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I’ve been in two places where all the bikes have been stolen.
from where? garage, balcony?
Also, and bare with me here, go and ride the Champery World Cup track. Seriously, it’s amazing…just give it a couple of sunny days before you do.
But take the sunscreen! (Sorry, couldn't resist).
Watching this thread with interest - over from 1-8th July. Spent a week there last time but only really discovered some of the more natural stuff near the end of the week. Can't wait.
Other things to look at are the big zip line (Fantasticable, I think it's called) and make sure you get a chance to jump into the Lac de Montriond after a day on the trails. Happy memories.
Take a big fat lock and lock your bike up inside wherever you are staying.
Good point.
My mates once had all their bikes cleared out of a "secure" garage the night they arrived. Constantly hear about bikes being taken from balconies etc.
Other things to look at are the big zip line (Fantasticable, I think it’s called)
good fun. recommend doing it early in the holiday. a week of riding the chairlifts numbs the flying over valley experience a bit.
Depending on the wind direction and your weight, you'll get a weight or mini parachute thing. The max weight will also vary depending on wind direction. When I did it there was a tail wind, but I wouldn't have said it was particularly blowy. At 90kg dressed, with the biggest parachute I was *just* allowed on.
I saw Bec Jaune was closed for renovations and apparently opens in summer.
Anyone know when?
We should be there 1st week of July. Gonna need dinner on the chef's night off.
from where? garage, balcony?
The chalets garage both times. 7 years apart I think.
The second time there were several large places who had all the bikes taken.
The wooden garage door was forced on the Saturday night when there were loads of fireworks. Looks like the bikes where wheeled out. A V10 that was missing its front wheel was left behind. None of the bike were locked to anything inside the garage.
Not casting aspersions but one of the guys working in the Chalet had lent one of his bikes to a mate, and the other was in the workshop. When he asked me if my bike was insured (named on the house insurance) and I said it was he said "well thats alright then" without making eye contact. He went back to the UK early, noone was quite sure why.
I still think it was him,or he was involved. I've still got 0 proof. I made sure to keep my mouth shut at the time as I had nothing more than suspicion and some odd body language.
I'm not sure the police even turned up for €50,000 euros of bikes.
I was there one years when dozens of bikes were taken. Whole chalets and garages being wiped out, people climbing onto balconies and everything. It was a massacre. Mine have always been chained up.
When you do the Fantasticable the attach a little parachute to help control your speed.
Just remember to ‘unscrunch’ (I scrunched mine up in my hands for increased speeds) it before you hit the breaking block, I hit that bloody thing so much harder than everyone else!
Good fun though.
What companies do people use for insurance for a Morzine trip?
What companies do people use for insurance for a Morzine trip?
I used yellow jersey a couple of times, both for injury and theft cover. Thankfully I didn't need to claim but the cover seemed about the best I could find at the time.
What companies do people use for insurance for a Morzine trip?
Ive used these a few times after recommendations on here, never had to use it though
https://www.assurmix.com/sport-insurance/insurance-solution-sport-assursport
You can also buy insurance when you purchase your lift pass
https://www.ski-morzine.com/en/Services1/assurance-ski-snowrisk
I've gone with dogtag, wasn't cheap £140 ish just for a week as had to declare heart attack from 8yrs ago, but it is peace of mind should worst happen.
Dog Tag and peace of mind don’t really go hand in hand for me. Mate broke his shoulder and, understandably, went straight to the first place of medical assistance he could get to. Dog Tag refused to pay up as he didn’t go to the one they would’ve wanted him to go to. That he didn’t know any of this, and was in a fair bit of pain at the time so not really able to call them first was of no interest to them.
My top tips:
- Definitely do Chatel and Champery. Allow a full day for each, and if you're done early you can always session Linderets or Zore on your way back.
- Morgins lives up to the hype but it's not the easiest of places to get to so I wouldn't worry about missing if it's your first time in the area.
- Pleney off piste, just follow your nose and you'll find gold. So many fun trails and no navigation worries but it does get very steep in places so not for the faint hearted. Off Piste dropping from the blue can get very very spicy.
- Don't bother with Les Gets bike park. It can get some big queues, the jump line is nowhere near as good as it looks, and the trail back to Morzine is a waste of time.
FWIW I don’t think you need to drive elsewhere as there is so much to go at within the PDS area.
The driving recommendations is to skip the Super M/Zores morning queues rather than to ride beyond PDS. Not an essential, but it does make for a more relaxing day if you're there in peak season.
I’m just now digging through this thread and finding all the recommendations on the map, I might not have considered trips further afield to places like Champery and Chatel so thanks!
Quick question, is it pretty easy to get a water bottle filled? I’d like to ride without a pack but is that realistic? I’m guessing yes if you’re doing laps under a lift but maybe no if you’re going for a big day?
