[Closed] The Alps, Summer 2015 - where are you going and why?

Interesting thread. Walked in the Alps many times but this will be our first mtb trip and working out where to go etc...

Morzine. Again.
When a group of us talked about doing the Alps a few months ago, 2 of the 5 were adamant they didn't want to go anywhere else as they'd only done that and loved it. After making enquiries and firming up dates it turns out those 2 numpties aren't coming anymore! Just 2 of us now but he's an Alps virgin, plus I haven't been for 8 years so PDS area will have a familiarity but feel new and brill as it's been so long, and my mate will love it!

Hoping to go to Les Arcs also. Have done the Les Gets thing and want somewhere a bit less downhill focussed. Seems a good base and we should have a couple of vans; might venture out to Pila perhaps. Also aiming to do some Via Ferrata. Roll on summer 🙂

Maritime Alps to signpost the Mavic®TransProvence 🙂

Two weeks with Bike Verbier. This will be our twelfth year with them. Each year gets better and they always have new epic rides to surprise us with. Then thinking of travelling from there down to Finale and the Med for something new and different

Whiteroom in June 2nd year,can't wait

Whiteroom in August for the 5th time. Will be awesome as always.

Booking up a long weekend with ride Slovenia this week. Not going until September, so some time to wait 🙁

First time in a few years i've not booked anything ;-(

I'm hoping that Stevo & Iona at T-W-R will have some last minute availability (people almost always break themselves before their trip.....)

Come up to Scotland instead maxtorque. Me and banton are going up to do some big wild rides.

Heading to destination x (areche) with Trail Addiction again. Went last year and had a fantastic weeks riding on a variety of singletrack. Might head from there to Saalbach in Austria for a normal holiday but hope to sneak in the 5 lift day trip they have.

Nothing booked but probably morzine again. 7th time in 11 years. Loads of great riding. Lots of different terrain. Lots of other stuff to do in a nice town and area. Perfect for our mixed group. Have ridden a few other places but this is the one we come back to.

Whiteroom 8-15TH 8)

Saalbach in Austria for us. Love Austria anyway and the free lifts with the Joker card are a bonus. On previous holidays, I've always pedalled the ups so using lifts and doing some proper riding will be great!
Family trip so looking forward to an active break with some hiking etc.

Off to Saalbach Hinterglemm for the 3rd time in August.

It's the only time I do the 'uplift' thing. Will stop in Holland again on the way home for some flat riding on proper cycleways as well.

Bike verbier for us. We were going to go to whiteroom again but the week we wanted was fully booked. Had a great time there and last year with riviera bike in Italy. Heard good things about bike verbier so off we go, hoping it will be similar riding to the other 2 but in a new to us part of the Alps

I'm intrigued about Saalbach. We skied there at Christmas and thought it was a fantastic place but haven't worked out what the riding is like yet.

I'm off to Bike Village again because they are lovely people, the trails are amazing and the food is brilliant. I've been a few times before, but as I bought a new bike last year couldn't afford a holiday as well. Can't wait.

Semmering as often as I can

Did PDS last year and it was real good but busy and fairly wet. There was 11of us in 1 minibus, 2 transits and 1 zafira. We stayed at more mountains place in the town on the main drag.

The whole 5 days were better than I expected .morzine being quite a nice place even when busy. We didn't really ride all the passports as our day to do the official ride was Sunday and it was properly wet and storms where crashing all around.
We just went over to super morzine and did chatel for a whole day.
Even though it was waterlogged, raining hard and torn up pretty bad we had a great time.

We are going back this year, 10 of us and staying with more mountain again but this year we will be there 2 weeks after PDS. Can't wait

We are thinking a week in Les Gets followed by a week down south. Possibly Val d'allos. Les Gets as we had a first mtb holiday there and loved it. Val d'allos as we just want some nice weather.

