MTB Alpine Challenge

The Portes du Soleil mountain biking area is world renowned as a Mecca for downhill biking. This challenge will see mountain bikers ride around the largest ski area in the world without the use of any ski lifts, accessing some little ridden but classic riding.

Mountain biking around the largest ski area in the world

Around the Portes du Soleil through France and Switzerland

A mixture of road, gravel, off road and single track

Options of easier or harder routes

Itinerary

Day 1 25km 675m

Flight into Geneva, transfer to Morzine 1hr 15.

Assemble bikes or collect rental bikes. A warm up ride out from Morzine with a steady climb on road and then off road to catch some classic single track back through Les Gets and back to Morzine.

Day 2 Morzine to Chatel, via France 41km 1470m

An easy start following the river Dranse out of Morzine before the big climb of the day, up to the Lindaret village and then up to the Col de Bassachaux at 1790 meters. We ride some great off road tracks around the Mont Grange before dropping down into Châtel (1200m, France) for the night.

Day 3 Chatel to Morzine, via Switzerland 35km 1130 m

A short road climb out of Châtel in the morning will see the riders cross into Switzerland. In Morgins the real climbing starts up the Val de Morgins and the high point of the trip, the Col des Portes du Soleil at 1950m. Some fast gravel tracks with stunning views of the Dents du Midi keep the riders high on the mountain side. Finally we reach the last technical stretch up the last climb to Col de Cou and back into France. From the border there is some superb single track which brings the riders back to the celebrations in Morzine.

Day 4 27km 890m

For the brave there is the option of an early start for a half day ride. First challenge yourself against the Pros on the Grimpee d’Avoriaz, a Tour de France road climb, before dropping off road all the way back to Morzine.

Celebration lunch followed by transfer to Geneva airport 1 hour 15.