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I'm starting to think about next year's holidays. Would like to get back to do some more alpine stuff. Not a big fan of bike parks, prefering longer xc days out. Have previously spent several weeks in the Briancon region, a few in PPDS area and a bit near Beaufort. Looking for suggestions where to look, preferably no further than two days driving away, not keen on flying with bikes. The Swiss Valais is a possible, have walked and climbed there in the past, and the Aosta valley and Ainsa also appeal.
How about the southern tarentaise/ les trois vallees area? Lots of the big guiding companies base themselves round there and there are thousands of trails. Easy to drive to and loads of accommodation.Â
I'll give that a look. Anyone have other recommendations?
Just remember that with the current ROE Switzerland will be stunningly expensive  (and I used to live there)
Can you give us any more requirements? Stuff like - ideal accommodation type, other activities, staying put or touring round, lift, pedal, solo, guided?
Flesh it out a bit.
Prefer to base ourselves in one location, staying in a chalet/apartment. We tend to self guide, as the wife is not as confident and feels she would be pressured on an organised trip. As to other activities, we tend walk on our days off so pretty much anywhere is fine for that. Happy to use lifts but equally happy to pedal up, just not interested in bike parks on the whole. We're most wheels on the ground type, but regardless of that I just find most bike parks boring. Find it much more rewarding on natural trails, hike-a-biking to high alpine areas. Like many started with the PPDS, but more recently gravitated to the Ecrins with the added bonus of only seeing another Brit every two or three days 😉.
2 days drive is a challenge if you line in Inverness, so how much of the Alps can you reach in 2 days?
Having got injured whilst riding DH in the alps, i'd really like to find some nice pedally riding in big mountains.
Im fit and happy to work hard on my bike, but i really dont want to ride anything more than a wheels on the ground UK style red.
Im watching this thread with interest for '24
Ian
Ainsa would fit the bill. We did Easter 2 years ago. Camped for the 2 weeks. Amazing riding, didnt drive more than 30mins each day, few rides from the campsite. Some super steep and tech, some flow, proper brilliant natural riding.Â
July & August I think would be too hot. I am limited to school holidays, Easter was great with some plus 20deg days but also snow high up and 2 very wet days.
Late May - June would be epic...
Its a full days drive from calais.Â
I have only done 1 2 week holiday at Easter. However Ainsa is a pretty big place and I get the impression stuff is open year round. It was all open at Easter.
We stayed at camping boltano just outside. It had a restaurant/bar that was always open and busy.
I was going to say that we stayed in Bozel (3 valleys) this September. Lots of good riding from the door and as it is a reasonable size town, the were a selection of restaurants open.
However I've just googled Ainsa and it looks great. Ignore my suggestion and go there. I've penciled it in for next October.Â
What about the northern end of Lake Garda?Â
Garda looks nice, but it's starting to push the driving a bit. One to ponder 🤔