All,
I'm headed over for Eurobike this year (into & out of Zurich) and a friend and I are planning on tacking on 4-6 days of Alpine riding as a late-40th gift to self.
Both of us are primarily trail/endurance riders and comfortable with climbing at altitude. I spent a season in Morzine as a bike bum nearly two decades ago and the combination of extensive lifts and long descents still appeals. Is there anywhere else we should consider that's nearby? Any catered chalets we should book or avoid? We're both handy with maps so don't need a guide but a little local knowledge on the part of our hosts would be welcome. I'm picturing something Endless Ride or FlowMTB, for those old enough to remember 🙂
Thanks in advance!
There’s some unbelievably good riding in Davos, Lenzerheide and Flims/Laax, all easily accessed by public transport (it is Switzerland after all...) or car from Zurich.
The main websites have all the info and gpx files for the lift accessed trails, there’s some bike park stuff, but it’s the enduro trails that really are second to none.
There’s some unbelievably good riding in Davos, Lenzerheide and Flims/Laax, all easily accessed by public transport (it is Switzerland after all…) or car from Zurich.
Add St Moritz to that list. There is some of the best riding in Europe (my view) in the East of Switzerland. Depending on how much time you're willing to spend travelling, you could visit all four places listed above in 4 days! Lenzerheide is the hardest to get to on public transport (no train).
I'd go to morzine. Its easy to find great riding and long descents without a guide. As you are willing to do a bit of climbing that opens up a huge area and you can use the lifts to do some epic days. Also it'll be interesting to see the changes if you were there 20 years ago
nickjb - just curious whether you've ridden Davos, Lenzerheide or St Moritz?!
Thanks all,
I did attend an event in Lenzerheide maybe six or seven years back and it was pretty but didn't seem to have the endless opportunities of the Portes du Soleil.
I'll look at St. Moritz and Davos too- the wife and I spent a night at the tail end of our honeymoon and loved our short time there. May need to consider any flack I could catch for returning on my own 😉
Does anyone have any go/no-go bike hotel recommendations? Don't need much, primarily meals and a secure lockup for the bikes.
All the Swiss areas have developed a lot over the last 5-10 yrs, Swiss were slower than France to attract the MTB summer scene I think.
Trails are more natural though, not just bike park, which for me is the appeal. I would be staggered if you can't find more options than Portes du Soleil (and I write this from Morzine). Edd, not ridden St, Moritz myself, heard its great though. Davos trails have come on spectacularly in the last few years. That nuts 'Alps Epic Trail' all the way down to Filisur from the top of the Jakobshorn is phenomenal.
If you look at the main sites for Lenzerheide, Davos, Flims/laax and St. Moritz they will give you a great overview of the trail options and also bike hotels which cater well for biker needs and budgets
https://www.davos.ch/en/summer/activities/bike/mountain-bike/bike-hotels/
Morzine might be 'easier',but I think doing something different will be well worth the effort.
Can you tell I am a Davos aficionado?
What big_scot_nanny said!
(And for the avoidance of doubt, I am not anti Morzine. I have six weeks in the Alps this summer. Three of those will be in Switzerland, and one and a half in Morzine/ the Portes du Soleil.)
+1 Lenzerheide/Arosa (you can get your bike on the back of the bus from the station) and Flims/Laax. Not been to St. Moritz or Davos, they are a bit further from Zürich but would recommend them both as they are well spoken of.
That nuts ‘Alps Epic Trail’ all the way down to Filisur from the top of the Jakobshorn is phenomenal.
Funny- I saw IMBA on the Davos website and given their rock-hating, machine-building, 'flow'-fetishizing reputation over here immediately wrote it off. But if it's more natural-style riding than PdS, you absolutely have my attention 🙂