Sure. It’s one of those things I’d only do once, but it was good to do, once. Bits had me swearing though. I’m not sure if it’s everyone’s cup of tea. These are just the standout routes shown on the IGN map – nothing “secret” as such.
8am-ish train from Chamonix to Cluses via St Gervais
10am bus from Cluses to Flaine (only goes at 10)
Board DMC in Flaine at 1120AM (beware – very short season for this lift – ends around 15 August I think)
Began ride at just after noon – down to Tete Pelouse on $hit fire road. Difficult singletrack down into the valley (barely rideable but a bit sketchy when done solo) then the trail opens up after the refuge. Can get very busy with walkers and a nature reserve…and you gotta suffer to get to it.
Turn off for brutal push up to Refuge Anterne/Alfred Wills, then more brutality over the Col du Petit Anterne (you can short circuit this bit)
Just as you’re beginning to get pissed off, classic descent, 20 minutes of pure brilliant riding in the shadow of the Cirque des Fonts down to that refuge (but you have to suffer badly to get to this).
Then into fire road descent then brutal climb/push up to Refuge Grenairon. Arrive 7:10pm semi-comatose, quietly swearing to oneself.
Dawn descent into Samoens the next day, sketching the first few turns as you wake up; then up to Flaine for more fun (many options here and they’ve made the lift connections from Samoens very intuitive this year). Catch the train from any station on the Cluses line back to Chamonix. Trains leave Cluses at :34 past the hour up to 8:34, Magland at :41.