White Room 4th -11th July.. our 2nd visit 😀

The White Room 11th-18th July. Second time out there after barely scratching the surface last year. Should be superb again. Don't make a mess Cardo! 🙂

Will leave some beer in the fridge and the local bar at the end of the road for you andy.

Cheers. Hoping for better weather this year. Pouring down most of the week last year. Had to head over the col to Italy to escape it.

I'm hoping/fingers crossed for the weather I got last Aug/Sep again. Was superb.

Im with Hicksy on this one. Been to Bike Village a few times and going back again this year. Couldnt meet a better group of folk and the food is amazing. Riding is tailored to what you want to do too.

2 weeks in Morzine in July. 4th time for me. I'm sure better riding is available elsewhere but the size of the PDS is hard to beat and it ticks all the boxes for us.

Morzine.
cos one in our group hasn't been.
be more XC than DH (2 of us on hardtails, maybe 3).

I'm going to have to try to fit in something else though, at least for a long weekend, but that'll be at the Austrian end, and very much "big day out", rather than sick to the power of rad jumping and stuff.

No Alps trips for me since parenthood in 2013. Prior to that there were one or two a year.

🙁

Favourite places are Cham (although it's busier and more restricted there now) and the Italian Alps. Didn't really get on with Morzine bikepark stuff, but would like the opportunity to explore more of the backcountry stuff.

Driven through the Slovenian Alps, ironically after riding in the Austrian Alps - it's the next planned destination in that part of the world, and I'm properly excited by the idea.

First week of August, I cant wait

[url= http://www.singletracksafari.com/ultimate-alps ]Chamonix[/url]

Morzine for the PDS weekend as a friend has a house nearby.
Middle aged blokes leave their families for a few days to ride bikes and drink beer shocker.

Nothing booked yet, took some work with the Wife to get a pass and my mates are being non-committal.

Been to Morzine / PDS almost every summer since 2007, it's always a good laugh but every year we look forward to finding new stuff in the bike parks or whatever else and I'm thinking a completely different venue would be better.

Any suggestions? We like lifts, gravity trails and little pedalling - we're after Morzine, but not Morzine. I've looked at Verbier and Chamonix but they both some more XC focused.

First week of August, I cant wait

Chamonix

I could be wrong @Lakes_Puma, but I believe a lot of the techier footpath stuff is technically closed then? Still, SS are there and I've not been since 2007, so I'd go on their judgement rather than mine. 😉

Just been looking over their website. Pretty sure I've ridden Root of all Evil - amazing trail. Oddly enough I didn't get anywhere near cleaning it. If you can't ride steep switchbacks now, you will by the end of your holiday.

The 'world cup style downhill' is at Vallorcine. I rode it when it was just a footpath in '03 and then as a DH track in '07 - it's good fun: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pimpmasterjazz/sets/72157601538524736/

Reading all that is making me feel rather jealous. 👿 Lucky beggar! 😀

Any suggestions? We like lifts, gravity trails and little pedalling - we're after Morzine, but not Morzine. I've looked at Verbier and Chamonix but they both some more XC focused.

BPW? Or Whistler? 😉

Pimpmaster Jazz - Member

Any suggestions? We like lifts, gravity trails and little pedalling - we're after Morzine, but not Morzine. I've looked at Verbier and Chamonix but they both some more XC focused.

BPW? Or Whistler?

Well... I live in Cardiff so BPW, as great as it is, isn't really a holiday - have you been speaking to my Wife? 😉

I'd love to go to Whistler again, but last time it managed to cost £3k+ and, well it's not THAT much better than Morzine.

have you been speaking to my Wife?

😆

we're after Morzine, but not Morzine.

Switzerland for us in September around val d'anniviers. This will be our third time in three years and still finding new stuff. The buzz from researching and self-guiding your own rides is incredible.

Switzerland for us in September around val d'anniviers. This will be our third time in three years and still finding new stuff. The buzz from researching and self-guiding your own rides is incredible.

On our Euro-roadtrip the better half and I spent some time riding in Vosges and Morvan, and I took her to some of my old riding haunts in Croatia.

