Going to Morzine in a months or so time, a group of us have never been before and I've read that in Morzine/Les Gets that it can rain in this part of the alps more so than others.
Don't mind a bit of rain but we're only riding for 3 days so if it's a total wash out then we are happy to travel elsewhere for a day of riding.
I'm taking the car so location, within reason, isn't an issue.
So far only looked at Pila but what else is near by?
Not been to Pila but may be doing a few days there this year. A friend mentioned there is a pricey toll road to get there from Morzine (~70 euros), is this true?
Metabief is worth a day trip out if the weather looks better there.
It's never a total washout, you do own mud spikes don't you 😉
Les Arc, Chamonix, Tignes, Val d'isure are all 'close' - but in the Alps, close ain't always that close - what with mountains being in the way and all that.
I'n 11 years on/off of going I've only had a single morning when I've looked at the weather and said 'nope' and the lifts closed anyway.
The main trails are infinitely better in the wet now than they were a decade ago, frankly back then even Chavannes (it's about the easiest DH trail in Les Gets, runs under Les Gets 1 lift) was a bit of a liability when it was wet, a few years ago I rode down it with my 9 year old Son in the rain, it was fine.
Not been to Pila but may be doing a few days there this year. A friend mentioned there is a pricey toll road to get there from Morzine (~70 euros), is this true?
I wouldn't bet against it, the route takes you through the Mont Blanc tunnel, that's €55 return alone.
For 70 Euros you could buy a cagoule and some warm gloves and still have change for tartiflette 😉
It'll be fine, I've been there in mostly torrential rain, I didn't dissolve.
Had a day of super-heavy rain there last summer - lifts only began shutting once the lightning started. Not often you get to ride a chair on the Evacuation speed setting!
Main trails from Chatel back were all fine, the descent through the trees under the Super Morzine gondola a bit less so.
the Super Morzine gondola a bit less so.
Its horrific nowadays. It gets zero maintenance and it got destroyed in the horrific summer about 5 or 6 years ago when it rained for something like 40 days in a row. That trail under the Super M lift never recovered. Certainly the top section didn't. Nowadays I usually scoot down the road from the Zore lift and join the Super M trail at the corner where it meets the road and descend from there.
Ha not scared I’ll melt, I ain’t made out of sugar, I get enough rain in Wales so I’ll do my best to avoid it if I can!
What about places like La Clusaz or Samoens? Anyone ridden there?
I was in Morzine/Les Gets the week this was filmed...
Torrential rain, all day, every day. It was amazing.
The only downside was hosing down your kit every day. My bike was ruined and I binned my shorts and shoes.
A friend mentioned there is a pricey toll road to get there from Morzine (~70 euros), is this true?
Yeah it's the Mont Blanc tunnel. Lots of people to share a van with if you can find them.
It's a not if but a when. Bloody place. I hate riding in the rain so am going for longer this year so will hopefully have a few days in hand when rained off.
I've had some of my most amusing rides in morzine when it's raining. Put on every bit of body amour you own, a dodgy waterproof onesie, and laugh your arse off as you and mates get sideways and crash. Then jetwash yourself and bike off when your done.
It’s a not if but a when
Been to Morzine every year for the last 7 years and in all that time, there was only one howler of a year where it rained for the two weeks. For the past 4 years it's been wall to wall sunshine for the 2 or 3 weeks Ive been there
Head up to Avoriaz. It should be okay up there when wet 😉
the descent through the trees under the Super Morzine gondola a bit less so.
Yeah, did that one year and recall a lot of muddy sliding. Though it was fun.
FWIW we've been going to MOrzine/ PDS for years now. When it rains the trails do get a bit slick...
We decided to visit Geneva for a change on day last year. I won't be returning.
You're driving out, so just sling some spikes in the car and crack on
If it is raining in Morzine then a high chance that it will be raining in the rest of the Alps.
What about places like La Clusaz
Been there a couple of times. It's a cool place with fun trails but a lot smaller area. I really like it though and the area is beautiful.
If it is raining in Morzine then a high chance that it will be raining in the rest of the Alps.
Can’t say I agree with that tbh!
Pila is the best answer. Drive to aosta, park at the bottom of the valley and take the cable car up to resort. The run back down to the van at the end of the day (or more times in the middle) is great. Pila tends to have too much dust.
Les Carroz isn't too far away. Probably will also be under the same weather system though. Good for a days riding, was quiet when I went with some mates 2 years ago. 16euro for a days uplift pass, about 3-4 tracks varying from blue to black.
https://summer.lescarroz.com/our-mountain/bike-park.html
Just make sure you put the right one in the SatNav as we ended up in the wrong place. We went to Les Carroz areches and had to "camp" in a car park...