@Mark88, I agree, we’ve driven around to Chatel for the day a few times rather than queue up Super Morzine first thing. It also meant we could nip to a supermarket that isn’t the little Morzine one for a bigger selection and better prices.
We’ve also driven over to Les Gets a few times so the van/deck chairs/fridge/spares are all on hand.
If you do need to stock up there’s a better supermarket just outside Montriond that’s about a 10 minute drive from Morzine.
Very easy to keep a bottle topped up. There are taps at most lift areas, there are also troughs with constant running water all over the hills. Not like the green mess of a UK farm field, but delicious, cool mountain water.
That photo is making me thirsty.
Don’t drink more than 3 pints of Mutzig in one sitting…you have been warned!
Finish each days ride with a Mutzig at Bar Robinson
Driving up to Linderats is a good place to base yourself if you just want to ride there and the Chatel park but don’t want to drive to Chatel itself.
Lift passes are (slightly) cheaper online than buying them at the lift stations in resort.
The Ardent lift (a few km up the road from lac de montriond) now runs in summer, so you don't have to drive all the way to Lindarets to avoid the super m queues.
If you do drive up to Lindarets, the road up and over the col de joux verte runs one-way during the daytimes in peak summer; can't remember which way though.
Here's my advice...
The best running trails will differ from year to year - some seem to get more maintenance than others. When I was there last year the Chavannes run in Les Gets was in an awful state, worst I've ever seen it. Chatel seemed to be getting a fair amount of work, one of the runs was completely shut when we arrived and opened part way through having been completely re-done.
If you're only doing the bike park trails then a DH rig is the best choice - I went once on an enduro bike - never again
Personally I'm not a big fan of Morgins - always seems to be covered in braking bumps when I've been there, the trails are noticably narrower than everywhere else so you're forced to ride the braking bumps - also feels like there is less margin for error as the trails are so narrow. It's not the easiest to get to or from - set out early and you'll get there for about 11am, then to make the lift back from Chatel you'll need to be on the way back by 3pm at the latest (if you're staying in Morzine). The trip back is a bit of a push up on tarmac, then a roll to Chatel, onto a bus to get back to the (Chatel) bike park
I'd echo Champery being worth a trip over - check the lift times as depending on the time of year the one at the bottom either runs once and hour or every half hour
There is a Harley Davidson festival which takes place once every two years, usually mid July - we didn't know about it, but luckily we had a chalet slightly away from the centre of Morzine, so the noise wasn't that bad - no way I would have wanted to be in the centre
Tour de France is arriving in Morzine on the 15th July, leaving Les Gets on the 16th, so there will be some road closures if you're trying to leave resort that weekend (and besides road closures the place will be packed, slow going on all roads I imagine)
Be careful about relying on the water fountains, last year they were switched off for the summer across most of the alps.
I use snowcard for injury insurance.
If you can fit a 220mm front rotor it’s worth it for peace of mind in the alps IMO.
Haven’t been to Morzine for years, but there used to be some lovely restaurants in Lindarets.
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beer247
Full Member
Don’t drink more than 3 pints of Mutzig in one sitting…you have been warned!
QFT. If you do accidentally go to far then your last hope is getting a Pain American from La Grignotte - sorts everything right out
I’ve not been to Morzine for years, but just remember the absolute carnage of outside Bar Robbos after they called last orders!
Dehydrated MTBers + mutzig = epic faceplants, both on and off the bike!
One year one of our group tried to do a wall ride opposite the bar after a couple of pints…he ended up in montriond hospital!
There’s a reason they only used to open for a few hours!
If you’re only doing the bike park trails then a DH rig is the best choice – I went once on an enduro bike – never again
Personally I’m not a big fan of Morgins –
See, that's the problem with advice on here. I think the opposite of this.
I absolutely love DH bikes and that's what I had for my first 5 or 6 trips. Now I just wouldn't bother with one anymore. I've ridden everything in the area on an old 26" Cotic Bfe hardtail with crappy Shimano brakes. I don't plan to do that again but a modern enduro bike is perfect.
I'll be fine if I get out there this year on my coil sprung trail bike.
Also...Morgins is awesome. Absolutely mint.
Ride within your limits, say 80-90% most of the time and ease into it for the first day.
And if tired give it up for the day, don'r push it.
Looks like the lift in Morgins is closed for summer 23!
https://www.skipass-pds-ch.ch/en/entreprise/projets23
Can’t seem to find any info on an alternative way to the top apart from riding!
I think the Morgins lift is being replaced.
The Harley Festival is great, everyone is really friendly and the first year the had Staus Quo headlining which even my wife enjoyed.
