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My takeaways from getting back from Morzine yesterday with @asbrooks…
Cabin baggage size seems to be a lottery with Easyjet. I got stung on the way out from Luton as my case with FF lid in was literally an inch too long - that’s an extra £48 please sir! Would have been the same back too but I managed to rearrange all my kit so didn’t need it on the way back. In Geneva they turned a blind eye to cabin bag size as the departure was running late…quite annoying when I was collared.
The nice ridgeline that runs from the Col de Cou towards Champery really isn’t worth the effort of getting over to it anymore IMHO - down the top half of the Grand Conche and follow the gravel road for a few miles til you hit the bottom of the big climb up. You can ride the first bit but when you get to the farm you must now take a road back instead of carrying on. Still a nice ride right underneath the impressive Dents Blanche but not really what you came for. The Grand Conche descent itself is still excellent especially when coupled with the Les Crosets red opposite.
On 3 separate occasions we bought a French stick, Brie, ham, tomatoes, crisps and a Coke each and made up lunch on the street for roughly 5 euros each - cheap as chips and enough to keep you going through the day. There are obvs tons of eat out options if you prefer. We saw one guy with a full baguette strapped to his downtube - a novel approach!
The grading of the trails is different to the UK. We found the Pleney red harder than the black, though it was damp when we did it. Super-steep in places whereas the black has much more flow. The blue Family Trail is bloody excellent fun and more like a UK red. The blue from the top of the Seraussaix lift has a very cheeky drop on it which you can easily by-pass but imagine quite a few will come up short on - a girl in our chalet knocked herself out after getting it wrong. We found the Da Trail red on the Zore most like the type of riding you’d typically get in the UK as opposed to something like Tutti Frutti blue which is just berms and tabletops.
We stayed with Riders Refuge. £680 got us 7 nights digs with 6 x brekky and 6 x 3 course evening meals, as much wine as you can drink with meal, and transfers from Geneva. Pretty good price but by the time you’ve got your bike sorted, paid for airport car park, get to/from airport, insurance, lift pass, flights/bike carriage, beer money etc it does mount up. They had an ‘honesty fridge’ with small Kronenbourgs for a euro which was good - needed after a boiling hot day on the trails when prepping the bike for the next day! On the staff day off we went to Hideout for some very nice Thai food and beers.
We had a day when loads went wrong. A few crashes resulting in broken shifter and bent brake lever, a back brake going pop, a puncture followed by torn sidewall, dropper not returning…all sorted in the end so not too much downtime.
We rode up to the lake in Montriond in the afternoon of our arrival with a towel and bathers and went in for a dip. Bloody lovely once you get over the shock of the water lapping your ballsack 🤪. Been 6 times but first time for doing this - recommended! A quick lakeside beer before heading back for dinner.
I had a bit of bike envy. My 6 year old Whyte T130 is great in the UK but bordering being out of its depth of certain runs out there. Slung my leg over a Commencal Clash mullet - longer, slacker, bigger front wheel, more travel, more planted. Great out there but then too much for 90% of the riding I do here so sticking with old faithful for now.
We did half a day at Les Gets…it was enough. The Chavannes red is awesome if braking bumps is your thing. We had no business whatsoever mincing down the Don Le Gas black on the Mont Chery side - you need some big bollux to do that properly! The off-piste we found near the red lift was too stop/start for us - either too steep and rooty or full of massive wheel-swallowing sludge puddles.
I think that’s it. We had a great time but next time I go to the Alps I’m going to try a different area. It does offer some varied riding but you need to get over to the Swiss side to get that ‘big mountain’ feel that other places offer as soon as you arrive.
Sounds great. If you want to try something a bit more “big mountain” I highly recommend a backcountry week with the White Room. You probably wouldn’t feel quite so under-biked there either.
We’ve rented a 4 bed apartment in Avoriaz from Tuesday for around £65 day. Got 4 days riding in PDS before heading over to Leogang for the rest of the Summer.
Just back today from riding 8 days out of 10, 29,000m of descending and not much 'bike park' stuff at Les Gets/Morzine.
Utterly, utterly incredible riding (especially the last 3 days at Alp D'Huez). I took a day off riding then we had a travel day which helped massively - my top tip would be to not underestimate just how much of a complete and utter battering your mind, body and bike takes doing that much descending over a week or so. Add in the constant 25-33 degree heat and I needed a day off the bike to recover.
My bike is going to get a good strip down when I pick it up later tonight, headset sounds like a bag of spanners and it needs a brake service, dropper service and just some general love and attention!
Can you start a thread about Alp d’Hues please, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts?
