Can Mountain Bikes Be Used in Snow?

Traditionally, mountain biking is associated with warm, clear weather, and riding it in winter seems too hard and challenging. For some people though, the allure of cycling outdoors is too high, and a natural question that comes up is can mountain bikes be used in snow?

Mountain Bikes (MTBs) are rugged and versatile enough to be used in snow, albeit with the use of correct tyres and protective clothing for the riders, as detailed in the sections below.

How To Ride A Mountain Bike In Snow

#1: Choose The Right Tyres.

Selecting the right tyres is extremely important, as they will become your trusty companions on snowy trails.

Here are a few things to take into consideration while choosing them:

Select fat tyres: Wider tyres spread your weight over a larger area. They improve traction and stability on slippery surfaces as they do not sink in soft snow. This makes them ideal for riding in the snow. While selecting the tyres, look for treaded tyres with knobs. This will help provide more grip.
Use studded tyres: Studded tyres are ideal in extreme winter conditions as these tyres have metal studs embedded in them that grip slippery surfaces.
Use tubeless tyres: Pinched flats are one of the biggest concerns among riders. They become even more present during the winter. You can avoid them by selecting tubeless tyres.
Ensure regular maintenance: Inflate your tyres whenever needed and make sure to check them for wear. Avoid riding in snow with worn tyres since they do not provide enough traction.

These are just considerations to follow,and depending on how icy/snowy the terrain is, you might get away with just using fat tyres with knobs rather than using snow tyres which are studded. Having tubeless tyres is a big plus too but I’d personally prioritise getting studded tyres over anything else.

Here’s an option from amazon for a studded fat tyre for MTBs that I really liked- and it has some very good ratings (4 stars). Keep in mind that you’ll need to order two tyres. If you’d like a more reputed brand, go for this one by Schwalbe– it’s at a comparable price as well.

#2: Get Flat Pedals For Your Bike.

While riding on slick trails, you may need to put your foot down frequently and very quickly to prevent sliding, which is why clip-in pedals are not the ideal fit for these terrains.

On the other hand, flat pedals for the bike help with quick foot placement on the ground as well as offering extra grip. It also helps with an upright posture as well as giving you better traction while you are dismounting. The large, wide extra space provided by these pedals also helps you to accommodate larger and warmer boots for better warmth and comfort during winter rides.

#3: Dress Appropriately And Comfortably For Riding During The Winter.

Dressing inappropriately and inadequately during the winter can cause hypothermia and fatigue. Since you will be out for a long time in freezing temperatures, dress comfortably and warmly. I’d recommend in specially investing in the following winter riding gear:

A base layer (top and lower)
Winter cycling jersey
Warm socks
A headcap and gloves

I wrote a whole post on how to cycle in the winter which details which gear you should have for winter cycling and also includes my recommendations on what to buy. Do take a quick read of that too.

#4: Know Your Route

Knowing the route becomes important, especially while riding in the snow. Here are a few ways the presence of snow might change familiar trails:

Snow-covered surfaces are slippery, which makes stability difficult and reduces traction.
Snowy surfaces are very unpredictable, increasing the risk of losing control over your bike and resulting in slipping or falling.
Snow hides obstacles beneath it, making riders more prone to falls and accidents.
Cold temperatures also affect bike performance and rider comfort.

This is common sense but unfortunately, many people forget to do this. Do make sure that you check the weather forecast before you leave and avoid extreme weather events.

Here are some things you should keep in mind about your routes:

Ride on firm snow: Hard-packed snow (densely packed snow) is fairly common in winters, especially if you live in areas where it snows often. Make sure you ride on that and avoid soft snow.
Avoid going on unexplored trails. Allow for some traffic on trails before you ride with a regular mountain bike, and make sure you follow their tracks so you won’t get stuck. Do not head off the trails, especially if you are a beginner.
Snow melts quickly. Keep an eye on where you are cycling. If the ground ahead of you has melted overnight or during the day, it will be very icy, increasing the risk of bike crashes. Remember that snow drifts and gathers in low-lying areas.
Constantly look for anything shinier than the rest of the ground on your trails. If you hit ice, do not touch the breaks or the steering wheel, as it will make you slip. Try to ride as smoothly as possible on the icey parts or skirt around them.
Always start with more familiar trails of moderate difficulty levels before progressing towards more challenging terrain, especially if you are a beginner in cycling.
Try to avoid technical as well as steep, hazardous terrain, which can infringe on your safety during cold weather.

