Innovative motorized snow bikes come to Colorado
By Jay McKinney
Necessity is the mother of invention and MoonBikes are no exception. The innovative company that manufactures electric snow bikes was founded in France by aeronautical engineer Nicolas Muron. While living in the small town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce in the French Alps, Muron noticed that residents would use bikes, skateboards, rollerblades and more during the summer, but once winter arrived, cars and snowmobiles seemed to be the only options.
With his engineering background and a strong desire to sustainably enjoy the mountains during winter, Muron became obsessed with creating a new mode of eco-friendly transportation that could also be used recreationally. He spent all his free time experimenting and designing prototypes, but in 2017 he took a leap of faith by leaving his career to devote all his time to his passion project.
The decision led to collaboration with people in design, engineering and finance and as a result, his vision to create a lightweight, silent and powerful method of transportation became a reality when MoonBikes was founded in 2018. In January of 2022, the company expanded into North America and made Boulder its regional headquarters. Colorado parks were planned and the company marketed its snow bikes to destinations throughout the high country.
“We really feel that we have opened up winter recreation to a wider subset of people,” says Joseph Sweet, vice president of business development in North America. “If we compare it to existing products on the market, everyone compares it to a snowmobile, but really it’s so drastically different that we see it as a new form of recreation.”
While MoonBikes may look like snowmobiles with the front ski and track in the rear, there are numerous differences that make them an appealing alternative. First and foremost is the size and weight of the electric snow bikes. A MoonBike with the battery in it only weighs around 190 pounds whereas a snowmobile can weigh over 500 pounds. With the small size, MoonBikes can easily be transported in the back of a truck, on a motorcycle rack, or even in the back of larger SUVs. The bikes are also extremely easy to maintain, and their low center of gravity makes them accessible for anyone to ride.
“We have everyone from people who are using them as a quick and easy way to get from point A to point B within a snowy environment, to backcountry skiers using them as their access vehicles,” Sweet says. “On the B2B side of things, we have places like ski resorts, hotels, and lodges that are using them for internal uses and guest recreation. We see it as a unique offering to meet a variety of use cases during the winter.”
The bikes can travel 26 mph and run for up to three hours (with the dual battery option). They are available in three colors (black, red, and white) and can also be accessorized to tow a pulka sled or carry a luggage rack depending on the length of adventure. MoonBikes start at around $8,900.
In addition to being able to ride them on any trail or open space where snowmobiles are permitted, the company has also partnered with more than 40 designated MoonBike parks throughout Europe and North America. Each park is different but guests can rent the bikes at the park so they can try one out without purchasing their own.
In Colorado there are currently five MoonBike parks located in Ouray, Grand Lake, Windsor, Red Feather Lakes, and Garfield County outside of Glenwood Springs, Sweet says. Check moonbikes.com for availability this winter. As they become more popular, he hopes more parks are established, along with potential partnerships with ski resorts within the state.
When MoonBikes planned to expand into North America, it found a home in Boulder for several reasons, according to Sweet. Not only is Colorado filled with outdoorsy thrill-seekers where the bikes have a natural market, but as the company grows, they feel confident that Boulder is a desirable place to live where they can hire talent from the greater Denver Metro area and lure individuals from elsewhere.
“It makes sense that Colorado is our largest market and it’s great being here because of all the great things Colorado can provide,” Sweet says. “The bike fits in extremely well within the culture here, where people are active and outdoors, and constantly looking for new activities to enjoy. With that, people here want to protect and preserve the natural beauty of the state and these bikes fit in so well because they don’t pollute and they’re quiet.”
While the company is still young and growing, MoonBikes undisputedly aligns with the Colorado lifestyle as they provide a new way to explore the outdoors during the winter.
This story is on the cover of our January-February print issue. Click here to read the full digital magazine.
Jay McKinney grew up in Sedalia and graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. During his free time, he enjoys playing golf, shooting pool and hiking throughout Colorado and neighboring Utah.