Agreed, it's great discovering new, uncrowded riding.

Alpe d'huez with some road riding buddies, first visit to the Alps and I've not ridden or owned a mountainbike in 3 years 🙁

As it happens I might not be riding anyway due to a wrist injury that just won't heal, need to research some multi-day backpacking routes in the area as a backup!

Chamonix in the last week of August.
But I'll have no bike with me, as I'll be running around Mont Blanc...

The 'world cup style downhill' is at Vallorcine. I rode it when it was just a footpath in '03 and then as a DH track in '07 - it's good fun:

It is/was still good a few years ago, although a bit frustrating that you only had one run for the lift, which finished 2/3 of the way down the mountain & you had to ride the fireroad back to the bottom.

I'd still like to go back to Chamonix though - I liked it there as a place.

No Alps trip for us this summer - for the first time in 10 years we won't be going there.

I'm not going to complain though - 3 months in Whistler instead 🙂

Probably a week in the Langhe (Piedmont, Italy) with my friends who've moved out there:

https://livinginthelanghe.wordpress.com/

and then I want to spend a week in/near Finale Ligure, but the Mrs wants to try somewhere new (despite never having been to that bit of Italy, it's not a new country, so it's not new - discussions continue), like Montenegro. I might show her the driving distances.

Edit - none of these are in the alps

But I'll have no bike with me, as I'll be running around Mont Blanc...

Won the UTMB lottery then? 😯

I might show her the driving distances.

Having driven down through Croatia, even on the toll road it's a long way (and not cheap either).

As for the coast road - if you like constantly winding single-lane highway and [i]utter[/i] lunatic drivers, you'll be in paradise for quite some time. To be fair though, when you stop the views are staggering.

No Alps in Summer 🙁
Pyrenees end of March
Ardeche middle of September which I suppose is Rhone-Alps.

No lifts, less people.

Going down to Mont Ventoux in July on the road bike and then in to the alps from there. Across to Briancon then over the border towards sestriere and onwards from there.

P-Jay - you should defo check out Verbier, and www.bikeverbier.com. Yes, there's superb xc stuff there, but there's absolutely tons of gravity riding as well, plus some very steep and technical stuff if that's your thing. The resort has a full lift access and loads of different DH runs in the bike park as well as mind-blowing singletrack in the bowl and off the back of the bowl, with lifts back up. Hundreds of miles of natural singletrack to cover every level of skill. Bike Verbier run a super-smooth operation and they split the groups so you get to ride what you like. They also have a van and trailer to get you to amazing trails no one else rides, with big descents that can take a couple of hours and more. Great chalet, great grub and guides who stay out all day so you maximise your ride time. Loads on this forum go to Bike Verbier every year - you'll not be disappointed.

I am in the Maritime Alps/Provence in August.

I would also like to try and get another week somewhere in November, I was kind of thinking Finale Ligure, but wondering if its too late in the season for there and heading down to spain instead for higher chances of dry weather and sunshine.

First two weeks in August, Chamonix then Morzine. Appreciate a chunk of Chamonix will be shut but its supposed to be a family holiday too..

White Room for second year with all the same peeps met their last year!

Les deux alpes for me, can't wait!

Slovenia for me without a doubt.
Endless singletrack, lots of ski lifts, some good parks, even better mountains, sunny side of the Alps, not busy/place to yourself, unspoilt, cheap, locals are great. I go with www.rideslovenia.com favourite trail is

Hoping to do the PdS in June (see my other post), then returning to the Alps At the end of August with the wife and daughter in the Motorhome, probably to Chatel for a week then Tarentaise for a week, hoping to squeeze in a sneaky day or two with The White Room if they have spaces. Not to mention a few Cols on the roadbike as well.

Andorra in September

Going with Singletrack safari

Austria - Saalbach/Hinterglemm/Leogang on the DH bikes and some XC stuff around Maria Alm.
Probably the first week of the school holidays in July.

