different but the speed factor is sooooo slooooow, that I really can't see this as fun on the slopes.
  • 2 0
 you can actually pick up so much speed so fast, its easy to get out of control. point downhill and shoot if speed is what your after and you will be hauling ass in no time
  • 2 1
 If only whistler had that
  • 2 1
 Next big thing will be downhill bikes with 4" tires
  • 1 0
 Even though its fat tires, still looks a bit uncomfy with rigids.
  • 3 2
 This is dumb. Stop riding fat bikes.
  • 8 8
 As an avid fatbiker, even i have mixed feelings about this.
  • 8 2
 Do you squeal when you get wet on your fatbike?
  • 1 0
 only the whole ride.
  • 1 0
 No, but my brakes do
  • 3 4
 Let me get this straight, they shuttle you down and then you pedal up? O.k. Got it.....sellin my v10 to get pudge.
  • 1 1
 Caution, huge steep slippery drop @1:26!!!
  • 2 2
 please fix the title! what idiot wrote that headline anyway?!?
  • 2 2
 Minnesota doesn't even have a coast, east or west.
  • 4 0
 North shore
  • 2 2
 Oh, what ocean is off the North Shore?
  • 4 0
 Lake Superior
  • 1 2
 Chairlift riding =for weak pussies.
  • 4 4
 Fat bikes. I just can't.
  • 5 8
 About as useless as a fat bike itself!! What a waste of snow!!
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