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You lot always come up trumps so doing it again.
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The kids really enjoyed MOrzine - it feels like the go to place as it has all of the fun activities - it's generally a safe bet - i quite like it, even for MTB despite what people might think - some mellow blues for the un-experienced towards Les Gets side. - What on earth has happened to accomodation pricing - it's bonkers this year!
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via others on the forum i've also now experienced;
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Samoen - nice place - rafting was cool, lovely walks, kids could wonder off and enjoy the river and generally mingle on their own - however it was bloomin quiet
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Andalo/Molveno (Paganella) - Stayed down in Molveno, lake was brill (including the "secret one"), the riding i thought was damn good and could mix up some kids riding with it. Molveno was quite quiet though (though that can have it's charm), but this wore off on other members of the party.
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So i have 2 kids and the other half - one girl 15 who is very active - rides "ok", but not an agressive rider. Boy, 13, wants to give Alps MTB a go, but is equally happy to be on his butt withe his phone/nintendo - though is a paradox as will then scale a rock face to just jump in a river! Other half - cheese, wine, book job done.
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So where next folks - where has the Morzine level of "on your doorstep" but isn't Morzine - Aosta, Les Arc, Cham, somewhere else is South Tyrol?
I am going to watch this thread for ideas as well
Following for ideas too. We're off to Les Gets / Morzine for a week and then down to Chur.Â
Did Saalbach / Leogang last year, plenty of riding for me and my 12 year old. Not overly busy. Zell am See lake was close, as was Salzburg to keep my non-biking wife entertained.Â
alpes dhuez is always good. Stay at the campsite in ALLEMOND and catch the new lift up. If you don’t want to ride there are loads of water based options in the massive lake behind the dam.
I like the look of Aosta. Big mountains, lifts everywhere, quite a number of bike parks, and much more reasonably priced than anywhere in France, yet only an hour further than Morzine in the car. Also, pizza.
yeah though they don't seem to be as well set up that i can find.  As usual im looking for moon on a stick;
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Lake - check
Mellow MTB trails - check
Gnar Trails -Check
Playing in trees - check
white water rafting - check
not too busy - check (well accomodation to escape it)
I'd quite like to go back to the Dolomites, they offer an incredible scenary that's hard to beat, but there is pressure to educe the drive time.
Unfortunately not reducing the drive time for you, but we are heading to Barcelonnette this summer. It has Pra Loup bike park close but thats only small, Les Orres is not far away which looks like it has plenty of riding and Lac serre Poncon which has plenty going on. you could base yourself in Embrun and be closer to Les Orres. I avoid riding when away but always pic areas where there is plenty due to summer activities and scenery.
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The peeps heading to Morzine definitely seems to be changing and some of the 'Off Piste' on the Pleney hill is being made off limits.
Everything in Morzine has shot up in price and it's got more of a family resort vibe now and less of a 'British DH riders on a stag do' atmosphere. I actually prefer it now that I have a kid to entertain. I didn't realise how much stuff was there and he loved it.
We're staying in one of Riders Refuge catered chalets again. They've always been good value but they're currently unbeatable as far as I know. No doubt they'll have to raise their prices eventually but we've booked 2025 at the same price as 2024.
Livigno is about 3 hours from Paganella, I loved it there and once your there it's duty free so cheap. One side is more mellow, but wasn't open when I was there, Motolino has a bit of everything and was brilliant.
for those that care. We plonked for 1 week staying in Morzine and 1 week in Chatel (but they're the same i hear you cry) - well yes and no - the Chatel accomodation is going to be bigger and quieter with the aim of chilling out and getting fat on cheese and wine, where Morzine is designed to be a bit more gnar for the kids. Both Morzine Reservation and Chatel Reservation came up with best options on accomodation once you start asking all the usal questions about storage, passes etc - have used them both in the past and they've been very helpful.  Plus, the main reason for Chatel is i want to go back to the Brasserie, Les Cornettes in Abondance - nom nom nom...
I like the look of Aosta. Big mountains, lifts everywhere, quite a number of bike parks, and much more reasonably priced than anywhere in France, yet only an hour further than Morzine in the car. Also, pizza.
And gelato. And good coffee.
And amazing trails.