You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I’m going to be in Morzine for 5 days riding in July. I’ve never been before and want to try and make the most of the available time so what should I make sure to do? I’m up for a bit of pedalling to reach worthwhile trails but would like to focus on descending.
A bit jumpy but not a lot jumpy (think blues and A470 at BPW for comparison, gaps are also fine), flow trails are fun but tech trails are more fun. We’re staying in Morzine so access to those lifts is easy and we’ll have a hire car so driving to start a day from elsewhere is also an option.
What are your pro tips? Which marked trails should we not miss and what off piste should we go and find? What other advice do you have?
WWI
Which marked trails should we not miss
The main black line on the Pleney side. Anything truly "black" is avoidable or has chicken runs, the rest of the run is simply perfect. The lower part after "the 10%" is pretty much my favourite section of trail anywhere. Lapped it hundreds of times and it never gets boring.
The main black line on the Pleney side. Anything truly “black” is avoidable or has chicken runs, the rest of the run is simply perfect. The lower part after “the 10%” is pretty much my favourite section of trail anywhere. Lapped it hundreds of times and it never gets boring.
This is definitely on the list. Is the Pleny red a good warm up to the black or would you skip it and go straight into it?
Often overlooked are the red and black down to Lindarets from Avoriaz. Most people ride through once on the blue to link up with chatel. Lovely natural trails with a couple of (avoidable) jump features in them.
Is the Pleny red a good warm up to the black or would you skip it and go straight into it?
Straight to black. The red is far worse than the black. French trail grading is farcical. I've encountered people in tears on the pleney red as it has some very steep stuff on it and at one point you come round a corner into an immediate blind gap jump!
For me the key is just to get out and ride. Its all really well linked up so you can do a big lap of the area, session a couple of runs as you go, find the bits you like, follow your nose a bit. Don't just head to the first bike park and spend all day there. For 5 days I think you'll find plenty within the main area. There are some good extra rides but maybe save those for next time. It can be a bit of a bottleneck getting up the Super Morzine so you can drive up to Linderettes and start from there but it's not a massive saving for the hassle.
French trail grading is farcical
+1 to this. It is certainly the case in Morzine. There are very few unavoidable jumps, though. The weather plays a big factor too. In the wet it can be a bit of a mess.
Is the Pleny red a good warm up to the black or would you skip it and go straight into it?
the blue "family"* is probably a better warm up - similar style but much easier. The red is a very different style - and if its even slightly wet, its harder than the black.
*bizarre choice of name, it is in no way a family trail. always some scared looking parents to be spotted on it.
Nice - when are you there? Me and a few others are there 8-15th.
My 6th trip there and I can't wait!
FWIW I don't think you need to drive elsewhere as there is so much to go at within the PDS area.
Not been for 4 years so there will no doubt be new trails - YouTube is your friend and no doubt plenty of wise words on here.
One big day that involves a lot of pedalling is out to Champery just over the border in Switzerland:
Take the lifts to the Pointe de Mossettes (SuperMorize/Zore/XC to just above Lindarets then Mossettes lift)...do some of the Grande Conche old Swiss DH before cutting across to the Col de Cou past a remote cafe for a coffee. It's generally uphill and steep towards the top from what I remember. The ridge line ride towards Champery is possibly cheeky but very good with a long run down to Champery where there is the infamous 2011 Danny Hart 'big balls' wet World Champs DH track.
Cable car back up to Les Crosets for a nice descent before lift back to Pointe de Mossettes - epically long traversing descent on the GR5 all the way back to Lindarets for a cold beer before getting a lift up to Avoriaz then DH pretty much all the way home via Zore and SuperMorzine before pulling up outside Bar Robinson for Mutzig! Don't miss the lift from Champery or it's a very arduous slog back or expensive taxi ride. You can also get back from Lindarets roading it down past Lac Montriond.
There's the bike park stuff at Chatel and Les Gets/Zore which is good fun if you have skillz (I don't). Plenty of runs down the Pleney to start off - go easy initially or it could be a shorter biking holiday than anticipated - note to self - get insurance sorted!
This is definitely on the list. Is the Pleny red a good warm up to the black or would you skip it and go straight into it?
I feel that the red is harder than the black, try the blue to warm up and mix in with the off piste stuff at the side.
Nice video @BoardinBob, nothing quite like a good Morzine run in the sunshine. 👌
always some scared looking parents to be spotted on it
Remember coming across a very startled looking family on regular bikes half way down once, really bad signage!
