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There's been some similar posts, but not really found what I am looking for... Those well traveled in the alps, where would be your recommendation for somewhere to base yourself for a week or two of great riding in the alps,
Van camping in a nice campsite, easy access to the lifts, easy self navigating, some food/drink options, maybe a bit quieter and less testosterone fuelled and busy than Morzine, (or have I got the wrong impression of Morzine)
That can't be too moon on a stick surely 🙂
Samoens. Maybe not a week or two of riding but beautiful and just across the road from the gondola.
https://www.camping-samoens.com/en/home-campsite-samoens/
Camping Le Grand Calme in Allemond is pretty good (and cheap), could hardly be closer to the lift to Oz Station at Alpe D'Huez, so Deux Alps not far away either. A few bars and restaurants near by.
I like the campsite in Brides Le Bains too - also cheap, and gives you access to Meribel area once you've worked out the lift / shuttle system. But if you're driving, then Les Arcs, Le Plagne, Naves etc are all close by too.
Another campsites I've stayed at for around a week, close to lifts would include Le Glacier in the Chamonix valley (beware logistical issues in July / Aug and if Plan Joran lift isnt running) , Huttopia in Bourg St Maurice (10 mins ride from the funicular), any of several in Riva Del Garda / Torbole (shuttled uplifts), Marmalada in Canazai (Dolomites) or Le Giffre in Samoens.
TBH - we tend to move around more and not stay in one place for a full week, but most of the above would do you, especially if you are interested in a bit of hiking, climbing, rafting, via ferrata etc. All quieter than PdS but probably more expensive and requires a bit more research to make the most of your time there.
For Les Arcs trails:
Huttopia in Bourg St Maurice. Not as quiet as it used to be and getting a bit expensive but location is great for lift access and everything you mention. Les Arcs trails themselves are much quieter than the PduS area.
Camping Le Reclus looks much quieter but is up a bugger of a hill above Bourg St Maurice, so we've not stayed there.
Camping Les Lanchettes is a lovely location and much quieter, but you need to plan the end of your rides carefully to avoid a draggy climb back up the road at the end of the day.
The campsite at Allemonde was nice when I last stayed there (about 7 years ago). Alpes D’Huez and Les Deus Alpes on your doorstep.
The campsite in Montriond gives you easy access to Morzine and the PDS with a 10 minute ride up the river path (it’s als downhill all the way home again at the end of long days).
We’ve free camped in the campervan area at Tignes before, but you’ll probably only get a week there as it’s not the biggest area.
Not sure what staying in Bourg is like for riding out the door (never stayed there, but I believe it’s popular), but it’s central to Les Arcs and Tignes.
the great thing about van camping in the Alps is when it pisses down and the forecast is terrible you can just go somewhere else like Lake Garda, another alps resort of Finale (depending on how far you willing to drive)
Many thanks for your inputs, will add them all to the research list,
We don't mind paying for somewhere nice, we have been to les arcs a few times, guided in chalets, so will be looking elsewhere.
Ideally minimal driving once arrived and set up, but not adversed to two/three locations for a fortnight, and obviously prepared to bail and move on rather than sit in the rain for a week 🙂
https://camping-delameije.com/en/
nice campsite, good views, amazing riding off the lifts and pedalling on the other side of the valley.
1450m, so has weather of all types. Good stop-over in a van, the riding's not for everyone, but it's an incredible place which is on the way to and from some cool spots.
fantastic contributions 🙂
My neighbours spend a few weeks each Summer in the campsite in Samoens and rate it highly. Seemed nice when we visited them.
A couple of thoughts:
if you’ve been guided in Les Arcs, I don’t think you will be too impressed with the PdS. (I like the PdS so much I bought an apartment near chatel, so I have to say that im a complete fan. But honestly, I don’t ride often in Morzine).
I really don’t think you will get a couple of weeks riding in Samoens.
There are a few campsites in and around Aosta, which has a superb gondola up to Pila and lifts above that — with some brilliant bike park and footpath riding.
The town is very pleasant as well.
Stayed at this place just outside Chatel last year.
Nice quiet, well kept site, indoor pool. Bus stop at the end of the road for free shuttle up to Pre la Joux lifts for Chatel bike park and easy access on to Morzine etc...
Chatel town was a short walk up the hill, pretty quiet but a few bars, restaurants and supermarkets open.
Thinking of going back this year.
Stayed at this place just outside Chatel last year.
It's been about 12 years since I stayed there, but yes it was very nice and great location.
Got to say we've had a couple of good trips through Lenzerheide. We've stayed on the campsite about 6Km down the road which has very good facilities. We also noticed the site in town has been extended with more pitches added. Some of the riding back down is a bit bike park like, but get over the hill and you can drop to Arosa, also opening up more of the Bike Kingdom. Usual Swiss costs encountered, so worth doing a 'big shop' on the way.
Really liked Lenzeheide and Bike Kingdom, stayed on a campsite in Bad Ragaz which was a 20-min drive to the Chur lift station.
Lofar, Austria (Grubhoff Camping) was a really nice too. 30 mini to Leogang / Saalbach /Hinterglem. There's some decent sites in Zell am See too, a bit more in town and closer to the bike parks.
My serious suggestion is get an ebike. Then EVERY campsite has uplift. The riding it opens up is infinite. And you'll have most trails to yourself.
Ha! eBike will happen, but not just yet as spent all my money on a van this year 🙂
Really appreciate all the suggestions 🙂
We stayed at a site in Champsec to ride Verbier, it was closed this year but hopefully will re open. It was cheap clean, and simple. Its a 15 minute roll down a riverside path to the lift and there are trails out of the back of the bike park that take you round the head of the valley so you dont have to ride back up from the lists. The other bonus is it works out super value as they give you an accomdation pass that makes the lift ticket half price.
As others have said ALLEMOND for access to Alpes D’huez, they opening a new lift from the village and if the campsite was any closer it would be in the lift station.
There is a nice basic campsite near the dam for Tinges / Val d’isere. It’s not on the lift network but there are trails back down from tinges and a minibus/trailer to get you up into resort to start your day that runs a few times a day.
Vensoc has a nice campsite near the lift up into Deux Alpes
Camping 5 Vallées just outside Briançon for access to Sierre Chevallier.
Others have already mentioned most of the ones we have used. We tend to mix up campsites and some van life when we are away.