Later this week Mark, Benji and Sanny are off on an adventure in the French Alpine resort towns of Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz.
Perhaps better known for their downhill world cup action they are definitely a huge attraction for the summer full face, downhill riders from across Europe and beyond. But we are looking for something different. We are going on the hunt for the trails outside of the bike parks where the body armour requirement isn’t quite so high.
We are even taking a gravel bike with us as we believe there’s something in this cluster of trails for every off road taste.
We aren’t saying you won’t catch us on a bike park black DH trail but that’s not the mission of this trip. There’s something in this region for every type of rider from beginners to experts and with the help of a bunch of expert locals and some commercial partners we are going to bring you our ultimate guide to the Porte du Soleil region.
And it’s not just about the trails. From best tips on how to get there and where to stay whatever your budget to the best places to eat based on what the locals reckon and not just the tourist regulars, we intend to gather as much useful info as possible.
We are heading out on Thursday the 12th and you will be able to follow our adventures live on our Instagram account. But the full story will be published in issue 162 of Singletrack world magazine in August. Each of the three towns will then get their own places in our destination guides section.
mo2.jpg)
Our intent is to bring you great stories and really useful information so that you can plan your own trips, but we couldn’t do this sort of thing without the support of our partners for this trip. They are all great businesses and you should definitely check them out.
Singletrack Morzine Avoriaz Les Gets Partners
- Chalets1066
- Bike Morzine
- Saracen Bikes
- Yellow Jersey – Insurance For Cycling
- Endura
- Skiddygonzales
- The Hub Les Gets
Partners
Chalets1066 are putting us up in Les Gets, Bike Morzine are looking after us when we stay in Morzine.
Saracen are providing the bikes for us on this trip from eMTBs, enduro rigs to gravel and The Hub Les Gets will be helping to keep them running for us.
Yellow Jersey have us fully covered for our trip from everything from plane delays to the all important medical coverage we all need when we ride in the mountains. Singletrack readers can get 10% off any policy with code SINGLETRACK10
Endura are sending us out with a bunch of their latest gear to test and to reveal to you while we are out on the trails. Heads up. Check FGF this week for a preview of the gear.
We will be getting to and from the airport thanks to the amazingly name Skiddygonzales transfers, who also organise away day trips out to other bike parks in the wider region from Morzine.
There’s an awful lot of stuff that needs to fall into place for a trip like this and it’s all being gracefully coordinated by Anne from The Wonder Ltd.
Head to our Instagram account to keep up with our live updates.
I’m hoping you get something out for when I go out there on the 10th of August @Mark.
Could be the best thing on here in years
We’re out there again at the end of August, hopefully you guys will find some new non jumpy not too lumpy stuff to inspire me 😁
I’d be keen to see some coverage of remote alpine singletrack riding, which seems to be very hidden around that area.
Good shout on the Yellow Jersey discount too – just saved me a packet on that, as was just about to renew ours.
Not wanting to sniff at the 10% Yellow Jersey discount, I got 15% this week using the STW discount club which was great. Nice work on both counts guys.
Going to Les gets first week of August so if you could really crack on and get those hints and tips out that would be great! 😜
This really is most welcome news.
I’m sure there are lots of ‘average’ singletrack readers that don’t necessarily want to spend the entire time riding bike park style tracks. 4 or 5 GPX files of full day routes using some of the best linking trails to cover the most of the region that are not simply the passportes route would be really helpful.
There are loads of uncategorised trails that could be put together to make up some lovely 50km lift assisted routes with excellent lunch stops.
Also helpful would be a list of the better (less death inducing) off piste enduro type trails from each lift.
Of course if anyone already has this type of info it would be great if it could be added to the forum.
Also, is the old map back yet? The one with all the extra footpaths and farm tracks on.
On my second visit to Morzine, we had a guide booked and he took our group of five on THE BEST RIDING DAY EVER. I’ve no idea what the route was (pre Strava) but I know we ended up on a huge cable car, the ones that have one carriage up/one down. That might have Champery..? What a day that was, all singletrack, nothing stupid.
The guidebook “VTOPO Portes du Soleil 53 mountain biking routes" has been my bible there for years, indispensable. Especially since it now seems to have 56 routes.
Good spot on that – I’ve bought the download to all the gpx, although quite confused that a fair few routes around Morgins look to be using a lift that isn’t open during the summer, as far as I can tell – the one up from Champoussin. That doesn’t run in summer, does it?
It used to, but it’s probably 10 years now since it last opened during the summer. It might be open for the Pass’Portes weekend, not sure
The problem with that book is loads of the best routes on the swiss side are now banned to MTBs and actively policed with large fines apparently. Champoussin lift has been closed about 10 years but not too bad a pedal taking the fireroad option. Its best not to advertise the good stuff otherwise it becomes overridden.
Mmm, that’s a bit rubbish then, isn’t it? I’ve contacted them asking for a quick summary of which tracks are now banned in Switzerland or else use lifts that aren’t open.