Goat village - near Lindarets if you like goats!
+1 for a green trail in Chatel that was awesome, it was from high up and ran along a ridge before dropping down to the Vink stuff. Super fast and bermy.
As Rascal says a trip to do Grande Conche is well worth it.
Pleney Blue is a good warm up and the top 2/3 is a great trail in its own right.
Goat village – near Lindarets if you like goats!
I've never been but you can smell it on a hot day.
I'll echo all the above. I'd definitely do rascals big day out over to Champery though. Going up and down all is fun but big days out like that are funnerer. The only thing I have to add is go to Morgins if you have time.
The only thing I have to add is go to Morgins if you have time.
yeah, worth a trip one day if you like natural trails, non-sensical trail grading, suprise gaps, and near everyone else being on full dh rigs and being faster than you. I think that comes across as negative but its not intended to be, its an enjoyable place.
Probably the only bit in the PDS map worth using the car to get to, otherwise you'll be leaving early to get back up to chatel.
For morgins - drive it. Full day there is wwwwaaaaayyyy better than having to clock watch to make the lifts home or, even worse, having to run as the weather might close the lifts.
We're out there 9th July for a week! After my trip last year was cut short with a broken finger I'm itching to get back out again this year!!
As someone mentioned the red down from Avoriaz into Lindarets is always fun (except for breaking fingers on pokey out rocks) - maybe I should run shorter bars this year.
Chatel definitely worth the trip, last time we went I think we made our way over there 3 days out of the 6.
Top half of Les Gets, Chavannes side is worth a visit, but it gets blown out so fast but you can get a load of laps in pretty quick.
Avoriaz into Lindarets is always fun (except for breaking fingers on pokey out rocks)
right hand? I think I know which rock...
Morgins is my favourite place on the whole system, and that's on a long-travel hardtail rather than a DH. Definitely worth driving over if you have a vehicle and you're staying in Morzine. Avoids the how-are-we-all-going-to-fit-on-this-bus lottery for the way back.
Morgins lift is shut this year. Hugely disappointing.
Even on an eeb, im not riding to the top again.
Shame, would have liked to revisit Morgins. Every trail there seemed to be one grade higher than it listed it as though vs rest of PDS.
My advice is don't panic.
It won't take you long to realise how easy it is to get around. You can easily hit all the marked trails in a few days. If you want to go off the map a little ask in a bike shop. The staff always know where everything is.
If you like rowdy, steep, out of control DH runs, just ride around on the Pleney until you see a gap in the trees and jump in.
Stoner on here lives in Montriond and knows the area very well.
Met him for a few beers 4 years ago - lovely fella...hi Stoner if you read this 😉
Nice – when are you there? Me and a few others are there 8-15th.
My 6th trip there and I can’t wait!
July 7th to 11th - I'm on a yellow/gold Transition Sentinel with Ohlins suspension if you spot me and want to say hi!
Plenty of runs down the Pleney to start off – go easy initially or it could be a shorter biking holiday than anticipated – note to self – get insurance sorted
Oh yeah I meant to ask about this too - regular travel insurance? "Winter" sports cover? Or is there some other MTB equivalent?
I feel that the red is harder than the black, try the blue to warm up and mix in with the off piste stuff at the side.
I thought this was a silly question but now I'm glad I asked 😂
One more question. I'll be taking the full face helmet, is it worth packing a half shell also or is it just going to take up space in the bag and go unused?
Thanks to everyone for the ideas, I'll start going through it all with a piste map and see if I can plan out some days. Keep them coming if you have other recommendations!
GR5 from the Swiss border back to lindaretes is always fun
Oh yeah I meant to ask about this too – regular travel insurance? “Winter” sports cover? Or is there some other MTB equivalent?
Def specific MTB - be honest too or you might find yourself with a large fix-me bill if you proper spanner yourself declaring you were just going for 'pootle' rides when it's anything but...
Cafe Chaud for a hell of a night out!
I've been a few times and never used a full face. My advice would be to get a half day out guided by rideability. I've used them a few times and they always come up with new trails.
Oh yeah I meant to ask about this too – regular travel insurance? “Winter” sports cover? Or is there some other MTB equivalent?
proper, proper, proper insurance. Unless it is really specific about covering this sort of riding then get it in writing or go elsewhere.
A lot of people go silly on the first day and nail themselves, so buidling up is definitely worth it.
