Thinking of going to the continent for a weeks riding, either in the summer or October. Trouble is where to start looking as Ive never been out there riding before.
Is there a classic place to be heading to for my first Euro bike trip. Looking at doing lots of trails and has an uplift.
Summer season for the "ski lifts" is generally July and Aug. if you go as late as October you have to be more careful about resort choice, in generally it appears the Swiss resorts run later lift services and if you find train accessed riding that runs all year.
[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/190609831X/ref=asc_df_190609831X8186401?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=hydra0b-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=190609831X&hvpos=1o1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9238180668126449&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt= ]This book[/url] would be a good place to start.
Road or mtb?
On your own or in a group?
Camping or more upmarket?
OCtober is a bit late for most places in Europe if you want decent waether and there certainly won't be any uplifts left open then. Give us more of a clue what you want and people can direct you as their experiences.
You'll get vehicle uplift in Spain in October. I'd recommend Switchbacks.
I think it's more likely to be the summer.
Want to do MTB trails, not so much XC.
In a group and for as cheap as.
I've got the footprint book. And flicking through it I'm thinking Portes Du Soleil would be a good place to go on my first trip.
Are you flying or driving? I would head to Les Gets....great campsite on top of hill there, Morzine if a bunch of you can hire chalet cheap for a week or Chatel. All have easy access to whole of PdS from there you do not need a guide a trail map from lift stations are ample. Search on forum though as lots of threads like this or similar "first time what stuff should I take" fantastic place though.
Portes du Soleil is the most popular destination with us Brits it seems, plenty of everything. Chatel would be a good choice, Les Gets is great but at "one end" so not as convenient to explore the area. With a bit of research you should be able to find a reasonably priced apartment where you can eat in and stock up with cheap beer and wine from the super market.
What I would say is that an all in guided holiday with accomodation, food and wine is actually very good value when you add up all the things you get for your money. If you drive out (perhaps not on the toll motorways) you could do that pretty reasonably.
EDIT: for example Trail Addiction have some special offers on last few places on their holidays to Les Arcs or Destination-X [url= http://www.trailaddiction.com/booking.php ]link here[/url]
Thanks for all the info.
It's starting to look like a great holiday.
Does anyone know how much the tolls are likely to be?
To find out route, tolls, time etc etc use www.viamichelin.com brilliant website.
I live in Chamonix, if you're driving its a pretty good bet. Lots of good riding there, an hour to Morzine and less to good riding in Italy. About an hour to Verbier. Lots of individual tickets can be expensive though.