I've never been to morzine, but, it's 2 hours to Pila and La Thuile. Why am I telling you about riding locations that are so far away? Cos they're on the other side of the mont blanc massif which means they can have completely different weather, as if you've got on a plane. MC and GW were drowning in mud in Morzine while I was choking on dust. It's a fairly desperate move though.
@ta11pau1, had you been to huez before? Wasn't that impressed when we were there for the mega but I'm hoping the new lift up from the bottom's opened up the forest trails more, the bus was too much of a pain in the arse (especially since it was french and therefore had no timetable and left from different places at random)
<p style="text-align: left;">it’s 2 hours to Pila and La Thuile</p>
Much longer these days thanks to the traffic controls in the mont blanc tunnel. You may be ok going very early in the morning or coming back late at night.
We sat in horrendous queues both ways last year. Going into Italy, it was a 3 hour queue to get to the start of the tunnel. On the way back was 1.5 hours
@ta11pau1, had you been to huez before?
No, first time there and the Alps (for MTB).
We stayed in Allemond so used the EAU d'Olle Express cablecar to get to the main lifts - I'll put some more thoughts up later but we rode everything from the mega route, the mega qualifier, rock & wood, crazy Mustang, etc etc.
Some of the best sections were the last forest bits of the mega route, proper loamy, freshly cut in, dusty goodness with tight turns and flat out traverses through the woods.
My top tip for anywhere in the Alpes is to take a van and be flexible about moving somewhere else when it turns horrible.
Usually we start in Morzine and if the weather is bad the wife and I just packed up the tent and buggered off to somewhere else that had good weather (Verbier, Les
2 Alpes, Alpes D’Huez, Tignes. One horrendous year we even drove all the way to Finale and another we almost went to Lake Garda and rode there because my non-biking in-laws had said they’d seen mountain bikes on the ski lifts.
I have spent several years in a single area with no transport where the weather has been almost too bad to even want to ride to not be mobile from now on
My top tip for anywhere in the Alpes is to take a van and be flexible about moving somewhere else when it turns horrible.
That's by far the best option but obviously not possible for everyone.
One year I'd won a voucher for a free week of catered accommodation in Morzine and it had to be used so I flew out on my own. It rained for 18 hours a day all week. I still rode every day but I was so angry that I drove back down about 6 weeks later just to ride in the dry.
Yep it's not much fun when it rains on the bikepark type trails. I remember riding back from Champery to Chatel, I had to go pick up the van as one of the guys had broken his wrist. It looked grim when we set out back, it started raining while we were on the cable car, by the time we got to the top the clouds had rolled in and it was properly chucking it down. Rode down into Les Crosets and got onto the lift up to Mosettes and then picked our way along the trail back to the top lift in Chatel. I don't think I've ever been as wet as that except in a swimming pool.
We had completely dry weather for our 10 days, a slight bit of rain overnight on the first day then thunderstorms and hail the size of golfballs mid way through - but other than that it was too hot! Minimum 25 degrees and often 30-33 degrees.
The dust was like riding through a bag of flour at times!
Going to the French alps after visiting the Vosges mountains. Travelling with the van. No interest in a week or ten day pass as we will there for a month or maybe two.
Thinking a day or two riding up under our own steam, a day of sitting in the sun and a day of lift riding and the odd gravel/road ride.
How much is a day pass for the lifts in the Morzine /PdS area?
Think it was 37 euro for 1 day pass
Here is the summer price list for mountain biking
Just finished our first day here in Avoriaz. The apartment is great, 1 bedroom with a double, lounge/kitchen/diner with a double sofa and a single. Absolute bargain for <€70/day.
Rode Chatel all day today, riding with my lad’s Sheffield Uni bike club mates so it’s pretty full on, 54 yr old with a bunch of early 20’s. Managed to hit most stuff in the park.
Trails are in pretty good condition really, braking bumps aren’t too bad. We’re used to Leogang were the trails are mainly built with crushed rock so they hold up much better and the trails crews are out every day.
Heading over to Les Gets tomorrow, looks like there’s a nice jump line on Chavannes side then some of the off piste.
Quite a few bars in Avoriaz sell Proper Job IPA which is obviously a very good thing. €8.50 to €10 a pint isn’t! Austria is so much cheaper.
I can heartily recommend the Ibex Woodyard Brewery if you’re partial t Ale!
Cheers, looks like it’s up towards Montriond? I’ll have a nose down there
Yeah, only been open a month or so but a really good setup. A bit of a trek back to Avoriaz though!
ta11pau1
Full MemberSome of the best sections were the last forest bits of the mega route, proper loamy, freshly cut in, dusty goodness with tight turns and flat out traverses through the woods.
