Skip to main content

Go Fat Biking Year ‘Round In Leadville & Twin Lakes

July 25, 2023
Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, are renowned for having some of the world’s best fat biking trails!

 

They are so good that the Fat Biking World Championship will be held in Leadville in January 2024.

 

The challenging terrain and incredible scenery at nearly two miles high attracts biking activists from all over. Fat biking lets you see hard-to-reach places and the natural beauty of Colorado’s high mountain terrain.

@scottandersonphoto

 

WHAT IS FAT BIKING?

For the newbies, the term “fat biking” refers to the large bicycle tires that help increase traction. Fat bikes are similar to mountain bikes, but they have even larger tires to provide stability. They allow the rider to navigate where even mountain bikes might struggle. The fat tires also provide a smoother ride in all conditions, including snow, sand, and mud. Fat biking began in the early 1900s and has grown in popularity in recent times.

 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO FAT BIKE?

Fat biking season is year ’round. Because of the wide tires, many people are able to ride right over the rocks and roots with confidence. And the best part is that fat bikes ride the same singletrack trails as mountain bikes!

 

Those wide tires come in handy to cruise across the snowpack, with peak winter months from January to March.

@scottandersonphoto

 

FAT BIKING TRAILS AT LEADVILLE AND TWIN LAKES

Leadville and Twin Lakes offer elite trails that are sure to get your heart pumping! Although there are many trails, we highly recommend these:

 

 

These trails range from beginner to expert-level difficulty, and their level of challenge can fluctuate with the weather. See trail ratings and conditions around Leadville and Twin Lakes.

 

RENT A FAT BIKE

Rent a fat bike from one of the local shops. Since you probably don’t live at 10,000 feet, you might want to get one with the electrical assistance feature. Seriously, it’s different up here!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

If you’re searching for a competitive challenge, Leadville offers multiple fat bike races, for novice riders and up. You can even enter the Fat Biking World Championship, being held in Leadville in January 2024!

 

Be sure to join these events! Check our calendar or the links below for details as the dates get closer.

 

January:
Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series: Colorado Cup

February:
Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series: Tennessee Pass Night Jam

March:
Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series: Mineral Belt Mayhem
Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series: Fatty Patty 50k

April:
Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Series: East Side Epic

VISIT LEADVILLE-TWIN LAKES

Leadville and Twin Lakes are the proud home to some of the best fat biking in Colorado! After exploring the trails, be sure to visit our town to experience more amazing natural beautyrestaurantslodging, and more.

 

Whether you are a thrill seeker, history buff, high-country explorer, or foodie, Leadville-Twin Lakes has something for you to enjoy. Plan your vacation and fat biking tour to Leadville-Twin Lakes today!

 

: E-Bike Leadville (photo in upper left)

More Posts

Fall Watch 2026 – What’s the Status and How to View
FALL WATCH 2026 – Keep Watch for Weekly Photo Updates Fall is putting on a beautiful show around Leadville and Twin Lakes, with a strong mix of greens, golden yellows, […]
Ghosts Of Leadville, Colorado
Leadville was built fast, rich, and rough, and the Victorian buildings on Harrison Avenue are still standing. A guide to the town’s ghost stories and the places you can go stand in while you think about them: the Delaware Hotel, the Silver Dollar Saloon, the Tabor Opera House, Evergreen Cemetery, the Moyer and New Discovery mines, the Matchless, and the House with the Eye.
OctoberVille: Fall For Leadville And Twin Lakes All Month Long
Leadville Main Street is turning all of October into OctoberVille, a month long celebration with a rescheduled fireworks show and parade on October 17, The Addams Family at the Tabor Opera House, Trick or Treat Street, and a city wide gift card deal that adds $25 free to a $100 card.
Fall Colors Soar On Another Level: The Best Spots Around Leadville & Twin Lakes
When autumn arrives in Leadville and Twin Lakes, the high-altitude sun lights up the mountainsides in gold, orange, and crimson. Here, at over 10,000 feet, the colors pop brighter, arrive […]
Shamrocks in September: A St. Paddy’s Day Warm Up
Leadville celebrates St. Patrick’s Day twice a year. Irish Weekend 2026 runs September 18 to 20, with a sunset sing-song at the Irish Miners’ Memorial, the practice parade down Harrison Avenue, the Young Dubliners at the Tabor Opera House, and peak aspen color all weekend.
The JOMO in Leadville and Twin Lakes: Slow Down and Savor the Simple Joys
As more travelers embrace the art of slow travel, Leadville and Twin Lakes deliver the essence of JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out. Here, it’s not about what you skip, […]
Fall Fun At Leadville And Twin Lakes
A refreshed guide to fall in Leadville and Twin Lakes: when and where the aspens peak, plus the rest of the season, from the year round zipline and an ATV run up California Gulch to the Interlaken boat tour, fall fishing on Gold Medal water, winter hut reservations, and the Tabor Opera House fall lineup.
10 Reasons To Celebrate Leadville Boom Days
Leadville Boom Days is a three-day festival that celebrates mining heritage in Leadville, Colorado. Join us from the first full weekend in August each year for our mining heritage celebration! […]
Leadville & Twin Lakes are Open: Your Adventure Awaits Beyond the Willow Fire
Leadville & Twin Lakes Are Open: Your Adventure Awaits Beyond the Willow Fire As the Willow Fire continues to burn in portions of the Leadville-Twin Lakes area, one question we’re […]

Newsletter Signup

Name
A man fishing from a paddleboard on a beautiful day at Twin Lakes