Jeff Butcher

What a rush to snowbike...

It's always a pleasure making contact with fellow Snowbikers... First off, I am not going to go back and forth….skibobs, skibikes, I prefer snowbikes. I was a skier until I ran across snowbikes at Homewood Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe around 1971. I rented one, had the time of my life and never looked back! What a rush! I also love to ride motorcycles. Mostly street bikes, some dirt. Anyway…. What a RUSH to snowbike! It had become my new Passion in life! It’s so fun! In those days Homewood rented Brenter snowbikes. The bikes were black and silver, no shocks, plastic boot skis with steel claws in the back of the skis to help slow you down.
 

A few years later Homewood decided to sell off their Brenters because they weren’t producing enough revenue or possible insurance difficulties because of the new sport of snow biking, not sure which, anyway, I ended up buying 2 for $150. It was rare I ran across other snowbikers. Years later Homewood decided not to allow the bikes there anymore. I was crushed! No place in California would allow me to ride. I had to revert to getting a lift from a friend on a snowmobile to get me up the mountain or just take short 100 yard rides near the cabin in Tahoe.

 

It was about 8 years ago Sierra-at-Tahoe had advertised on RSN network they rented Vertex snowbikes and allowed people to bring their own. YES!  I was so excited I called Sierra-at-Tahoe and spoke with Mark Reeves (another snowbiker, one of your members in fact), he in turn got me in contact with Don Koski. Boreal and Northstar jumped on the band wagon and I met Don that year at Boreal where I was first introduced to the Koski Montrac snowbike. The Koski had amazing suspension and rides like a dream. I have been riding a Koski ever since. I ride with sleddog boots so I can do some sliding. I can always carve anytime I want, but I prefer the sleddog boots so I won’t catch an edge. It’s my way to ride.

 

Don and I became friends and I ended up designing and maintaining Don Koski’s website at www.koskisnowsports.net.  Been doing that for 7 years now. I ride as often as possible and I am dedicated to promoting the sport of snowbikes. I sometimes ride with Don Koski’s crew of younger more fearless aerial crazies. Koski’s bikes are designed for the peg riders. These guys do superman's, back flips, etc… They are awesome to watch.

 

I prefer groomed runs, sloping hills, half pipes, trails, and some terrain parks. I turn 50 next February so I don’t get much air anymore. I am no longer sore for a few days if  I take a good spill, before I would be out for a few months. No more aerials or dangerous jumps for me. I love to just carve it up and ride fast.

 

Too bad I didn’t contact you sooner! I want to become a member of ASA and hopefully get in contact with other snowbikers to ride with at Sierra-at-Tahoe.  I totally support the ASA. Good job Rod on your website and thanks!

 

Looking sooooo forward to this season of snowbiking!

 

Have a Great Ride,

 

Jeff Butcher

Snowbiker

 

Personal Story...