Fat Biking on the snow in Ramsau, Austria

Fm4’s Chris Cummins explores the wintery high plateau below the Dachstein. (subtitled version)

I’m riding a fat bike over the snowy plateau of ramsay and it’s this in-between season between winter and spring when the snow is not perfect for peace skiing or even cross-country skiing but on a bike where you can explore anywhere it really feels like an adventure

My guide mikhail stix tells me what he thinks the real joy of fat biking in the snow is it’s it’s just riding on the snow it’s uh it’s that simple it’s it is bicycle riding but you ride on the snow you hear the snow you smell the snow

And it’s a very new experience even it’s still mountain biking in the end you know i originally came to austria because i loved skiing so much i love skiing so much but it’s getting harder to find those perfect conditions on tap if you like so i’ve been exploring lots of different options

Of having fun in the winter and perhaps it’s important that tourism boards given the warming climate and concerns about flying far away embrace lots of different ways of enjoying winters here in austria yes i think because i think the trend is to think more regional and people make their holidays

Closer to their homes and we have so we have snow we will still have snow above 1000 meters or so and we can ride the bicycle we don’t have to go to gran canaria also don’t fly we can ride at home in my experience if anything new comes there’s bound to be conflict

Ramzao amdakstein is a mecca for cross-country skiing so has there been any resentment about the arrival of fat bikers on their plateau maybe but uh i don’t feel it like that you have to imagine that the cross-country skiers they all ride bikes in the summer so they’re more curious

About fat biking in winter and they look very yeah friendly and i never had any issues or problems with cross-country skiers or anyone here while fat biking on snow remains a niche sport in austria right now it does seem to have plenty of potential to grow but do you

Need any special skills to ride a bicycle on snow i think it’s even easier in winter now because you’re always aware of if you fall yeah it’s always soft and you can steer and ride and brake like in summer perfect