Snow bikes make for a unique way to shred the mountain

Before I did my first run at Whitefish Mountain Resort, two people had already called out my non-traditional mode of transportation in admiration.  

“Woah, wait, what is that?” asked a younger snowboarder on his way to Chair 4, pointing at the three-skied framed contraption between my feet.  

“A SNO-GO,” I promptly smiled back to him. “Basically, a bike on skis.”  

At Montana E-Bikes, owners Josh and Matthew Houser — a father-son duo that started out by renting E-bikes in the summer months — believe that winter can be just as exciting for bike lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, so they introduced their first winter sports rental this year: the SNO-GO. 

While sitting in their neon-green shop’s interior, one is surrounded by a lineup of many E-bikes and the newer SNO-GOs, positioned in a showcased line near the door.  

SNO-GO is a newer brand based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. The Housers learned about the company last year when a customer asked if they carried any snow bikes for rent. When they investigated it, they saw that it was a sport that could expand winter access for people — and it was exploding across the country. 

“It’s safer, but still adventurous. It's also easy to learn, that’s a big thing,” Josh said. And Whitefish Mountain Resort is a great mountain to learn on, with lifts and terrains for everyone, he said.  

The synchronized lateral articulation technology, or what the brand calls S.L.A.T., replicates the turning radius and stopping power of skis, allowing separate movement of the feet and the ability to carve. It comes equipped with a chairlift loading system that makes it easy to load and unload across the mountain.  

Right now, Montana E-Bikes has an exclusive deal with SNO-GO and is the only shop in the valley that rents them. Currently, the bike store has eight bikes for rent and two for purchase.  

“As a kid growing up, this would've been the toy, absolutely,” a customer out window shopping said after stopping in the store.  

I was lucky enough to go up to Big Moutain with Matthew to test the SNO-GO out firsthand. I am a decent skier, but naturally risk averse, so I asked Matthew if we could start on the magic carpet so I could get the hang of it.  

Together on our SNO-GOs, Matthew and I entered the magical tunnel — my first time on it — with our bikes between our legs. The SNO-GO is allowed everywhere on the mountain as long as the leash is connected to its rider. The S.N.O.W. Bus, a common way people get to the moutain, can also carry the set up.  

We exited the tunnel, and I hopped into the footholds. An immediate difference was the comfortability of it — I was able to wear normal boots. I turned to the right to make my way down the daunting bunny hill but misunderstood the physics of the bike. Three smooth 360s later and a good laugh and I was at the bottom of the hill.  

Matthew gave me a quick lesson — you must carve with your feet and counter with the handlebars — so you don’t just spin. Eager to do more, we headed to Chair 9.  

Loading and unloading the bike on the lift was easy, and when we got to the top we looked out over the valley, stunned by a thick inversion with sunken clouds and a bright blue sky. At the top, Matthew and I got more questions about the bikes, all were positive.  

We lapped Chair 9 twice and, once I got the hang of how to carve and turn, I soared down the mountain, a testament to the ease and the enjoyment of it. While too nervous to take it to the peak, it’s something I look forward to doing after a few runs on Chair 2. The bikes can travel all terrain, from a cat track to a double black diamond tree run.  

“Everybody that I have taken up has just had an amazing time,” said Matthew. “We really wanted to have a winter business and this just fit.” 

In the summertime, Josh and Matthew are booked and busy with E-bike tours of Going-to-the-Sun Road. They look forward to adding more guided options, such as a tour of Hungry Horse Reservoir or along the Route of the Hiawatha Mountain Scenic Bike Trail in Idaho.  

“We want to be a positive force of love and adventure in this community,” Josh said. “When creating outdoors experiences, people may be nervous, but when they come back excited, that’s what it's all about.”  

And most everyone who has come off the mountain after riding the SNO-GO has been “stoked,” Matthew said. 

Montana E-Bikes is located at 6475 U.S. 93 S, #6, next to the Super One Foods in Whitefish. SNO-GO rentals run $99 for a day and can be reserved at www.mtebikes.com/rent-winter.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com. 

    Matthew Houser rides a SNO-GO bike on Jan. 30, 2025 at Whitefish Mountain Resort. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Josh Houser, left, and Matthew Houser, right, own Montana E-Bikes in Whitefish. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    SNO-GO bikes can easily be taken on chair lifts and can traverse all mountain terrain. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Matthew Houser on the magic carpet with a SNO-GO bike on Jan. 30, 2025. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Matthew Houser prepares to get on the magic carpet on a SNO-GO bike at Whitefish Mountain Resort. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Matthew Houser rides a SNO-GO bike on Jan. 30, 2025 at Whitefish Mountain Resort. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Montana E-Bikes in Whitefish now offers SNO-GO bikes for rent and purchase. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Matthew Houser rides a SNO-GO bike on Jan. 30, 2025 at Whitefish Mountain Resort. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Reporter Kate Heston rides a SNO-GO bike at Whitefish Mountain Resort. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Matthew Houser rides a SNO-GO bike on Jan. 30, 2025 at Whitefish Mountain Resort. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Matthew Houser rides a SNO-GO bike on Whitefish Mountain Resort on Jan. 30, 2025. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)