You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Anyone ever done it? I fancy it as a weekend away with the mrs next year, maybe Fort William but travel is an option.
What kind of prices are you looking at, tickets and hotels?
Also is it actually good to watch or are you there for the atmosphere?
Couple of my mates have been to Ft William a few times for the WC and love it, it's no short trip from Cardiff either, I'm told the Race Action is good, even if as you can imagine you can only see your favourite rider on a short section of the track, but you're free to move along the track during the race to see different bits - most people tend to move to the finish for the top 10 male qualifiers though, it's supposed to be a great atmosphere and a fun few evenings of camping and beers.
They went to Val De Sole a few years ago (I think) didn't like it as much, much quieter and when the WC circus left town it was a ghost town so they mooched down to Morzine to meet up with us.
I'm going next year.
I go to Fort William most years, it's a great weekend. Yes it's good to watch. Start up at the top (gondola ride or hike up) and walk your way down to the grandstand arena for the top 10 or so riders finishing. Atmosphere is great, just walking about the pit area checking out all the teams plus there are vendors setup as well. Tickets are different prices for day or weekend, with or without gondola access ( http://fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk/ticket-info/). Hotels/B&Bs can be cheap or expensive. Limited choice so book early to get your pick as they fill up fast.
Just do it!
If you're looking for a hotel decide early as they will likely be booked up or very limited selection by Christmas/New Year time.
Fort William is amazing but then I am a DH nerd and I've been following the World Cup since it was called the Grundigs. Not sure what your level of interest is.
Get yourself an early bird weekend ticket and use the gondola to scope out the track. It will give you a sense of scale and a greater appreciation of what's involved in the worlds fastest race runs. Be in the finish arena for the mens top 20 for ultimate atmosphere.
I've been to Val di Sole, Leogang and Vallnord. It's on a much smaller scale over there. Smaller crowds, less atmosphere and very little noise. Nothing can match Fort Bill for noise. It's more like a BDS race. Still good for a race nerd like me to check it out but not the same kind of 'event'.
Sod it im going next year. Sounds great, I'll either camp or airbnb it.
Did Fort William last year, my first and only World Cup.
Brilliant atmosphere and you get a real feel for how big and rough the track is, much better than on the telly. You need to be at the finish for the top 10, it's a proper sense of occasion.
Get your weekend ticket early, with gondola if possible. Just remember you only get 1 trip up on raceday! Take clothing for every type of weather too. I was lucky and got blazing sunshine, that's very rare.
I was travelling solo so went for a B&B out of Fort William to keep the costs down, got one in Oban for £20 a night for 3 nights! Meant an hour's drive each way to Fort William but I could drive straight to the shuttle bus' southernmost stop easily and take that in. Did a tour of the Oban Distillery on the Monday too 8)
I was speaking to other spectators all weekend and they mostly said that Fort William is much better for viewing and atmosphere than any of the others, but I have no way of knowing for sure.
Just booked Cairns for the World Champs, 4 days up there, no quali as such but plan he catch as much practice action as possible and some snorkling on the reef. As it's the worlds and a big field probably do some up and down stuff until I get scared by the snakes.
Expect a photo epic a few days later!!