Note: Keep the environment in mind while choosing your trails. Do not forget to keep the trails intact for others and follow all traffic laws while riding.

#5: Learn These Snow Riding Techniques For Snow Cycling.

Smoother movements: Momentum is very important on slick, slippery terrain. It is important to maintain a consistent, steady pedaling speed and make the tyres roll as much as possible at a steady speed. Going too fast can be dangerous as it’s more difficult in winters to brake quickly if needed; sharp steering adjustments can make you slip; braking frequently and too much can lock up your tyres. So, avoid excessive speed and be slow for better control of your bike.
Tyre pressure: Experiment with various tyre pressures and try to find the best combination of grip, balance, traction, and rolling resistance. You might find better traction and grip, as well as a wider contact with the ground, when you reduce the tyre pressure slightly, though the downside of this is pinched flats, which, to be fair, are very rare in snow.
Braking technique: Avoid aggressive and abrupt braking since it can make you lose control of your bike. Apply your brakes gradually, cautiously and gently ensuring even braking to prevent your tyres from locking up. Do not forget to give yourself a proper braking distance for better stability and control.
Cornering: When taking turns on snow, be careful and slow down. Keep your weight on the outside of the turn, keeping a wider line. Expect that your bike will slide a little and adjust your body accordingly. Pro tip: Keep your feet level while rounding a corner. Most peoples’ tendency is to let the foot closer to the corner slide down- but this allows the chance that your foot might crash into the kerbside or snow and cause a fall.
Lower gears: Use lower gears as much as possible while riding through these conditions since they provide you with better grip and traction, making the ride more smooth.
Climbing uphill: Keep your momentum and use lower gears while maintaining a consistent and steady rhythm throughout.
Going downhill: While you descend the hill, gradually decrease your bike’s speed to prevent slippage of control from the bike.
Positioning: Maintaining a centred and balanced position on your bike is very important. A few things that you can keep in mind to achieve this are:
- Have a good seated posture: Your bike needs weight on the back wheels to maintain better traction and balance, especially with low tyre pressure. So traverse the trails while you sit on the bike to spread out your weight evenly across your bike for better control.
- Lower your seat: Lowering your bike seat slightly more than normal gives you a lower centre of gravity. This helps in maintaining a consistent, steady speed and balance while riding.
- Proper weight distribution is very important: Make sure that the bike doesn’t wobble. Ride in a straight line by moving your body from side to side. Keep your weight back a little (can consider sliding the seat back a little bit- if your seat allows that) to stay in an upright posture instead of falling forward. It also helps the back wheel keep its grip on snow and prevents the front wheel from digging into it.
- Stability: Always maintain a stable and balanced body position while riding. Keep your knees bent and your elbows relaxed so you can better handle bumps and obstacles, stay in control, and adjust to changes in the snow.

Pro tip: Before rides, use a winter bike-specific lubricant to prevent freezing and ensure smooth shifting and braking. I wrote a whole post on how to prevent your bike brakes from freezing in the winter that you should read.

#6: Make Yourself Clearly Visible And Maintain Your Own Field Of View Too.

Winters means shorter daylight hours. It therefore becomes crucial to be visible to all kinds of traffics including other bikers and pedestrians.

Here are three things that you must keep in mind:

Wear bright outfits: reflective clothing or accessories help other riders see you clearly in low-light conditions or in areas shared by other riders.
Wear sunglasses: wear clear or yellow-tinted goggles to prevent glare from the sun and snow, which makes it hard to see.
Get bike lights: Make sure you have both front and rear lights on your bike. This makes it easier for other riders or trail users to see you, improving visibility.

#7: Join A Cycling Group

Having other people with you adds an extra layer of safety in case of emergencies. Go cycling with your friends or join a cycling group if possible.

Alternatively, You can also inform someone about your riding schedule and routes you’ll take before you leave for the ride. Inform them when you are back.

Note: Always give other bikers and walkers the right of way, passing with caution and a friendly, courteous attitude.

#8: Carry A Tool Kit

Learn the trail system or carry a GPS to avoid getting lost.
Maintain a small toolkit with a tyre repair kit, a multitool, an extra spare tube, and a pump.
Carry a small first-aid kit to treat any miner’s injuries. While you are at it, do not forget to carry your phone, which will make it easier to navigate any emergencies.
Use a backpack or a hydration pack (some of them come with extra pockets to carry stuff) to carry water, some snacks, and/or an extra layer of clothes.