Winter touring – a new dimension of motorcycling
As the season draws to a close, even if this autumn has been unusually warm, it’s only a matter of time before the cold months knock on the door. Many riders begin planning their next season’s adventures, and some book trips to warmer climates to keep riding through winter. But adventure doesn’t always have to be far away – sometimes it’s much closer than you think. For those curious enough, winter touring can be an experience that opens up new dimensions of motorcycling.
I thought it sounded exciting, so earlier in February this year I travelled up to Gagnef, right in the middle of winter with sub-zero temperatures and a snow-covered landscape. After a few hours in the car, I reached my destination and was warmly welcomed by Hans Rönnegård. Hans is the founder, owner and guide at mctouring.se and, in his own words, a true motorcycle touring enthusiast. With 20 years of experience in organising trips, he is used to guiding riders all year round – whether on warm summer tours or cold winter expeditions.
That evening we were also joined by Hans Dahlberg from MC-skidan. He is a friend of Rönnegård’s and the man behind the specially developed skis that make winter riding possible. Hans runs MC-skidan and has taken over production of motorcycle skis from Bosse “YllestaSme’n”. The business is small-scale and each ski is hand-built. As a craft, much is made from scratch, which means delivery times can vary – sometimes there are ready-made skis in stock, other times they need to be both designed and manufactured. Over time, Hans has also improved the construction. Previously the lower part of the ski was welded in place, but today it is replaceable – something that not only extends the lifespan but also makes it easier to swap out during a ride if needed. Most motorcycles can be fitted with skis, although some models require more adaptation and can present greater challenges.
After settling in, Hans took us down to the garage. There he carefully explained what’s important to consider when riding in winter: from tyres and balance to equipment and safety. It was clear that he knows his stuff – and that he’s passionate about sharing his experience. The plan was that the following morning we would try something most people have barely heard of: riding a road bike with skis attached. And no, not military motorcycles – ordinary road-going machines.
The evening rounded off with a good dinner, plenty of stories around the table and relaxed conversation that went on late into the night.
Preparations
The next morning began, after a hearty breakfast, with what is perhaps the most time-consuming moment – getting dressed. I had been both curious and eager about the whole thing, trying to imagine how it would feel. But it soon became clear that clothing is half the challenge. Winter riding requires very different preparation compared with a summer tour. The secret is dressing just right – you don’t want to get cold, because once the chill sets in it’s hard to warm up again, but you also don’t want to overheat and sweat. Layering is key, and the clothes must breathe.
Hans has ridden in temperatures down to minus 25–30°C and tested various setups with heated clothing, which have both pros and cons. He uses heated insoles that are wired directly to the bike rather than powered by batteries, giving him constant warmth. The trick is not to run too hot, but to keep a gentle warmth on all the time. If you use a heated vest and crank it up, you’ll soon freeze where the heating elements don’t reach.
It takes some time to get all the gear on – I borrowed a large snowmobile suit and a pair of warm winter gloves. Many winter riders use snowmobile boots instead of regular motorcycle boots, but for the day my motocross boots had to do. It quickly got hot indoors before we even stepped outside; I was almost sweating by the time we hit the cold. But once everything was in place, it felt reassuring to know I could handle riding in sub-zero conditions.
The first ride
The bikes stood ready, all fitted with car-style studded tyres and skis mounted just outside the footpegs. Bundled up more than I’d ever been on a bike, I grabbed my trouser leg and managed to swing a leg over the saddle. I felt like the beginner I was in this discipline and wasn’t sure how to keep the bike upright at the start. Should I keep my feet on the ground – it was slippery, after all – or put them straight on the skis and push off? I kept one foot down and placed the other on the ski, just to get a feel for it before setting off.
I was stiff as a board – or rather, an icicle – when we rolled away. I followed Hans, who led the way, with Hans from MC-skidan behind me. We kept it very slow, which I was grateful for. It felt utterly unfamiliar and I had no idea what to do with the skis. Instinctively, I stood up when the ice got a bit rough, which of course was the worst thing I could do.
That lifted the bike, reduced tyre grip and made it unstable. We weren’t going fast, but I felt sorry for my companions who had to crawl along at my snail’s pace. To be honest, I felt sorry for myself too – it was a struggle, and I questioned why I was even doing it.
After a while, Hans stopped for a tactical chat, calmly going through what I should keep in mind. He had already explained this before, but somehow I hadn’t absorbed it – maybe because the whole thing felt so foreign. I managed to relax a little and, to my surprise, began to enjoy myself. I really understood the point of the skis and how to use them. Just as Hans said, it’s the best compromise for winter touring. In the forest you can use much rougher studs and get good grip, but those aren’t suitable on tarmac.
By the time we returned, I was exhausted but incredibly happy and grateful to have tried riding with skis. Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely. There’s an adjustment period – getting used to the clothing, and to how the bike behaves with skis – but what an incredible experience it is to ride through a glittering winter landscape.
All-Year touring
MC-touring focuses mainly on trips in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Norway. They are a great team of guides whose ultimate aim is to give you the joy of truly memorable riding – on tarmac, gravel, and yes, even snow.
Winter riding gives a unique character and attracts riders who want to try something out of the ordinary. But for Hans, the whole is what matters: sharing his experience and creating adventures worth remembering, whatever the season.
Guiding principles – MC-touring.se
Goal – motorcycle touring at its very best, on both asphalt and gravel.
Motto – as long as the journey continues, the goal is already reached.
Definition – it’s you, your luggage and your motorcycle on a journey to discover new roads, places and people. You don’t need to travel to the ends of the earth to find adventure – the next corner may hold a new one.
Curious to try winter touring? Get in touch with Hans Rönnegård at mctouring.se
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Want to order skis for your bike?
Contact Hans Dahlberg at MC-skidan
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Anna Haglund