SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As winter inches closer, some area trails are open for those looking to get out and enjoy the season.
That includes the Snow Bike Trails near the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park in Suamico.
“Really, for a December first opening, that’s one of the earlier times that we’ve been able to open,” said Matt Kriese, Brown County Parks Director.
Kriese says it only takes a little bit of snow, and some frosty conditions to unroll this system at the north end of the NEW Zoo.
“We have three or four different loops of trails on our winter bike trails, and roughly seven-eight miles total trails. So you can start at either a beginner, or a bit more advanced trail, with a couple more hills and a little more twisty and turny.”
Park officials say the section of trail is geared to accommodate fat tire bikes.
“The bikes are relatively easy to ride. If you can ride a regular bike, you can definitely ride a fat tire bike,” said Nathaniel Wagner, NEW Zoo & Adventure Park Supervisor.
Wagner says he has about a dozen fat tire bikes ready to rent. He says the sport is popular.
“With individuals wanting to do this year-round, they’ve gone to a fat tire bike, which allows you to do the biking in the summer, but then also in the winter time. The fatter tire on the the bike displaces that snow a little bit more, to allow you to stay up on top.”
But Kriese says those who ride fat tire bikes at the NEW Zoo, need to stay on their own trail system.
“Two different trailheads for summer versus winter. And the main reason there is our summer, a lot of our mountain bike trails and hiking trails are converted to cross-country skiing. And a lot of grooming, and things go into there. So that is a single use, cross-country ski only. No walk, snow shoers, or bikers on our cross-country ski trails. But they are welcome to use either our winter fat bike trails, or we do have dedicated snow shoe-winter hiking trails on the property too.”
A daily winter bike trail pass is $5, while a seasonal pass is $30.
Park officials say weather conditions change daily, but the snow bike trails could stay open into April.
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