Alps Mountain Biking E-Book

Steve Mallett

• Herausgeber: Vertebrate Digital
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 262

Beschreibung

Alps Mountain Biking is a guide to the western Alps. It reveals epic rocky descents, high-altitude blasts and hidden Alpine singletrack, all set against a backdrop of snowy peaks, pine forests and clear blue skies. This is some of the greatest singletrack, enduro and downhill riding the mountains have to offer. Featuring the Alpine hot spots alongside the best lesser-known areas, you can ride the main lines of Morzine and Chamonix, and then escape the crowds and head to La Plagne, Martigny or Sauze d'Oulx. Using lifts, buses and good old pedal power, you can really exploit the massive vertical gains each area has to offer and enjoy trails that cater for every taste and ability. Alps Mountain Biking has everything you need to get out of the concrete resorts and plan a great riding trip. Written by Samoëns-based guide Steve Mallett, it gives you the local riders' inside knowledge on trails, and information on accommodation, lifts and travel. Packed with fantastic photography, it is guaranteed to inspire you to get out and explore this huge mountain bike playground.

Leseprobe

Alps

mountain

biking

Alps

mountain

biking

From Aosta to Zermatt: the best singletrack, enduro and downhill trails in the Alps

Steve Mallett

Published by Vertebrate Publishing, Sheffield. www.v-publishing.co.uk

First published in 2015 by Vertebrate Publishing.  Vertebrate Publishing Crescent House, 228 Psalter Lane, Sheffield, S11 8UT, UK. www.v-publishing.co.uk Copyright © Steve Mallett and Vertebrate Publishing 2015. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Maps rendered using Nautoguide technology. www.nautoguide.com All photos © Steve Mallett unless otherwise credited. Steve Mallett has asserted his rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as author of this work. Front cover: Olly Wilkins and Christian Fairclough drop in to the home run up at La Balme in the Chamonix Valley, France. Photo by Dan Milner. www.danmilner.com. Back cover: The long descent down the Les Frettes ridge to Le Tour, Chamonix. Photo by Steve Mallett. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: 978-1-910240-36-6 (Paperback) ISBN: 978-1-910240-60-1 (ebook) All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanised, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems – without the written permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologise for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.  Design by Nathan Ryder. Produced by Rod Harrison. Vertebrate Graphics Limited. www.v-graphics.co.uk Vertebrate Publishing is committed to printing on paper from sustainable sources. This ebook edition has been created using CircularFLO from Circular Software. Every effort has been made to achieve accuracy of information in this guidebook. The author, publisher and copyright owners can take no responsibility for: loss or injury (including fatal) to persons; loss or damage to property or equipment; trespass; irresponsible riding or any other mishap that may be suffered as a result of following the route descriptions or advice offered in this guidebook. The inclusion or recommendation of a track or path does not guarantee that that path will remain open or rideable. If conflict with landowners or other users arises, we advise that you act politely and leave by the shortest route available. Please give way to horses and pedestrians. Mountain is biking is dangerous, so ride carefully, but have fun.

Alps

mountain

biking

Contents Introduction 7 Acknowledgements 8 About the guide 8 Using the guide 9 Grading 10 Directions and route planning 10 Alpine rights of way 10 Language(s) 11 Best type of bike 11 Kit and spares 11 Food and water 11 Tools and spares 11 Armour and protection 13 And the rest … 13 Riding safely 13 Mountain rescue 13 Area map 14 Alpe d’Huez 17 Alpi Bike Resort overview 22 Bardonecchia 27 Sauze d’Oulx 33

Chamonix overview 38 Le Tour and Vallorcine 45 Les Houches 51 Crans-Montana 57 La Clusaz 65 La Grave 71 La Plagne 75 La Rosière 81 La Thuile 87 Les Arcs 93 Les Deux Alpes 99 Les Saisies 105 Les Trois Vallées 111 Leysin 117 Martigny 123 Megève 131 Montgenèvre 137 Pila and Aosta 143 Portes du Soleil overview 148 Les Gets and Morzine 155 Champéry and Morgins 161 Chậậằạȧậâtel and Avoriaz 167