I'd only take an open facer if you intend to do quite a bit of pedalling (up). Otherwise there's just no reason to not use a full facer, and you will be doing a massive amount of descending in 1 week compared to what you'd do in the UK (even at most uplifts)
^ this.
The only people I see in half faces are pootling. The speeds you’re going at I think you’d be insane not to wear a ff.
Take as many spares you can fit, not sure how you are traveling there but brake pads, tyres if you have space, rear mech and cables, mech hanger as well.
This is worst case scenario but if your whole holiday is ruined by not having a £20 hanger you'll kick yourself
right hand? I think I know which rock…
Thats the one!
Take as many spares you can fit, not sure how you are traveling there but brake pads, tyres if you have space, rear mech and cables, mech hanger as well.
And spare spokes.
Morzine is the only place I have ridden and boarded the same runs. Wonderful place 🙂
right hand? I think I know which rock…
Thats the one!
I know the rock too!
I’d only take an open facer if you intend to do quite a bit of pedalling (up). Otherwise there’s just no reason to not use a full facer, and you will be doing a massive amount of descending in 1 week compared to what you’d do in the UK (even at most uplifts)
I thought I'd probably get away without a full face. I did one run without face protection and went straight to the nearest bike shop and bought one, probably for double the price of buying it in the UK and taking it with me
Also estimate how many sets of brake pads you'll go through, double it, then throw a few extra sets in just in case
Ohh, and be gentle on your brakes (try to avoid feathering them - use a quick squeeze and release) otherwise you may risk overheating them (depending on your bike this might not be an issue, but on my older bike with small disks, overheating was a real concern).
Sound advice.
We did Passporte de Soleil and on the last descent my XT brakes were coming back to the bars with virtually no noticeable effect on my speed. Totally cooked!
If I was doing it again I'd go with my present set up - Magura MT7s on 205mm rotors
Hope (pun intended) my V4s with 203mm floating rotors and ebike pads will do the trick!
Can't believe nobody has said this yet:
Don't jump the bridge.
(Is that even an issue any more? Did they sanitise it?)
Get over to Morgin, it's the connoisseur's choice.
Also, and bare with me here, go and ride the Champery World Cup track. Seriously, it's amazing...just give it a couple of sunny days before you do.
Take a big fat lock and lock your bike up inside wherever you are staying.
I've been in two places where all the bikes have been stolen.
I loved morgins and Chatel. Well woth a day going, riding and getting back 😀
bare with me here, go and ride the Champery World Cup track. Seriously, it’s amazing…just give it a couple of sunny days before you do.
Mmm yes I bottled one drop last time, but am keen to try again. Son2 has also expressed an interest in doing it as well on his new bike this time.
I’ve been in two places where all the bikes have been stolen.
from where? garage, balcony?
Also, and bare with me here, go and ride the Champery World Cup track. Seriously, it’s amazing…just give it a couple of sunny days before you do.
But take the sunscreen! (Sorry, couldn't resist).
Watching this thread with interest - over from 1-8th July. Spent a week there last time but only really discovered some of the more natural stuff near the end of the week. Can't wait.
Other things to look at are the big zip line (Fantasticable, I think it's called) and make sure you get a chance to jump into the Lac de Montriond after a day on the trails. Happy memories.
Take a big fat lock and lock your bike up inside wherever you are staying.
Good point.
My mates once had all their bikes cleared out of a "secure" garage the night they arrived. Constantly hear about bikes being taken from balconies etc.
Other things to look at are the big zip line (Fantasticable, I think it’s called)
good fun. recommend doing it early in the holiday. a week of riding the chairlifts numbs the flying over valley experience a bit.
Depending on the wind direction and your weight, you'll get a weight or mini parachute thing. The max weight will also vary depending on wind direction. When I did it there was a tail wind, but I wouldn't have said it was particularly blowy. At 90kg dressed, with the biggest parachute I was *just* allowed on.
I saw Bec Jaune was closed for renovations and apparently opens in summer.
Anyone know when?
We should be there 1st week of July. Gonna need dinner on the chef's night off.
from where? garage, balcony?
The chalets garage both times. 7 years apart I think.
The second time there were several large places who had all the bikes taken.
The wooden garage door was forced on the Saturday night when there were loads of fireworks. Looks like the bikes where wheeled out. A V10 that was missing its front wheel was left behind. None of the bike were locked to anything inside the garage.
