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Going to be riding in the area for the next few days, anyone with any local knowledge they wish to share? Thanks in advance:)
I just got back from a family trip there, i got in two days riding. First day was at Le Carroz (1/2 hour away) which was great fun for me & my son (well worth a visit, efficient uplift & great spot) second day of riding was the blue and bits of red from the top of Grand Massif Express (you in luck as the Chariande Express lift will be open for you (closes at weekends!!!!!!!) and will get you the top to access all of the crazyness back into Samoens, or, to the Blue 10 route that gives access to all the runs down into Morillon (approx 3km flat ride back to Samoens).
Its steep, the reds have some crazy jumps in them (well beyond me), but you can chicken them.
As with most resorts (i guess), breaking bumps will eat your bikes travel in places, but the trails have a great rough / natural feel to them.
I feel i have unfinished business there, but maybe not on a short travel hardtail next time (my wrists are still hurting).
The girl in the bike / raft shop nearest the GME was very knowledgeable on the trails.
Fantastic riding spot, have fun.
20e for a day pass on the uplifts that you can use throughout the Grande Massif area.
If you can figure out the reasoning for their Telecabin loading of bikes & riders, please let me know 😉
Thanks Qwerty, that is a really useful right up! Rode this morning and will try over above Morillion this afternoon.
Re the lift system, I can only think no one has been to any other resorts and seen how it's done or they are just mental in these parts. You had to wash your bike before a bubble today!!
qwerty, whats carroz like for young uns? Im' going with my ten year old, he'll be on a Giant trance. Was going to take him over to Les Gets as we've been there before, but if Carroz has some not too hard runs I might look over there as well.
ads678 - Les Carroz was where the girl in the shop in Samoens suggested we start off, your son should be fine, its a smaller venue, don't dismiss the green run, or venue, as its great fun, my 12yo son & I both rode the green, blue & reds there. Apparently its a newer resort & is worthy of some support. Enyoy!
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I'm there at the moment. Walked here from Evian along the GR5, so don't have any bike gear. I'm definitely coming back for a biking holiday! We've been here before, but the biking has expanded massively since then. I really liked the look of Chatel too when we walked through there last week - lots going on and some nice looking runs - more groomed than a lot of the Samoens stuff. Ads678 - there were a lot of young kids riding there.
Got back last week - family holiday with bikes - not an MTB trip - the Samoens runs looked too much for the wife and daughter so we went up to Les Carroz (which was great) and then drove up to Morzine a couple of days
Not sure I'd go back to Samoens for the riding but the walks we did were superb
Go see the guys in Mountain Spirit in Samoëns they run a shuttle up to Joux Plane. I think it was a tenner per shuttle but from up there you can drop down other side to Les Gets or back to Samoëns with plenty of natural 'off piste' trails. Its not a bike park, trails are occasionally marked but mostly if you head down you will end up back from down in the valley. Difficulty is Red(ish).
The telecabine from Samoëns gets you to a few well marked blue red and black trails. As above - it is not Morzine etc don't expect berms or well maintained trails.
If you like steeeep then between Samoëns 1500 and Morillon 1100 there is an 'unofficial' trail called Chicken Run. It's to the skiers left of the new piste down to the new lift. I believe some of that trail was used on Enduro World Series.
Alternatively get a Guide (Thomas at Mountain Spirit) and an e-bike and the whole area is your oyster.
Cool might head over to Carroz then. I've been to Samoens loads of times before. Did a ski season there back in 2007 so done loads of snowboarding there but haven't really ridden over there. Last time I was there my son was 8 and we went to Les Gets and also rode from top of Samoens over to morillon and down marvel. Which is a nice run.