Saint-Luc 173 Salève 181 Samoëns and the Grand Massif 187 Serre Chevalier 193 Tignes and Val d’Isère 199 Valloire 205 Verbier 211 Zermatt 219 More riding Aravis 227 North-eastern Italy 230 Northern Alps 233 Southern Alps 239 Switzerland 247 Tour du Mont Blanc 253 Appendix 254 About the author 255

contents

4High-mountain adventure in Zermatt.

Introduction This is what we all imagine when we picture ourselves riding in the High Alps. You and the machine in perfect harmony, blissfully engaged in a pristine singletrack that picks its way through majestic peaks and valleys and off into the wilds beyond. This of course is a very real possibility, but for many who come to ride in this magnificent region, the reality can be quite different. Instead of this dreamlike scenario, you’ll most likely find yourself battling through the tooth-shattering braking bumps of a destroyed bike park, either being held up by a group of fat bankers on their annual trip to Morzine, or being chased down by a gang of horny seasonaires whose rattling steeds clearly receive less of their meagre weekly wage than the local bars. Fear not though, because with a little bit of planning and research these terrible situations can be avoided, which is where this guidebook comes in.

There is so much more in this central and western area of the Alps than most would lead you to believe, with some of the most stunning enduro and downhill trails you could ever imagine just a ridgeline’s hop away from the big and well-publicised resorts. In this book I’ve attempted to give an overview of the best gravity and lift-assisted riding to be found in this beautiful mountain playground; a wild and awe-inspiring place that holds some of the best trails on the planet – if you’re willing to get out there and explore. There is of course way more riding here than I’m able to explore in this guide, but hopefully it should give you the incentive to look beyond the obvious, away from the crowds and tap into the true potential of the Alps.

introduction

Acknowledgements Thanks to Sam and the boys at Bike Village for their advice and guiding in Les Arcs/La Rosière/La Plagne. Finale Freeride for their help with Finale Ligure. Angela Mazzocco at Pila. Nick Maher for advice on the Valais region. Andy Millener for his advice and guiding on the Valais, Martigny, Geneva and beyond. Alex Evans at Châtel bike park. Mark at MTB Verbier for his guidance in Verbier. Martin at Singletrack Safari for his advice with Les Deux Alpes/La Grave. Jamie Carr at Ride the Alps for his input on the Chamonix to Zermatt trips. Janine Imesch at Zermatt. Sylviane Barras at Crans-Montana. The staff at Métabief, Leysin, Dorénaz, Saint-Luc and Megève for all their help and advice in spite of my last-minute organisation. trailAddiction for their advice on the Beaufortain region. Gillon Hunter for his guiding and advice in the southern Alps. My wife Eleanor for keeping me sane at those dark times when trying to deal with ski-resort customer service. Baggen from Alpine Legends for route ideas in the Chamonix valley. Glen Davies and Jamie Barrow for their guidance on riding whilst blind drunk in Chamonix, as well as all the local riders and staff that I’ve met and ridden with along the way. The chaps at Vertebrate Publishing for all the guidance and to Dave Barter at Nautoguide for his efforts in creating the maps. About the guide Two things really struck me during the research for this book. Firstly, the Alps are huge. Secondly, there is not a single piece of a Renault Trafic van that doesn’t rattle. While this latter issue has been solved with some colourful language and the liberal use of a hammer, epic expanses of the Alpine region remain unconquered by most UK riders, and that’s where this guide comes in.

