Please allow yourself some time to get used to the feel of riding a bike without tires. You must remember to lean into your turns and practice slow maneuvers until you are confident with finding the skis edges. If you can get a pair of foot-skis, they will give you 2 extra points of contact with the snow, and increase your stability and stopping power with very little effort. You can generally find Ski Bike friendly Resorts that rent ski bikes with foot skis (Koski Monotrac is illustrated in the photo below). If you do not know someone that is already an experienced ski biker, it is highly recommended that anyone wanting to get into ski biking take a 2 hour guided tour/training session with a ski bike instructor. Your lesson will be invaluable, and the fee is very reasonable. While it is true that you use the skis edges just as a skier would, the feeling is quite different on a bike than on skis.
 

 

 

 

 

Basic steering and stopping.

Steering a ski bike is the same as on a regular bike. You lean left on a left turn, and right on a right turn, along with turning the handle bars up or downhill to control the skid on the front ski. This movement automatically changes the angle of your front and rear skis. The skis edges will bite into the snow, and begin to carve in whichever direction you choose. As you get better with your turning skills, and your speed increases, you will have to lean into the handle bar on the uphill side of your turn, and lean harder into the turn to get the skis to bite harder. The trick is to TRUST THE SKIS! They will do their job, you simply have to get used to the feeling of what is happening at that moment.

After you get used to this feeling, you will easily be able to increase your speed and turning/carving ability. Carve across the slope from side to side, all the while looking out for other skiers and snowboarders. Remember that we all have to share our natural resources, and be respectful of one another. If you suddenly wind up on a steep slope, and are using foot skis, simply snow-plow with your foot skis as you would with normal skis. Maintain control of the foot skis, so you do not get them caught under the ski bike skis, all the while criss-crossing down the slope. Folks, this takes practice to gain good skills, and you will eventually have to learn how to do this. If you are too unsure about it, please hire an Instructor, or wait until you can go with an experienced friend.You should also begin to learn how to perform a "hockey stop" by this time. It's easier to do than you might think. Remember that practice makes perfect!

A kockey stop on a ski bike is accomplished by turning the front ski uphill while extending your uphill leg (like a dirt bike or bmx rider does) and planting your downhill foot on the ski bikes foot peg (if it has one), otherwise you'll have to float your downhill foot over the snow. Lean hard into the turn and put your body weight into the seat to plant the rear ski into the snow. Once your controlled skid starts, begin to turn the front ski back downhill to control your slide. Be patient, this will take some time to master. You will be able to use this same technique to cruise thru deep bowls, ski bike down steep bumps and bounce thru mogul fields. You will also be able to quickly change direction at any speed, and on any type of terrain once you get used to hockey stopping. This maneuver works with foot skis as well, you simply have to learn how to do it while maintaining control of you foot skis. I ride with or without foot skis, depending on the snow conditions. The principles are the same.

Like all of us before you, you will probably take a couple of spills until you get the hang of this maneuver, but the rush of addrenaline will have you hootin n' hollerin with excitement! After you master this, you will blow everyone away when you execute a hockey stop on a ski bike. The spray of snow is absolutely amazing, and everyone will want to know how you did it.