All of the above, esp. brake pads. If driving bring plenty of spares.
We have always booked a chalet or apartment and it has always worked out cheaper than bespoke MTB accommodation. Apart from camping which is not ideal in Morzine.
The firework displays in Les Gets and Lac Montriond are pretty special.
Also, take time to ride to some of the refuges. Refuge de Cheserey is great. Better still is L'Aspisa and then Chaux Paulin on the way to the Col de Cou.
Depending on the length of your stay consider buying a six day non consecutive pass. Also, pass credit runs over to the next year if unused (I think!)
Finally, the La Bourgeoisie descent down to Samoens is eye opening in the wet.
Just had a thought, if you're over in Switzerland/more than a valley away from home and you see a storm coming in, head for the lifts to get back. They (looking at you, Switzerland) shut the lifts with little notice and you could be in for a long push/ride back round if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Really interested in this thread. I am heading there (only 2 days riding) end of Aug/start Sept (so almost last few days of the season).
I am with family and we are flying - so can not take big locks and many spares, but will make sure I have brake pads and mech hangers. And will see if I can get a lock in under the weight limit for carry on!
Would love any feedback on greens/blues or suggestions of routes. I am staying central Morzine. All of the family have had trips to BPW/417, with some limited red route experience.
Did the descent to Samoen last year and it was my riding highlight of the Year (Dry!). Col du Cou a few years earlier- although this may be considered v cheeky these days. The fast run from top of Les Gets back into the Morzine valley is great.Loads basically.
"Don’t drink more than 3 pints of Mutzig in one sitting…you have been warned!"
Hmmm I can only describe it as being like the men in black pen flash - all memory of the second half of the night erased!!!
zerocool
Full Member
The Harley Festival is great, everyone is really friendly and the first year the had Staus Quo headlining which even my wife enjoyed.
Be very weary of where you're staying if there at the same time as the festival. "oh how quirky, that one has a siren" gets wearing very, very, quickly
Thread resurrection!
Probably a dumbass question. We're flying and I'll be taping up a cardboard box but WHICH cardboard box?
I have a large 27.5 wheeled bike - would there be much/any benefit in getting a 29er box as opposed to a 27.5er box? Any noticeable size difference between the two?
There's 2 of us hoping to go to Luton airport in my Golf but not convinced 2 bike boxes plus luggage will fit in the car...
in my Golf but not convinced 2 bike boxes plus luggage will fit in the car…
2 chain reaction bags (which I imagine are about the same as a cardboard box - fork stays on, both wheels off) will go in the back of a 5 door audi A3 which is pretty much the same car
I think that bike boxes are likely to be the same size no matter what wheel size.
I’m also pretty sure that you’ll get two bike boxes in the back of a golf.
Scare yourself silly and do the Les Hauts forts hike a bike .. much reward coming back down.
And eat here the Keoran beef was devine https://www.google.com/maps/place/La+Chaudanne/ @46.1865421,6.6968438,3a,75y,67.58h,82.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPr8sT2ijT30B6HYfR_LvOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m18!1m8!3m7!1s0x478c1d5daa6ea4cb:0x94def0ff3a70fb28!2s74110+Morzine,+France!3b1!8m2!3d46.179192!4d6.708877!16zL20vMDFxYmx0!3m8!1s0x478c1d3fe3474965:0xc989ee3ded68a0f5!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d46.185384!4d6.698772!16s%2Fg%2F1v6wn67b?entry=ttu
A friend and I will be going out mid July, can't make up my mind on if we should drive or fly.
We are going for 4 days, Friday to Monday, but can leave Thursday evening.
How long from Aylesbury/Luton would it take? google maps says 11 hour, is that accurate?
How long from Aylesbury/Luton would it take? google maps says 11 hour, is that accurate?
Sounds about right non stop. Usually a little longer to allow for the tunnel and stops for petrol and food but the roads are fast and generally empty once you leave the UK. Our usual way is to leave straight after work, get an evening channel crossing, drive until late, but not too late, bed down in an F1 hotel (Reims, Troyes, Dijon depending on timing), get up and drive the last bit. There by lunchtime having had a decent rest and ready to ride.
the blue “family”* is probably a better warm up – similar style but much easier. The red is a very different style – and if its even slightly wet, its harder than the black.
*bizarre choice of name, it is in no way a family trail. always some scared looking parents to be spotted on it.
Yep. I quite enjoyed Family but we did it last thing before lunch and my wife is not happy when she’s hungry.
I was chasing our 11 year old down it while our 16 year tried to talk my wife down it.
She got down through the forest (though I think divorce was being considered) then caught her front wheel on a 2” water bar as you come out into a grassy area and went down.
The boys loved it.
We’re going back again this summer. I suspect she’ll want to nail it.