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We went to Les Gets this year and we loved it. It was our first holiday to anywhere like that (riva del Garda a few years ago probably the closest.)
We all said we'd like to go back, my daughter loved the lift accessible tracks, we loved being right on the piste and less than 5 minutes from the lift so riding was really accessible every day.
But since coming back, mrs.k is taking about Chamonix for next year. Now I'd probably like that, happy to go off exploring more natural type stuff than bike park but what about my 10yr old daughter? What's the STW experience of the riding there? If we've got an air BnB in town, is it as easily accessible as les gets? Is there plenty for a 10yr old blue trail rider to go at? Or would we need to be driving it to places a bit more?
The info on Google isn't as clear as for the portes du soleil stuff and I've not found a convincing trail map like the one you get for the bike park in LG.
We'll be driving there, will have our own bikes, my wife doesn't ride so needs alternative activities!
Just an excuse to get thinking about next year, all advice welcome, pictures of family holidays in the Alps, tell me how great a time you had somewhere completely different if needs be (in the mountains obviously, keep it relevant!)
On a chunk of the hills above Chamonix bikes are not allowed, I think. So i didn’t think it’s an MTB resort really, although clearly there is riding
We had a brilliant 2 weeks with the kids there. But no bikes were involved
There used to be some great biking in the valley but pretty sure most of it is banned in the summer. I was fortunate to ride there before said ban but I’d probably look elsewhere. That said i think there is some really good stuff still at Les Houches, but not like the set up in Les Gets where you everything is set up around the lift serviced riding.
There are a few rides, but I havent personally done them as I was recovering from a broken rib during my trip there in may.
I love Chamonix. It’s one of my favourite places in the world. But there is a strange relationship between chamonix and mountain bikes. Most of the trails above the town centre itself are off limits for bikes in July and august. I’ve been shouted at by walkers even in early September.
however, I was there a week or two ago, and I did see riders around town and at Argentiere. There is bike park riding at Les Houches and Le Tour. But compared to the Portes du Soleil, it’s a little limited imo. That is balanced by being the most beautiful place on earth in my opinion. Absolute walking or trail running heaven.
We'll be there early August most likely. Sounds like a few days there then move on to portes du soleil for a few days might be the best option in order to satisfy the child's riding!
Maybe consider Verbier instead of Les Gets? It’s only about 90 minute drive from Chamonix I think. And you can stop down in the valley to keep the price down.
All the ski resorts have developed in different ways for Summer. Very few of them offer MTB like Morzine and the Portes du Soleil though. Others will be able to tell you which ones (if any).
But like people are saying: Chamonix really isn't one of them
It is an amazing place for a summer holiday. You can cycle. But it doesn't have that "ski resort, but for mountain bikes in summer" thing that Morzine has.
Is Chamonix a decent option for a non-bike-centric summer holiday then? Looking at the Alps for next summer with the whole family for 10 days or so and whilst we'd probably try and squeeze in a day or two of riding max, it'll be more about seeing some ace scenery and chilling (ideally with a pool). Any good for that? Kinda like the idea it won't be full of knobs on bikes 😀
Very little blue riding around Cham. Much better options exist!
It's an excellent option in my opinion. Last couple of years I've stayed up the valley in Argentiere and used the free train that runs up and down. There is only limited riding beyond the very limits of the valley at the top and bottom though
Have a look at Les Contamines. Its a great little ski resort about 45 mins from Chamonix - its got a couple of purpose built bike runs and lots of big mountains behind it. The town is really nice and relaxed , its never busy (chamonix would drive me crazy if I was there for two weeks) and I love it there.
Plenty of walking and other active options too.
There are other MTB track above Saint Gervais , nothing too hardcore, but plenty of blue and red type stuff.
We're looking for next year, only been to Chamonix in the winter so can't help with the summer holiday.
My wife doesn't mtb so need to find a blend of activities.
We did Austria last year (Lofar / Zell am See). Really liked it there and found it a great mix for days on and off the bike. Few days riding in Leogang / Saalbach. Plenty of other stuff to do on the lakes (nice infinity pool on the lake) and in the mountains. Free bus into Salzburg which was a nice day out.
Did Chatel and Chur (Bad Ragaz, Switzerland) this year. Loved both.
Free shuttle bus from Chatel to the Pre la Joux lifts. Easy to get to Avoriaz, Morzine etc. on bikes (blue runs or fire roads) or easy hike/lift network if walking. Not far from Morgins. Not busy either
The trails around Bike Kingdom Chur / Lenzeheide were great too. We didn't make the most of it though. Didn't realize how big and well connected it is. Would definitely go back.
We had a great family holiday in Chamonix. There are huge snow covered peaks over the town. Our best day was cable car up the Aiguille de Midi. Then half way back down. Walked along the Grand Balcony Nord. You can then go inside the glacier and then down by train
tell me how great a time you had somewhere completely different if needs be (in the mountains obviously, keep it relevant!)
In a word....
Tignes
We had two riding trips there when the kids were wee, and me and the kids have been agitating to go back ever since. The missus doesn't like going back to the same place so we've done Saalbach, Leogang, Serfaus, Verbier, Champéry, Les Gets, Grand Bournand, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Méribel, La Thuile, Aussois, Montgenèvre, Serre Chevalière, Puy St Vincent, Deux Alpes, Ochsenkopf and various others
This year we finally went back to Tignes again and confirmed, it's bloody excellent... whether the kids are 9/11 or 17/19 years old
Cheers @ampthill - looks just what we're after. Think I'll start looking for accommodation...
I've been to Chamonix twice. First time was before lift access for bikes was limited and it was fun. Rode with Mrs a11y entirely and stuck to easier park-type stuff and it was fun. I think even then there wasn't much/any effort made to maintain any of the park stuff, as evidenced with the attention to detail on the signage...
Second time was with a very young mini-a11y so no MTBing, but plenty of non-biking options - there's plenty to see and do for a family hol. We were denied access to Aiguille de Midi due to mini-a11y being too young for the altitude (IIRC), so instead took the train up to the Mer de Glace for a walk inside the glacier which was cool. We loved the area/scenery so we're trying to include a return visit on a future Alps biking trip.
