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We're looking to holiday in the French Alps next year but never been and not sure where to base ourselves. We're driving/camping and looking for either 14 days in one place, or 2 * 7.
It's not a mtb holiday. We'll be trying to squeeze in say 5-6 family rides of 2-3hrs and a further 5 or 6 1-2hr blasts on my lonesome.
As a family we like off road riding but nothing too gnarly. UK blue graded trails is where we're at. As long as it is rideable and not too much ascent / descent. Wooded valleys? Kids are on Islabike Beinns with MTB tyres.
I like XC type riding (fast / flowy) and am just as happy riding up as I am coming down. Taking a hardtail and would be looking for quick options within easy reach of base. Will also hire a FS and do a lift up / ride down once or twice.
Other requirements. Close to lake swimming, pretty towns / villages, decent hiking (a given I guess) and a good family vibe.
Anywhere in particular fit the bill, or is it a case of I can't go wrong?
Cheers
Morzine has lake swimming, good outdoor pool and good hiking from town and lift served hiking too (pedestrian passes are cheap). Nice feel to the town and family orientated with lots of other stuff like rafting etc for families nearby.
Not sure what the more sensible MTB stuff is like as only ever road biked there (which is absolutely fantastic with some great climbs and loops from town)
Lake Annecy area perhaps? Scenic but pre-alpine mountains so not suffer-fest climbs, and within striking distance of lift-assist resorts...
There is a campsite above Les Gets which is very clean and has a pool and good views. There is a lake and lots to do in the town. You will need to drive down into the town as the route back from the lift isn't particularly easy.
There are two green trails. Squirrels is about as hard as the FOD blue. And Biscuits is a bit harder. If you are looking for anything as easy as the Minotaur then you will struggle unless you stick to the fire roads.
Annecy, the land of the beautiful people. Loved it two years ago, pricey for eating out though.
Could try a bit further up in the mountains, St Martin de Belleville or something similar, should be cheaper out of season. We stayed in my pals families place in Vilarenger, was amazing for hiking, cycling and wasn't too far from a Carfour.
Or Morzine if you're looking for a busier place to stay with loads of restaurants etc. I'd personally look for somewhere quiet and hire a car.
Think you’d probably be fine at any large Apline resort, and probably some smaller ones too. Almost every decent sized place I’ve stayed at when on skiing holidays have big ski maps alongside big biking and hiking maps. Maybe avoiding the usual Gnar MTB Mecca’s would be a good idea as you might have to contend with big groups of unruly hardcore RAD MTBers using the easier trails as link trails and bombing around and then there is the ‘laddy’ behaviour in the evenings just like you get on skiing holidays.
One resort I went skiing to I remember that seemed to focus on more family orientated feel and had a lot of biking and hiking maps dotted around was Selva in the dolomites.