Hi all,
I've not been properly mountain biking in the Alps for over 10 years. I used to go once (sometimes twice) a year with a load of mates - typically to Portes de Soleil - for a week.
Absolutely loved it.
I pretty much ride alone now - the occasional Dyfi or BPW group day trip - but mostly on my tod, which I'm OK with.
Various age, health, finances, family etc reasons mean no one can do an Alps holiday in my extended circle except me!
My wife has her annual snow board holiday so she's keen for me to have a week in the Alps.
I could do a week with the family but I'd feel guilty leaving them at various points to ride and my kids are too young/inexperienced to ride big mountains.
That leaves the option of a semi guided random group style holiday within a catered chalet arrangement.
I nearly did one about 9 years ago with a company I can't remember but a last minute snapped calf muscle put a stop to that!
I'd rather have a group setting for safety and to hopefully meet some decent people for post ride beers.
I'm technically a good rider and fastish downhill. Done loads of alpine riding over the years (several trips to Simon and Emma of Freeride Spain fame), the Mega, loads in Tahoe.
I love dangerous, technical riding - not bothered about massive, smooth, motorway jumps.
I'm a bit older now (45) so also appreciate the culture, food and beers as well as epic riding.
With all that boring monologue in mind, what can anyone recommend?
Thinking August 2024.
Cheers,
James
Not been on one but I stayed with doug from Basque MTB in the accommodation he uses for groups which was great. He was a really nice chap, his guides seemed great and the folk riding seemed to really enjoy it.
Whiteroom. Food, accommodation, trails, all fantastic.
Whiteroom. Food, accommodation, trails, all fantastic.
+1
I'll second White Room, amazing riding, great food and excellent guiding.
cheers all! All roads leading to White Room.
https://www.atlasrideco.com/destinations/france/morzine/accommodation/chalet-chapelle-mtb
Riders week in Morzine.
- Trips out to Pila, Samoens
They also do plenty of other destinations.
I'll third the White Room. Great fun holidays, amazing terrain and trails, comfortable chalet, good food, fun guides.
Go in lift season if you prefer to uplift, backcountry weeks if you're not afraid to do a bit of pedalling to get in some epic big-mountain days.
I've been on my own a few times, it's always been fine.
I’ve been in a similarly situation myself for the last few years and have done a number of solo trips.
Whiteroom MTB are great if you want to stick with the alps, specifically in the area around Bourg St. Maurice and the Tarentaise valley. They do a number of different riding options, The Classic week is great, based at the chalet, great food, great riding. I’ve also done their Tarentaise Tour, which is bit more of an adventure, point to point, different location each night, with some Gites/refuges. bit more hard work in term of climbing though.
Basque MTB, again a variety of options, I’ve done the Ainsa Enduro week, and the High Pyrenees tour, which was pretty epic. Different location each day, almost all van uplifted, part from one hike-a-bike day.
Finale with Atlas Ride Co (formerly MTB Beds) is also a great week, Enduro Worlds Series trails all week, beers on the beach and the end of each day, what more could you want.
Honourable mentions also for Riviera Bike in Molini and Ride Slovenia. I had a great week at both, with some of the most challenging trails I’ve ridden, but being smaller operations, with a bit more ‘relaxed’ approach in regards to the program/schedule, which some like, others don’t.