Yeah, I felt quite grumpy when we were there because some of the best riding was a pain in the bum to access, and it was almost like they were teasing us by having a load of pretty average bike park that was super easy to access 🙂 We'd spent 4 days over in Les 2 Alpes and tbf Les 2 isn't amazing either but it still made Huez feel half-assed, we damn nearly vanned it back over for a day. Left feeling like I'd never go back unless it was for the mega... but it had a feeling that it was much better now and it sounds like it is. Cheers!
Heading out to Morzine in a couple of weeks, and looking at lift passes. There's four of us riding and I'm looking at buying passes for 5 non consecutive days for the whole portes du soleil area. Is this the cheapest way to buy passes? Or are we better off buying day by day for the area we'll be in that day?
I always go for the full area passes. It means you don't limit yourself. I must admit, I've never looked at anything else. Given the 10% discount for booking 4 or more tickets, they seem pretty good value.
I don’t buy into the “needing a rest day” idea. I rode 12/13 days in the Alps with 9 days on the trot without feeling the need to take a rest day before we came home. I’d have ridden the 13th day too if the lifts had been working.
I doubt my wife and kids would manage 12/13 days riding on the trot! Not sure I would nowadays to be honest!
<p>We’re heading out for 2 weeks from next week. Just done the 5 non-consecutive days (it was 6 days last year!) booking for the 4 of us which gets a 10% discount. We have the lift cards from last year so that saves €3 each: Works out at £25 per person per day which is great for a big area of lifts. If 5 days isn’t enough then we’ll just do another day at the end. We don’t just go to ride, lots of swimming, exploring by chairlift on the multipass, day trips to Thonon or Annecy etc. I’m happy just sitting with an Aperol in the sun watching the paragliders!</p>
Just in the airport on our way back from our first Alps trip. One week in morzine/pds and the next with white room. It was so good! Week in morzine absolutely battered us though, braking bumps are very unkind on hands! White room was so cool to be able to experience proper huge mountain trails and descents, would go back in a heartbeat. The exposure on some of the trails took some getting used to though!
Also, I regret not getting any merch while I was out there. If anyone who is in morzine or will be going at some point would be willing to pick me up an avoriaz bike park t shirt from the super morzine lift pass office I would be so thankful. PM me if you would be able to and I'll send the cost + an extra 5 and whatever postage would be!
Im just back from a holiday near Chatel, with 2-3 days in Morzine in that time. I only rode it on my last day, but the new blue and red trails below Avoriaz (towards Morzine) are utterly outstanding!
Also just back from a week riding there.
Never stayed in morzine as we’ve always stayed is les gets so we stayed in one of the alplitude chalets after a recommendation on here which was great - best location and lovely place. Highly recommended.
8 mtb and 2 roadies went. The mtb was 3 dads, 4 kids and a non dad. For the ones who hadn’t been before it was great, really bought their riding on and they’re dead keen to go again.
here’s a pic of my lad (14) on widowmaker. that almost made my wife a widow 🤣
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we stayed in one of the alplitude chalets after a recommendation on here
Probably my recommendation. Great company.
Anyone know the best place in morzine to get a valve core removal tool? Managed to loosen my fork valve by overtightening the shock pump, think I've managed to fix it by sticking a tubeless prong in and twisting but would like to give it a nip up with a proper tool to be sure!
@ebennett I've always used Startline. They are along the main road beyond Super M. Once they've sorted their daily rentals they tend to be accommodating for walk ins.
@tetrode I'm there in a couple of weeks. Drop me a message if you're still not sorted. I'll definitely be picking up the new Bike Morzine 'Pleney Bangers' t shirt.
How about people's best non Morzine tips... I'm doing a week in PDS, then a week in the van so no ties for accommodation or travel.
I'm thinking along the lines of Pila, La Thuille, Les Arcs, La Clusaz.
I had hoped to do a couple of days with White Room but they're too busy to fit any extras. Any tips for somewhere similar?
I'd head along the Aosta valley, start at Cervinia, do a day there then work my way back along via Pila, La Thuile then head over the Col Du St Bernard to Les Arcs
Park up here in Cervinia: https://goo.gl/maps/fWb1VGNgZLo5kAyHA
Here in Pila: https://goo.gl/maps/hpvrqSXneLSvvi5K7
And here in La Thuile: https://goo.gl/maps/cL3AJidWLbZnG2EeA
I’m there in a couple of weeks. Drop me a message if you’re still not sorted. I’ll definitely be picking up the new Bike Morzine ‘Pleney Bangers’ t shirt.
Thanks Mark! Will send you a message.
I had hoped to do a couple of days with White Room but they’re too busy to fit any extras. Any tips for somewhere similar?
