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Looks like the family is off to the alps again in summer with bikes. Trying to work out where to go. My first choice is Tignes since we loved the holiday we did there, love the enduro style trails and the lift pass appears to be effectively free still.
But, although it was excellent, that was 6 years ago and I'm guessing it's much busier. We'd be camping at Les Brevs which involves getting everyone on the 8 seater minibus shuttle in the morning. Worked fine last time most days but even just one other group on the campsite and a few people in the chalet could mean very long waits between buses.
Also,seems daft not to do Morzine since it's supposed to be the best... but then that's what people said about Verbier, and it sucked balls ( on our budget at least)
We had a great time in Saalbach 7 years ago, even though the trails were hideously limited.
Loved Serfaus last year. Great bike park, and quite good enduro style trails, but nothing very stretching.
As above, found Verbier very frustrating. Lack of info and the limited budget wasn't fun. Enjoyed the ride over to Martigny.
Ended up bailing to Champery, which was good for 3 days. Did a tiny bit in Avoriaz and towards Morzine.
Liked Val Disere. Really liked the semi natural signposted stuff on La Face.
Liked La Plagne.
Liked 8 ball and other bits and pieces at Les Arcs, but were only there for a day.
Week in Meribel was great. The forest blue was amazing and the enduro down to Brides Les Bains was perfection.
Liked some of the stuff at La Thuile. We found some of it too hard, but the kids were wee at the time and on 24" wheels. I think on proper bikes, and 6 years older they'd love it.
Ideally we want some bike park, some gnarr downhill but most of all I want stuff that requires some pedal technique. All the runs I liked the most were the semi wild ones with a bit of uphill and lots of down. Basically Finale was bloody awesome. I want something like that but in the Alps. Lift up, bits of up, bits of across, but generally heading down.
Want proper low speed gnadgery tech, interspersed with swooping downs.
This was part of the reason we did verbier last year, but on a budget it didn't work. Booking 4 of us on a week-long whiterooms or bikeverbier just ain't affordable, so I'm after something with interesting explorery trails. Either signposted, or trailforks or just follow a 1:25,000 map. Just so long as there aren't reams of Fahrradverbots and angry Swiss farmers.
So, should we do Tignes again, or it Morzine any good for pedalling, lift assisted mtb?
Would you use Tignes as a base to ride down the Tarentaise valley? Because the actual bike park doesn't sound like your cup of tea. As you know - not many slow tech trails, absolutely loads of jumping, plus the whole bare-assedness of the place with not a tree to be seen.
I liked it mind, for something different, but I also prefer the riding you describe so not sure what is the best base around there. Les Arcs bike park is mid for the marked trails but there are loads of others to go at if the train is fixed.
The Tignes lift passes are not free if you're visiting, I think they are if you're staying at the resort - IDK if camping counts as that.
Would you use Tignes as a base to ride down the Tarentaise valley? Because the actual bike park doesn’t sound like your cup of tea
Would be happy to check out other stuff. TbH even at tignes I tried to find the good off piste, but mainly failed. Found a great terraced route above ValDisere and spent a while trying to find H.EI.D.I but failed. Even ended up riding my Enduro bike to the top of col d'Iseran in order to descend the GRx (5 I think) but it was a bit pants.
But we all loved the bike park. There are about 8 or so really good enduro style routes with some pedalling. Really liked them. But probably not enough for a full week.
I’ve suggested (and even persuaded a friend) to try the Ötztal valley in Austria for a camping, biking and family holiday. Have a look at the website and see what you think, lots of similar off bike activities to Tignes (water parks and stuff) so might be a good alternative.
Personally I can see the attraction to Morzine but fail to get excited by the biking there. Maybe I’ve done it a bit to death but I’d rather try elsewhere now.
What you've described is Bourg St Maurice when the funi is running, but it's not this year which is a shame. The busses are ok but slower and less reliable in terms of space which makes repeat runs through the woods less appealing but if you have transport then you can still base yourself there and do some runs out to other places in the valley.
We're not going this year, off to try the Durance valley instead, less sorted on the logistics round there but thought we'd give it a go whilst we can't be thinking that we wished we had the ease of BsM.