No Alps for me - just Greece for half of May/June/July and then half of September/October/November. Not all bike riding but a fair bit of it will be.

whitestone - Member
Won the UTMB lottery then?

Got a place in the TDS. UTMB is next year... 😮

Les Deux Alpes, first 2 weeks of August, hopefully Mega track in Adh as well!

Any more for any more?

The countdown to summer is on!

Think its the Jura this year. Looks like there's some good riding there.both mtb and road.

Doing Trailaddiction's 'Alpine improvers week' in July.
The last time I was in the Alps was 2007 so I need a refresher course..
I've been to Morzine a couple of times but this will be the first time at Les Arcs,never heard a bad word about the place 😀

There are 13 of us driving down for the PDS this year. All first timers bar 1, can't wait

Seen the conditions round PDS at the moment? Floods of Avoriaz...

All the way through the Alps in June. 5 of us flying into Geneva then riding the Route Des Grande Alpes as far as the col de Bonnet, hanging a right towards Ventoux and flying home from Nimes.

Then late Aug with the Mrs back for 2 weeks near Bourg d'oison.

That sounds excellent.

Obviously the White Rooms doing something right, we're back again this year, 15th Aug I think this time, plus a wee holiday called the Trans Provence or something in sept. (yes holiday, not competition!)

None for me this year, putting aside money for a new bike instead... though I could happilly go back to white room for a 4th year on the trot!

6 weeks in the alps and Aix-Provence July through to Sept. Beaufort, Samoens, Bourg, Digne les Bains and Menton

A week in Chamonix followed by a week in Morzine (first time) in August with family so looking for children friendly 12 & 9 (both ride) trails maybe more XC than down hill (I know) and trying to show my good lady the light

I have 3 AMAZING mates who are splitting the cost of my trip to TWR between them. End of August for us all. I am a lucky man.
They've all gone on to have well paid jobs and I am a skint outdoor instructor in Pembrokeshire.

We're driving in a Lotus Elise and an Arbarth 500 Essesse. Full on road trip.

I have very good friends!

4 bikes and kit in a Lotus and a 500? What could possibly go wrong? 😉

Once again I'm in Morzine/ Les Gets late July, early August. Staying in St Jean D'Aulps as before. Anyone fancy an uplifted XC ride or two?

White Room, late June. With the same crowd I usually go on riding holidays with but also with three who we met last year at The White Room.

Going back because the riding is ace, the guiding is superb and the crack is fierce.

Chatel at the end of July, can't wait.

Morzine for the 3rd year in row. was hoping to do that Enduro2 but thats not happening. didnt really fancy Morzine again (not that i dont love it, just would prefer to try somewhere new) but some lads wanted to do PPDS so were on that with a couple days either side. we'll have a van tho so can always move on somewhere else but ill probably spend one day revisiting some of the best trails we found last year, one day ppds, next day revisiting some of the best ppds trails from the day before and probably a day out&out DH bikepark stuff. just praying the rains stays away... last year was murder.

next year definitely gonna go for a whiteroom or similar experience! just struggle to garner interest amongst our lot with the expense and a full week away, but ill go alone if i have to...

If rather stay at home than spend 10 hours in an Elise, that will be one painful ride, you should get a rest at head gasket stops, hopefully you live in Dover lol.
Seriously tho, big up your mates, lovely gesture, we'll try not to leave the place in a mass for you 8)

coolhandluke
White Room, late June.

Just eyeing up one of the remaining places in that week 😉

(can't stand flying though, too much hassle / not being able to take all my usual bike kit etc)

I'll be at TWR for a week starting the 22nd August. The following week we'll be heading further down to Pila for a few days before heading back, may stop in Chamonix for a day or two on the way back.

We'll be driving the Mk2 RS Escort again, this time without the bikes on the roof. Somehow we are going to cram everything inside, between the bucket seats and rollcage, boot is filled with the fuel tank.. Yes it's going to be fun getting everything to fit. 😐