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For the last four trips we've gone with Rivierabike in Molini, which has been absolutely fantastic to put it mildly. We'd happily go back but kind of feel we should maybe try something a bit different this time.
Bike Verbier, White Room and Bike Alp are the alternatives I've narrowed down. Budget is £1k pp all in, and they all look roughly on this ballpark.
Really interested to hear from people who've been riding with [u]more than one[/u] of these companies so can compare them.
[u]Our group likes:[/u]
Rocky tech, mixture of trail types e.g. forest, mountain etc, great scenery, great food, well organised yet relaxed atmosphere, 140mm-160mm travel trail-bike friendly trails (i.e. don't want to hire DH bikes), uplifts without too much pedalling involved, flights from Leeds Bradford (or Manchester at a push), small groups, decent & english speaking guides.
[u]Our group doesn't like:[/u]
Table tops, huge berms, ladder drops, soulless concrete skiing resorts, pushy or arsey guides, large groups with very mixed ability.
All thoughts, comments and the usual stw sarcasm welcome 😀
We went with Freeride Madeira this year and they were excellent - intense techy riding and really accommodating guides, descended to the beach most days for a post-ride beer, amazing food all week.
Verbier is amazing and even better if your willing to put in some effort.
Les Arcs and the surrounding area is also superb.
gfrew88 - Member
Verbier is amazing and even better [b]if your willing to put in some effort[/b].
What do you mean by that? Better trails are a bit of a push/pedal from the uplift?
Pretty much but I always find it strange when people go on a cycling holiday and moan at having to pedal.
Bike Verbier are suppose to be excellent to go with I seen there chalet/workshp it's rather impressive.
Of the shortlist you have, I've been to White Room and they're very good. In addition to your shortlist, I'd add Bike Village. They're located near to White Room (they ride some of the same trails) and quite similar - on average Bike Village are a bit more pedally and probably have a bit more of a "one big family" atmosphere.
I've been to White Room a couple of times and Bike Village 4 times. I'd go back to either but obviously I've been back to Bike Village more. 🙂 In fact I just got back from a week with Bike Village yesterday! Some of the other guests have been to Bike Verbier too and considered Bike Village and Bike Verbier pretty similar.
Bike Verbier, Bike Village and White Room all conduct transfers from Geneva airport, so if you can fly from Leeds Bradford to Geneva then all three companies are available to you.
I know of someone who goes to bike village regularly and can't rate it highly enough.
As something not on your list at all, have you thought about lake Garda ? We're out there just now and the uplift and trail description you've given is pretty much what we've been riding. Scenery, food, weather all amazing. Only thing missing is the organisation of a big group. Michael cycle Shiel will organise for groups but this year we've done a package holiday and just organised bike/uplift/guide packages through Michael. This has been one of the most chilled riding holidays we've had and we'll definitely be back.
Plenty to do around here off the bike too.
I've stayed in lake Garda (Malcesine) but not ridden there (hire bikes with brakes the wrong way round put me off!). Whereabouts did you stay, Riva?
Tbh I think there are loads of great choices so I'm happy to stick to my shortlist. Plus if I go to lake Garda without the Mrs she'll never forgive me!
No-one been with Bike Alp then? We had a walking summer hol in Samoens and found it a beautiful place but heard mixed reports about the riding
The technical riding at White Room/Bike Village isn't primarily rocky. There's still plenty of rocky bits but there's probably more that's technical due to roots, tight/dropping switchbacks and exposure.
It's probably impossible to avoid the risk that you'll end up on holiday with riders significantly different in ability to you (unless you and your mates account for all available slots when you go) but White Room and Bike Village will both offer at least two different rides/guided groups each day so riders will tend naturally to split up according to relative skill or fitness. Both tend to accomodate for around 12 riders a week so each group will average 6 or so riders.
I really want to go back out to Austria again, it's just a shame Diz packed it all in.
Kaprun was an ace place to ride.
Teetosugars - have a look at Saalbach. It's an excellent place to go. 4 lifts to use with a variety of trails. No real need for a guide it's pretty easy to navigate. Easy enough ride over to Leogang for the bike park there too.
The great bonus of Saalbach is that a lot of the accommodation offers something called a Joker card. The Joker card is free (included in the cost of the accommodation) and offers access to all the lifts in Saalbach/Hinterglemm for the duration of your stay. You get one uplift at Leogang every day included too. The Joker card gives free access to a lot of stuff in town (pool, crazy golf) and discount for lots of other activities.
I rode all week on a 140mm bike, Jnr rode on 160mm sus bike. Downhill bikes not needed.
I ride Verbier most years but never been with BV. You'll will get the riding you want there. They are very well regarded and ride all over the valley not just Verbier. They are very good people based on my experience, tney helped me with a hotel booking one year when they where full and another year when I was going to book with them as a single rider they talked through the group they had and we agreed it would not make semse for me to join (other group into massive pedal ups ontop of the uplift and they had only 1 guide that week. IMO you will not do Verbier all in for £1k
White Room I have skied with. Great people and well liked here for biking. Huge range of terrain and they like to get out and about so you are exploring new areas every day.
Either of those you won't go wrong.