By concentrating on the central and western parts of this magnificent landscape, I hope to have given a decent overview of the best places to ride in France, Italy and Switzerland, as well as some route ideas to really get the most out of them. But before you grab the book and go charging off to the mountains, let’s just make sure we’re on the same page. I love big descents – it’s what the Alps were made for – so for that reason we’ll mainly be looking at lift-accessed areas that can really exploit the massive vertical gains to be found. Having said that, I’m not a big fan of fighting my way down the overused main lines of the big bike parks, especially when those winding Alpine singletracks are just a stone’s throw away from the crowds. I hope to show with this guide that you don’t necessarily need to trek for days on end to find adventure in the Alps, and even the most popular destinations are home to some spectacular and untouched trails if you’re willing to explore a little. You’ll see all the main biking hot spots as well as some areas you’ve never even heard of and use ski lifts, buses, shuttles, trams and some good old fashioned pedal power to access a wide range of destinations that each offer something a little different. I hope it gives you some new ideas, and the incentive to go out and explore this huge mountain bike playground.

ALPS MOUNTAIN BIKING

Using the guide You should find this guide easy to use. If you know where you want to ride, you’ll find all the riding spots listed in alphabetical order, so as long as you can run through A to Z, you’re sorted. If you’re not sure, or want to plan a tour, check the area map on pages 14–15 to get an idea of where everything is and which spots can be easily linked on a trip. Once you’re on the correct page, you’ll find an introduction on what to expect in that area, a look at the riding on offer and three routes that you absolutely have to ride. You’ll also find out about the best times to visit, how to get there and where to stay and eat. Useful websites are listed (we’ve shortened long URLs using tinyurl.com), along with any other information that might be handy. The opening page for each area contains a quick overview: An orange bar highlights any area that is particularly good for a given style: Downhill ENDURO SINGLETRACK  Who’s the riding suitable for? See Grading page 10.  The number of lifts that are available to bikers.  How much riding time you’ll spend descending …

 … and pedalling back up.  The number of days an area is good for.  How tricky the area is to navigate. The maps give a rough idea of where everything is. Combine them with a trail or IGN (France)/Swisstopo (Switzerland)/IGC (Italy) map to get around, and you’ll find what you’re looking for. The approximate line of each highlighted route is marked, as are the main towns, roads and peaks. You’ll find good riding around here. Big bike? Head this way for downhill runs. If there’s a bike park, it’s here. The approximate line of each of the highlighted routes. Note: line colour does not indicate difficulty. Lift. Not all accept bikes. Tram, funicular or mountain railway. By now the pictures and descriptions should have got you pretty excited and you should have all the information you need to plan a rather good riding holiday. But in case not, there’s a ‘more riding’ section to give you a few ideas. Perhaps you want to visit somewhere new, stop off on the drive to the Alps or go on a big adventure. You’ll get some ideas here.

Lift-accessed DH tracks.

Technical downhill riding, some pedalling required.

Swooping and flowing singletrack. Expect pedalling.

using the guide

Grading Routes in each location are graded blue, red or black in a similar manner to other Vertebrate guides and trail centres around the UK – although it’s worth noting that a black-graded Alpine DH is many, many times harder than a black at Coed-y-Brenin. Grades take into account technicality, fitness required, length of trails and gradients. A blue grading means the area can be tackled by most riders. Red locations have riding which is more difficult overall and will only appeal to riders of a good technical and physical ability. A black grading implies very difficult riding for those of an advanced level – you’ll find long and sustained descents through remote areas, and routes that require a high skill level to ride. Directions and route planning I’ve done my best to give accurate directions on how to find the best routes, but this book should never take the place of a map and proper route planning. Where possible we’ve provided details on the correct map you’ll need, or an online resource. If in doubt, hire a guide.

