Winter Fat-Biking 101

Because the snow doesn’t care about your excuses.

They told you riding season was over…that it was time to hang up the helmet, drag out the trainer, and start pretending that suffering indoors counts as “actual” biking.

They were, how do we put this lightly?...oh yeah, they were WRONG!

Winter isn’t the end, it's the beginning! Have you ever dreamed what riding a bike in the clouds would feel like, well that’s winter Fat-Biking for ya. 

If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of us or at least curious enough to become one of us.  Either way, may we be the first to say, Welcome to the coolest club around! (pun intended) 

In this blog, we want to give you all the basics and tips, we’ll talk about fat bikes, snow tires, psi science, e-bike hacks, and the gear that keeps your digits attached.

What is Fat-Biking in winter?

Fat biking in winter is all the fun of biking, but in the surreal beauty of winter. The tires are huge, think 4.0 to 5.05 inches wide. The pressure is laughably low, we’re talking 1 to 6 psi, if you know what you’re doing. And the terrain is literally a dreamscape. 

Obviously the biggest difference to winter fat-biking is the snow. Which as we all know, snow isn’t dirt. It melts, crusts, refreezes, sags, rolls, and betrays you when you least expect it. But that is the beauty of it, because when you have the right tools such as tires, it can become your favorite riding terrain. 

Choose Your Weapon: Vee’s Winter Fat Bike Tire Lineup

Here’s the hit list. The tires built to tackle winter like never before. Each one tested, trusted and a little unhinged in the best way.

Snow Avalanche

(26x4.0 | 26x4.8 | 27.5x4.5)

The workhorse, this tire is built for riders who don't care what the forecast says and like their traction with a side of sass. Tread that rips groomers, siped shoulders that bite harder than frostbite. And that 27.5x4.5? It rolls smoother than smooth jazz. 

Perfect for: All-around winter chaos, great for analog or e-bike. Goes well on the front or rear! 

Snowball

(20x4.0 | 27.5x4.0)

Light, tight, and snappy. This one’s your ninja tire. It's got shorter lugs, a tighter profile, and the kind of agility that makes snowy corners feel stable. It’s also our fastest rolling! 

Perfect for: Groomed trails, cold-locked conditions, kids’ bikes, nimble setups.
On e-bikes? Run it rear if you like zip. Front if you like flick. Both if you're feeling wild. 

Snowshoe XL

(26x4.8)

This tire’s got float! When the groomers vanish and you're left with fresh snow, side drifts, and whispered regrets, the XL shows up. It’s wide, durable, and ready to ride. 

Perfect for: Powder days, soft trails, crusty mornings.
Especially on e-bikes: Balances that motor weight so you can just focus on the ride. 

Snowshoe 2XL

(26x5.05)

The tire, the myth, the ultimate winter tool. This is what you run when everyone else is post-holing. Full 5.05 inches of “get outta my way,” ready to bulldoze through marshmallow fluff and the deepest of snow. When you want to truly explore the backcountry, this is the tire for you! 

Perfect for: Deep snow, big builds, big riders, big ambitions.
Note: Check frame clearance. This tire doesn’t fit everywhere, but when it fits, it dominates! 

PSI Isn’t Just Science. It’s Black Magic.

Tire pressure isn’t just a number, with winter Fatbiking it is now a science! You gotta really dial this in if you want your ride to be bliss and not a miss. 

Here’s your cheat code to start with:

Even a 1 psi change can make or break your ride. Yeah you heard that right, one pound is the difference between floating and flailing. So bring a 0–15 psi gauge, and make sure to use it. It will be your best friend on the trails

Studs vs No Studs

Listen: 

• If your trails ever say the word “ice” or even suspect “ice” you want studs. 
• If you can see the glint of frozen death under a dusting of powder…you want studs.
• If you’re riding on a frozen river, blacktop slicked in snowmelt, or any trail in a warm to cold snap? You want studs! 
• Even just your standard, run-of-the-mill, packed snow trails would great with studded tires. 

