[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”9206″ img_size=”300×537″ full_width=”1″ opacity=”100″][vc_column_text]Photo courtesy of ACME Bicycles[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]There’s more than one way to enjoy the Hills during the winter. Whether you are at Terry Peak or snowshoeing around your favorite hiking trails, a little cold is no reason to slow you down. Same goes for those of us that prefer life on two wheels.

Whether thick tires have been your bag for a while or you’re new to fatties, you’re gonna wanna find the best places in the Hills to roll those bad boys and earn a post-ride Crowler.

To give you a hand, we asked the area bike shops and the Black Hills Mountain Bike Association where we can find those sweet spots to Fat Bike in the Hills.

You’ll find their answers below, along with a few races and resources for your fat-bike loving needs.

Sure, you can just google the trails, but it’d be way more fun to hit up the bike shops or join a group of fat bikers when they head out for a ride. We are linking to each shop and association, so contacting them’s super easy.

Do you know of a honey hole that we forgot to mention? Hit us up in the comments and tell us where you ride![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

ACME Bicycles

ACME also hosts Thursday night rides up Skyline and Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park all winter. You can check their Facebook Events page for details.

Black Hills Mountain Bike Association

“The closest one to Rapid City is Little Elk Creek. There are options for an out-and-back along the creek or to continue all the way to Dalton Lake via the Centennial Trail. Great views! Studded tires almost always recommended.”

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Black Hills Bicycles

“Little Elk Creek up to Dalton, then counter clockwise up the old Centennial Trail, back down the new part of 89, then return on the stick of Little Elk Creek. Actual fun single-track beat in fat biking. Long climb yet a rewarding, fun, long descent. Not the mind-numbing traditional fat-bike ride.”

Cranky’s Bike Shop

Two Wheeler Dealer in Spearfish

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Rushmore Mountain Sports in Spearfish

Check out their recent blog post that’ll show you some of the good spots by Spearfish and give you details about grooming conditions as well as what kind of bike would work best for you.

Xtreme Dakota Bicycles in Sturgis

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Can’t get enough?

Nothing goes with a ride like hitting up a local brewery to talk shop and treat yourself to a liquid trophy. Stop in any of the breweries in the Hills and chances are, you’ll spot someone who’s wind burnt and stoked on a recent ride they can’t wait to tell you about.  

In the meantime, check out some of these resources for a little 101 and a trail map or two to get you started.

Black Hills & Badlands Tourism blog – The Skinny on Fat Biking the Black Hills — 101 on the gear, lingo, and things to keep in mind when you’re out there with your fatty.

28 Below Fat Bike Race — One of the premiere Fat Bike events all year long (only a couple spots left for this year’s race!) Brought to you by the same weirdos who throw the Dakota Five-O.

Black Hills Fat Bike Society — An open group of Fat Bike enthusiasts. Great resource for updated trail conditions or finding a buddy to ride with.

US Forest Service Fat Bike Trail Maps of the Black Hills — Great place to see where logging and controlled burns might effect your ride and some handy maps of approved fat bike trails in the Hills.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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