Winter mountain biking is catching on with cycling enthusiasts in Whitehorse.

Special bicycles with extra-fat, low-pressure tires make riding the ungroomed trails possible.

"For me, it's a skill builder, too," said Ian Parker of the Contagious Mountain Bike Club.

"I mean the winter riding, there's much less of a margin for error than on the trails in the summertime. And the other thing is it's quick. I love cross-country skiing too but on some days you've only got a 45-minute window. It's much easier to grab the bike and the dog and out you go."