Alpine rights of way In general, Europe has a much more relaxed attitude to mountain biking than the UK. The footpath/bridleway setup doesn’t really exist, and bikes usually have as much right to roam as anyone else. That said, there are restrictions. Some of the nature reserves and national parks in France and Switzerland do not allow bikes inside and hopefully I’ve highlighted where you should and shouldn’t ride in each area covered. It’s not quite so simple in some areas, such as Chamonix, where mountain bikes are banned from most of the trails during the peak summer season (July and August), but are permitted for the rest of the year. Again I’ve done my best to cover this, but if you ever encounter signs forbidding the use of mountain bikes then please adhere to them, as it does threaten future use if they are ignored. As with all paths outside the marked trail centres, always be aware that there may be someone or something around the corner, especially during the peak seasons. Many routes pass through Alpine grazing land and it’s not uncommon to find an electric fence placed across a singletrack, or even a cow on the landing of a blind drop. Trust me they don’t move, so stay alert.

ALPS MOUNTAIN BIKING

10

Language(s) Think about learning a few basic sentences – they’ll go down pretty well with tourist-weary staff and may get you out of some sticky situations. For this central region, French is a pretty good one to learn, as not only is it good for the French resorts (obviously), but people in both western Switzerland and the many Italian locations close to the French/Swiss border also speak French. Best type of bike This is one of the most talked about issues on forums and magazines when it comes to Alpine riding. I would love to say it doesn’t matter, but unfortunately it does. You have to remember that descents in the Alps are sustained and brutal on you and your bike in a way that the UK just isn’t. Decent brakes are a must, and full suspension will make the experience much more enjoyable. Above all, make sure whatever you’re riding is in good condition. A breakdown or component failure in the middle of the mountains can be very serious indeed, so check your bike over fully before you set off. Generally speaking, this guide is aimed at the enduro and downhill end of the market, typically a 150- to 180-millimetre travel bike, but of course you can still have fun on a smaller machine.

Kit and spares Food and Water Ensure you have a Camelbak-style backpack with at least a litre of water. Even if the route doesn’t look strenuous, it’s easy to take a wrong turn and be faced with an hour’s climb back up to where you began. If you’re heading out on longer rides then make sure you pack some energy or cereal bars. Bananas and dried fruits such as apricots are also great options that don’t take up too much room. Tools and spares Pack a multi tool with a chain splitter, a pump and at least a couple of spare tubes. Pinch punctures are common in this rocky terrain and slices in tyres are not uncommon, so take a tyre boot with you too. Zip ties are ideal for on-the-trail repairs. You will find small bike-rental shops with a few basic spares, but it’s worth remembering that anything specific to your bike will be almost impossible to find in the resorts. Take a spare mech hanger or two, maybe even bolts or linkage parts for the rear suspension if you know they are prone to failing. Other parts such as spokes for a non-standard wheelset will be very hard to locate in the mountain regions, so think hard about what you may need to bring with you. Last but not least, make sure you pack brake pads and check that you have some spare with you for each ride. A set can last as little as one run in some cases!

language(s)

11

4Heading towards Oz from Alpe d’Huez.

Riding safely See the armour and protection section. Always let someone know where you’re heading each day, especially if you’re on your own. If you get into trouble on some of the more remote rides described in this guide, it could be days, or even longer, before anyone finds you. It’s also worth riding well within your limits when you’re in the back of beyond. It may not be a particularly challenging trail, but the consequences of a crash when you’re a long way from civilisation can be serious. Make sure you have a relevant map and know how to navigate the landscape, especially in poor conditions and visibility. Mountain rescue The emergency number 112 will work in most cases throughout the European Union, with most operators able to speak a good level of English. You will then be directed to the relevant emergency service. It’s also worth noting the specific numbers for each country, such as the fire and rescue services: France: 18 Switzerland: 118 Italy: 115 If possible, be prepared to give a grid reference to your location, as a description may not be enough if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Good insurance cover is also a good idea. Make sure it covers extreme sports and mountain biking as rescue costs, especially by helicopter, can be incredibly expensive.

