Fat Biking in 2025–2026: What’s New, What’s Next, and Why It’s Still the Best Ride

If you’ve been paying attention to the fat bike scene this year, you already know—it’s been a killer year to ride. From race weekends buried in powder, to new bikes rolling out with serious adventure chops, 2025 has been one for the books. And with winter 2026 already on the horizon, there’s plenty more fat-tire fun waiting for us.

I’ve been riding fat bikes long enough to see the waves come and go, and I’ll be straight with you: this isn’t a passing trend anymore. Fat biking in the U.S. has matured into its own culture, its own racing circuit, and its own gear ecosystem. Let’s break down the highlights from 2025 and what’s coming next.

Event Highlights: Fat Tires, Cold Trails, and Big Smiles

Borealis Fat Bike Worlds – Crested Butte, Colorado (Jan 2025)
This one was special—the Worlds went back home to Crested Butte for the 10-year anniversary. Riders showed up from all over, racing, hanging out, and celebrating what started in those mountains a decade ago. Think powdery climbs, high-altitude lungs, and nights capped with live music. It wasn’t just a race, it was a reunion.

Snow Angel Fat Tire Race – Stanwood, Michigan (Jan 2025)
This smaller charity-driven race keeps growing every year. It’s approachable—great for new fat bikers—but still throws enough snowy curveballs to test the veterans. Local races like this keep the fat bike community alive and personal.

Polar Roll – Michigan’s U.P. (Feb 2025)
Michigan once again proved why it’s one of the true strongholds of fat biking. Groomed singletrack, bitter cold, and that gritty Midwest energy make the Polar Roll a bucket-list event. The 15- and 30-mile races pushed riders to their limits, but the stoke was off the charts.

Midwest & Wisconsin Fat Categories
Through the summer, WORS and similar race series kept fat-bike classes on the roster. That’s proof that fat biking isn’t just about snow—it’s year-round if you’ve got the legs and the attitude.

Gear & Bike News: The 2025 Crop

This year brought some real upgrades in U.S.-available fat bikes. Here's a few standouts:

• Corvus Akio 2.0
  Built and tested in Alaska, now updated for 2025. In-frame storage, refined geometry, UDH dropouts, and a main triangle that swallows frame bags whole. It’s a winter expedition machine, but equally at home on rocky desert rides.

• Corvus Rhino FLT
  Lower center of gravity, beefier durability, and adventure-friendly tweaks. A solid pick for riders who want stability and control on loaded trips.

• Salsa Beargrease & Heyday 2025
  Salsa refreshed their lineup with new specs and colorways. Prices are still approachable (starting under $2k), which means more riders can get into fat biking without shelling out boutique-bike money.

• E-Fat Bikes Everywhere
  U.S. trails are seeing more electric fat bikes. From beefed-up commuters with 500W motors to adventure e-rigs like the Lectric XP 4, the crossover is real. Some purists scoff, but honestly? Power assist on a 4.8" tire in knee-deep snow is nothing to laugh at. Just check your local trail rules before showing up juiced.

Trends Worth Watching

• Year-Round Fat Biking – It’s not just for snow anymore. Riders in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and the Midwest are using fat bikes on sand, singletrack, and gravel.

• Adventure-Ready Frames – Mounts for racks, bags, and accessories are becoming standard, not optional. Perfect for bikepacking across snowfields or desert canyons.

• Urban Crossover – Fat tires are rolling into city streets, especially with e-assist. More commuters are trading skinny tires for big rubber when potholes and curb-hops are part of the daily grind.

• Community Events – From charity races to big-ticket festivals, fat bike culture is growing grassroots first. The camaraderie on a group snow ride? Can’t be matched.

Looking Ahead: Winter 2026

If 2025 has been a preview, winter 2026 is set to be even bigger. Fat Bike Worlds will continue to draw international attention, and the Midwest races will keep riders honest with cold weather and tougher courses. New product drops are expected by late 2025/early 2026, especially with Salsa and Corvus hinting at more refinements. And don’t be surprised if e-fat bikes keep gaining ground as battery tech improves.

For U.S. riders, that means one thing: more options, more events, and more reasons to get outside when everyone else is hibernating.

Riding into the Future

Fat biking in 2025 has proven what a lot of us already knew—these bikes aren’t gimmicks, they’re tools for adventure. Whether you’re pedaling frozen singletrack in Michigan, slogging sandy trails in Utah, or cruising a snowy Colorado pass, fat bikes keep the stoke alive all year long.

So, air those 4.8s down to 4-6 PSI, throw on the pogies, and remember: winter isn’t something to endure—it’s something to ride.

See you on the trail.

— Ian Mitchell, professional rider & unapologetic fat-bike addict