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Hi,
I'm planning on a European road trip holiday in 2022 which will include transit through the Alpes ending up in Italy and back. Does anyone know of any good MTB areas (ideally uplift served) that would be suitable for children (they will be 11 and 8) that are reasonably competent riders for their ages (they can get down a Blue at BPW)?
Thanks
the greens in Morzine are perfect for that.
My lad had turned 11 the week before this.
I asked this question last year, and went to a few places. Mrozine is the best.
My kids called Serpentine in chatel, Terrys Belly (BPW BLUE) on Steroids.
Last years thread. https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/beginner-friendly-alpine-mtb-locations/
Tyrol in Austria is a good option.
https://www.oetztal.com/summer/biking-cycling.html
Lots of off-bike activities too for kids to go at. And not as busy as the French hotspots. If you like France though, Tignes is a good option.
Samoens area is beautiful, the mtb directly from there is probably too much but the other side of the hill is Les Carroz, which has some great runs for all the family.
oooh another ace trail was the transfer from Les Gets back to Morzine, OMG this was a whole loAd of blue fun.
Les Gets is just next to Morzine. The trails are shared.
We found Les Gets more family friendly for accomodation - and it has the School Lake for a swim at the end of the trails 😎
Not exactly huge, but we really enjoyed Super Besse in the Massif Central with children. Add in tepid white water to canoe down and it's a winner of an area. Very 'French holiday there' France too.
Surely Morzine is the obvious choice. Easy access to a huge area of chair lifts including Les Gets, Chatel, Avoriaz, Lindarets etc. Short drive from the Mt Blanc tunnel if you really want to visit Italy.
It also has the bonus of not being a complete ghost town like most places in summer. Lots to do off the bike like walking routes, swimming pools, skatepark etc.
My mrs loves it and we can't wait to get back there.
If you're driving to Italy, you'll probably want to take the Route Napoleon, which takes you past Alpe d'Huez, 2 Alpes and Serre Chevalier, into a lovely part of Italy.
Stopping at the campsite in Bourg d'Oisans would be a good shout (the one at the bottom of the 21 bends). Nice big pool, good cafe, not too expensive. From there you've got a great range of riding and other activities, not bad for a 3 day stop.
I guess the problem with driving around the Northern resorts like Morzine is it's less of a natural route to go to Italy, and may push you through Switzerland which means a toll.
To add:
Les Gets
Auvergne / Massif Central
From Samoen you could go on through Mnt Blanc tunnel to Aosta valley and hit the trails at La Thuile and Pila - not sure how child friendly they are though.
yeah Morzine/Samoens are on the way to Chamonix/Mont Blanc Tunnel. Although as tolls go thats about the most expensive one you can go through!!
Other ways would be Chatel and into Switzerland or out the back of Chamonix through Vallorcine and into Switzerland then Italy. That way you could have trip up to the Emosson dam. I've always fancied cycling up there but never done it.