Armour and protection A helmet and gloves should be worn at all times, but many riders choose to wear armour, even when they don’t usually do so at home. This is by no means essential, but knee pads, full face helmets and back protectors are all worth considering when entering extreme terrain. And the rest … As I said previously, a relevant map is essential, as is a first aid kit, a mobile phone and appropriate clothing. The weather can change fast in the high mountains and altitude can make a huge difference. It may feel warm in the valley, but by the time you arrive at 3,000 metres of altitude – even riding on glaciers in some areas – you can be in bitterly cold conditions. If the weather turns then it can very easily be snowing up high, even in mid summer, so pack a lightweight waterproof no matter what the conditions when you set off. As with anywhere, layers work great, as you can add or remove them as conditions change. Go for synthetic fabrics next to the skin in order to get rid of moisture and keep you warm and dry. Remember sun cream too. Even if it is cold, you can still get very burned.

armour and protection

13

Area map

The main spots 1 Alpe d’Huez 17 2 Alpi Bike Resort – Bardonecchia 27 3 Alpi Bike Resort – Sauze d’Oulx 33 4 Chamonix – Le Tour and Vallorcine 45 5 Chamonix – Les Houches 51 6 Crans-Montana 57 7 La Clusaz 65 8 La Grave 71 9 La Plagne 75 10 La Rosière 81 11 La Thuile 87 12 Les Arcs 93 13 Les Deux Alpes 99 14 Les Saisies 105 15 Les Trois Vallées 111 16 Leysin 117 17 Martigny 123 18 Megève 131 19 Montgenèvre 137 20 Pila and Aosta 143 21 PdS – Les Gets and Morzine 155 22 PdS – Champéry and Morgins 161 23 PdS – Châtel and Avoriaz 167 24 Saint-Luc 173 25 Salève 181 26 Samoëns and Grand Massif 187 27 Serre Chevalier 193 28 Tignes and Val d’Isere 199 29 Valloire 205 30 Verbier 211 31 Zermatt 219

More riding Aravis: 32 Annecy 227 33 Beaufortain 229 34 Grand-Bornand 229 North-eastern Italy: 35 Lake Garda 230 36 Livigno 231 Northern Alps: 37 La Bourgeoise 233 38 La Môle and Les Brasses 233 39 The Jura 235 southern Alps: 40 Finale Ligure 241 41 Haute Provence 243 42 La Moulière 243 43 Les Terres Noires 244 44 Nice 244 45 San Remo 245 46 Sospel 245 Switzerland: 47 Bex 247 48 Chamonix to Zermatt 248 49 Eastern Switzerland 249 50 Neuchâtel 250 51 Rochers de Naye 250 52 Vercorin 251 53 Tour du Mont Blanc 253

ALPS MOUNTAIN BIKING

14

4The technical Alpette line.

Alpe d’Huez Made world famous by the Megavalanche, Alpe d’Huez has gained something of a celebrity status in the biking community. Huge descents over glaciers, moorland, rocky singletracks and forest trails provide a real variety of terrain in what many claim is the home of modern enduro riding.

Introduction Alpe d’Huez sits high on a plateau above Bourg d’Oisans, not far from Les Deux Alpes on the other side of the valley. It’s a very different riding experience to the bike park of Deux Alpes though, with the emphasis being on physically challenging natural lines rather than big berms and freeride features. There are some easy-going DH descents which could be tackled by most, but the majority of the trails are technical, exposed and rocky, so it’s no place for beginners or those looking to roll down the mountain in a park environment. To appreciate the good stuff here requires a high level of confidence and fitness, as well as the ability to tackle all sorts of terrain. Navigation is easy enough though, as most trails are marked and don’t stray too far from the Alpe d’Huez main face or the Oz valley. Trails Although the trail map looks fairly epic at first glance, you’ll notice that everything east of the resort is full-on XC and not really of much interest unless you enjoy slogging up firetracks, which probably isn’t why you came to the Alps in the first place. Instead the focus is on the main face above Alpe d’Huez and into the Oz valley.