E-Bikes in Winter: Powerful and a Bit Temperamental

E-bikes are winter’s wildcards. They’re fun, fast and they’ll throw tantrums if you leave them cold. 

Cold Battery Facts:

• Range drops 20–40% in sub-freezing temps
• Charge indoors, ride immediately
• Remove the battery after rides. Keep it warm, treat it nice, name it if that helps.
  
  

Ride Setup Tips:

• Wider tires. Snowshoe XL or 2XL. Let those big dogs dig in.
• Lower psi. Your motor’s gonna torque, give it room to move.
• Smooth power. Don’t go full beast mode unless you like fishtailing into pine trees.
  
  

Trail Access Warning: E-bike rules are a mess! Seriously, it's kinda ridiculous, so please check with trail orgs before you show up and get side-eyed by skiers in Lycra. Check local Forest Service, local state parks, and local city rules and regulations to know which trails you can send it on. 

Gear That Works in the Cold

This isn’t a fashion show, but it’s also not a survival movie unless you mess this part up.

• Base Layer: Two words here, Merino wool. It wicks, its warm, it breathes! 
• Insulation: Puffy jacket. Preferably one that makes you look ridiculous and rides warm.
• Outer Shell: It’s gotta be water-resistant, wind-blocking, and breathable.
• Hand Warmer Packs 
• Gloves + Pogies: Light liners + bar mitts = heat + dexterity.
• Feet: Insulated boots > cold sadness. Neoprene covers work in a pinch.
• Water: Insulated bottle or bladder. Blow back into the hose or else you’ll have freeze up.

Pack extra gloves, trust us on this one. No one wants frostnip fingers trying to fix a flat at 3 psi.

Fat Bike Survival Kit

• Low-pressure gauge (0–15 psi)
• Mini pump (CO₂ sleeps in the cold)
• Spare tube + levers
• Tire sealant rated for freezing temps (looking at you, Orange Seal Subzero)
• Hand Warmers (trust us, these will be a life saver.) 
• Headlamp + taillight
• Emergency snack that won’t freeze solid
• Multi-tool you can operate with gloves on
• Willpower
  
  

Trail Etiquette: Keep It Classy, Mr. Frosty

• Don’t ride in XC ski tracks.
• Let fresh grooming set before you shred.
• Yield with respect. You’re the weirdo with the wide tires, so act accordingly.
• Leave no trench. If you’re punching through, turn around.
  
  

FAQ for Riders Who Want to Keep Their Teeth

Q: What’s the best tire pressure for fat biking in the snow?
A: Start at 4–6 psi on packed trails, drop to 2–4 psi in soft stuff, and go full marshmallow at 1–2 psi when things get deep. Tweak on trail. Always.

Q: Do I need studded tires for my Fat Bike?
A: If you ask this more than once, you need studs.

Q: Can I ride a fat tire e-bike in the winter?
A: Absolutely. but prep your battery like a diva and ride with traction in mind.

Q: What Fat Bike tire should I run in deep snow?
A: Snowshoe 2XL. It's a flotation device disguised as a tire.

Sample Setups

• Groomed Trail Hero:
    Front/Rear – Snow Avalanche 26x4.8 | 4 psi

• Winter Daily Driver:
  Front/Rear – Snowball 27.5x4.0 | 5.5 psi

• Backcountry Blaster:
  Front – Snowshoe XL | Rear – Snowshoe 2XL | 2.2 psi / 1.8 psi

• E-Bike Monster Mode:
  Front/Rear – Snowshoe XL | 3.5 psi and chill

So… why ride in the cold?

Because it’s real, it’s quiet, it's stunning, it’s thrilling, and most importantly you get to be outside in the best season of them all!!

Fat biking in the winter turns your ordinary trails into something wild and unfamiliar, and riding through snow on tires as wide as your will to survive is the closest thing to flying you’ll get without wings.

Let the others hibernate, you got trails to ride!