Not casting aspersions but one of the guys working in the Chalet had lent one of his bikes to a mate, and the other was in the workshop. When he asked me if my bike was insured (named on the house insurance) and I said it was he said "well thats alright then" without making eye contact. He went back to the UK early, noone was quite sure why.
I still think it was him,or he was involved. I've still got 0 proof. I made sure to keep my mouth shut at the time as I had nothing more than suspicion and some odd body language.
I'm not sure the police even turned up for €50,000 euros of bikes.
I was there one years when dozens of bikes were taken. Whole chalets and garages being wiped out, people climbing onto balconies and everything. It was a massacre. Mine have always been chained up.
When you do the Fantasticable the attach a little parachute to help control your speed.
Just remember to ‘unscrunch’ (I scrunched mine up in my hands for increased speeds) it before you hit the breaking block, I hit that bloody thing so much harder than everyone else!
Good fun though.
What companies do people use for insurance for a Morzine trip?
What companies do people use for insurance for a Morzine trip?
I used yellow jersey a couple of times, both for injury and theft cover. Thankfully I didn't need to claim but the cover seemed about the best I could find at the time.
What companies do people use for insurance for a Morzine trip?
Ive used these a few times after recommendations on here, never had to use it though
https://www.assurmix.com/sport-insurance/insurance-solution-sport-assursport
You can also buy insurance when you purchase your lift pass
https://www.ski-morzine.com/en/Services1/assurance-ski-snowrisk
I've gone with dogtag, wasn't cheap £140 ish just for a week as had to declare heart attack from 8yrs ago, but it is peace of mind should worst happen.
Dog Tag and peace of mind don’t really go hand in hand for me. Mate broke his shoulder and, understandably, went straight to the first place of medical assistance he could get to. Dog Tag refused to pay up as he didn’t go to the one they would’ve wanted him to go to. That he didn’t know any of this, and was in a fair bit of pain at the time so not really able to call them first was of no interest to them.
My top tips:
- Definitely do Chatel and Champery. Allow a full day for each, and if you're done early you can always session Linderets or Zore on your way back.
- Morgins lives up to the hype but it's not the easiest of places to get to so I wouldn't worry about missing if it's your first time in the area.
- Pleney off piste, just follow your nose and you'll find gold. So many fun trails and no navigation worries but it does get very steep in places so not for the faint hearted. Off Piste dropping from the blue can get very very spicy.
- Don't bother with Les Gets bike park. It can get some big queues, the jump line is nowhere near as good as it looks, and the trail back to Morzine is a waste of time.
FWIW I don’t think you need to drive elsewhere as there is so much to go at within the PDS area.
The driving recommendations is to skip the Super M/Zores morning queues rather than to ride beyond PDS. Not an essential, but it does make for a more relaxing day if you're there in peak season.
I’m just now digging through this thread and finding all the recommendations on the map, I might not have considered trips further afield to places like Champery and Chatel so thanks!
Quick question, is it pretty easy to get a water bottle filled? I’d like to ride without a pack but is that realistic? I’m guessing yes if you’re doing laps under a lift but maybe no if you’re going for a big day?
@Mark88, I agree, we’ve driven around to Chatel for the day a few times rather than queue up Super Morzine first thing. It also meant we could nip to a supermarket that isn’t the little Morzine one for a bigger selection and better prices.
We’ve also driven over to Les Gets a few times so the van/deck chairs/fridge/spares are all on hand.
If you do need to stock up there’s a better supermarket just outside Montriond that’s about a 10 minute drive from Morzine.
Very easy to keep a bottle topped up. There are taps at most lift areas, there are also troughs with constant running water all over the hills. Not like the green mess of a UK farm field, but delicious, cool mountain water.
That photo is making me thirsty.
Don’t drink more than 3 pints of Mutzig in one sitting…you have been warned!
Finish each days ride with a Mutzig at Bar Robinson
Driving up to Linderats is a good place to base yourself if you just want to ride there and the Chatel park but don’t want to drive to Chatel itself.
Lift passes are (slightly) cheaper online than buying them at the lift stations in resort.
The Ardent lift (a few km up the road from lac de montriond) now runs in summer, so you don't have to drive all the way to Lindarets to avoid the super m queues.
If you do drive up to Lindarets, the road up and over the col de joux verte runs one-way during the daytimes in peak summer; can't remember which way though.
Here's my advice...
The best running trails will differ from year to year - some seem to get more maintenance than others. When I was there last year the Chavannes run in Les Gets was in an awful state, worst I've ever seen it. Chatel seemed to be getting a fair amount of work, one of the runs was completely shut when we arrived and opened part way through having been completely re-done.