The main DH lines are to be found off the DMC lift, with a selection of greens through to blacks that cater for most abilities. The best of these is the fast-paced DH track into Oz, but if it’s bike park you’re after then there are better places. The highlight here is undoubtedly the range of huge enduro descents which are as long and physically demanding as anything you’ll encounter on a bike. The most obvious is the spectacular Megavalanche route, which shows off the full range of terrain on offer, beginning over the glacier and taking you through a rocky and barren wilderness before dropping into the woods on fast and switchbacking trails to the valley floor. It’s tempting to follow the race run all the way down, but keep your eye out because there many natural and far less ridden singletracks in the woods above Allemont that are well worth exploring. You can catch a bus from here back to Oz. It’s much the same story if you head into the Vaujany valley as well, where the theme is definitely still enduro – the trails littered with rocks, roots and small climbs to keep the height and make the runs as long as possible. It’s all genuinely easier to tackle on a trail bike rather than a DH machine so don’t be fooled by the big altitude drops, as a heavy rig will limit you to a small area of the mountain.

 Intermediate to advanced  9  70%  30%  1 week  Not too bad

Alpe D’Huez

17

Alpe d’Huez

Our Pick The Mega Arguably one of the most famous descents on earth, the Megavalanche drops from the highest lift on the hill, the Pic Blanc, right down to Allemont in the Bourg valley. It covers everything from snow to rocky traverses, sandy berms and pine forest switchbacks, with a few wee climbs just to properly finish you off. With over 2,500 metres of altitude drop, you can expect to be frozen solid at the top and lying in a pool of perspiration at the bottom – layers are the way forward here. If you’ve seen the videos of the race and its mass starts, it can be an eerily quiet experience when riding this run by yourself, but that only adds to the adventure. L’Alpette to Oz From the top of the Alpette lift drop back down the trail towards Oz. Spot a walking trail hooking off to the right. Super technical and rocky at the top, this beautiful singletrack looks as though it may drop towards Vaujany into no man’s land. But it’s possible to cut back to the Oz lifts where the trail opens up into one of the fastest and most swoopy tracks on the mountain. Totally undiscovered, it’s deep in pine needles and a welcome relief from the challenging terrain up top.

Locals’ choice Oz Single A fantastic singletrack option to the main Oz DH run. Off the Poutran 2 or DMC 1 lift, drop into the Oz valley. But instead of heading to the right under the lift, spot the singletrack hugging the left-hand side of the valley. Winding down into the trees it’s seemingly never-ending, and your hands will be crying for mercy near the bottom. You’ll forget all about that bit on the lift back up though, and eagerly subject yourself to it all over again! General info For all the info on the bike park and lifts, visit tinyurl.com/bike-oisans or www.alpedhueznet.com For more ideas on routes in the wider area, pick up the free VTT EN OISANS guidebook from any of the local tourist infos. It’s pretty good and covers just about everything in the area. Getting here The resort can be reached via twenty-one famous Tour de France hairpins above Bourg d’Oisans. If you’re not driving down then flying into Grenoble or Chambéry and then renting a hire car is your best bet. It’s about 1.5 hours from Grenoble.

Alpe D’Huez

19

4The notorious Megavalanche route.

Alpe d’Huez

Town Forget any notions of a quaint Alpine village – the ageing high-rise buildings and tacky burger bars up here have about as much charm and character as Butlins. Let’s be honest though, on a trip away with mates, most bikers aren’t too concerned with culture, and what Alpe d’Huez lacks in that area, it does make up for in nightlife, which is missing in most summer biking resorts. There are many bars and even a nightclub during the peak weeks, so there’s plenty of entertainment after the riding’s finished. Lift dates Normally the first weekend in July to the last in August but this will probably vary year to year so always check tinyurl.com/bike-oisans Maps Bike maps are available from the tourist info in the town centre and at the ticket office at the lifts. You probably won’t need anything more detailed, but IGN map 3335 ET: Bourg d’Oisans/L’Alpe d’Huez covers the area.

