After a long and involved navel staring episode, I'm considering either Mass Marittima or Saalback for a long weekend of biking for my 50th.
I'm fairly OK with what to expect from Saalbach, but not so aware of Massa. Has anyone got any experience of the riding there?
Hoping it is all natural singletrack goodness with very few "features".
Yes.... It's good.
More similar to Finale than Saalbach.
Saalbach is a bit shit, imo. Plenty of lifts, but a lack of trails that are not easy to link up.... One or two trails per lift.
If you like lift assisted, mix of natural and built trails then seriously look at Paganella Bike Park near Trento. Trails are much better, more varied and better kept than Saalbach. Plus you get Italian food, hospitality and prices and not some surly Austrian charging you 4€ for a shit coffee. Also not far from Lago di Garda.
Massa Marittima, like Finale, is more hand shaped, enduro-esque and suited to pedalling up or getting a shuttle. Trails are well built. There's a group of lads who build and maintain the trails as well as offering a pick up shuttle service. They operate from Bike Hotel Massa Vecchia. If you've got Trailforks then you don't need a guide.
Quite a lot of trails, each with its own style, spanning or from Mt Arsenti. Roughly 300m climb to the top. No major features that you have to commit to.... At least not that I recall.
Lots of more mellow riding around, too. Plus there's a few other concentrations of trails in the area (Follonica, Punta Ala/Tirli which is also very good).
Was there a few years back one August a few years back. It was stupidly hot. Went back the following March and it was perfect. It's a nice bit of Tuscany.
Planning on going there end of Jan (currently in northern Tuscany) before heading to Sardinia.
Was there as part of a punta ala trip. Quite enjoyable, not that technical, but it's difficult to give an overall impression as we were there as part of a group and the guides from mixed in with another group there.
I read Hannah’s article and it sounds pretty good more trails than bike park. Worth reading if you haven’t already.
Cheers peeps. Surprised about the Saalbach feedback. Had word from a friend's son (who is a sponsored rider admittedly) that he reckons it is one of the best places he has been riding, and he gets to go to a lot of riding destinations.
Saalbach has a few lines with big features. Hackelberg trail is good, but it's the only "enduro" or natural tail there. Seriously, look at Trailforks. Loads of lifts, but only one trail per lift. Looks awesome, but isn't. I lived around the corner in munch for nigh on 15 years and only went to Saalbach as they offered the "Joker Card" which gave you free lift access with your accommodation. They stopped that and now you pay lots of money for a shit selection on trails.
On top of that rules for riding in Austria and very restrictive outside of "designated bike zones". For example you're not allowed on any trails narrower than 2m in many places.
Seriously, look at Paganella for a decent selection of trails with good lift infrastructure if you want access to cable cars. It's a little more expensive now than a few years ago, but still only 80€ for two days, similar to Morzine.
Another more trail/enduro spot that you might find interesting is Reschen/Nauders on the border of Austria and South Tirol, Italy. You can lnk up big days with the lifts as well as having some great trails lower down the valley in Vinschgau. Stelvio/Stilferjoch (Goldsee trail) isn't far away as well as plenty of other trails around Schanders and Latsch.
It does depend what time of year you are thinking of going. Like I said, I was in Massa Marittima around August.... It was very warm for pedalling up.