I don't know of similar to white room but I can definitely recommend the trails around Les Arcs and La Thuile if you manage to get over there. La Thuile bike park especially was amazing to me, if you like techy enduro style bike parks it's an absolute blast.
Tignes is worth a days riding if you're near La Thuile/Les Arcs, mostly for the views but also good bike park riding.
@ebennett I’ve always used Startline. They are along the main road beyond Super M. Once they’ve sorted their daily rentals they tend to be accommodating for walk ins
Thanks Mark, managed to get one off a bloke servicing their bike outside the apartment!
I’m thinking along the lines of Pila, La Thuille, Les Arcs, La Clusaz.
La Thuile is stunning with amazing trails - much more singletrack/natural/enduro stuff than Les Gets & Morzine.
The day I arrived they were holding a round of the Italian national enduro series, that sort of tells you everything.
La Thuile is my favourite bike park. It’s designed by psychos though.
It’s got both types of mountain biking. Tech and steep.
Since i cant seem to open new threads I'll ask here....
Anyone know if there is a ban on bbqs in the alps at present?
Driving there on the weekend for am indefinite amount of time. Prob four weeks or so.... Although not just on the French side
Planning on visiting La Thuile again, maybe Pila.
Thinking of arriving in Les Arcs and fanning out from there.
GF likes flow trails and steep stuff where it's a case of ride or crash, if you know what I mean.
Not planning on using the lifts each day because #money and I need to burn off all the Bavarian beer I've consumed the last few weeks.
What are the must-do trails that we shouldn't miss out on?
How much is a day pass and do the tickets cover just one lift or the entire area?
We're there in the van and plan on moving about a bit. Have spare tyres, brake pads, even a crank if needed.
A season ticket for PdS costs 407€....does that cover all of the French alpine bike parks?
No just the PDS so Morgins Champery Chatel Morzine Les Gets as the main ones with a few little bits extra - have a look at a lift map all should become clear. It would be great if someone did a multi resort pass but doubt doubt it’d be viable.
I wouldn’t want to be riding up out of Morzine without an e-bike but if you tried Les Gets it might be ok for a few days
In Les Arcs, the off piste and the stuff back down to the valley bottom are the most fun IMO. Black 8 is a classic.
La Plagne also has loads of off-piste natural riding, for both of them you need to ask a local really.
Mont Jovet is a classic big mountain day out starting in La Plagne.
Meribel Ridge is a world class descent IMO.
Basically just in that area there’s enough to fill four weeks, especially if you’re pedalling up.
Not a great deal of flow outside the bike parks though. It tends to be narrow, with varying levels of steepness, exposure and technicality.
There is a bike bus from Bourg st Maurice bus station to La Rosiere bike park or continue up to Col de Petit St Bernard, 6 euro. Then different options riding back to BsM (eg San Bernardo into Dreamcatcher or Hannibal from the col) or hop over to La Thuile.
There are also free busses from the Aime Aire de Chainage at to La Plagne 2000 or Montalbert for easy-ish access to Mont Jovet. The balcony trails to Bride les Bains and the river trail along the Doron can take you to Moûtiers for train back to Aime or BsM.
Dré Val (7) from Plage Bellecote is fun, don't bother with Bois de Croizelin (34), bit like Route 66 in Les Arc.
Agree La 8 in Les Arc is fun and the Trailforks black trails into the valley are steep and tech in places. I also enjoyed A2 from top of Transarc 2.
Season ticket for Paradiski summer is around 200 euro, covers Les Arc and La Plagne.
Can't wait to go back!
We got back on Sunday from a week in the Alps. My first in 11 years because parenting. 4 days based in Bourg-Saint-Maurice then 3 in Morzine. I'm much more at home on tech/steeps than the park stuff but I hugely enjoyed riding a mix of both and progressing my jumping and berm riding a fair bit.
For me, the Les Arcs natural stuff was a big highlight, I remember "Double Header" down to Bourg but also loads of unmarked trails in amongst the marked ones higher up. We also rode some lovely similar stuff alongside the park riding at La Plagne and Meribel, riding down to the valley floor from both was for me as good as the resort riding above.
On arrival in Morzine I felt it might not be for me, but I loved it. Similar highlights to others on the thread, and not really Chatel because nearly all of that is too big for me. Weirdly I liked the steep mess to get you home under Super Morzine, although that might be a combination of the flattering jumps above it and the promise of beer below. And I had a happy afternoon just repeating the Pleny black. Couldn't hack the jumps on the red but some alternative lines made it more my cup of tea.
We took DH bikes. I'm glad I did because on mine I'll take more on, can come up short on stuff, and I just love riding it. But I can totally see why most ride lighter bikes and some have recommended Enduro over DH (I guess those people are more seasoned park riders). Personal preference I think.