Überwintern Recap

On a snowy but mild Saturday in late February, some 40+ fatbikers ascended Trapp Hill Road in Stowe, VT to the iconic Trapp Family Lodge for a day of fatbike revelry on a mix of perfect groomed corduroy and packed-powder singletrack. MTBVT and Trapp’s welcomed riders stoked on snowbiking from “the deep South” aka southern NH and MA, the “frigid North” aka Canada, and everywhere in between. The inaugural event was an enormous success, with many a smiling face to be found. The Delibakery/Brewery was alive with breakfast goers, fatbikers, and beer-drinkers, many participating in all three.

Riders enjoyed pedaling and shredding their bikes on world class XC ski groomers achieving speeds and two-wheeled drifts that left us all grinning. Some folks chose to head out in smaller groups and a couple larger groups stuck together as well. While the downhills on the groomers kept your hair pinned back and your eyes watering, the singletrack was more reminiscent of riding on dirt, fun, flowing, and challenging. The lodge’s extensive snowshoe trail network interspersed between groomers was one heck of a singletrack playground for the day. Once we’d all chugged our way back up to the brewery from thrills ‘n spills out on the trails a toasty fire was waiting outside and cold Austrian lagers inside. What a day, we can’t wait to do it again!

Some rough video footage of one of the larger groups dubbed “Rolling Thunder” heading to the groomers. Listen those fat-tires rumble!

A huge thank you is in order to the Trapp Family Lodge Staff for such a smooth running event. They did it all, from helping with registration to making sure no mug went unfilled with delicious Trapp Lager. We’re sending a hearty “Prost” to Sam von Trapp for entertaining our ambitious idea months ago and joining in on the fatbike fun day-of. He has been an invaluable supporter of the mountain bike scene in Stowe, and thinks future fatbike events at the lodge may have some legs, or in this case wheels. The lodge’s Director of Sports, Paul McNeil, also played a huge role in helping us coordinate the event and joined us for the day. He even hinted at some exciting new mountain bike projects that are in the works;

“It was a pleasure to host Überwintern on the world class trails of Trapp Family Lodge and we look forward to hosting more snowbike events in the future. Mountain biking is a primary focus for growth here on the property and for all of Stowe. The Trapp Family Lodge trail crew is preparing for an epic year of trail expansion and bringing in new events. Dreams of additional single-track are becoming a reality!”
-Paul McNeil, Director of Sports, Trapp Family Lodge

It wouldn’t be a mountain bike event in Stowe without the boys from Iride, a shop that’s supported MTBVT’s shenanigans since the beginning. Shop co-owner Ron Murray generously set-up folks with their Surly Pugsley and Moonlander demo bikes all day, and more than few folks “went fat” for the first time. We can’t thank him enough for coming up the hill and hanging-out, high-five buddy! If you’re interested in a fatbike, they’ve got some great deals going on their lightly ridden demo fleet. Check-in at the shop on the mountain road in Stowe for more info.

We’re already hatching plans and ideas for next year’s event to make it bigger ‘n badder. How’s this sound: Group ride starting at the lodge, up to Kimmer’s trail in Adams Camp, then back for more fun and loops at the lodge? There are no shortage of exciting possibilities, all of which the now classic Überwintern Bear is down to lead a ride on. If you liked the big furry mascot, don’t fret, he’ll be back next year on a limited edition t-shirt. Speaking of the Überwintern bear, if we get enough folks next year MTBVT’s fearless leader may just don his bear suit for the ride… Stay stoked and keep the fat tires rumblin’ a long; we’ll see you on the trails this spring!

–The MTBVT crew