Residents and visitors to Steamboat Springs embrace its nomenclature as “Bike Town, USA”.
The community has always been a mecca for a wide variety of outdoor sports, which is one of the reasons that so many have come to call the Yampa Valley home. A strong history with rodeo and snowsports solidified it as a destination for adventure-based recreation opportunities. Further, the last thirty years has seen Steamboat Springs rise as a destination for a new genre of adrenaline-seekers on two wheels.
Owing partially to the pandemic, these sports have seen a boom in participation in the last four years. While cycling has always been popular, the newer version of the sport is not based on the cheap Huffy bikes that many rode as children.
Those who visit Steamboat Springs are often interested in enjoying the area’s trails, especially when they are with locally-based family and friends that are part of the local cycling community. With hundreds of miles of bike-friendly trails and roads, cycling has come to be a sought out activity for both residents and visitors to the Yampa Valley. From mellow paved paths in town, to the “flow-fest” of NPR on Emerald Mountain, to the notoriously technical Spring Roll and Grouse trails, there is something for everyone when it comes to bike-based adventure. .
For those visiting the area, bikes can prove cumbersome, or expensive, to travel with. Also, the fact that bike technology is moving at a cheetahs pace often necessitates that residents consider the possible benefits of an upgrade from their current ride to something that can push them to the next level.
Ski Haus (1457 Pine Grove Rd.) has become the go-to location for those who want to rent or demo a bike. Their large and diverse fleet of high-quality bikes, combined with a knowledgeable staff and a willingness to help customers find the perfect ride, has helped them rise to become the area’s premier retail, rental, and demo location. Few other shops in town offer such selection and service options in one shop.
Courtesy Photo/Ski Haus
Jay Howard has worked at Ski Haus for over six years. He arrived in the Yampa Valley by way of Michigan and was, at the time, a casual mountain biker. Owing to the strong local bike culture, he quickly developed into a local with a deep passion for mountain biking while also becoming a fixture of the Ski Haus cycle-based community. Working in sales, rentals, and as a technician he has developed a wealth of experience-based knowledge to offer to customers.
“We have a large variety of bikes and have a really big rental fleet,” explained Howard. “It’s a really neat store that has been here since 1969.”
Ski Haus’s rental and demo selection includes hard-tail bikes, which have a front suspension system, as well as full-suspension bikes. The Specialized Stumpjumper© is one of Ski Haus’s most popular “full-squish” rentals and is perfectly suited to a wide variety of trails in the area including those on the Emerald Mountain, Spring Creek and Buffalo Pass trail systems.
“It’s nice that we have so many options around town,” said Howard of the local trail network. “My favorite is the classic NPR because it is user-friendly for everybody.”
More technical, or “fun” trails as Howard calls them, often necessitate a full-suspension bike and a higher level of skill. Further, he also explained that as trail systems in the area expand and as more advanced trails (such as Spring Roll and Grouse) become more difficult with increased use, those who live in the Yampa Valley may find themselves very “under-gunned” with their current bike and might want to experience the increase comfort and increased technology on newer model by demoing a new ride.
The efficiency of the Ski Haus rental or demo process allows customers to be out of the shop and on the trails, ready to ride, in less than fifteen minutes. After determining the right type of bike and proper size for the user, the bike’s suspension system is set to the user’s weight and riding style.
Courtesy Photo/Ski Haus
Howard explained that Ski Haus also sells safety equipment to ensure a comfortable and safe riding experience. As residents become more comfortable on the local trails and push their limits further proper equipment becomes paramount.
E-Bike rentals have also increased in demand over the course of the last several years. Despite the fact that many trail systems do not allow for their use, it does allow certain demographics to still get out and have fun around town and on authorized trails.
“It lets a lot more people hop on a bike and be comfortable,” he said. “If you are from a low altitude or are not used to riding a bike, it can be a little harder to pedal a non-electric bike and enjoy the day.”
Owing to an increase of high-caliber bike events in the Yampa Valley, Ski Haus is also seeing increased demand for competition level bikes, especially for the Tour De Steamboat fundraiser and the Steamboat Gravel race which draw competitors from around the world. Many cyclists who live in the Yampa Valley and want to participate, but cannot due to the lack of a proper bike, can rely on Ski Haus to provide them with guidance in the right direction when it comes to renting.
Ski Haus also offers professional bike fitting for those who fall in love with cycling after their first outing or for someone who is not feeling comfortable with a bike that they already know.
For more information on Ski Haus and their bike rentals, please visit https://skihaussteamboat.com/bike-rentals/, email info@skihaussteamboat.com, or call 1-844-878-0385.