Take a look at Graubunden in CH. Davos or Lenzerheide as bases, but riding also at Flims/Laax and St. Moritz. Seems to tick most of your boxes.
Most swiss are warm, welcoming and genuine people. A small but vocal percentage need to be told to **** right off loudly and directly.
Ridden the area a fair few times, this year taking family, friends, kids for annual biking holiday, which has been PdS since the year dot, here for the first time. I’m confident they will love it.
Don't want to hijack the thread, started looking at our first summer bike holiday with my 10-year old and non-biking wife.
Sölden in the Ötztal Valley is one of the areas we looked at. @tuboflard don't suppose you'd have any recommendations on locations, campsites etc. you'd be happy to share please?
Morzine was an alternative...
Ötztal
valley
Yes indeed. That was one of the contenders. But I just remember the enthusiasm with which the Austrians banned cycling on all the amazing, interesting looking trails at Saalbach and thought that perhaps in morzine they may be more favourable.
to try the Durance valley instead,
Mmm. Briancon was indeed third choice as i recall some guide raving about the place and I have many excellent memories of skiing, climbing and paddling in the area. Though of course guides raving about an area is no guarantee of quality for those not hiring a guide. Got any links to valley Durance stuff?
Take a look at Graubunden in CH. Davos or Lenzerheide as bases, but riding also at Flims/Laax and St. Moritz. Seems to tick most of your boxes.
Mmmm. Our German mates are going to Flims this year so that is indeed an option. Not keen on St Moritzt due to memories if the extortionate prices when I last went.
<Edit: I seem to recall that Oetztal does officially allow mtb on paths and doesn't have the same strict laws on it as other regions of Aus, is that correct?>
There's absolutely no reason not to go to Morzine. It sounds like you've been everywhere else so I'm amazed you've managed to avoid it for so long.
The bikeparky riding can get a bike repetitive but there's literally endless options for off piste stuff. I've barely scratched the surface.
There’s absolutely no reason not to go to Morzine. It sounds like you’ve been everywhere else so I’m amazed you’ve managed to avoid it for so long.
Yep. That's exactly my thinking. The main reasons are money and the fact that my missus is German so we've tended more to go that side of the alps for adventures
The bikeparky riding can get a bike repetitive but there’s literally endless options for off piste stuff.
Cool. How do you find and navigate the good stuff? Trailforks, maps or cough up 350 per diem for a guide?
I did Solden pre covid, loved it. Swoopy flow trails. I preferred it to Morzine riding, but then again I’m a 52yo who can’t afford to break an arm or leg trying to be gnar.
Aosta valley or verbier are both good. I did a day on morzine last summer and quickly went back to samoens instead. Too busy and battered for my taste
Bourg St Maurice funicular is running again this summer
> https://en.lesarcs.com/funicular <
slight thread hijack - but this is amazing news if correct!
I had read somewhere it was closed again this summer for repairs, but clicking on that link then going to the "prices and timetables" tab does indeed say "Funicular open from June 17, 2023 to September 2, 2023".Hoping that's true as I'm there in August and it's way better with the funicular open.
Back on thread track Bourg St Maurice is also a great base for loads of places in the area (les Arcs, Tignes, La Thuile and Pila).
I was going to suggest Meribel, but I see you've already been there. Agree, the trails down to BlB are superb!
What I usually do is drive and stay in low resort/town which offers lift up. I can then travel to the other resorts not too far away. Eg Bourg SM in Tarentaise. I can drive to Tignes, Meribel, La Thuile and Aosta (at a push) from there. You also have Albertville to consider. I've only had a day there, but free bus to top (then short chair) and an excellent 40min descent to town. There are a lot of trails in Beaufortain area, although not sure about linking them.
Surprised you didnt get on with Verbier. I only spent 1 day in the bike park last year - we were there a week. Lots of choice on FatMap. Trailforks was my previous goto, but FatMap, in Verbier at least, was top notch for planning.
@thegeneralist - drop me a PM if you want a price based on a family room
The funicular in Bourg is definitely running this year. As above, longer season too.
Stevo (White Room MTB).
Hi @Hoff, I think it was this place:
Camping Ötztal Längenfeld
+43 5253 5348
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WaLwF2Qry71x8i3EA?g_st=ic