If you're only doing the bike park trails then a DH rig is the best choice - I went once on an enduro bike - never again
Personally I'm not a big fan of Morgins - always seems to be covered in braking bumps when I've been there, the trails are noticably narrower than everywhere else so you're forced to ride the braking bumps - also feels like there is less margin for error as the trails are so narrow. It's not the easiest to get to or from - set out early and you'll get there for about 11am, then to make the lift back from Chatel you'll need to be on the way back by 3pm at the latest (if you're staying in Morzine). The trip back is a bit of a push up on tarmac, then a roll to Chatel, onto a bus to get back to the (Chatel) bike park
I'd echo Champery being worth a trip over - check the lift times as depending on the time of year the one at the bottom either runs once and hour or every half hour
There is a Harley Davidson festival which takes place once every two years, usually mid July - we didn't know about it, but luckily we had a chalet slightly away from the centre of Morzine, so the noise wasn't that bad - no way I would have wanted to be in the centre
Tour de France is arriving in Morzine on the 15th July, leaving Les Gets on the 16th, so there will be some road closures if you're trying to leave resort that weekend (and besides road closures the place will be packed, slow going on all roads I imagine)
Be careful about relying on the water fountains, last year they were switched off for the summer across most of the alps.
I use snowcard for injury insurance.
If you can fit a 220mm front rotor it’s worth it for peace of mind in the alps IMO.
Haven’t been to Morzine for years, but there used to be some lovely restaurants in Lindarets.
1
beer247
Full Member
Don’t drink more than 3 pints of Mutzig in one sitting…you have been warned!
QFT. If you do accidentally go to far then your last hope is getting a Pain American from La Grignotte - sorts everything right out
I’ve not been to Morzine for years, but just remember the absolute carnage of outside Bar Robbos after they called last orders!
Dehydrated MTBers + mutzig = epic faceplants, both on and off the bike!
One year one of our group tried to do a wall ride opposite the bar after a couple of pints…he ended up in montriond hospital!
There’s a reason they only used to open for a few hours!
If you’re only doing the bike park trails then a DH rig is the best choice – I went once on an enduro bike – never again
Personally I’m not a big fan of Morgins –
See, that's the problem with advice on here. I think the opposite of this.
I absolutely love DH bikes and that's what I had for my first 5 or 6 trips. Now I just wouldn't bother with one anymore. I've ridden everything in the area on an old 26" Cotic Bfe hardtail with crappy Shimano brakes. I don't plan to do that again but a modern enduro bike is perfect.
I'll be fine if I get out there this year on my coil sprung trail bike.
Also...Morgins is awesome. Absolutely mint.
Ride within your limits, say 80-90% most of the time and ease into it for the first day.
And if tired give it up for the day, don'r push it.
Looks like the lift in Morgins is closed for summer 23!
https://www.skipass-pds-ch.ch/en/entreprise/projets23
Can’t seem to find any info on an alternative way to the top apart from riding!
I think the Morgins lift is being replaced.
The Harley Festival is great, everyone is really friendly and the first year the had Staus Quo headlining which even my wife enjoyed.
All of the above, esp. brake pads. If driving bring plenty of spares.
We have always booked a chalet or apartment and it has always worked out cheaper than bespoke MTB accommodation. Apart from camping which is not ideal in Morzine.
The firework displays in Les Gets and Lac Montriond are pretty special.
Also, take time to ride to some of the refuges. Refuge de Cheserey is great. Better still is L'Aspisa and then Chaux Paulin on the way to the Col de Cou.
Depending on the length of your stay consider buying a six day non consecutive pass. Also, pass credit runs over to the next year if unused (I think!)
Finally, the La Bourgeoisie descent down to Samoens is eye opening in the wet.
Just had a thought, if you're over in Switzerland/more than a valley away from home and you see a storm coming in, head for the lifts to get back. They (looking at you, Switzerland) shut the lifts with little notice and you could be in for a long push/ride back round if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Really interested in this thread. I am heading there (only 2 days riding) end of Aug/start Sept (so almost last few days of the season).
I am with family and we are flying - so can not take big locks and many spares, but will make sure I have brake pads and mech hangers. And will see if I can get a lock in under the weight limit for carry on!
Would love any feedback on greens/blues or suggestions of routes. I am staying central Morzine. All of the family have had trips to BPW/417, with some limited red route experience.