Over the last few decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people taking to the winter slopes of Europe and the USA. Many have tried the traditional winter sport of skiing, and spent their first couple of seasons in a ski school. Then of course the snowboard has taken off in recent years, but what if you want a gentler way of sliding down a mountain! Then look no further.
The name Skibike or Snowbike is a relatively new term for what traditionally used to be called a “Ski-Bob”.
If you have ever watched, The Beatles film “Help”, you will have seen John, Paul, George and Ringo riding early examples of skibikes.
The skibike can best be described as a bicycle with the wheels removed and short skis added in their place. Its height is approximately 24″ (60 cm). The weight of a skibike varies considerably and is dependant on its intended use, a light weight touring model would weight around 15lb (7kg), a World Cup racing model can weight up to 40 lbs (20 kg). Most skibikes have some form of suspension system, usually in the form of light weight shock absorbers. Brenter Snowbikes have their own unique and (patented) suspension system.
Small skis, called foot-skis, are clipped to the feet, using standard ski boots and bindings, (but they can be adapted for use with snowboard boots). These foot-skis provide additional stability when riding, and aid turning.
Their original use is also open to debate. We heard a theory many years ago, which sounded logical to us, but is as yet unsubstantiated. It is thought that after the end of a day’s skiing and the lifts were turned off, the lift attendant at the top station was required to ski down the side of the lift and check that no person or persons were still on the lift, and doomed to certain death in the freezing overnight air. Considering the long day’s toil, and the rather uncertain terrain under lifts, then add to that the poor light conditions that usually apply at that time of day, a less energetic and safer way than skiing would be more appropriate. Over the years we have seen many skibikes parked at the back of ski lift huts.
So who is skibiking suitable for! Well anybody from the age of 6 to 86 is the answer to that question. Skibiking requires less stamina than skiing or snowboarding, is easier to learn yet has all the challenge, excitement, fun and sheer exhilaration. In short it is ‘FANTASTIC’.
This guest article was written by Mervyn Charlton from www.skibikers.co.uk. To find out more about ski biking – where to do it, where to get the equipment and what time of the year is the best – visit the Ski Bikers website at www.skibikers.co.uk.