The Alps in summer are a truly magical place. Now with summer just around the corner, and mountain bike parks in the Alps soon to open, I’ve spent this week looking at which resorts offer the best mountain biking in the Alps.
Are you wondering which bike parks in the Alps are good for beginners? Which alpine resorts offer the best mountain biking?
Read on to find out my top 5 mountain bike parks in the Alps.
Les Gets and Morzine
Les Gets and Morzine form part the famous Portes du Soleil area, a haven for mountain biking experts and enthusiasts alike. You can start your morning in Les Gets and be in Morzine by the afternoon should you wish as both resorts are linked (or vice versa)! Both Les Gets and Morzine have beginner-intermediate routes as well are trickier tracks for the more experienced riders.
As I am writing this blog, the famous Crankworx World Tour has landed in Les Gets for it’s yearly celebration of world-class freestyle and free-ride mountain biking in the Alps. Check it out…
Chatel
Also part of the Portes du Soleil area, Chatel mountain bike park is in the Pre-la-Joux sector. You’ll find everything from cruisy beginner runs and easy jumps to tricky tracks with roots and steps for the real adrenaline seekers. A total of 20 downhill tracks make up the mountain bike park in Chatel, with 2 pump tracks and 1 drop zone.
Did you know: The Portes du Soleil Mountain Bike lift pass is only €23 per day, and gives you access to all 19 mountain lifts open in summer in the Portes du Soleil.
Tignes and Val d’Isere
The linked mountain bike trails of Tignes and Val d’Isere can offer 150km’s of exhilarating and breath-taking fun (literally)! Each track is graded and well signposted, offering a variety of runs for everyone, from family trails to enduro and cross country. The mountain lifts open from 30th June to 2nd September this summer, but be sure to check the Bike Park opening times as they will depend on the snow cover and weather conditions.
Did you know: You can practice on the air bag in Tignes Le Lac; a huge airbag set up so you can jump, spin and land/fall in safety. If you have a Sportignes card it is free and unlimited, otherwise it’s €1 EUR per jump.
Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez is home to the longest downhill race in the world, the Megavalanche which will be on from the 2nd-8th July. If you go mountain biking in Alpe d’Huez, you will find over 200km’s of marked trails linking the whole of the Grande Rousses region with a variety of unbeatable terrain mixed with spectacular scenery.
In the centre of town there is a freestyle bike park with a dirt line and some new modules for beginners. If you are an experienced rider, and a bit of a daredevil, head up to the top of the Pic Blanc glacier and try the Megavalanche track for yourself. You can check out the Alpe d’Huez Bike Park Map for further info.
Did you know: A one day pass is €18 EUR per adult and €15 EUR per child. When purchasing multiple days, discounts apply. See the Alpe d’Huez tourist office for more details.
Verbier
Verbier’s Bike Parks pride themselves on quality and diversity, not quantity. That being said, with 7 high-speed downhill tracks, 23 enduro trails and an easy family friendly mountain bike trail (34km’s round trip), there really is something for everyone for your summer holiday in Verbier.
Did you know: A one day Verbier lift pass is CHF 33 Swiss Francs per adults and CHF 28 Swiss Francs per child. For more info check out the Verbier Tourist Office.
Video credit: Max Chapuis
If you are ready to saddle up and give one of the many mountain bike parks in the Alps a go, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us today on +44 (0)1202 203659 or send us an email and we will be happy to help plan your next summer holiday.
