hi guys - we are thinking of doing a trip to Finale Ligure later this year in either mid Sept or mid Oct? Oct is a bit cheaper for flights and accomodation and I presume will be less busy on the trails, but then more chance of rain and will be cooler and getting dark earlier so maybe not so good for hanging out in the evening?
when would you go?
cheers
We go at the end of September, have done for the last ten years, and for most of the time the weather is good
This year as we are stepping back from work we are also going in May along with a few other destinations.
Starting to get excited already
October is peak season down there. When the trails in the mountains get wet or snow covered, all the Swiss and German MTBers make weekend breaks down there. Prime conditions in FL.
so are you saying it will be busier in Oct than Sept but still a better time to go, is that because it is cooler?
October is great. I did a huge writeup here, but it seems to have died on the weekend upgrade
looks like I'm not the only one making duplicate posts! 😉 so is Oct better than Sept then and if so why? thanks!
Because there's school holidays and we could go for longer than 2 days!
(And it's not so rancid hot)
I.like the warm. I've been there five times, all in May or June. Most recent was May 2022, did a race in 37°, absolutely perfect. Got down to 24 over night though.
There do seem to be a lot of thunderstorms though.
No help to the OP, I'm just baffled by people trying to avoid the warmer weather, that's what we go abroad for! Well, that and the ice creams.
I'm just baffled by people trying to avoid the warmer weather
I'm not. I'm trying to avoid the hot weather. Warm is fine, but Med style scorchio isn't.
Although clearly different people react differently to extremes. My missus is like you in liking heat. I like cold
hey no wrong answers I'm just interested in what different people think. Ideally I'd probably want it warm in the day and through to the evening too, however we were wanting to do some xc as well as downhills so don't want it super hot but mid 20's would be great
October is great. I did a huge writeup here, but it seems to have died on the weekend upgrade
what was the name of the thread so I can look for it if it comes back to life?
I'm just baffled by people trying to avoid the warmer weather,
I've been several times in spring, summer and autumn. August was absolutely horrific. Even with uplifts we were sweating to death. Couldn't take in water quick enough. Spring and autumn are far nicer
Our first visit was at the end of July and as above the heat was unbearable.
We camp in the van and the campsite is mainly full of German riders. Last year we were the only British on the site and its always fully booked for September/October.
The only time I have seen other British on the site is when the EWS used to have the last race of the season in Finale
Autumn is a bit colder in the evenings but not cold enough that you cant sit outside till bed time
so which would you go for - mid Sept or mid Oct?I'm just baffled by people trying to avoid the warmer weather,
I've been several times in spring, summer and autumn. August was absolutely horrific. Even with uplifts we were sweating to death. Couldn't take in water quick enough. Spring and autumn are far nicer
as above so which would you go for - mid Sept or mid Oct?Our first visit was at the end of July and as above the heat was unbearable.
We camp in the van and the campsite is mainly full of German riders. Last year we were the only British on the site and its always fully booked for September/October.
The only time I have seen other British on the site is when the EWS used to have the last race of the season in Finale
Autumn is a bit colder in the evenings but not cold enough that you cant sit outside till bed time
End of September was lovely
We always go last week in September and first week in October 
Not sure how the spacings happened but at least it only posted once, fingers crossed
what was the name of the thread so I can look for it if it comes back to life?
Family fun in finale ligure
Top link here....
has anyone taken the flight into genoa, I'm going back in may and hoping the train transfer is simple enough, definately a quicker transfer than Nice which we did last year.
No, although I did see this thread https://singletrackworld.com/forum/bike-forum/travel-to-finale-from-genoa/#post-12808690has anyone taken the flight into genoa, I'm going back in may and hoping the train transfer is simple enough, definately a quicker transfer than Nice which we did last year.
Me and the wife both went separately last year with Atlas, I went 15-22nd September and had 1.5 days of rain and mostly late teens early 20s temp wise. The wife went 6-13th October and had 2 dry days, it rained enough that she never got to NATO Base as it was closed all week. It's pot luck I guess but if going again, which we probably will, I'd go mid September.
Has anyone got any experiences from other riding spots in the area? We are spending our family holiday in Varazze this summer and my son and I would be keen to do a day or two half days of riding and it would be nice to do it from the door although Finale is only 40 minutes away if needed. I do plan on going to Finale maybe next year without the non riding membership.
We have ridden areas away from Finale in both ways using a private guide and will be using him when we arrive in May. I know he has talked to us about Varazze area and further East for our trip this time
Our intention is to travel down, Aosta was going to be on the plan but the lifts and campsites are closed. Then down to Massa, Punta Ala, Massa Marittima then work our way up the coast and trails using Trailforks and Komoot
Will probably know more nearer the time
ok that's useful thanks, I didn't think it rained that much there you must both have been unlucky!Me and the wife both went separately last year with Atlas, I went 15-22nd September and had 1.5 days of rain and mostly late teens early 20s temp wise. The wife went 6-13th October and had 2 dry days, it rained enough that she never got to NATO Base as it was closed all week. It's pot luck I guess but if going again, which we probably will, I'd go mid September.
so do they physically close any trials when it rains or is it just that some/all of the uplifts stop running? could you not ride up manually or is not worth it?Me and the wife both went separately last year with Atlas, I went 15-22nd September and had 1.5 days of rain and mostly late teens early 20s temp wise. The wife went 6-13th October and had 2 dry days, it rained enough that she never got to NATO Base as it was closed all week. It's pot luck I guess but if going again, which we probably will, I'd go mid September.
The licenced uplifts will stop the uplifts weather depending. The unlicensed ones will carry on regardless.
You can usually find out which trails are closed on a daily basis but that dosent necessarily mean they aren't been ridden
https://www.finaleoutdoor.com/en/live/bike
When it rains you may not want to be out in it
The licenced uplifts will stop the uplifts weather depending. The unlicensed ones will carry on regardless.
You can usually find out which trails are closed on a daily basis but that dosent necessarily mean they aren't been ridden
https://www.finaleoutdoor.com/en/live/bike
When it rains you may not want to be out in it
wow that looks pretty bad! thanks
BIT Freeride operate near Varazze
A bit late to the party I know - but I'd go with September or early October at the latest. The guide we had (Ben, from MTB beds/Atlas ride.co - top bloke and a great guide) said there are almost always storms from mid October and that we were lucky to have good weather. This was half term week. The same group I went with have since been twice over october half term week and had trail closures both times.
ok that's useful info, thanks!A bit late to the party I know - but I'd go with September or early October at the latest. The guide we had (Ben, from MTB beds/Atlas ride.co - top bloke and a great guide) said there are almost always storms from mid October and that we were lucky to have good weather. This was half term week. The same group I went with have since been twice over october half term week and had trail closures both times.