Skibobs

Skibobs are one of the oldest styles of Ski-Biking. The Skibob style has been around for many decades. The oldest current manufacturer is Brenter. Brenter is based out of Austria. There are some other manufacturers as well, though. Stalmach is another of the major manufacturers. Stalmach is also based in Austria.

Skibobs are ridden by sitting on the Ski-Bike and using a combination of short foot skis and the handle bars to steer as seen above. Skibobbing is very easy to learn and it is very low impact. This is great for people who are not strong skiers or people who are simply getting a little bit older. It is even fun for those who are strong skiers and snowboarders as well as those who are younger, though.

How To:
Lessons at resorts are the best way to learn how to ride a Skibob. However, this is a brief summary of what is required in order to be successful. The first step is adjusting the bike to you. There are generally different sizes of bikes available. The size is based on the distance between the seat and the ground. Taller people need a taller bike. Pretty simple, huh? The primary way to adjust a bike once you have the right size is done by raising or lowering the handle bars until they are about even with the middle of your torso.

The short skis on the riders feet (sometimes called skates) are there for added stability and control. The most important thing to remember while riding is to keep your knees squeezed tight on the bike. If your knees get out away from the bike, controling the bike gets a little bit more difficult.

Steering:
To steer the bike, you simply turn your head in the direction you want to go. Your body and the bike will follow. For light traversing of a slope, there is only a need for slight turns of the handlebars. Skibobs are designed to be very agile and responsive at any speed. During a turn, your foot skis are used much like regular alpine skis to help move you in the desired direction. Put pressure on the right foot to go left and so on.

Stopping:
Stopping on the Skibob is also very easily accomplished. To stop, you simply turn to the left or right and swing around until the bike is aimed up hill. You can also carve an edge to one side or the other to come to a more rapid stop. There is also another way to stop that is not used very often. In an emergency situation you can raise your feet up and dig the back of the foot skis into the snow. This will help to return control of the bike to you. However, its not very good for the slopes.

Loading the Lift:
Loading a Ski-Bike of any style on the lift is perceived as the hardest part of Ski-Biking in general. Honestly, the process is not that bad at all.  It is generally accepted that Ski-Bikes ride the outside seats on the lift.

For Skibobs, you move into position in front of the chair just like you would on skis. Place the Ski-Bike at your right side if you are loading the right seat or your left side if you are riding the left seat. As the chair approaches, simply pick the bike up and hold it at your side. Sit down on the lift chair and lay the Ski-Bike across your lap and the side of the lift chair.

Unloading:
The unloading process is also very easy. As you approach the unloading point, hold the Ski-Bike to the side of the lift chair. When you get over the ramp, set the Ski-Bike down on the ground next to the chair. Hold on to the handle bars and let the Ski-Bike slide on the snow. Stand up on the foot skis and steer the Ski-Bike and yourself away from the ramp. Once you come to a stop, sit down on the Ski-Bike, and you're ready to go.