Where to stay Being a large ski resort that’s somewhat empty in the summer, there’s a huge amount to choose from. The resort’s official accommodation page is a good place to start, with some package deals on accommodation and lift passes: www.alpedhuez.com. There are also a number of campsites in the valley beneath Oz. Eating and drinking There’s a good number of eateries open during the summer, mostly in the form of burger and snack bars. Head to the Galerie de l’Ours Blanc for some cheap and cheerful grub. Then, having saved so much on dinner, you can splash out the best part of a grand on a bottle of champagne at the Sporting Bar, which has a club open on weekends until 4 a.m. Also worth checking out is the ‘O’ Bar. It’s slightly out of the way at the bottom end of town but has a real nice atmosphere. Bike spares Sarenne Sports near the main DMC lift has a passable range of spares and rents out Scott and Commençal machines. Rocky Sports, down past the Palais des Sports, also has a decent range of spares.

Alpe D’Huez

21

Alpi Bike Resort overview

4Summer in Italy – Alpi Bike Resort.

Alpi Bike Resort – Overview

23

4Rocce Nera ridge, Sauze.

Alpi Bike Resort overview

The Alpi Bike Resort is a collection of eight towns in the Susa valley region of north-west Italy. Although each area offers something a little different, they all share a common theme that’s typical of the Italian riding scene. You’re still very much in the High Alps, but the terrain tends to be gentler than in the French resorts nearby. As a result the trails are long, flowing and easy on the brakes. Rolling through the lush wooded landscape, it’s clear that the emphasis is to create fun and swoopy lines that effortlessly carry speed. Sandy and very dry, the trails have a singletrack and natural feel to them. You won’t find anything extreme here, but the local mentality of simply having fun on a bike is utterly contagious. No matter what level you are at, or what you’re riding, you’ll have a blast in this giant MTB playground. There are many highlights to the area, such as the national DH course at Sestrière or the enduro wilderness of the Chiomonte valley, but they only offer one or two days of entertainment. Therefore we’ve chosen to focus on the two riding areas which offer the most longevity and which provide easy access to the smaller resorts in the system: Bardonecchia and Sauze d’Oulx. Bardonecchia At the southern end of the Fréjus Tunnel, this busy town is easily reached from France and receives the largest number of riders in the area.

Infrastructure is great here and the fast lifts give access to a large number of varied trails, from smooth, contouring singletrack to flat-out DH runs. Expect very dry conditions and gentle terrain. Sauze d’Oulx The venue for the Superenduro of Nations, this sunny mountain town is home to some of the best man-made runs you can imagine. You’ll swoop, dive and occasionally launch into the bright green forest canopy on these brilliant trails that define the word flow. It’s just about possible to link with Sestrière from here too. General info The area has its own website with a general write up on each resort and their locations: tinyurl.com/alpi-bike Lift dates Generally speaking, the lifts run from the end of June through to early September, but each town is slightly different. See the Bardonecchia and Sauze d’Oulx pages for specific dates. Getting here The area is best accessed from Turin, which is an hour away by car, or via Briançon and the Fréjus Tunnel from France: tinyurl.com/alpi-bike-travel It’s also easy enough to get here by train from Turin: www.trenitalia.com Where to stay Bardonecchia and Sauze d’Oulx are the best places to stay as they are easy to reach and have the biggest selections of accommodation and après-bike. See the Bardonecchia and Sauze pages for more information.

Alpi Bike Resort – Overview

25

4Give the bike and the body a rest on the smooth Bardonecchia trails.

Bardonecchia (Alpi Bike Resort) A welcome relief for any battle-weary biker looking for a chilled cruise around the mountainside. Super-smooth singles wind through the forests, keeping their height and creating wonderful flow. Some properly fast and drifty black runs will keep the adrenaline seeker happy too, so there’s something to cater for all tastes and abilities.