Fat Tire MTB Chugach State Park Tour Review: Epic Ride

Thinking about doing some mountain biking in Alaska? Then the Fat Tire Mountain Bike tour in Chugach State Park might just be the thing for you, actually. So, I spent a day tearing through some pretty incredible scenery there, and I wanted to give you my take on the whole experience, alright?

What to Expect: The Ride Itself

First off, let’s discuss the bikes. These aren’t your regular mountain bikes; these, pretty much, are fat tire bikes, which, it seems, means they’ve got extra-wide tires, naturally. These big tires, actually, make a big difference, mostly when you’re dealing with loose gravel, soft dirt, and even some snow patches, perhaps. What surprised me a little was just how stable they feel, right. They, honestly, just float over stuff that would have me walking my regular bike.

Now, the tour I took was a three-hour loop, I mean, give or take, hitting some of the popular trails in the park. Chugach State Park is seriously massive, you know, but the tour guides, pretty much, knew exactly where to go. I’d rate the difficulty as moderate; there were some uphill climbs that definitely got my heart pumping, so too some fun downhill sections where I really let loose, I mean, it was all very exciting. It’s almost like you need some level of fitness, yet nothing crazy, alright?

What made the ride amazing was, for me anyway, the scenery, clearly. Seriously, you’re riding with towering mountains on one side, and the views overlooking Anchorage and the ocean on the other, wow. The air is so fresh, and it just feels so wild and free, arguably, which is the reason I love biking.

Gearing Up: What to Bring

The tour operator provided the bike and helmet, clearly. So, here’s what I would recommend bringing, just so you’re completely comfortable. First up, layers. The weather in Alaska can change fast, sometimes, so dress accordingly, mostly like moisture-wicking base layers, a fleece or light jacket, and a waterproof outer layer, actually. I brought gloves and a beanie too, of course, it’s better to be safe, what I would say is take more, not less.

Footwear is kind of essential, really. Wear sturdy athletic shoes or hiking shoes. I’d also recommend bringing a small backpack with water, you, mostly two liters, a snack, so, too, sunscreen, and bug spray, pretty much. Trust me on the bug spray! Sunglasses or sports glasses can, in effect, keep the sun and any kicked-up dirt out of your eyes, right.

Bring a camera or phone, mostly because you’ll want to take photos of the unbelievable views, of course. However, keep it tucked away for the tough parts of the ride to ensure it doesn’t fall out, mostly. Basically, if it’s a nice camera I’d leave it at home.

The Guides: Local Knowledge is Key

I really enjoyed the guides, by the way. The guides on my tour were experienced mountain bikers, actually, yet also super knowledgeable about the local area. They, seemingly, knew the trails like the back of their hands, naturally, and were full of info about the local flora, fauna, and geology. They adjusted the pace to fit the group, or so I experienced, offering tips and encouragement along the way.

It’s almost like one of the big things they stressed was safety. They gave us a briefing before we took off on the trails about basic bike handling, what to do if you meet a bear (yep, bears!), so, too, just general trail etiquette, virtually. Knowing they had our backs definitely made the ride that much more relaxing.

Is it Worth It? The Verdict

So, should you do the Fat Tire MTB tour in Chugach State Park? If you love biking, especially, and are into seeing some ridiculously beautiful landscapes, yeah, so you probably should, pretty much. It’s really not cheap, perhaps around $150-$200 depending on the tour length and company. I’d consider the fact that you’re getting a quality bike, helmet, knowledgeable guides, then you’re basically getting a cool, unique experience in one of Alaska’s most unbelievable spots.

For me, it was completely worth it, absolutely. So, I came away feeling energized, actually, and awestruck by the beauty of Alaska. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who is up for a bit of adventure and is looking to explore the outdoors in a slightly unusual way, you see.

There’s some genuinely exciting trails, great equipment, so, too, experienced guides and sights that are some of the best. A great trip to do.