SKI-BIKING
License To Ride

Written By: Kara Tatone

Possibly as unforeseen as snowboarding's advent to the ski area, ski-biking is now making its four-legged tracks all over the Telluride Ski Resort.  

Bikers are lapping up Prospect Bowl terrain, making runs through the trees and even runs through the half pipe, and longtime Telluride Ski & Snowboard School instructor Dave Valentine says its popularity is growing. He began teaching eight years ago when the inventor's grandson visited Telluride to teach ski school instructors. Back then ski-biking was limited to specific terrain, namely off Lifts 1 and 10. Today ski-bikers can ride all mountain terrain accessed via any detachable lift.

"It's growing popular everywhere. I know some people that only ski-bike now. It's a fun change of pace," says Valentine. Before ski-bikers can ride the ski area however, they're required to start with a lesson off novice lifts to earn an official bike riders license in order to rent and ride, good for a lifetime.

Is safety first on the bike? "The bikes provide four points of contact," Valentine says--two skis on the bike, two skis on the feet--so the potential for falls and injuries is less likely. "It makes it actually easy for beginners," he says, "it's like riding a bike with training wheels. It's rare that someone won't really get it. Turning is like a power slide in the gravel on your bike, except you're more in control."

Telluride Ski & Snowboard School offers private and group lessons. Group lessons run $55 including bike rentals, rentals alone run $25. 

Valentine recommends private lessons with multiple people (bikes are included free). "It's best with several people because it's sort of a social thing with skiers and snowboarders of different abilities riding together. It's a great way for families to spend a fun day all together on the slopes," he says.