Mountain Biking in the French Alps
The French Alps and its incredible network and miles of track make it one of the best mountain bike destinations in Europe. With regular flights to Geneva, Grenoble and Chambéry providing easy access to the resorts, you can often be riding the same day you fly, alternatively, a drive down opens up the opportunity to string a few resorts together for an epic riding holiday and you get to take all your own kit!
The opening dates for all the summer lifts vary and are subject to change due to weather conditions and snow coverage. As a general rule, they're usually open from early June to the end of August.
As on the ski piste, the downhill piste are color-coded:
GREEN: beginner level. Going with an instructor is recommended: a green level in mountain biking is not comparable to a green level in skiing
BLUE: initiated level
RED: advanced level
BLACK: expert level
If you would like to know more, including where to stay and rates, find inspiration below and call our friendly team of experts on 023 9283 9310.
Jump to mountain biking in Portes du Soleil | Les Deux Alpes | Tignes
Mountain biking in Portes du Soleil
This is a very popular mountain bike area in the French Alps and includes 12 linked resorts, including Les Gets, Morzine and Châtel, and four internationally renowned Bike Parks. You can purchase a Portes du Soleil MTB lift pass for around 27.50€ for access to all four Bike Parks, which can be reached using the 19 mountain lifts open all summer!
Châtel Mountain Bike Park: There are 20 tracks from the ultra-technical packed with roots and steps, to wide and smooth runs with easy jumps, shore sections and serious freeride lines, as well as cruiser routes for beginners.
Les Gets Bike Park: This park has been a must-do MTB venue for almost two decades. There are around 12 DH tracks, 6 all-mountain XC routes and the Canyon freeride slope There's also 6 tracks for beginners and 6 for more experienced riders.
Morzine Bike Park: Morzine's MTB facilities are on either side of the village; on the Super Morzine side (part of the Avoriaz sector), you'll find 5 maintained DH tracks and 2 new additions, as well as many ultra-tricky routes. The second side is on the Pleney, where the signposted tracks are in the main easier and aimed at a less experienced level of rider, from beginners to intermediate.
A date for the diary: The Pass'Portes du Soleil will be held on the 26th, 27th and 28th June 2020! This is an organised mountain bike ride in both France and Switzerland where you can discover the Portes du Soleil terrain! There's an 80 km route taking in 15 lifts! Find out more on the Pass'Portes du Soleil website.
Recommended stays...
Résidence Annapurna, Les Gets offers luxurious accommodation and a wide range of facilities and services, including a swimming pool and spa. It's in one of the best positions in Les Gets!
Hotel Le Cret, Morzine is a great base for any holiday. It has its own park, mini-farm and swimming pools! A great option if you're looking for a hotel rather than a self-catered accommodation.
Les Chalets d'Angele, Chatel is a Directors' Choice residence offering luxurious apartments, a swimming pool and paddling pool. You may also find time to be pampered in the superb Ô des Cimes Spa!
Mountain biking in Les Deux Alpes
19 June to 31 August 2021
Les Deux Alpes is brilliant for mountain biking, with its huge mixture of trails for both those wanting to give it a go and pros. Highlights include family-friendly areas, green trails and more challenging red and black trails - experienced and more daring riders will enjoy Fury, a competition-level trail and the renowned piste de Venosc.
With 2,300 metres of vertical drop, going from altitudes of 3,200 metres to 960 metres in one fell swoop makes it one of the largest bike parks in the Alps! The resort organises MTB event throughout the summer, and with 4 sectors, 6 lifts, 91 km of runs, 22 downhill runs (2 green, 8 blue, 8 red and 4 black plus the elite trail "Fury") a dedicated beginners’ site in the Vallee Blanche sector (with green runs and Alpine mountain biking discovery workshops) and more you're sure to be entertained!
The Bike Park Experience pass provides access to all the ski lifts that are linked to the Bike Park. The pass is available for 1 to 6-days to buy in resort. Under 5s and those aged 72 and over get a free pass.
A date for the diary: The 2nd to 4th July 2021 sees Mountain of Hell return to Les 2 Alpes. It's a freeride downhill mountain biking competition open to international downhill experts as well as amateur riders! The event attracts up to 700 riders annually and consists of two races plus a children's race. The highlight of the event is 25km of downhill riding from the top of the glacier - there's snow, rocks, single tracks, steps, and sheer descents! Find out more and register on the Les 2 Alpes Tourist Office website.
Recommended stays...
Hotel Côte Brune, Les 2 Alpes is situated in the heart of the lively resort very close to the main gondola. The hotel offers a B&B service, has a lovely terrace and a pool!
Alba, Les 2 Alpes is located at the lower end of the resort’s main avenue and the foot of the Pied-Moutet mountainside and the Vallée Blanche chairlift.
Chalet Alpen, Les 2 Alpes 2 x lovely chalets and perfect for groups as it sleeps 12 each! For your comfort, there is a private sauna, steam room and hot tub.
Mountain biking in Tignes
26th June to 5th September 2021
Tignes is situated high above the tree-line and known for its fast, open, rocky trails. Part of the Tignes Val d’Isère mountain biking area and access to the 5 mountain bike lifts and slopes are FREE with the My Tignes activity card!
MTB in Tignes is for all levels of riders. You will find beginner and family trails, practise areas, full on downhill and freeride tracks and miles of singletrack - all very well signposted.
There's also a bike park, a water jump and an airbag that you can practise on too, depending on how brave you're feeling, plus you can link up to neighbouring Val d'Isere really easily and make the most of up to 150km of great riding!
New for 2022:
The Kangooride piste becomes a red piste (formerly blue)
The Funky Tufs piste becomes a blue piste (formerly in red)
A new black electric mountain bike piste opens this summer: Dark Jadore
Lifts:
In the Tignes area, the following lifts are open to mountain bikes:
Tovière gondola: access allowed to all
Palafour chairlift: access authorised for child bikers from 1.10 metres
Tufs chairlift: access authorised for child bikers from 1.10 metres
Recommended stays...
Kalinda, Tignes 1800 is a firm favourite with our clients (and team!). The luxurious apartments have a high standard and modern facilities. There's a private indoor heated swimming pool and paddling pool and spa facilities too.
Santa Terra, Tignes Les Brévières is a prestigious residence, enjoying an ideal, quiet location in the centre of the traditional Savoyard village. There's a pool, separate children's pool and spa facilities to unwind in.
Le Telemark, Tignes Le Lac is one of our Directors' Choice prestige residences located at the entrance of Tignes Le Lac. Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool and spa facilities. This is also a great base for summer skiing!
Ready to book your mountain bike holiday? Need some advice? Have a look at our summer offers, browse our Alpine resorts, then call our team on 023 9283 9310 or request a quote and we will help you get summer sorted!
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